Senior Communications Assistant

Organizational Context

The Senior Communications Assistant is supervised by a Communications Officer or senior management. The role involves frequent interaction with internal UNHCR colleagues, media, international organizations, academic institutions, and private individuals, requiring effective information exchange and collaboration within the organization and with external stakeholders.

Job Purpose

The Senior Communications Assistant supports UNHCR's communication efforts by monitoring media and local situations relevant to the organization. This role is crucial for organizing events like press briefings, workshops, and conferences, ensuring smooth administrative and logistical arrangements. The incumbent contributes to the production of various information materials, including public awareness campaigns, in-house bulletins, newsletters, and information kits, by gathering information and drafting articles and reports. They also liaise with printers for publications and manage routine correspondence, website content, and information databases. A key responsibility includes compiling and distributing daily news clippings and disseminating press statements to media and other offices. The position requires maintaining organized filing systems and appointment diaries, while also supporting risk management by identifying and reporting potential issues to supervisors.

Responsibilities

The Senior Communications Assistant is responsible for regularly monitoring media coverage and the local situation concerning UNHCR's activities and mandate. They will follow up on administrative and logistical arrangements for organizing press briefings, workshops, and conferences. A significant part of the role involves contributing to the production of information materials for public awareness campaigns, in-house bulletins, newsletters, and information kits by gathering information and drafting articles and reports. The assistant will liaise with printers regarding the production of brochures and publications. They will also draft routine correspondence, prepare content for the office's website, and maintain information databases. Compiling and distributing a daily news clipping service is another key duty, alongside distributing press statements and similar information to the media, local offices, and Headquarters. Maintaining an up-to-date filing system and appointment diary is essential. Furthermore, the incumbent will support the identification and management of risks, seeking opportunities that impact their area of responsibility, and ensuring risk-based decision-making. They are expected to raise risks, issues, and concerns to their supervisor or relevant colleagues. Performing other related duties as required is also part of the responsibilities.

Work Experience

Requires 2 years of relevant experience with a High School Diploma, or 1 year of relevant work experience with a Bachelor's degree or higher. Essential experience includes communication and computer skills, with excellent drafting, translation, and interpreting abilities.

Skills

Media monitoring Event organization Information material production Drafting reports and articles Liaising with printers Website content management Database maintenance News clipping service Press statement distribution Filing systems management Risk management Communication skills

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