Communications Assistant

Volunteering Communications & PR

Overview

Support the implementation of UNV’s communications strategy at regional and country levels.

You have:

• Minimum of 3 years of practical and relevant experience at national or international level in communications and/or public relations, with two additional years with High school diploma.
• Experience in graphic design and content creation is a distinctive advantage.
• Experience working with media, including social media, is desired.
• Experience in digital communications is desired.
• Previous volunteer experience or experience with international or development organizations is considered an asset.
• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), design software and web-based resource or service management systems is a strong asset.

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

At UNV, communications is a strategic function that strengthens the organization’s ability to engage partners, advocate for volunteerism, and demonstrate results. Communications contributes directly to UNV’s overall mandate by contributing to the mobilization of UN Volunteers, increasing visibility of UN Volunteers and their contributions to peace and development, promoting volunteerism, supporting talent outreach, and reinforcing UNV’s identity within the UN system and beyond. UNV’s audiences include UN partners, host governments, donors, talent sourcing entities, civil society organizations, former, current and prospective volunteers, and the general public - each requiring tailored messaging through the most relevant platforms and formats. The communications function enables UNV to connect with these audiences, build credibility, and inspire engagement through timely, targeted, and values-driven content. Whether through content creation, social media campaigns, joint communication efforts with partners, or storytelling about volunteer assignments, or marketing products to present UNV’s mandate and unique offer, the function plays a key role in showcasing the relevance and value of volunteerism across global development priorities.  The role involves regular contact and liaison with counterpart UN personnel at all levels, including senior level staff. Within UNV, all personnel are expected to work across multiple units, functions, and teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration. 

The UN Volunteer serving as Communications Assistant supports the implementation of UNV’s communications strategy at regional and country levels. As a UN Volunteer, the incumbent ensures timely and relevant content delivery, and enhances visibility of fellow UN Volunteers and the UNV at local level. The role supports efforts to mobilize UN Volunteers by engaging UN partners and attracting diverse national talent to serve as UN Volunteers, while also strengthening the UNV brand visibility and promoting volunteerism in the country.

Working under the technical supervision of the Communications Analyst in the Regional Office, and under the day-to-day supervision of the Country Coordinator (where applicable), the UN Volunteer contributes to content production, identification of good practices and inspiring volunteer stories. The incumbent helps transform relevant data into appealing products to showcase UNV’s value, supports social media management, campaign coordination, talent outreach activities, and other public engagement efforts, ensuring that messages are aligned, locally adapted, and strategically disseminated.

UNV personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams fostering horizontal collaboration and enhancing organizational effectiveness.

1. Support the implementation of communications strategies and campaigns • Assist in the implementation of communications strategies and products that raise awareness, build engagement, and demonstrate the value of UN Volunteers, including country-specific promotional materials for UN partners, stakeholders, and prospective volunteers. • Support the roll-out of UNV’s communications strategies at country level to increase visibility and support for volunteerism, drawing on your own perspective as a volunteer. • Help implement content plans and communication activities aligned with the corporate ONE-UNV Brand and regional strategies. • Contribute to the organization of campaigns and events that promote UNV and foster public engagement, serving as a peer advocate for volunteerism when appropriate

2. Assist in the generation and adaptation of content for multiple platforms • Draft and adapt original, audience-specific content that highlights the contributions of UN Volunteers, ensuring messages are relatable and inspiring to diverse groups of potential volunteers and partners. • Collect and collate content (photos, videos, quotes, testimonials) from volunteers and partners to support the creation of multimedia products in line with UNV branding guidelines. • Coordinate with the Regional Communications team to ensure consistency in messaging and alignment with UNV brand standards.

3. Support the dissemination of content through digital and offline channels • Contribute to the management of UNV’s social media presence at country level by creating, scheduling, publishing, and monitoring content. • Track and report on performance analytics and audience engagement, highlighting feedback and trends from a volunteer perspective, and share findings with the Regional Office and HQ. • Support dissemination of outreach materials and knowledge products through UNV’s and partners’ communications channels to strengthen mobilization efforts.

4. Contribute to joint communications and storytelling • Liaise with UN partners, fellow UN Volunteers, and field teams to source and draft country-specific stories, visuals, and testimonials that showcase volunteer impact. • Collaborate on joint communication products and campaigns that reflect shared goals between UNV and host entities, ensuring the spirit of volunteerism is highlighted. • Support editing, formatting, and proofreading of communications materials to ensure clarity, consistency, and alignment with UNV’s tone and style.

5. Provide operational support for communications activities • Assist with organizing logistics for communications initiatives and events (e.g., photo/video missions, advocacy campaigns), including coordination with volunteers and external service providers. • Support basic graphic design and layout of communications materials (e.g., social media visuals, posters, one-pagers) using provided templates and ensuring compliance with UNV branding. • Upload and maintain communications files and photo libraries (e.g., Photoshelter) to support internal reporting and knowledge management. • Contribute to the preparation of materials for engagement with potential partners (e.g., presentations, case studies, talking points), bringing in the added value of a volunteer perspective. • Provide support to other functions in the Field Unit as required, demonstrating flexibility and teamwork.

System Thinking - Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Communication - Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

Brand & quality management - Ability to position a UNV brand and uphold it to a high level of quality

Campaign management - Ability to produce and implement communications and advocacy campaigns which lead to impactful change

Marketing - Ability to communicate the value of a product or service;

Story telling - Ability to empathize with people's perceptions, motivations, feelings and mental models and craft narratives to build an emotive argument for change accordingly.

Relationship management - Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.

Event planning and execution - Ability to plan, manage and execute public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNV's overall brand and mandate.

• Minimum of 3 years of practical and relevant experience at national or international level in communications and/or public relations, with two additional years with Highschool diploma. • Experience in graphic design and content creation is a distinctive advantage.  • Experience working with media, including social media, is desired. • Experience in digital communications is desired. • Previous volunteer experience or experience with international or development organizations is considered an asset. • Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), design software and web-based resource or service management systems is a strong asset.

The assignment will be in Brasília, the Federal capital of Brazil and seat of government of the Federal District. Brasilia is a family duty station and classified A (hardship). The living conditions in Brasilia are good as well as the access to health services. The accommodation facilities are in general good, and the choice is wide.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging their own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.

Brazil is security level 3 (moderate). United Nations Department of Safety and Security UNDSS Brazil advises to exercise a high degree of caution in Brazil due to high levels of serious and violent crime, particularly in major cities. Violent crime as muggings, armed robbery, kidnappings, and sexual assault, is very high. Avoid shanty towns (favelas) in the big cities and if you are attacked or robbed, do not resist. Demonstrations can occur at any time and may turn violent with little or no warning. All United Nations personnel must scrupulously comply with UNDSS procedures and recommendations during their assignment in Brazil. For missions in rural areas or indigenous reservations, special procedures may apply; UN personnel should consult with the local DSS office in advance.

Information on entitlements at the duty station is available at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.

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Potential interview questions

Added 6 months ago - Updated 6 months ago - Source: unv.org