Senior Regional Communication / PI Officer

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 Regional Communication /PI Officer

The Senior Regional Communication/Public Information Officer will normally report to the Regional Representative or his/her Deputy and will functionally be supervised by the Communications and PI Service (CPIS) at HQs. S/he will have regular contact with UNHCR staff at Headquarters and in the various field offices to provide and/or collect regional/country information for dissemination and to provide guidance on media relations.  Advise senior staff in the region and in CPIS of impending major media requirements or issues of concern. Advise senior UNHCR staff in the region on all media/public image-related issues.  In conjunction with CPIS, provide support and advice to offices on design, development and implementation of specific mass information programmes. 

The incumbent provides information on UNHCR's activities, policies and strategies in the region to local and international media; counterparts in other organizations or at working level in national Governments, and other external parties. Provide factual, objective information to refugees in mass information activities aimed at giving them the information they need to make decisions affecting their future.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability

- UNHCR's media relations and advocacy work within geographic and thematic areas of specializations are actively maintaining the organization's standing with media and audiences.

Responsibility

- Develop and implement communications strategies, campaigns, events and other initiatives in support of UNHCR's strategic objectives.
- Research, prepare, fact-check, edit, and produce professional media and communications materials for various audiences and ensure their timely dissemination via UNHCR's communications channels ensuring highest quality standards.
- Act as a spokesperson for UNHCR, organizing press events, handling interviews requests, and providing responses to requests from media relating to UNHCR and its work.
- Provide considered professional communications advice to Representatives and senior staff of UNHCR as needed.
- Undertake missions and field trips with media and other official visitors in support of UNHCR and its work.
- Actively maintain media relations for UNHCR, ensuring that media (and other important external stakeholders, such as governments, embassies, NGOs etc.) are briefed regularly on issues of importance to UNHCR, and have access to information and UNHCR expertise.
- Further UNHCR's cooperation with refugee-related activities of other UN agencies at a regional level, including coordination of activities and exchange of information/ideas.
- Monitor media coverage of UNHCR operations and make recommendations for response when necessary.
- Prepare and manage communications budgets.

Authority

- Represent UNHCR in press events, interviews and other media events.
- Authorize expenditures against communication budgets.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

- Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's) in Journalism, International Relations, Communications, Political Science or similar relevant field plus 8 years relevant job experience at professional level in progressively responsible functions related to UNHCR and/or any other humanitarian agency on promotional activities of the agency. Of the 8 years, at least 5 years should be in an international capacity of a similar functional area.
- 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.
- In-depth knowledge on the status refugees/Internal Displaced Persons, their needs, their rights/obligations through first-hand experience operational situations.
- General understanding of UN/UNHCR reforms and the priority agenda of the organization.
- Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint essential).
- Excellent communication skills with strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.
- Highly developed drafting ability in the UN working language of the duty station
- Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

- Completion of UNHCR Learning Programmes or specific training relevant to functions of position.
- High IT affinity, with specific focus on preparation of websites/pages.
- Knowledge of additional UN languages.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR Senior Regional Communication/Public Information Officer 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
M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
M005L3 - Leadership Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
X005L3 - Planning and Organizing Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X007L3 - Political Awareness Level 3

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.

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.

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