Senior Communications Adviser

Hardship Level

B

Family Type

Family

Family Type

Family

Residential location (if applicable)

Grade

PR5

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Remote work accepted

No

Target Start Date

2023-11-30

Job Posting End Date

December 21, 2023

Standard Job Description

Senior Communications Adviser

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Senior Communication Adviser is usually located in a Regional Bureau or in a Country Officer. She/he works under the direct supervision of either the Bureau Director, Bureau Deputy Director, Head of External Engagement Service or the Representative.

She/he leads and implements UNHCR’s communication strategy/ies in the Area of Responsibility (AoR) aimed at building awareness of, empathy with, and concrete support for refugees and other persons of concern while positioning UNHCR as an effective, impactful Organization.

In the Regional Bureaux, the incumbent will lead the PI teams and their work in the region and will have a leading role to coordinate and ensure alignment in the communications work by different teams in the Country Offices as well as communications teams at HQ. The Senior Communications Officer may also act as a spokesperson for the Bureau Director and the Regional Bureau, in close alignment with GCS News and Media Team, communicating with the international, regional and local media and other communications channels and mediums.

She/he works closely with staff of the Division of External Relations (DER) Global Communications Service as well as with field communications staff.

Depending on the Bureau/country context, she/he oversees communication staff and staff working in related informational disciplines including information management and analysis, and report development and writing.

In the Regional Bureaux, the incumbent is responsible for ensuring in an effective and efficient manner which supports the Organization’s Mandate, overall quality assurance and managerial support of operations, in line with the Bureau’s 2nd line function, within the three lines of defence conceptual framework for effective control and risk management adopted by the UN system.

S/he will, further, cover the full spectrum of managerial oversight, manage performance and monitor the adherence of Country Operations to UNHCR’s rules and regulations, monitoring, identifying and addressing any emerging issues and risks as appropriate. The incumbent also promotes a culture that is results-oriented, efficient and based on trust and pursues measures to ensure that inclusion, gender balance and diversity are taken into due consideration in staffing, resource allocation and representation at all levels throughout the AoR.

As a key custodian of the organization’s standards of conduct, s/he will proactively establish a working environment where all personnel feel safe, heard, equipped and empowered to speak up; demonstrate no tolerance for sexism, gender inequality, discrimination of any kind, abuse of power, harassment or sexual harassment; foster ongoing dialogue on those matters; take seriously all issues of inappropriate behaviour and actions reported, whether formally or informally; and seek guidance and support as necessary to ensure that appropriate follow-up is taken, working on the basis of zero tolerance for any form of misconduct.

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

• Ensures the gathering and packaging of expert knowledge, data, analysis and information on developments within the AoR which can be disseminated to key external audiences in order to position UNHCR as leading the narrative, building compassion and driving action for the people we serve.
• Serve as advisor to the Director, Representative and other senior managers on external communications opportunities at the regional and country levels and also on managing crises that carry reputational risks both regionally and globally, as well as locally in the region in coordination with Representatives.
• Act as the primary interface with DER Global Communications Service (GCS) in identifying and agreeing positioning and advocacy priorities for UNHCR’s global audiences.
• Lead the development of communications strategies and work-plans for the region/country, working in association with communications staff within the region and with the Strategic Communications Unit in the Global Communications Service.
• Ensure systems/working arrangements within the Bureau/country for efficient and timely clearance of materials for external release, including reports, media briefing notes and press releases, and related communications materials.
• Elevate UNHCR’s media and public profile in the AoR in order to meet UNHCR’s own funding and positioning needs, and to underpin UNHCR’s global authority and leadership on displacement and statelessness matters.
• Draft messages, texts and other materials for use in external communications, and oversees the writing of thematic reports.
• Maintain alertness to risk factors that may require crisis communications responses, and ensure that coordinated preparations are in place for handling of these, working with the GCS.
• Working with the designated regional focal points in the GCS News & Media team strive to maintain UNHCR’s leading share of voice on asylum, displacement, and statelessness matters in the international media , including by identifying opportunities for media communications for global audiences through high-frequency, high-impact media briefing notes and press releases.
• Where relevant, in close alignment with GCS News and Media Team, serve as Spokesperson for the region, Director or Representative, handling media outreach and response as well as social media communications.
• Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For P5 – 12 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 11 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 10 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

International Relations; Journalism; Public Administration; Refugee Studies or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Not specified.

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Experience of working in media, journalism, or communications at international level; Professional expertise in writing, editing and sub-editing; Fluent drafting in English; Experience of creating and implementing communications strategies.

Desirable

Political communications experience; Language skills relevant to the region; Experience of having worked in a human rights context; Experience of having worked in UN field operations.

Functional Skills

CO-Editing

CO-Strategic Communication

CO-Drafting and Documentation

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

CO-Media relations

CO-Preparation of key messages/talking points/speeches

(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

The incumbent should have experience with and sound judgement related to the use of various audiences and communications channels and proven experience in using strategic communications including strategic use of media to support resource mobilization and advocacy, including at country, regional and global level. The incumbent should have a track record in producing communication strategies that can be adapted to be effective with various audiences, including media for advocacy, donors, development partners and the private sector. They should be a team player with experience in supervisory roles and have strong networking skills to be able to support and engage internal and external partners. Excellent English language skills are essential; French is desirable.

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

,

,

Desired languages

French

,

,

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 UNHCR Regional Bureau for East, Horn of Africa, and the Great Lakes (EHAGL) of Africa is based in Nairobi, Kenya. It is a critical hub for collaboration, strategic engagement, and addressing cross-cutting operational challenges. A Regional Director heads the Bureau and has primary accountability for strategic decision-making, regional prioritization, and quality assurance—and enhanced delegated authorities to manage the region effectively. With functional links to the Divisions at HQs, technical experts are integrated within the regional bureau structures/pillars and lines of authority.

These are:

Strategic Planning and management ensure the region’s overall coherence with UNHCR’s global objectives and High Commissioner’s Strategic Directions; set regional bureau-wide priorities, manage and direct all regional resources and assess contextual changes to adjust regional operational priorities; provide support to country operations, including on Human Resources , Supply, Finance and Information and Communications Technology (ICT); ensures financial and procedural oversight.

Protection elaborates and empowers regional approaches to UNHCR’s global protection priorities; monitors and supports the exercise of UNHCR’s core protection mandate at the country level.

External engagement defines and oversees the implementation at country and regional level of strategic communications, resource mobilization, and partnership strategies, including with UN and NGO partners, development institutions, and the full range of stakeholders under the whole of society approach of the Global Compact on Refugees. The partnership approach includes cultivating and supporting partnerships for economic and financial inclusion, livelihoods, and social protection, supported by socio-economic analysis.

Data, Identity Management and Analysis (DIMA) supports regional information, data management, and analysis in alignment with regional objectives and provides expertise in the collection, validation, curation, protection, interpretation and representation of operational data.

The Bureau provides operational support and oversight to 11 country operations: Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Some 4,300 staff are deployed in the Bureau and country offices. The Bureau also supports UNHCR’s Representation to the African Union (AU) and the Economic Commission of Africa (ECA) based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Most UN agencies, including WFP and UNICEF, have regional offices in Nairobi.

The region has the largest number of people with and for whom UNHCR works in Africa. This includes over 5 million refugees and asylum seekers, 14 million internally displaced people, as well as approximately 900 000 returnees, stateless persons or persons at risk of statelessness. The majority of people forced to flee their countries are hosted in 7 countries, namely Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania (United Republic of), and Rwanda. Uganda hosts over 1.57 million refugees, the largest refugee population in Africa. Ethiopia has over 4.3 million internally displaced people. Before the current crisis in Sudan, approximately 3.7 million people were internally displaced in Sudan. In the six months since the start of the current crisis, an estimated 4.5 million people were newly uprooted and forced to flee their homes to safer parts of the country. Sudan is one of the largest internal displacement situations in the world and one of the fastest-growing displacement crises. The Regional Bureau Director also serves as the Regional Refugee Coordinator for the Sudan situation thus EHAGL RB supports him with coordination and planning, reporting and resource mobilization for the Sudan situation. In Somalia, around 3.87 million people are internally displaced throughout the country. Mixed movements and human trafficking are significant regional protection challenges.

The region is characterized by pockets of instability and insecurity, recurrent climatic events contributing to resource-driven intercommunal conflict, fragile state institutions and governance systems, and heightened socio-economic vulnerability of forcibly displaced. Political instability and conflict in Somalia, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Sudan have sparked new internal displacement, resulting in large internal and external population movements. Despite the challenges, the Bureau seeks to expand opportunities that exist in the humanitarian/development/peace nexus to enhance collaboration and engage strategically with governments, donors and financial institutions for the inclusion of refugee programmes in national systems, while seeking contributions of development actors to sustainable reintegration initiatives in Burundi, Somalia, Ethiopia, and South Sudan. The Bureau engages with partners in the UN, financial institutions (AFDB, IFC, WB) and Regional economic communities (IGAD, EAC, ICGLR) as part of its agenda. The EHAGL region is highly strategic, as it has received over half (51%) of the World Bank’s total global IDA allocations under the special instruments for refugees and host communities covering seven countries. Many of the pledges made at the 2019 Global Refugee Forum (GRF) were relevant to the region, with additional commitments expected during the 2024 GRF.

Living and Working Conditions

Nairobi is in UN security Phase III, but demonstrations and riots may occur at any time. The country has undertaken two rounds of peaceful elections and has strong checks and balances under its constitution. While corruption is an endemic problem, rule of law is generally robust, and the country is among the most politically stable on the African continent. The threat of terrorism, however, remains.

General crime levels are akin to most large African cities. Crime in Nairobi is high and physical violence is a common feature of breaking into residences, carjacking, and robbery. Residential security companies are available, and security mitigating measures can be taken. A heightened sense of vigilance and alertness is required. The socio-economic effect of COVID-19 and droughts in parts of the country, coupled with inflation, have negatively affected the purchasing power of Kenyans. Despite such concerns, Nairobi is an enjoyable family duty station.

The country has maintained a stable convertible currency and is classified as a middle-income state. With an economic growth rate of 5 % despite a high debt ratio, Kenya provides a favourable climate for investors and has a vibrant private sector. Kenya has excellent private medical facilities meeting international standards. Nairobi is also a location for medical evacuations. Recreational facilities, schools and hotels are also of international standards. Kenya enjoys a good temperate climate except for a few arid parts of the country. Comfortable housing and other forms of accommodation, good banking facilities and unlimited access to all forms of communication such as internet, telephone, SIM cards and mobile money are widely available. Malaria is not prevalent in Nairobi but exists in other parts of the country. Cholera exists, and vaccines for COVID-19 and other viral and bacterial infections are accessible.

Skills

Additional Qualifications

Education

Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Journalism, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Public Administration, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Refugee Studies

Certifications

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Innovation & creativity, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator

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

Compendium

Add. 2 to Bi-annual Compendium 2023 – Part B

Additional Information

Functional clearance

This position requires Functional Clearance