Communications Associate

Hardship Level

A (least hardship)

Family Type

Family

Family Type

Family

Residential location (if applicable)

Grade

GS6

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Remote work accepted

No

Target Start Date

2024-01-01

Job Posting End Date

December 22, 2023

Standard Job Description

Communications Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Communications Associate is normally supervised by a Communication Officer or other position as decided by the senior management in the area of responsibility. The supervisor provides the incumbent with regular guidance. The incumbent works quite independently on regular assignments with an oversight from the supervisor. S/he keeps frequent contacts with staff at various levels in the office and occasionally with staff at the same level in other duty stations and/or Headquarters; with media, local suppliers, NGO, implementing partners, embassies and UN agencies.

The Communications Associates, depending on the organizational structure and location, may also be required to provide support in executing a range of communications activities in the fields of news and media relations, multimedia content production, social media engagement, video production, Goodwill Ambassadors and other influencers, public outreach and campaigns, fundraising, analytics and brand. The incumbents may also be required to help strengthen coordination and editorial planning in the area of responsibility, support advocacy, awareness-raising and digital fundraising efforts as well as strengthening analytics to inform the social media strategies and work plans.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

• Support the implementation of communications strategies for countries, situations and special projects within the area of responsibility; help identify thematic priorities and target audiences to meet UNHCR’s global, regional and country-level communications objectives of leading the narrative, generating empathy and mobilizing action for forcibly displaced and stateless people.
• Monitor news and popular trends to insert UNHCR’s messaging into ongoing conversations; identify key moments for proactive communications.
• Help forge strategic partnerships with individuals and organizations who can help produce and promote UNHCR content, activities and messaging as well as provide research insights to improve communications; promote the work of engaged businesses and civil society actors.
• Support the development of news-driven and authoritative content to lead the narrative on forced displacement and show UNHCR’s impact (e.g. interviews, press releases, flagship reports, speeches), create emotive storytelling to generate empathy (e.g. stories, multimedia content) and mobilize action by signposting concrete steps people can take to help refugees (e.g. digital diplomacy, action-driven campaigns, fundraising).
• Help ensure that content created reaches maximum impact by supporting the development of strategies for distribution from the outset, boosting the visibility of out content on relevant UNHCR channels and placing it on external channels.
• Help monitor the implementation of communications projects and adjust accordingly.
• Assist in research, preparation, editing and production of professional media and communications materials for target audiences and ensure their timely dissemination via UNHCR’s communications channels, ensuring highest quality standards.
• Continually maintain and upgrade communications skills, keeping abreast of emerging platforms and tools, and systematically reviewing media impact results and other measurement tools for learning purposes.
• May be required to assist in implementation of campaigns, events and other initiatives in support of UNHCR’s strategic objectives, including its need for a leading share of voice on refugee and related matters.
• May be required to undertake missions and field trips with media and other official visitors in support of UNHCR and its work.
• Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For G6 – 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education

Not applicable.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Journalism, Social Sciences, Humanities or related fields

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Excellent computer skills and knowledge of MS Office applications. Excellent drafting skills.

Desirable

Experience implementing communications strategies. Professional writing and editing skills. Experience working on advocacy campaigns.

Functional Skills

CO-International Media Contacts

CO-Journalism (incl. print, broadcast, photography, video, layout & graphics)

CO-Video production for digital platforms (including news organizations)

CO-Editing

CO-Drafting and Documentation

CO-Digital content production

(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements

For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.

For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Desired Candidate Profile

Excellent written and oral communication ability in both Turkish and English is essential. Previous experience in the communications/public information field—including digital content production and social media engagement—is desired. Graduation from communications, journalism, or English Language departments would be an asset. Knowledge of refugee issues and the work of UNHCR would also be an asset.

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

,

,

Desired languages

,

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.

Nature of Position:

The position is located within the External & Donor Relations Unit (DRU) of the UNHCR Türkiye country office and reports to the unit’s Senior External Relations Officer. DRU works to maintain and enhance financial and political support to UNHCR and to the refugee response in Türkiye. As such, the unit establishes and maintains relationships with governmental donors and other interested embassies/missions in Ankara, as well as with current and potential private sector donors, in order to assist the host government in protecting and assisting refugees/asylum-seekers and local communities.

The Communications Associate ensures the production of timely and high-quality donor visibility assets—including but not limited to social media posts, web stories, photos, signboards, banners, etc.—in line with the communications & visibility guidelines and requirements of both UNHCR and its donors.

In accordance with the visibility strategies of the Türkiye operation and UNHCR Headquarters, the Communications Associate develops a visibility plan that includes activities for each donor. These activities are then implemented in coordination with donor counterparts, the DRU focal points/contract managers, the Public Information Unit, other units and field offices of the UNHCR Türkiye operation, and the visibility focal points in UNHCR’s Geneva HQ and the Regional Representation for EU Affairs in Brussels. The position also liaises with private sector partnerships colleagues in the relevant regional bureaus and in headquarters.

The position involves organizing and accompanying field visits to various locations within Türkiye for the collection of assets and for other donor visibility purposes, as well as producing the communications & visibility components of the donor contracts, including proposals and reports.

Living and Working Conditions:

UNHCR in Turkiye operates through country offices in Ankara, with field offices/presence in Gaziantep, Istanbul, Edirne, Izmir, Adana, Hatay, Sanliurfa, and Van. As the country’s capital, Ankara offers good infrastructure, medical facilities, schools, hotels, and residential apartments for rent. Ankara has cold, snowy winters and hot dry summers with rainfall mostly during spring and fall.

Skills

Additional Qualifications

CO-Digital content production, CO-Drafting and Documentation, CO-Editing, CO-International Media Contacts, CO-Journalism (incl. print, broadcast, photography, video, layout & graphics), CO-Video production for digital platforms (including news organizations)

Education

Certifications

Humanities – Other, Journalism – Other, Social Sciences – Other

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Innovation & creativity, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

The English version is considered original and authoritative, translation to other language(s) serve the purpose of advertisement of local positions where applicable but are not considered as official translations

Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern is subject to successful reference checks, and integrity clearances

PLEASE DO NOT USE TURKISH CHARACTERS IN YOUR NAME & SURNAME INFORMATION.

Staff members should serve for a minimum of one year following assignment before being considered eligible to apply for another position within the same category. This requirement is waived with respect to staff members whose position is being changed or whose assignment/appointment through the joint staff/management review body is in a replacement capacity.

UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training, or any other fees).

Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The recruitment process might include a written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted.

External candidates should be legally present in Türkiye at the time of application, recruitment, and hire.

Non-Turkish citizens are required to upload their residence permits or relevant documents under the ‘Certifications’ section, by selecting the type ‘Personnel Administration – Other’, to be considered for this job opening. Applications by non-Turkish citizens will NOT be considered if a valid residence permit is not attached to the application.

For further information on how to apply, please visit the ‘UNHCR – Application and Selection’ page, at https://www.unhcr.org/how-to-apply.html.

Functional clearance

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance