Communications Associate

Organizational Context

The Communications Associate is supervised by a Communications Officer or other senior management. The role involves independent work on assignments with oversight, and frequent contact with internal staff, media, suppliers, NGOs, implementing partners, embassies, and UN agencies. The position may support various communications activities depending on the organizational structure.

Job Purpose

The Communications Associate supports the implementation of communications strategies to achieve UNHCR's objectives of leading the narrative, generating empathy, and mobilizing action for forcibly displaced and stateless people. This involves monitoring news and trends to integrate UNHCR's messaging, identifying key moments for proactive communications, and forging strategic partnerships. The role focuses on developing news-driven content, creating emotive storytelling, and mobilizing action through digital diplomacy and campaigns. It also involves ensuring content reaches maximum impact through effective distribution strategies across UNHCR and external channels, and monitoring project implementation to make necessary adjustments.

Responsibilities

Support the implementation of communications strategies for countries, situations, and special projects, identifying thematic priorities and target audiences to meet UNHCR's objectives. Monitor news and popular trends to integrate UNHCR's messaging into ongoing conversations and identify key moments for proactive communications. Forge strategic partnerships with individuals and organizations to produce and promote UNHCR content, activities, and messaging, and to gather research insights. Support the development of news-driven content, such as interviews and press releases, to lead the narrative on forced displacement and showcase UNHCR's impact. Create emotive storytelling through multimedia content to generate empathy and mobilize action by signposting concrete steps for public assistance. Help ensure content reaches maximum impact by supporting distribution strategies, boosting visibility on UNHCR channels, and placing content on external channels. Monitor the implementation of communications projects and adjust strategies as needed. Assist in the research, preparation, editing, and production of professional media and communications materials for target audiences, ensuring timely dissemination and high-quality standards. Continually maintain and upgrade communications skills, staying abreast of emerging platforms and tools, and reviewing media impact results for learning. Assist in the implementation of campaigns, events, and initiatives to support UNHCR's strategic objectives. May undertake missions and field trips with media and other visitors. Support risk management and opportunity identification within the area of responsibility, ensuring risk-based decision-making and reporting concerns to supervisors.

Work Experience

3 years of relevant experience with a High School Diploma, or 2 years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor's degree or higher. Essential: Excellent computer skills in MS Office, excellent drafting skills. Desirable: Experience implementing communications strategies, professional writing and editing skills, experience with advocacy campaigns.

Skills

MS Office applications, Drafting skills, Communications strategies implementation, Professional writing, Editing skills, Advocacy campaigns, International Media Contacts, Journalism, Video production for digital platforms, Editing, Drafting and Documentation, Digital content production

Explore related opportunities