Communications Assistant

Volunteering Communications & PR

Overview

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

You have:

• Minimum of 3 years (with high school diploma) or 2 years (with bachelor’s degree) of practical and relevant experience at national or international level in communications and/or public relations.
• Fluency in the local language at the duty station.
• 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 contract. More about UNV contracts.

Within the United Nations Volunteers (UNV), the Volunteer Solutions Section (VSS) develops policies and solutions to support the mobilization of UN Volunteers across the UN system. VSS is responsible for providing robust and innovative volunteer service offers to the UN system. The Talent Acquisition and Recruitment team within VSS is responsible for talent acquisition and the recruitment of UN Volunteers from sourcing to selection for a specific assignment.

At UNV, communications is a strategic function that strengthens the organization’s ability to engage partners, advocate for volunteerism, and demonstrate results. Communications contribute 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., Photo shelter) 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 in the Field Unit during peak periods or absences, 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

Minimum of 3 years (with high school diploma) or 2 years (with bachelor’s degree) of practical and relevant experience at national or international level in communications and/or public relations. • Fluency in the local language at the duty station. • 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.

Mozambique is located on the southeast coast of Africa. The country lies on the east coast of Southern Africa and borders the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Swaziland. The total area of Mozambique is 799,380 square km from North to South. The land borders have a length of 4,445 km, while the coastline measures 2,515 km. Monte Binga, culminating at 2,436 m over the Zimbabwe border, is the highest point of Mozambique. With a total population of roughly 34 million people, based on the 2017 census, Mozambique is a country where 73% of the population is under 30 years old. Portuguese is the official and business language, although English is also widely spoken in business and academic settings, particularly in the capital city of Maputo.

There are 11 provinces, and a wide array of local languages spoken, including Shangane, Bitonga, Xitswa, Chope, Ronga, Elomwe, Chuabo, Sena, Shona, Ndau, Nyandja, Emakua, Kimwani and Chimakonde. Mozambique's climate ranges from tropical and subtropical in the north and central regions to dry, semi-arid steppe and arid desert in the south. The hottest and wettest period occurs between December and February, with average daily temperatures ranging from 22°C to 30°C. The rainy season spans from October to April, while winters, from June to August, are mild with average daily temperatures between 13°C and 24°C. Maputo, the country's capital, serves as both its commercial and cultural hub. Housing in Maputo, which includes apartments and houses, can be rented for US$700 to US$4,000 per month, depending on the amenities and size. Restaurant meals typically cost between US$10 and US$15.

Food, household commodities and clothing can be found in shops and local markets at reasonable prices. An entry visa is required for all travelers and must be obtained from the Mozambican Embassy prior to travelling. The metical is the local currency, and the exchange rate stands at USD 1 equivalent to about 63.90 meticais (MZM) as of June 2025. Commercial banks are operational in the country and Visa cards are accepted in very limited hotels. Maputo is categorized as a family duty station offering a variety of different accommodation options. It has a vibrant international community whilst also providing excellent opportunities to work in a national, Mozambican context.

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Potential interview questions

Added 4 months ago - Updated 3 months ago - Source: unv.org