A (least hardship)

Family

Family

GS7

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

No

2024-04-01

February 7, 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 operation in Chile has a workforce of approximately 40 people, composed of staff members (both national and international) and affiliates. The National Office (NO) is in Santiago de Chile, with field presence in Iquique and Arica. The NO Chile falls under the scope of the Multi-country Office (MCO) Argentina, located in Buenos Aires, which also covers Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

Chile is one of the highest-receiving countries of people with and for whom UNHCR works in the region, with more than 452,000 individuals under our mandate. These numbers include over 436,000 people in need of international protection, 12,462 asylum seekers and 2,178 refugees. Also, more than 400,000 Venezuelans, of which 8,330 are asylum-seekers and 33 recognized refugees. However, this figure does not contemplate the 200,000 estimated people who have an irregular legal condition in the country because they have entered the country through unauthorized border crossing points, mostly (90%) Venezuelan nationals.

UNHCR works together with the national government institutions, civil society organizations, municipalities, and the private sector to ensure access to protection, humanitarian assistance, and durable solutions for all those who have sought safety in the country, especially in the last couple of years, as Chile has become the fifth most important country of destination for Venezuelans in Latin America after Colombia, Peru, Brazil and Ecuador. The RMRP (R4V) National Platforms co-led by UNHCR and IOM have become the key coordination structures for joint situational assessments, planning and implementation of the humanitarian response.

Lately the country has seen an escalation in the negative perception of the phenomenon of human mobility among the Chilean population. Recent surveys have positioned human mobility as detrimental to the country; one of the main reasons why people forced to flee, and others in need of international protection are often subjected to discrimination and physical violence, sexual aggression, and exploitation, as well as victims of smuggling and trafficking.

The Senior Communications Associate will function under the direct supervision of the Head of National Office in Santiago de Chile and will work in close coordination with the External Relations Unit based at the Regional Office of UNHCR in Buenos Aires, who will provide for advice and operational support. The incumbent will have supervisory responsibility for the communications team in Chile composed of an affiliated workforce and an intern. S/he oversees the public information and communication work in Chile and is expected to work in close collaboration with the multi-functional team and external stakeholders. The UNHCR Office regularly works in collaboration with partners, including national and regional authorities as well as municipal governments; UN organizations, international and non-governmental organizations, and actively seeks engagement with the private sector. It is committed to the principle of participation, believing that people forced to flee, and stateless people should be involved in decisions that affect their lives.

The incumbent will support the elaboration and implementation of the Office’s Communications strategy, including by coordinating with internal and external stakeholders and service providers. The Senior Communication Associate will develop internal communication products and elaborate external and internal reports. The incumbent will support the Office with media requests, liaise with other external entities/partners regarding public information activities as well as reporting and produce original content for UNHCR communication channels, ensuring the visibility of UNHCR and partners in this operation, always taking into account protection concerns and the best interest of beneficiaries. The nature of certain tasks requires discretion and confidentiality as per UNHCR standards and practices.

The Communications Unit performs several other activities to highlight the plight of refugees and their achievements, to strengthen UNHCR brand visibility, to increase engagement with the refugee cause, to recognize donor’s contribution and to promote a more favorable protection environment.

The ideal candidate should have Communication/Journalism/Advertisement background, with proven experience on relevant media vehicles and/or organizations linked to social and humanitarian mandates, including UN agencies and content production companies for social/humanitarian issues, covering a diverse experience on median relations, content production and media reports and events.

Fluency in Spanish and English both verbally and in written is required, as well as social media and data analysis capacity and sound reporting skills. The candidate should have excellent communications and drafting skills, also experience in the design and implementation of communication strategies. S/he must be able to work independently, to effectively prioritize tasks, and to develop strong working relationships.
The incumbent must have sound analytical skills and political awareness. S/he must also have interpersonal skills such as empathy and willingness to coordinate with partners and external interlocutors. Furthermore, managerial skills and the ability to train/coach others is an added advantage.

English

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Spanish

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

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