Senior Communications Assistant

A (least hardship)

Family

Family

GS5

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

No

2024-05-01

April 16, 2024

Senior Communications Assistant

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Communications Assistant is normally supervised by a Communication 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 will have frequent contacts involving the exchange of a wide range of information with colleagues within UNHCR as well as media, international organizations, academic institutions and private individuals.

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
– Regularly monitor media and local situation regarding UNHCR.
– Follow-up on administrative and logistical arrangements to organise press briefings and other events, such as workshop and conferences.
– Contribute to the production of information materials for public awareness campaigns and for the preparation of in-house bulletins, newsletters and information kits by contributing to articles, reports and other information gathered from various sources.
– Liaise with printers concerning brochures and publications published by the office.
– Draft routine correspondence and texts for the office’s website and maintain information databases.
– Compile and distribute a daily news clipping service.
– Distribute press statements and similar information to media, to other offices locally as well as to Headquarters.
– Maintain up-to-date filing system and appointments diary.

– 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 G5 – 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable.

Certificates and/or Licenses
International Relations; Journalism; Political Science;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Some work experience relevant to the position. Communication and computer skills. Excellent drafting skills as well as translation and interpreting skills.

Desirable
Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of position.

Functional Skills
CO-Journalism (incl. print, broadcast, photography, video, layout & graphics)
CO-Drafting and Documentation
IT-Web Content Management
CO-Digital content production
CO-Social Media Publishing/Monitoring/Marketing tools
IT-Web publishing
(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.

UNHCR has been present in Central Asia since 1993, and has offices in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan, a presence in Uzbekistan, and implements projects in Turkmenistan. The UNHCR Representation to Central Asia, based in Almaty, supervises and coordinates UNHCR operations across the five countries.

In Central Asia, UNHCR’s priorities are strengthening local ownership of and investment in quality asylum systems; pursuing opportunities for local integration of refugees; eradicating statelessness; and collaborating with partners on emergency preparedness and response. In all countries, UNHCR works in close collaboration with, and support of, national authorities.

The Senior Communications Assistant is a member of the External Relations team.

The External Relations team works to mobilize public, political and financial engagement and support so that UNHCR is best able to serve refugees and stateless people. In support of global efforts and country specific strategies, the team maintains partnerships with host and donor governments, media, UN agencies, NGOs and private sector companies.

Reporting to the External Relations Officer, and working closely with UNHCR colleagues across Central Asia and beyond, the Senior Communications Assistant assists in the development and implementation of communications, public information and external relations activities of the office, supporting realisation of UNHCR’s priorities across the sub-region.

The Senior Communications Assistant drafts and translates (English to Russian, and Russian to English) press releases, stories, web content, newsletters and any other public information material, as required. Acting as focal point for the media, the incumbent has frequent contacts with journalists, responding to non-complex media queries and incoming correspondence, and supporting related visits.

The Senior Communications Assistant assists with organization of visibility events (e.g. World Refugee Day), including drafting and tracking event plans, and supports implementation of UNHCR’s external relations, communications and social media strategies.

The ideal candidate should have excellent command of Russian (written and oral), including a well-developed drafting ability, and strong command of English (written and oral). Fluency in a Central Asian language is an advantage.

The position requires strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills, and the ability to work well in a team environment as well as independently, and manage own work related to multiple tasks and activities.

Experience working with and/or for Central Asian press and media is an advantage.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

Living and Working Conditions:

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Digital content production, CO-Drafting and Documentation, CO – Drafting and editing content for International Organizations, CO-Editing, CO-Journalism (incl. print, broadcast, photography, video, layout & graphics), CO-Media monitoring and analysis, Communication, CO-Public Information, CO-Reporting, writing, editing for magazines, newspapers and websites, CO-Strategic Communication, IT-Web Content Management, IT-Web publishing, Writing Articles

Certifications

International Relations – Other, Journalism – Other, Political Science – Other

Competencies

Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Innovation & creativity, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration, Technological awareness

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

Compendium

Additional Information

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance