Crisis Communications Officer

Update

Papua New Guinea (PNG) faces a wide range of humanitarian, development, peacebuilding and disaster-related challenges, including earthquakes, volcanic activity, floods, drought, disease outbreaks, population displacement, election-related tensions, and localized conflict. These events require timely, coordinated and strategic communications to protect the credibility of the United Nations, support operational objectives, combat misinformation, and ensure that affected communities receive accurate and life-saving information.

The United Nations Country Team (UNCT), under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator (RC), coordinates support to national authorities and communities in preparedness, response, recovery and resilience efforts. The Disaster Management Team (DMT) serves as the principal inter-agency coordination mechanism for emergency preparedness and response.

Given the growing importance of information management, digital communications, media relations, and crisis reputation management, the UNCT seeks an International UN Volunteer (IUNV) Expert Crisis Communications Officer to strengthen crisis communication

preparedness and provide surge communications support before, during and after emergencies and other high-profile events requiring coordinated UN messaging.

The position will work closely with the Resident Coordinator's Office (RCO), UN Communications Group (UNCG), DMT members, UN agency communications focal points, humanitarian partners, government counterparts and regional communications networks to ensure coherent, timely and effective communications throughout the crisis cycle. This assignment draws on established crisis communications functions used by UN Development Coordination Office communications support mechanism.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Humanitarian Advisory Team and the strategic guidance of the Resident Coordinator, the Crisis Communications Officer will strengthen the preparedness, coordination and implementation of crisis communications across the UN system in Papua New Guinea.

The incumbent will support the RC, UNCT and DMT to anticipate, prepare for, manage and communicate during crises and emergencies, while protecting the reputation and credibility of the United Nations and ensuring accurate, timely and coordinated public information.


1. Crisis Communications Planning and Preparedness


· Develop and maintain the UNCT/DMT Crisis Communications Strategy and related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

· Support the establishment and functioning of a UN Crisis Communications Cell within the UN Communications Group.

· Maintain crisis communications tools, templates and protocols, including:

o Holding statements

o Key messages

o Q&As

o Media lines

o Situation update templates

o social media guidance

· Develop and periodically update crisis communications contingency plans for major hazards and operational risks in PNG.

· Facilitate crisis communications simulations, tabletop exercises and preparedness training for UN communications focal points and senior managers.

· Strengthen communications readiness across UN agencies through capacity-building and knowledge sharing.


2. Strategic Communications During Emergencies


· Provide surge communications support during humanitarian emergencies, natural disasters, disease outbreaks, security incidents and other crises affecting UN operations.

· Advise the RC, UNCT and DMT on communications strategy, reputational risk management and stakeholder engagement.

· Draft and coordinate:

o Press releases

o Media statements

o Speeches

o public messages

o Op-eds

o social media content

o Talking points for senior UN leadership

· Ensure consistent UN-wide messaging across agencies and partners during crises.

· Coordinate communication responses related to humanitarian appeals, response plans and emergency operation


3. Media Relations and Public Information


· Maintain constructive working relationships with national and international media.

· Organize press briefings, media interviews and press conferences during emergencies.

· Develop media kits and communication products for crisis situations.

· Support proactive engagement with media to promote accurate reporting on UN-supported response efforts.

· Facilitate media access to field missions where appropriate and consistent with security requirements.



4. Information Integrity, Misinformation and Reputation Management


· Monitor traditional, online and social media to identify emerging narratives, misinformation, disinformation and reputational risks.

· Provide regular media monitoring and sentiment analysis reports to the RC, UNCT and DMT.

· Develop rapid-response communication products to address misinformation and information gaps.

· Advise UN leadership on issues that may affect the reputation, credibility and acceptance of the United Nations.

· Support after-action reviews and lessons learned exercises following major crise



5. Digital Communications and Content Production


· Manage crisis-related content on UN digital platforms and social media channels.

· Produce and coordinate multimedia content, including:

o Human-interest stories

o Photographs

o Videos

o Infographics

o Web features

· Ensure communications products are accessible, timely and audience focused.

· Promote visibility of UN humanitarian and recovery efforts through coordinated storytelling.

· Support digital engagement strategies to expand the reach of trusted information during emergencies.


6. Coordination and Partnership


· Serve as communications focal point for the DMT and support communication coordination mechanisms during emergencies.

· Coordinate closely with communications focal points from UN agencies, funds and programmes.

· Liaise with:

o Government communication counterparts

o Development partners

o Humanitarian partners

o Civil society organizations

o regional communications networks

· Ensure alignment between agency-specific and UN-wide communications approaches.

· Maintain close collaboration with regional and global communications support structures within the UN system.


7. Elections and Sensitive Political Contexts


· Support the UNCT in communication initiatives related to electoral preparedness, civic engagement, peacebuilding and social cohesion, consistent with UN principles of neutrality and impartiality.

· Develop communications approaches that support peaceful dialogue and informed public discourse.

· Monitor communication risks associated with elections, social tensions and security developments.