Communications Officer – IICA 2

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is offering a Communication Officer, IICA 2 position based in Country Office Kabul, Afghanistan.

UNHCR is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. Every year, millions of men, women and children are forced to flee their homes to escape conflict and persecution. We are in over 125 countries, using our expertise to protect and care for persons of concern to UNHCR.

Title: Communications Officer – IICA 2

Duty Station: CO Kabul, Afghanistan

Duration: Six Months

Contract Type: UNOPS – IICA 2

Start date: 01 August 2022

Closing date: 8 July 2022

Organizational context

Afghanistan is a high-risk country with a very complex operational environment, characterized by uncertainty and frequent security incidents. Movement by all personnel is restricted, coordinated and monitored by the security officers. UNHCR in Kabul is located within the ICON Compound on the Supreme road of the Police district 9. Staff are provided with accommodations compliant with Security Risk Measures. UNHCR and UN agencies jointly run Joint Medica Service Level 1 medical clinic in Kabul and a satellite located in ICON. Medical facilities in Kabul include German Clinic, French Medical Institute for Mothers & Children (FMIC), Blossom Health Center and Iqarus International (AMC).

The position

We are seeking a dynamic and proactive team player, who can work independently as well, with a strong interest in communications, to become a steady and reliable asset to the UNHCR Afghanistan Operation. The Communication Officer will work under the supervision of the Senior Communication Officer and will be responsible for providing ideas for communications initiatives and preparing professional media and communications materials for target audiences

Duties and responsibilities

The Communication Officer Position will work under the direct supervision of the Senior Communication Officer to assume the following responsibilities:

• Monitor news and popular trends to insert UNHCR’s messaging into ongoing conversations; identify key moments for proactive communications.
• Support the supervisor in ensuring content created reaches maximum impact by developing strategies for distribution from the outset, boosting the visibility of our content on relevant UNHCR channels and placing it on external channels.
• Research, prepare, fact-check, edit and produce professional media and communications materials for target audiences.
• Draft media releases, statements and media briefing notes, and secure clearances, working in conjunction with relevant focal points and keeping sensitive to needs of both internal and external audiences.
• Undertake missions and field trips with media and other official visitors in support of UNHCR and its work.
• Research news hooks, story angles and creative opportunities to optimize communication.
• Stay abreast of current trends and techniques in social media and digital communication.
• Plan and develops content and assets for use on diverse communication channels.
• Ensure that media contact lists are regularly updated and that effective distribution mechanisms are in place for time-dependent communications products including press releases and statements.
• Ensure highest standards of accuracy and editorial content in all external outputs. Offer editorial guidance and coordinate training activities for communications staff.
• 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.

Essential minimum qualifications and professional experience required

The ideal candidate should have:

• At least 6 years relevant experience with undergraduate degree, 5 years relevant experience with Graduate Degree, or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate Degree.
• Minimum 4 years of professional experience in journalism and/or communications, mainly at international level.
• A relevant educational qualification in Journalism, International Relations, Political Science, Communications, Public Information, Media Film / Video or other relevant field.

Desirable

Experience developing and implementing communications strategies.

Strong social media presence.

Experience working on advocacy campaigns.

Experience working with goodwill ambassadors and other high-profile influencers.

Experience with brand management.