Humanitarian Communications Officer (HER Roster)

Organizational Context

UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, aims to expand choices for women and youth to lead healthy lives. In the Philippines, UNFPA's 9th Country Programme (2024-2028) aligns with national development goals and the SDGs. As the Philippines is highly disaster-prone, UNFPA supports continuity of essential sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and gender-based violence (GBV) services during emergencies. The UNV HER Roster facilitates rapid deployment of specialists to support preparedness and response efforts.

Job Purpose

This role supports UNFPA Philippines' emergency response by contributing to rapid communication efforts during humanitarian crises. The incumbent will document emergency operations, capture compelling visual and written content, and develop human interest stories to highlight the impact of humanitarian assistance. Responsibilities include producing multimedia content for various platforms, managing social media, and supporting information management. The position requires deploying to affected areas to gather information and ensure all communications adhere to humanitarian principles, ethical standards, and safeguarding protocols, ultimately supporting UNFPA's mandate to deliver life-saving SRH and GBV services in coordination with partners.

Responsibilities

Support rapid communication response during humanitarian emergencies by drafting situation reports, updates, and key messages. Produce timely communication materials for internal and external audiences, including donor visibility products. Deploy to affected communities to document emergency response operations through high-quality photography and videography, conducting interviews with affected populations and stakeholders while adhering to safeguarding and ethical storytelling principles. Research, write, and edit human interest stories, feature stories, and multimedia narratives to showcase programme impact and beneficiary experiences. Produce photographs, short videos, reels, infographics, and digital content for rapid publication across platforms, maintaining organized archives. Develop and manage emergency social media content, monitor digital platforms for relevant narratives, and assist in consolidating field information for communication products. Coordinate with programme teams, partners, and UN agencies to gather verified information and visual assets, participating in communication planning and field missions. Apply humanitarian principles, accountability to affected populations, and Do No Harm principles in all communications.

Work Experience

Minimum of three years of progressive professional experience in communications, journalism, public information, multimedia production, or humanitarian/emergency response communications. Required experience includes producing communication products under tight deadlines, strong writing/editing, drafting reports and stories, professional photography/videography, video editing (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro), graphic design (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite), social media management, and ability to travel and work in emergency environments. Experience with humanitarian ethics and principles is essential.

Skills

Core competencies include achieving results, accountability, professional expertise, analytical thinking, teamwork, and effective communication. Functional skills include excellent English writing and communication, creating organizational visibility, planning humanitarian communication strategies, proficiency with various communication media and software, and strong computer/internet research skills. Expertise in art, design, culture, advocacy, public information, emergency preparedness, and crisis response is also valued.

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