Senior Communications Associate

B

Family

Family

GS7

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

No

2025-04-01

December 2, 2024

Senior Communications Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Communications Associate is normally supervised by a Communication Officer or other position as decided by the senior management in the area of responsibility (AoR). The supervisor provides the incumbent with regular guidance, who works quite independently on regular assignments with an oversight from the supervisor. S/he keeps frequent contacts with staff at various levels in the office and occasionally with staff at the same level in other duty stations and/or Headquarters; with media, local suppliers, NGO, implementing partners, embassies and UN agencies. The incumbent normally supervises some support staff.

The Senior Communications Associate, depending on the organizational structure and location, may also be required to provide support in executing a range of communications activities in the fields of news and media relations, multimedia content production, social media engagement, video production, Goodwill Ambassadors and other influencers, public outreach and campaigns, fundraising, analytics and brand. The incumbent may also be required to help strengthen coordination and editorial planning in the AoR, support advocacy, awareness-raising and digital fundraising efforts as well as strengthening analytics to inform the social media strategies and work plans.

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 AoR; 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 our content on relevant UNHCR channels and placing it on external channels.
– 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 support the 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.

– Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
– Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G7 – 4 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.

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 – Drafting and editing content for International Organizations
CO-International Media Contacts
CO-Journalism (incl. print, broadcast, photography, video, layout & graphics)
CO-Video production for digital platforms (including news organizations)
CO-Editing
(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.

The senior Communications Associate will have a skillset in graphic design, can utilize a range of software for photo, video and text editing and has a strong eye for detail in drafting press releases and other documents. The incumbent will be adept at managing and maintaining our files, ensuring the Unit has appropriate processes in place.
The incumbent should be a competent and experienced photographer and videographer, with a track record of content production, particularly for social media channels. Previous experience in managing social media accounts is required, whilst media relations is an advantage.
The candidate should have strong track record in media relations and public information and support UNHCR Kenya in maximizing reach with stories and content.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

Under the supervision of the Communications Officer, the Senior Communications Associate will manage the UNHCR Kenya Social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook and Instagram) and take responsibility for updating and maintaining the UNHCR Kenya website and will monitor and analyze the impact of communications.

The Senior Communications Associate will assist in implementing the communications strategy that generates support for UNHCR’s operations from external partners (e.g. the general public, governments, partners, the media, academia and refugees, asylum-seekers and stateless persons).The

The incumbent will assist in the dialogue with donors and embassies and provide accurate information by supporting the Communications Officer in preparing for briefings, bilateral meetings and missions. The incumbent will take the lead in drafting external communications products for the operation, including operational updates, briefing notes and background materials. The incumbent will assist the Communications Officer in supporting the Senior Management in dealing with the challenges posed by the political context, the UN and humanitarian reform, and institutional developments in the area of forced displacement and humanitarian operations. This includes regular media monitoring and tracking of requests and maintaining the Sharepoint file system.

The Senior Communications Associate will support in planning and organizing special events, conferences, meetings, social events and also in the capacity building for other colleagues and supporting in the management and personal development of the intern in the unit.

Living and Working Conditions:

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO – Drafting and editing content for International Organizations, CO-Editing, CO-International Media Contacts, CO-Journalism (incl. print, broadcast, photography, video, layout & graphics), CO-Video production for digital platforms (including news organizations)

Certifications

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Innovation & creativity, Managing performance, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration

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

Compendium

Additional Information

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance