Associate Communication Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

UNHCR 's operation in South Sudan provides protection and support to refugees, internally displaced, refugee returnees and those at risk of statelessness. South Sudan hosts over 300,000 refugees mainly from Sudan (93%) and from CAR, DRC, and Ethiopia. South Sudan continues to receive new arrivals and maintains an open-door policy to asylum-seekers and refugees. Refugees reside in 21 locations, 8 are refugee camps. In 2020, some 1.6 million people are internally displaced throughout the country. The majority of IDPs (87%) are scattered in host communities and settlements while 13% reside in UNMISS Protection of Civilian sites. In addition, since the conflict in Sudan erupted in April 2023, some 249,792 South Sudanese have spontaneously returned to their home country.

The Associate Communication Officer is expected to support UNHCR South Sudan External Relations team with the coordination, planning, and delivery of communications, visibility, public information, and advocacy work. The ideal candidate has experience with content production for digital and traditional media platforms, social media experience, strong writing skills, is well organized and creative. It is desirable for the candidate to have experience in audio-visual production (photography, videography). The candidate is to provide logistical support and visibility to missions hosted by the South Sudan operation, including media missions, donor missions, and high-level UN missions. Supervision, induction and duty of care of UN Volunteers

UN Volunteers should be provided equal duty of care as extended to all host entity personnel. Host entity support to the UN Volunteer includes, but is not limited to: • Introductory briefings about the organisation and office-related context including security, emergency procedures, good cultural practice and orientation to the local environment; • Support with arrival administration including setting-up of bank accounts, residence permit applications and completion of other official processes as required by the host government or host entity; • Structured guidance, mentoring and coaching by a supervisor including a clear workplan and performance appraisal; • Access to office space, equipment, IT support and any other systems and tools required to complete the objectives of the assignment including a host entity email address; • Access to shared host entity corporate knowledge, training and learning; • Inclusion of the volunteer in emergency procedures such as evacuations; • Leave management; • DSA for official travel, when applicable; • All changes in the Description of Assignment occurring between recruitment and arrival or during the assignment need to be formalized with the United Nations Volunteer Programme.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Communication Officer or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Associate Communication Officer will: • Contributes to the development of UNHCR’s social media strategy and coordinates its implementation. • Drafts/compiles a range of information and communications products for target audiences, to include press releases, media packets and reports, brochures, briefings, newsletters, web content, etc. • Prepares initials drafts of stories and media inputs (key messages, press releases, news stories) for external communication. • Builds strong relationships with field offices and travels to the field locations to document UNHCR projects and activities. • Develops and maintains UNHCR’s social media content calendar; research, generates, edits, and posts contents, text, photos, captions, infographics, and short videos on UNHCR social media and corporate websites in support of UNHCR campaigns and overall communication strategy. • Serves as community manager for UNHCR social media accounts. Monitors and moderates comments on social media posts, intervening as appropriate to answer questions and guide the conversation. • Monitors analytics and reports on the effectiveness of social media channels. • Responds to a variety of inquiries and information requests internally and externally; prepares related correspondence. • Provides logistical support and visibility to missions visiting South Sudan, including media missions, donor missions, and other high-level UN missions.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results, and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers. • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs.

• As an active UNHCR team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly, and high-quality support rendered to UNHCR and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including. • Ensures UNHCR social media channels are regularly updated and maintained. • Produces content on a regular basis (written, video, photo) documenting UNHCR activities in country. • Ensures UNHCR external products are proofed, edited, and of high standard. • Ensures UNHCR branding is appropriately applied across UNHCR external products. • Increases the reach and visibility of UNHCR in country (through social media and traditional media) through regular content production and distribution. • Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated, and documented in all activities throughout the assignment. • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated and capacities developed.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNHCR technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNHCR procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNHCR in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNHCR mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

producing social media content and managing institutional accounts is required.

Strong writing and editing skills are required.

Experience writing articles and briefs is strongly desirable.

Experience with content production, photo, video, graphic editing tools, is strongly desirable.

Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing is desirable.

Experience working in an international organization is desirable.

Candidate should be self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.

Candidate should have excellent interpersonal skills; be culturally and socially sensitive; have ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;

Living Conditions Juba is classified as an E, non-family duty station. R&R cycle for all duty stations in South Sudan is 6 weeks and all international staff resides at UNHCR provided accommodation. UN curfew is from 19:00 to 06:00. There are limited medical facilities in Juba. In all UNHCR compounds, regardless of the location, accommodations are equipped with all the necessary furniture. All rooms are provided with in-house services. In addition, most locations are equipped with a gym or some sports equipment. In Juba, all basic foods are available in the marketplace ranging from meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables, in addition to a few restaurants located in town.

UNHCR is a unique country and UNHCR is a unique (humanitarian) operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.