Snr Comms Officer(HQ)

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.

Senior Communications Officer (HQ)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Senior Communication Officer (HQ) normally works under the direct supervision of Chief of Section (Media & Content) within the Division of External Relations. For positions located in the Bureaux, direct supervision is exercised by the (Deputy) Director of the Bureau. S/he works closely with other Communication Officers at Headquarters and field, and will have extensive contact with a wide variety of external audiences ranging media personnel, public-at-large, diplomats, scholars and staff from other UN organizations in the context of disseminating information and gathering support for UNHCR¿s activities.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability

- UNHCR is recognized as the leader in protecting, assisting and finding solutions for the world's forcibly displaced and stateless persons.
- UNHCR's public positioning and reputation are enhanced through robust, timely, and effective media relations.
- UNHCR's authority and expertize are supported by knowledgeable media interactions and interviews on global and regional news channels.

Responsibility

- Serve as the focal point for designated geographic regions and thematic issues on all matters dealing with external communication.
- Actively participate and provide input to the development and implementation of communication strategies and plans that increase exposure of UNHCR and mobilize public, political, and financial support.
- Advise regional communication staff to ensure the delivery of coordinated messages to key audiences taking into account global and operational strategies and policies.
- Liaise with the bureaus and divisions on operational issues and key message frameworks.
- Act as a global spokesperson for UNHCR.
- Produce frequent and regular briefing notes, press releases, fact sheets, press lines and 'if-asked' guidance notes, social media outputs, etc. for the regions and issues under area of responsibility - working closely with country and regional public information staff, subject experts, and regional and country representatives.
- Maintain up to date specialist knowledge of matters pertaining to the region and issues under area of responsibility PLUS up to date familiarity with UNHCR's wider global operations, policies.
- Undertake frequent media interviews in support of UNHCR global news output and reputation.
- Produce and encourage field staff to produce strategic and general interest news and features content for dissemination to external audiences via online channels including UNHCR's.
- Maintain a database of journalists and media organizations, respond to media enquiries on deadline, and build dialogue with individual journalists. 
- Offer editorial guidance and coordinate training activities for field based communication staff.
- Ensure that news materials are produced twice each week for the regular Palais briefings and other news channels.
- Ensure highest standards of accuracy and editorial content in all external outputs.
- Assist in the recruitment/selection of field-based communications staff as needed.
- Undertake short-notice field missions to humanitarian emergencies and other situations as needed.

Authority

- Assess interview requests and information questions and formulate appropriate responses.
- Answer media queries including on issues of political sensitivity.
- Devise messages, propos news and advocacy positions, develop new products.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. 

- Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's) preferably in Communications, Political Sciences, Public Information, International Relations plus minimum 8 years of previous work experience in communication, journalism, marketing, 7 of which are at the international level. Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) plus 9 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 7 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
- Advanced professional spokesperson skills, with a well-established knowledge of communications tactics and know-how, ideally gained through having worked in a major press office.
- Advanced professional news-writing and editing skills.
- Excellent communication skills both written and oral.
- Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

- Experience in preparing key messages, speeches, talking points and delivering them to a targeted audience.
- Knowledge of additional UN languages.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR Senior Communications Officer (HQ) positions. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates. C001L3 - Accountability Level 3
C002L3 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
C003L3 - Communication Level 3
C004L3 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
C005L3 - Client & Result Orientation Level 3
C006L3 - Organizational Awareness Level 3
M001L3 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
M005L3 - Leadership Level 3
M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X002L3 - Innovation and Creativity Level 3
X007L3 - Political Awareness Level 3 <p>The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.</p>
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See below for this postion's Operational Context
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For those people applying for High Risk Duty Stations, we strongly encourage them – before deciding to apply- to read the country specific security and welfare country profiles which can be found on the Intranet under Support Services - Duty of Care (https://intranet.unhcr.org/en/support-services/duty-of-care.html). Ensuring staff are better informed is part of the increased attention UNHCR is paying to Duty of Care.

 

Staff after having applied to High Risk Duty Stations will have access to country specific information webinars with Field Safety Section (FSS) and Staff Welfare Section (SWS) colleagues and provided with a tool to test their psychological preparedness for serving in High Risk Duty Stations. Applicants who applied for a position in a High Risk country will receive, after the deadline for applications has expired, a joint invitation from the Staff Welfare Section (SWS) and the Field Safety Section (FSS) to participate in these webinars. During the Webinars, latest updates on security and well-being will be provided, and FSS and SWS will address questions raised by participants. Applicants are highly encouraged to benefit, when applicable, from all measures as they provide most up-to-date security and well-being information helpful to assess staff’s readiness to serve in a High Risk Duty Station. A Staff Welfare Officer will also be available, if and when required, to discuss with interested applicants the results of the psychological preparedness tool as well as readiness for assignment in High Risk Duty Stations.

 

A strong background in media relations, in news and editorial decision-making - all working at senior international level in sensitive human rights and other political contexts. Senior Communications Officers in UNHCR's News & Media Section in Geneva are the organization¿s principle spokespersons and engage on a daily basis for UNHCR with media and public audiences worldwide. Their job is about championing the refugee cause through communications, devising and implementing communications strategies and plans in support of this, developing messages, advising senior managers on a range of communications matters, and working closely with staff in field offices and in regional bureaus and other headquarters divisions and offices to maintain and enhance UNHCR's standing as the leading international voice for refugees, the internally displaced, and stateless people. As global spokespersons for UNHCR, the position requires confidence, initiative, superb judgement skills, energy, drive, pride in professionalism, and an aptitude for working as part of a close and mutually supportive team. Advanced understanding of media relations skills and tactics, enthusiasm for working with a range of social media and multimedia tools, and - in particular - outstanding drafting and editing abilities are essential for success. The position is based at UNHCR headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, within the Division of External Relations, and is a key position within UNHCR's global News and Media team (part of the Communications and Public Information Service).

Senior Communications Officers are assigned a specific regional or thematic focus, in which they are expected to develop expertise and play important leadership roles. These include providing editorial judgment and direction, providing tactical and strategic communications advice, ensuring coordination, identifying training needs, involving themselves in recruitment work, and developing and implementing communications plans.

In addition, they are expected to act as global spokespersons for UNHCR and step in to cover other regions and issues when colleagues are away, while on weekend or holiday duty, or on a daily basis as required.

Senior Communications Officers lead on developing the editorial agenda and messaging for their assigned areas, and work in especially close partnership with colleagues working in Content Production and in UNHCR's main funding and resource mobilization teams. They report to the Head of News and Media. The work of Senior Communications Officers frequently means working in reactive contexts and fast-moving news environments, for which energy, stamina and availability to media can all be vital to success. At the same time, they are looked to for ensuring strong positioning of UNHCR on a range of forward-looking advocacy issues requiring careful preparation and planning. To balance these two aspects of the job, an ability to prioritize and maintain a grounded sense of the big picture is key. Also important is being able to pace oneself and deal with competing demands. Switzerland offers in return an excellent living environment. Senior Communications Officers can from time to time be expected to travel to and work for short periods, and at short notice, in any of the humanitarian emergencies that UNHCR deals with. This may entail working in countries dealing with situations of instability or conflict. For this reason, some prior experience of having worked in such environments is useful. English-language fluency is required for this position, French is a working language of the UN in Geneva and an ability to communicate in French is desired (including handling media interviews in French). As we are a global communications team, written and spoken fluency in other European and non-European languages is a strong plus.

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the September 2018 Compendium is Thursday 18 October  2018 (midnight Geneva time).