Assistant Communications Officer

Grade

NOA

National Professional Officer

Reason

Temporary > Temporary Assignment/ Appointment

D

Non Family with Residential Location<p></p><p></p>

Addis Ababa,Eth Fed Dem Rep

No

2023-04-01

2023-06-30

March 26, 2023

Standard Job Description

Assistant Communications Officer Organizational Setting and Work Relationships In line with its Global Communications Strategy, UNHCR requires skilled communications professionals to conceive and execute a range of activities that help us lead the narrative on forced displacement, generate empathy and mobilize action. This body of work spans communications strategy and coordination, news and media relations, multimedia content production, social media engagement, Goodwill Ambassadors and other influencers, public outreach and campaigns, fundraising, analytics and brand. UNHCR's Assistant Communications Officers need to cultivate a keen understanding of our target audiences, including an up-to-the-minute grasp of the methods and tone of voice that resonate deeply, win trust and spark quality engagement. They must be vigilant about editorial and journalistic standards, attentive to protection concerns and political sensitivities, and focused on communicating successfully with key demographics. These audiences will vary by location, language and platform, among other factors, as well as whether the aim is to inform, advocate or raise funds. The Assistant Communications Officers¿ functions, working relationships and skills specializations differ depending on language, location, grade, and whether they sit within a country operation, a regional bureau or the Global Communications Service. UNHCR¿s primary target audiences include public, media and policymakers, while our main partners and influencers include peers and private sector, trusted figures and our own workforce. Some communicators will focus mainly on news and media relations, for example, while others will produce multimedia content, manage social media accounts or lead advocacy campaigns. Forging partnerships with media outlets that reach target audiences is a central role for all Assistant Communications Officers. All Assistant Communications Officers are expected to work strategically in support of UNHCR¿s operational and communications objectives for their geographic area of responsibility (AoR) as well as global priorities. Communications approaches should reflect our core values as an organization that is caring, trustworthy, proactive, outcome-focused and responsive. This will reinforce UNHCR¿s role as the lead agency that protects refugees, internally displaced and stateless people and mobilizes action to provide solutions. 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 - Assist in establishment of close working relationships with television, radio and news agencies to promote and ensure the dissemination of UNHCR aims, activities and principles. - Assist in development of working relationships with the Government, NGOs and UN Agencies in order to raise interest and develop co-operation in inter-related activities. - Organize UNHCR¿s public awareness campaign in the duty station. - Draft bulletins and updates on UNHCR¿s operations in the duty station. - Brief national and international media of developments in UNHCR¿s operations in the duty stations and accompany visiting media to the refugee camps where applicable. - Assist in planning and organizing advertisements, exhibitions, training seminars, conferences, meetings, social events and other activities to promote a better understanding of UNHCR¿s activities and accomplishments by the general public and/or organized groups. - Assist in preparation of communication budget. - Perform other related duties as required. Minimum Qualifications Education & Professional Work Experience Years of Experience / Degree Level For P1/NOA - 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree Field(s) of Education Journalism; International Relations; Political Science; Communications; Public Information; Media Film / Video; or other relevant field. Certificates and/or Licenses Not specified Relevant Job Experience Essential Minimum 1 year of professional experience in journalism and/or communications, mainly at international level. Desirable Strong social media presence. Experience working on advocacy campaigns. Experience working with goodwill ambassadors and other high-profile influencers. Experience with brand management. Experience with measurement and evaluation, especially providing analysis of media coverage, social media engagement, web traffic, etc. Experience reporting, writing, editing for magazines, newspapers and websites. Experience using digital asset management systems. Experience with digital analytics and performance reporting. Functional Skills CO-Digital content production CO-Editing CO-International Media Contacts CO-Journalism (incl. print, broadcast, photography, video, layout & graphics) CO-Preparation of key messages/talking points/speeches CO-Public Speaking CO-Spokesperson skills CO-Video production for digital platforms (including news organizations) IT-Web Content Management CO-Drafting and Documentation (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. All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power. As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise. 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.

Location of Assignment: Bokh

The incumbent of the position will be based in Bokh not in Jijiga, which is the exact location of the contractual assignment of this position.

Additional language skills in Somali and Amharic are a desirable.

Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

Living and Working Conditions:

Bokh town is located in Doolo zone of the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia and is the headquarters of the Bokh woreda (District), with an estimated population of 50,000 people. It is situated 170 kms away from Wardher, the Doolo zonal capital, 780km from Jijiga, 80-100 km from the Ethiopia-Somalia border and 1,400 kilometers away from Ethiopia’s capital city, Addis Ababa.

Kebridehar is the nearest big town located on the main asphalt road from Jijiga that has an airport providing air transport from Addis Ababa to the region. However, the distance from Kebridehar to Bokh via Wardher is about 305 kms, but this takes about 7 hours due to the rough nature of the road.

Bokh and its surrounding areas are characterized by moderate, dusty, and dry weather. The temperature varies from 30–38 degrees Celsius and can rise up to 40 degrees Celsius, thus creating a very hot and uncomfortable environment. The rainy season is normally during the months of June to September and although it reduces the warm temperature, it creates a perfect condition for insects to fertilize, especially mosquitoes.

The currency used in Doolo zone is the Ethiopian Birr (ETB). There are no banking services in Bokh town. The nearest banking facility if the branch for the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia in Wardher, the zonal capital. It is recommended to carry cash before arriving at the Bokh UNHCR Satellite Office.

Services like electricity and water are very limited. Electricity for the town is supplied for a few hours a day from a big generator and some residents have invested in solar power. Water is provided from two main boreholes whose capacity does not satisfy the entire town population, with proposed rehabilitation and construction of new boreholes by the district authorities.

Network coverage is unreliable in Bokh. In commercial hotel accommodations, there is no access to the internet at all. Sometimes staff use mobile phone data to check their emails. Connection to wireless networks and other ICT needs is under preparation by UNHCR ICT colleagues. VSAT equipment are being prepared for installation in Bokh and some ICT emergency kits have recently been delivered in Bokh to facilitate staff office activities.

Currently, accommodations are being provided by two private commercial hotels (Shobane and Rambo) with the price varying between ETB 500-600 per night. UNHCR is planning to rent a property for staff accommodation which will then provide a standard accommodation rate in accordance with the Policy on UNHCR-Provided Accommodation in the Field. However, due to the numbers of humanitarian workers arriving in Bokh, accommodation has recently been scarce. UNHCR has dispatched some 50 tents and mattresses to set up a tented camp for staff accommodation to complement available hotel spaces.

Most accommodations do not have private bathrooms, air-conditioning, closets, or other additional house furniture.

Upon arrival at the UNHCR Satellite Office in Bokh, a security briefing is required. Official working hours are Monday through Thursday: 08:30 - 17:30 hours, with a one-hour lunch break from 12:30 to 13:30 hours; while on Friday: 08:30 - 14:00 hours, with no lunch break.

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

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Skills

CO-Digital content production, CO-Drafting and Documentation, CO-Editing, CO-International Media Contacts, CO-Journalism (incl. print, broadcast, photography, video, layout & graphics), CO-Preparation of key messages/talking points/speeches, CO-Public Speaking, CO-Spokesperson skills, CO-Video production for digital platforms (including news organizations), IT-Web Content Management

Education

BA: Communication (Required), BA: International Relations (Required), BA: Journalism (Required), BA: Media (Required), BA: Political Science (Required), BA: Public Information (Required)

Certifications

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales