Communications Associate

This Job Opening is available to eligible UNHCR staff members and external applicants. Staff members must serve for a minimum of one year following assignment before being considered eligible to apply for another internally or externally advertised position within the same category. The minimum one year requirement is waived in respect of a staff member whose position is being discontinued/reclassified.

Candidates for vacancy announcements in the GS category are divided in Group 1, Group 2 and external candidates in accordance with sub-paragraphs (a)-(c) below. Group 1 and Group 2 candidates are eligible to apply to internally and externally advertised positions. External candidates are eligible to apply to externally advertised positions.
a. Group 1 comprises current GS staff members holding an indefinite or fixed-term appointment who, at the date of the deadline for application, are serving in the country of the vacancy at the grade of the position or one grade below or above
b. Group 2 comprises of candidates who applied to the Group 2 open call, and whose successful vetting into Group 2 was confirmed by HR by e-mail. Should you have any inquiry about your Group 2 status, please contact HR Beirut. Communications Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Communication with Communities Associate is normally supervised by a Community-Based Protection (Communication with Communities) Officer or other position as decided by the senior management in the area of responsibility. The supervisor provides the incumbent with regular guidance. The incumbent works quite independently on regular assignments with an oversight from the supervisor. S/he keeps frequent contacts with staff at various levels in the Country office and Field Offices, and occasionally with staff at the same level in other duty stations and/or Headquarters. S/he works closely with implementing and operational partners/parties and occasionally with other UN agencies.

The Communication with Communities Associate, will primarily be responsible to screen refugee queries reported to the national Call Centre and refer the ones that require follow up to the respective focal persons in all Field Offices. S/he is also in charge of managing the refugees¿ website in Lebanon including uploading data and prepare it to be disseminated publicly. The incumbents is required to actively take part with innovative ideas in designing content and layout of communication material such as leaflets, brochures, posters, and video editing. S/he should have data analysis skills to compile and produce analytical reports from the available data. S/he is required to back up the other team members including social media engagement and other tasks under the CwC unit. 


It is desirable to have certificates and/or licenses in Journalism, Social Sciences and data, Humanities or related fields

It is desirable to have experience implementing communications strategies. Professional analytical reporting skills. Experience working on advocacy campaigns.


All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
- Support the implementation of communications strategies for countries, situations and special projects within the area of responsibility; help identify thematic priorities and target audiences to meet UNHCR¿s global, regional and country-level communications objectives of leading the narrative, generating empathy and mobilizing action for forcibly displaced and stateless people.
- Monitor news and popular trends to insert UNHCR¿s messaging into ongoing conversations; identify key moments for proactive communications.
- Help forge strategic partnerships with individuals and organizations who can help produce and promote UNHCR content, activities and messaging as well as provide research insights to improve communications; promote the work of engaged businesses and civil society actors.
- Support the development of news-driven and authoritative content to lead the narrative on forced displacement and show UNHCR¿s impact (e.g. interviews, press releases, flagship reports, speeches), create emotive storytelling to generate empathy (e.g. stories, multimedia content) and mobilize action by signposting concrete steps people can take to help refugees (e.g. digital diplomacy, action-driven campaigns, fundraising).
- Help ensure that content created reaches maximum impact by supporting the development of strategies for distribution from the outset, boosting the visibility of out content on relevant UNHCR channels and placing it on external channels.
- Help monitor the implementation of communications projects and adjust accordingly.
- Assist in research, preparation, editing and production of professional media and communications materials for target audiences and ensure their timely dissemination via UNHCR's communications channels, ensuring highest quality standards.
- Continually maintain and upgrade communications skills, keeping abreast of emerging platforms and tools, and systematically reviewing media impact results and other measurement tools for learning purposes.
- May be required to assist in implementation of campaigns, events and other initiatives in support of UNHCR's strategic objectives, including its need for a leading share of voice on refugee and related matters.
- May be required to undertake missions and field trips with media and other official visitors in support of UNHCR and its work.
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
not specified

(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses
Journalism, Social Sciences, Humanities or related fields

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential:
Excellent computer skills and knowledge of MS Office applications. Excellent drafting skills.

Desirable:
Experience implementing communications strategies. Professional writing and editing skills. Experience working on advocacy campaigns.

Functional Skills
CO-Digital content production
CO-Editing
CO-International Media Contacts
CO-Journalism (incl. print, broadcast, photography, video, layout & graphics)
CO-Video production for digital platforms (including news organizations)
CO-Web publishing and content management
MS-Drafting, Documentation, Data Presentation

(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.


This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. 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. Please also note that Arabic & English are essential for this Job Opening. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.  Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for written test and/or oral interview.

UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. UNHCR has a ZERO TOLERANCE policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and sexual harassment. Successful candidates will be subject to mandatory UN Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment clearance check prior to receiving an offer. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees). All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality. Interested qualified Group 1, Group 2 and external candidates meeting the requirements of the Job Descriptions posted online can apply as follows no later than 29 November 2020 Midnight Geneva Time.