Associate Public Information 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.

The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org). Chad, a country heavily impacted by humanitarian, political and socioeconomic crises, hosts over 1.7 million people forcibly displaced people including over close to 620,000 new arrivals fleeing conflict in Sudan since April 2023. UNHCR works with partners to support Government efforts and provide lifesaving protection and assistance to forcibly displaced families.

Under the direct supervision of the Reporting Officer , the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Develop a public information strategy to promote a better understanding of UNHCR’s aims and activities in the host country; • Establish and maintain close working relations with individual journalists and media organizations to keep them regularly informed on UNHCR’s activities in the host country. • Ensure appropriate media coverage, organise press briefings and conferences as necessary and acts as the spokesperson with the guidance from the Representative and in coordination with the relevant Senior Country or Regional PI Officer, and HQPI as needed; • Plan and conduct campaigns and activities with organised groups and local authorities to disseminate information on UNHCR and raise public awareness on refugee issues; • Draft press releases, pamphlets, situation reports, online and other articles for publication. • Design and oversee the production of Public Information outputs; • Keep abreast of developments on UNHCR activities in the country and respond to press and public queries for information on all aspects of the organisation’s work; • Scan various sources of information, such as newspapers, journals, bulletins for political and other developments likely to affect UNHCR’s activities in the host country and keep the Representative and other Staff briefed accordingly; • Ensure availability of adequate UNHCR collateral and visibility material. • Arrange timely distribution of outputs and regularly update the list of institutions and individuals who should receive copies; • Represent UNHCR at Inter-Agency meetings to ensure that refugee issues are appropriately covered. • Support the supervisor in preparation of periodic reports, i.e. donor updates, internal sitreps, briefing notes for senior managers, and activity-specific reports as required. • Support the supervisor in preparation of funding submissions for donors, and draft any required after-action reports. • Support the supervisor in preparation for meetings and missions drafting of talking points.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: • 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; • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; • 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: • The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counter-parts, including Implementing Partners (IPs); • 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 development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented. • Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations. • 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. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; 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.

the production of public information materials and working with the media.

This UNV assignment is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19 with WHO approved vaccine, unless the UNHCR Medical Service approves an exemption from this requirement on medical grounds.

N'Djamena is the capital and largest city in Chad. For a large capital city, its infrastructure remains basic, although far superior to standards in other regions. The climate is hot and semi-arid, with a rainy season from June to September. UNHCR staff are free to choose where to live, subject to residential security measures. Electricity can be unreliable and international staff are provided with generators by the Office. Water supplies work in most areas, but personal supplies of food and drinking water are required. Most essential supplies can be found in local markets, although the choice can be limited compared to other centers and prices are high as most goods are imported. Banking facilities are available through local banks such as Ecobank and BCC. Health care standards can be described as basic, with staff encouraged to subscribe to International SOS Clinic Services. Serious or complicated health conditions require evacuation to other countries and dental/other specialist care may not be available. Malaria is the most common, but not the only, infectious disease prevalent in N'Djamena and most other regions of Chad. UNHAS flights are the main means of transport to and from field sites. A limited number of companies operate international flights to N'Djamena. Telecommunications services are basic and expensive, with two mobile tele-phone/internet operators offering 4G services and a growing number of providers installing fiber optic connections. Access to some communication and social media applications, notably WhatsApp, is currently available but has been censored for long periods and requires the use of a VPN. The UNHCR office is covered by UNHCR's own VSAT services. Several UN agencies, INGOs and NGOs operate in N'Djamena and use the city as a hub. A French military base is located next to N'Djamena's international airport. The RR cycle in N'Djamena is 8 weeks, as in the other duty stations, except for Baga sola and Bol, where it is 6 weeks. The overall threat security level in Chad is designated as Moderate by the UN Security Management System in most of the country, except the Lake region, where it is at substantial level, due to higher terrorist- and armed-conflict-related threats. The level of crime is assessed to be substantial both in the Lake and Eastern regions and Moderate in N’Djamena. It is exacerbated by the closed borders with neighbouring countries which impact the already challenging economic situation. Against the backdrop of a sensitive political transition and other socioeconomic factors, demonstrations, strikes, sit-ins and road blockages often for economic, political or social reasons will continue to be reported, despite their harsh repressions by government security forces.