UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR*)*
INTERNAL / EXTERNAL VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Vacancy Notice No. HONTE031
Title of Post: Communications Associate
Category/grade: General Service, G6
Location: Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Type of contract: Fixed-term appointment
Effective date of assignment: 01 May 2021
Date of Issue: 18 March 2021
Closing Date: 27 March 2021
Operational Context:
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is the UN Agency dedicated to protect the rights and seek durable solutions for refugees worldwide. UNHCR is in the field in over 125 countries. The National Office in Honduras opened in 2015 in order to strengthen UNHCR’s protection work in the region as part of the UNHCR’s Regional Protection and Solutions Strategy for the countries in the North of Central America (NCA).
Honduras is characterized by a situation of internal displacement due to high levels of violence, a protection and assistance challenge. The operation grew significantly in the last three years, but challenges and areas of intervention have increased as well. As of 2020 Honduras is a full stand-alone Representation. This has brought additional responsibilities in terms of operational capacity. Currently there are 35 staff members including both the Office in Tegucigalpa and the Field Office in San Pedro Sula, but the operation will increase to 68 staff members with additional Field Units (Choluteca and Ocotepeque). For 2020, 18 Project Partnership Agreements have been agreed.
The Communications Associate is normally supervised by the Associate External Relations and Reporting Officer or other position as decided by the senior management in the area of responsibility. The supervisor provides the incumbent with regular guidance. The incumbent works quite independently on regular assignments with an oversight from the supervisor. S/he keeps frequent contacts with staff at various levels in the office and occasionally with staff at the same level in other duty stations and/or Headquarters; with media, local suppliers, NGO, implementing partners, embassies and UN agencies.
The Communications Associate may also be required to provide support in executing a range of communications activities in the fields of news and media relations, multimedia content production, social media engagement, video production, Goodwill Ambassadors and other influencers, public outreach and campaigns, fundraising, analytics and brand. The incumbents may also be required to help strengthen coordination and editorial planning in the area of responsibility, support advocacy, awareness-raising and digital fundraising efforts as well as strengthening analytics to inform the social media strategies and work plans.
The incumbent is expected to have contacts within the organization and outside the duty station, as well as with partners and other stakeholders to collect information, monitor programme activities and implement administrative requirements. The incumbent is expected to work in line with the multi-functional team (MFT) approach as defined within the Program Chapter.
Excellent inter-personal skills and the ability to interact with government officials and other stakeholders is required. Sensitive political context requires ability to work collaboratively with government and civil society partners. Fluency of English is desirable. Communication and analytical skills are required.
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.
Functional Statement:
Duties:
· Support the implementation of communications strategies for countries, situations and special projects within the area of responsibility; help identify thematic priorities and target audiences to meet UNHCR’s global, regional and country-level communications objectives of leading the narrative, generating empathy and mobilizing action for forcibly displaced and stateless people.
· Help forge strategic partnerships with individuals and organizations who can help produce and promote UNHCR content, activities and messaging as well as provide research insights to improve communications; promote the work of engaged businesses and civil society actors.
· Support the development of news-driven and authoritative content to lead the narrative on forced displacement and show UNHCR’s impact (e.g. interviews, press releases, flagship reports, speeches), create emotive storytelling to generate empathy (e.g. stories, multimedia content) and mobilize action by signposting concrete steps people can take to help refugees (e.g. digital diplomacy, action- driven campaigns, fundraising).
· Help ensure that content created reaches maximum impact by supporting the development of strategies for distribution from the outset, boosting the visibility of out content on relevant UNHCR channels and placing it on external channels.
· Help monitor the implementation of communications projects and adjust accordingly.
· Monitor news and popular trends to insert UNHCR’s messaging into ongoing conversations; identify key moments for proactive communications.
· Assist in research, preparation, editing and production of professional media and communications materials for target audiences and ensure their timely dissemination via UNHCR's communications channels, ensuring highest quality standards.
· Continually maintain and upgrade communications skills, keeping abreast of emerging platforms and tools, and systematically reviewing media impact results and other measurement tools for learning purposes.
· May be required to assist in implementation of campaigns, events and other initiatives in support of UNHCR's strategic objectives, including its need for a leading share of voice on refugee and related matters.
· May be required to undertake missions and field trips with media and other official visitors in support of UNHCR and its work.
· Perform other related duties as required
Essential Minimum Qualifications and Experience:
· 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher in Journalism, External Relations, social Sciences, Humanities or related field.
· Excellent computer skills and knowledge of MS Office applications. Excellent drafting skills.
· Excellent communication skills.
· Fluency in Spanish and working knowledge of English
Desirable Qualifications & Competencies:
· Experience implementing communications strategies. Professional writing and editing skills. Experience working on advocacy campaigns.
· Drafting and editing content for International Organizations
· CO-International Media Contacts
· CO-Journalism (incl. print, broadcast, photography, video, layout & graphics)
· ER-Digital channels including social media, website, mobile, email and online advertising
· CO-Video production for digital platforms (including news organizations)
· CO-Web publishing and content management
· CO-Editing
· Multimedia content production skills
Required Competencies:
Core Competencies:
· Accountability
· Communication
· Organizational Awareness
· Teamwork & Collaboration
· Commitment to Continuous Learning
· Client & Result Orientation
Cross-Functional Competencies:
· Analytical Thinking
· Innovation and Creativity
· Political Awareness
Eligibility: Internal & Extenal candidates:
Group 1 Candidates: comprises current GS staff members holding an indefinite or fixed-term appointment who, at the date of the deadline for application, are serving in the country of the vacancy at the grade of the position or one grade below or above.
Group 2 Candidates: comprises candidates from the categories listed in the RALS after completion of one cumulative or continuous year of service in the country of the vacancy. The Group 2 status should have been confirmed by the HR Unit in the relevant country before the application is submitted. For further information regarding the categories, please consult the RALS.
External Candidates: are candidates who are not in Group 1 or Group 2. Must be legally present in Honduras at the time of application, recruitment, and hire. Only candidates holding a permanent residency in Honduras will be considered eligible.
If you have questions regarding eligibility, you may also contact the HR Unit through hontevacancies@unhcr.org
Remuneration:
A competitive compensation and benefits package are offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, please visit the portal of the International Civil Service Commission at: http://icsc.un.org
How to apply:
Submission of Applications:
If you wish to be considered for this vacancy, please submit your letter of motivation, Personal History Form by e-mail clearly stating the position title, vacancy notice number and your Last Name in the subject line to: hontevacancies@unhcr.org by the closing date 27 March 2021.
The Personal History Form and its supplementary sheet are available at:
https://www.unhcr.org/how-to-apply.html?query=personal%20history%20form
No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing, or any other fees).
UNHCR strongly encourages qualified female applicants for this position. UNHCR seeks to ensure that male and female employees are given equal career opportunities. UNHCR is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
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