Senior Communications Associate

Organizational Context

The Senior Communications Associate operates under the supervision of a Communications Officer or senior management. The role involves independent work on assignments with oversight, frequent contact with internal staff, and occasional external engagement with media, suppliers, NGOs, embassies, and UN agencies. The incumbent may supervise support staff and contributes to various communications activities.

Job Purpose

The Senior Communications Associate supports the implementation of communications strategies within a defined area of responsibility, aiming to meet UNHCR's objectives of shaping the narrative, fostering empathy, and mobilizing action for displaced and stateless individuals. This involves monitoring news and trends to integrate UNHCR's messaging, identifying strategic partnerships, and developing compelling content. The role focuses on creating news-driven narratives, emotive storytelling, and action-oriented campaigns to highlight UNHCR's impact and encourage support. A key aspect is ensuring content reaches a wide audience through effective distribution strategies across UNHCR and external channels, thereby enhancing visibility and achieving strategic communication goals.

Responsibilities

Support the execution of communications strategies for countries, situations, and special projects, identifying priorities and target audiences to achieve UNHCR's communication objectives. Monitor news and popular trends to strategically insert UNHCR's messaging and identify opportunities for proactive communications. Forge partnerships with individuals and organizations to produce and promote UNHCR content, activities, and messaging, and gather research insights. Develop news-driven content, such as interviews, press releases, and reports, to lead the narrative on forced displacement and showcase UNHCR's impact. Create emotive storytelling through stories and multimedia content to generate empathy and mobilize action by guiding individuals on how to assist refugees through digital diplomacy, campaigns, and fundraising. Ensure maximum impact of created content by developing distribution strategies, boosting visibility on UNHCR channels, and placing content on external platforms. Monitor the implementation of communications projects and make necessary adjustments. Assist in researching, preparing, editing, and disseminating professional media and communications materials to target audiences via UNHCR channels, ensuring high-quality standards. Continuously upgrade communications skills, stay updated on emerging platforms and tools, and review media impact results for learning. Support the implementation of campaigns, events, and initiatives aligned with UNHCR's strategic objectives, including increasing its share of voice on refugee matters. Undertake missions and field trips with media and official visitors to support UNHCR's work. Identify and manage risks, seize opportunities impacting objectives, and ensure risk-based decision-making. Raise risks, issues, and concerns to supervisors or relevant colleagues. Perform other related duties as required.

Work Experience

4 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 with MS Office proficiency and excellent drafting skills. Desirable: Experience in implementing communications strategies, professional writing and editing, and working on advocacy campaigns.

Skills

Excellent computer skills MS Office applications Excellent drafting skills Implementing communications strategies Professional writing and editing Advocacy campaigns News and media relations Multimedia content production Social media engagement Video production Public outreach and campaigns Analytics

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