Communications Officer

Vacancy Announcement

Communications Officer, P-3

Damascus, Syria

Re-opened with extended deadline; candidates having previously applied need not re-apply.

Deadline for Applications

31 October 2017

Duration

One year, with the possibility of further extension, subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory performance and continuing need.

Vacancy Announcement Number

17-FO-SA-34

UNRWA encourages applications from qualified women and welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.

UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for professionals like you.

Palestine refugees in Syria

Even before the outbreak of the current conflict, Palestine refugees in Syria were a vulnerable population, lagging behind the host population in key development indicators. The community had higher rates of infant mortality and lower rates of school enrolment among other significant indicators and their long-term future was uncertain. Palestine refugees have also been vulnerable to the ongoing conflict, as violence has increasingly encroached upon the Palestine refugee camps. Many have been displaced within Syria, while thousands of others have fled to neighboring countries, including Lebanon and Jordan. The situation remains volatile, with numbers and needs constantly changing, but despite the many challenges, UNRWA is continuing its emergency relief, health and education services in Syria.

Do you want to make a lasting difference? 

If you are passionate about making a lasting difference for Palestinian refugees, in this role you will manage the strategic communications deliverables related to the ongoing Emergency in Syria and work under the guidance of the Director of UNRWA Affairs, Syria engaging with the Chief of Strategic Communications Division and Arabic Spokesperson in the Headquarters for technical guidance and advice. You will also work with the Field Public Information Officer to ensure the effective flow of materials is coordinated between the programme communications functions and the emergency context.

The main responsibilities include:

•         Collaborating closely with the Director of UNRWA Affairs, Syria and the External Relations and Communications Department to develop UNRWA’s strategic messaging on the emergency situation in Syria and ensuring Agency awareness thereof; engaging with Field Programmes and Departments to collaborate and support on messaging issues related to the ongoing emergency in Syria, producing weekly messaging documents for use Agency wide; liaising with other UN and international organizations;

•         Coordinating primarily with Syria Field Office programme staff on the production of photo exhibitions and short films for targeted venues and audiences locally, regionally and internationally to promote Syria messaging and UNRWA emergency response efforts; collating and preparing photos and preparing photo essays for use on Agency website and other social media usages; ensuring supply of still photographs on Syria; helping in maintaining Syria response profile on UNRWA website;

•         Assisting with international media to amplify messaging; drafting press releases; creating briefing materials, such as fact sheets, coordinating special press events and liaising with journalists and donors;

•         Editing and proof reading promotional text for the Field and the Strategic Communications Division’s usage; researching, writing and editing feature articles for UNRWA website.

Conditions of service 

UNRWA offers an attractive compensation package including annual salary starting at $58,583 net tax free with post adjustment of 36.5% (subject to change without notice). All UNRWA duty stations (with the exception of Gaza and Syria) are family duty stations. Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:

•  Dependency allowances

•  Rental subsidy

•  Education grant for children

•  Home leave travel

•  6 weeks (30 working days) annual leave

•  Pension fund entitlements under the

    UN Joint Staff Pension Fund

•  International health insurance; optional

    life insurance

•  Disability protection

Additional benefits available to staff working in Syria:

• Danger pay

• Family visit travel

• Hardship allowance

• Rest and recuperation leave every 4

• Non-family service allowance

   weeks (subject to change without notice)

Additional information

The incumbent may be required to travel to UNRWA area of operations

To qualify for this position, you will need:

Education

A university degree from an accredited educational institution in journalism, humanities or related field.

Work

experience

At least six years of outreach/journalistic experience in a major media outlet, a UN Organization, NGO or similar organization, including two years of international experience, outside one’s home country.

Language(s)

Excellent command of written and spoken English and Arabic.

Desirable qualifications:

•         Knowledge of and interest in the Syria Crisis and the effect upon Palestine refugees;

•         Knowledge of and interest in Israeli-Palestinian issues and the Palestine refugee situation;

•         Experience in mounting photo exhibitions;

•         Knowledge of the UN system, i.e. its public information aspects.

You will also need to demonstrate the following competencies:

•         Very strong prose writing skills including researching and editing;

•         Strong visual ability with art and/or art history background;

•         Creative ability particularly in conceiving new PI activities;

•         Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others in a team environment and with people of diverse backgrounds, culture and nationalities;

•         Ability to deliver written work well and quickly, often under very short and tight deadlines;

•         Strong communication skills; written and verbal;

•         Ability to use Photoshop and other photo/design software programmes.

For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews:

            https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI

How to apply

To start the application process, applicants are required to register at http://jobs.unrwa.org by creating a personal profile and completing UNRWA Personal History Form. Only applications received through http://jobs.unrwa.org will be considered. Due to the large number of applications received for UNRWA vacancies, only applicants short-listed for interview will be contacted. The United Nations does not charge fees at any stage of the recruitment process. The United Nations does not concern itself with information related to bank accounts.

General information

UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, neutrality and impartiality at all times. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity, and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment.

The retirement age for staff entering or re-entering service in the UN Common System after 1 January 1990 is 62 and 65 after 1 January 2014. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete a term of appointment will normally be considered.

The Agency reserves the right not to make an appointment, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description.

Date of issue: 6 July 2017/LAN