Snr Communications Associate

Organizational Context

The Senior Communications Associate is supervised by a Communications Officer or other 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 UNHCR's communication activities.

Job Purpose

The Senior Communications Associate supports the implementation of communications strategies to meet UNHCR's objectives of leading the narrative, generating empathy, and mobilizing action for displaced and stateless people. This involves monitoring news and trends to integrate UNHCR's messaging, identifying key communication moments, and forging strategic partnerships. The role focuses on developing news-driven content, creating emotive storytelling, and mobilizing action through digital diplomacy and campaigns. A key aspect is ensuring content reaches maximum impact through effective distribution strategies across UNHCR and external channels, while continuously upgrading communications skills and staying abreast of emerging platforms and tools. The position also supports the identification and management of risks impacting communication objectives.

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 and identify proactive communication opportunities. Forge strategic partnerships with individuals and organizations to produce and promote UNHCR content, activities, and messaging, and to gather research insights. Develop news-driven and authoritative content, including interviews, press releases, reports, and speeches, to lead the narrative on forced displacement and showcase UNHCR's impact. Create emotive storytelling through various media to generate empathy and mobilize action by highlighting concrete steps for public support. Assist in developing distribution strategies to maximize content reach and visibility on UNHCR and external channels. Monitor the implementation of communications projects and make necessary adjustments. Research, prepare, edit, and produce professional media and communications materials for target audiences, ensuring timely dissemination and high-quality standards. Continuously maintain and upgrade communications skills, staying updated on emerging platforms and tools, and systematically reviewing media impact results for learning. Support the implementation of campaigns, events, and initiatives aligned with UNHCR's strategic objectives. May undertake missions and field trips with media and official visitors. Support the identification and management of risks and opportunities impacting the area of responsibility, ensuring risk-based decision-making and reporting of issues to supervisors.

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 experience includes excellent computer skills with MS Office applications and excellent drafting skills. Desirable experience includes implementing communications strategies, professional writing and editing, and working on advocacy campaigns.

Skills

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

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