Snr Communications Associate

August 12 2026

H (no hardship)

Family

GS7

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Senior Communications Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Communications Associate is normally supervised by a Communication Officer or other position as decided by the senior management in the area of responsibility (AoR). The supervisor provides the incumbent with regular guidance who 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 incumbent normally supervises some support staff.

The Senior Communications Associate depending on the organizational structure and location 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 incumbent may also be required to help strengthen coordination and editorial planning in the AoR support advocacy awareness-raising and digital fundraising efforts as well as strengthening analytics to inform the social media strategies and work plans.

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 addition staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core functional cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCRs core values of professionalism integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
- Support the implementation of communications strategies for countries situations and special projects within the AoR; help identify thematic priorities and target audiences to meet UNHCRs global regional and country-level communications objectives of leading the narrative generating empathy and mobilizing action for forcibly displaced and stateless people.
- Monitor news and popular trends to insert UNHCRs messaging into ongoing conversations; identify key moments for proactive communications.
- 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 UNHCRs 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 our content on relevant UNHCR channels and placing it on external channels.
- Monitor the implementation of communications projects and adjust accordingly.
- Assist in research preparation editing and production of professional media and communications materials for target audiences and ensure their timely dissemination via UNHCRs 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 support the implementation of campaigns events and other initiatives in support of UNHCRs 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.

- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G7 - 4 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not specified.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Journalism Social Sciences Humanities or related fields
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential:
Excellent computer skills and knowledge of MS Office applications. Excellent drafting skills.

Desirable:
Experience implementing communications strategies. Professional writing and editing skills. Experience working on advocacy campaigns.

Functional Skills
CO - Drafting and editing content for International Organizations
CO-International Media Contacts
CO-Journalism (incl. print broadcast photography video layout & graphics)
CO-Video production for digital platforms (including news organizations)
CO-Editing
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.


All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse harassment including sexual harassment sexism gender inequality discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening shortlisting and selection of candidates.

The ideal candidate is a dynamic and proactive communications professional with demonstrated experience in social media management website content updates and optimization and content dissemination ensuring consistency in messaging and branding. The candidate can adapt and translate global content to local audience and can coordinate and produce locally tailored multimedia content including short-form videos and digital storytelling assets to enhance visibility and audience engagement. S/he brings strong writing and storytelling skills with the ability to produce engaging high-quality content and adapt messaging for diverse audiences across channels featuring refugees themselves and reflecting meaningfully their perspectives.

The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of the French media institutional and public affairs landscape; s/he is able to identify emerging trends monitor digital conversations and map relevant influencers and partners to amplify outreach and impact. S/he also has a solid understanding of media relations and French-speaking media landscape.

The candidate is comfortable supporting the organization of events and able to identify strategic communication opportunities around key moments to maximize visibility and audience engagement.

A collaborative and solutions-oriented team player with emerging managerial capacity the candidate can coordinate effectively with multiple stakeholders support colleagues across units and operations and contribute to a positive and high-performing team environment. Curious and eager to learn s/he continuously seeks innovative tools formats and approaches to strengthen communications effectiveness and audience engagement.

Candidates shall be legally present in France at the time of application recruitment and hire.
UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability gender identity marital or civil partnership status race colour or ethnic and national origins religion or belief or sexual orientation.
UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application interview meeting processing training or any other fees)
No late applications will be accepted.
Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a test.
An individual whose mother father son daughter brother or sister is a staff member of UNHCR including a Temporary Appointment holder or a member of Affiliate Workforce shall not be appointed.

English

French

Operational context

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station please visit this link:

of Position:

Ladjoint.e principal.e en charge de la communication est supervisÃ.e par lAdministratrice Principale en charge des Relations extÃrieures à Paris. Il/elle entretient des contacts frÃquents avec les membres de lunità le personnel du Bureau de Paris et le personnel dans dautres lieux daffectation et/ou au SiÃge ainsi qu avec les mÃdias les autorité nationales les organisations de la sociÃtà civile le secteur privà le monde universitaire les partenaires les ambassades et les agences des Nations Unies. Le/la titulaire supervise lassistante principale chargÃe dinformation à Relations ExtÃrieures du HCR en France est responsable de lengagement des publics cibles en France notamment le milieu ambivalent tel quidentifià dans lÃtude menÃe par Purpose et lIFOP en 2017 et du renforcement des partenariats afin dÃlargir lespace de protection en France pour les réfugiés et de contribuer à la recherche de solutions durables dans lesprit du Pacte mondial avec les réfugiés adoptà en 2018. Dans ce contexte le/la titulaire soutient les activités de lunità en matiÃre de communication digitale et de relations presse avec la production de contenu multimÃdia la production vidÃo la mobilisation des ambassadeurs de bonne volontà et autres influenceurs la sensibilisation du public le dÃveloppement de campagnes et maintient un engagement fort avec les mÃdias. Le/la titulaire peut Ãgalement être amenÃ.e à contribuer au renforcement de la coordination et de la planification Ãditoriale du bureau et à soutenir les efforts de plaidoyer de sensibilisation et de collecte de spÃcifiques au poste en France :-CrÃer du contenu original pour les plateformes numÃriques du HCR en franÃais.-Ãtablir des relations de travail Ãtroites avec la tÃlÃvision la radio et les agences de presse pour promouvoir et diffuser les objectifs activités et valeurs du HCR.-Assurer une couverture mÃdiatique appropriÃe organiser des points de presse et des confÃrences si nÃcessaire et en coordination avec la responsable des Relations ExtÃrieures et Porte-parole. Organiser et participer à des briefings de journalistes ainsi quà des confÃrences de presse pour les hauts fonctionnaires du HCR.-SuggÃrer des histoires et des sujets à couvrir par les mÃdias.-Soutenir lunità notamment en Ãtant responsable de lunità en labsence de la responsable des Relations ExtÃrieures-Aider à la prèparation du budget de communication.

Living and Working Conditions:

Paris est une capitale moderne avec toutes les moyens de communication nècessaires et de bonnes conditions de vie. Cependant comme dautres capitales en Europe lhÃbergement est cher. La ville dispose dune gamme complÃte dÃtablissements de santà et déducation et dun accÃs facile à tous types de biens et de services. Un rÃseau de mÃtro et de bus dessert lensemble de la ville et des lignes RER et TER (trains rÃgionaux) desservent la banlieue. Les temps de trajet vers et depuis le bureau peuvent être longs selon lendroit où se trouve lhÃbergement. Les liaisons aÃriennes et les grandes lignes ferroviaires connectent efficacement la ville avec le territoire et le monde ville est classifié comme un poste daffectation H / famille avec un faible niveau de menace pour la sécurité. Paris a toutefois Ãtà exposÃe à des attentats terroristes depuis novembre 2014 et certaines manifestations se sont transformÃes en Ãmeutes au cours des derniÃres annÃes. Globalement la situation sÃcuritaire et politique en France est stable et calme.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Certifications

Work Experience

Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting Workforce to Supervise Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees Working with Persons of Concern: Stateless

Competencies

Accountability Analytical thinking Client & results orientation Commitment to continuous learning Communication Empowering & building trust Innovation & creativity Managing performance Organizational awareness Political awareness Teamwork & collaboration

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Additional Information

N/A

The English version is considered original and authoritative translation to other language(s) serve the purpose of advertisement of local positions where applicable but are not considered as official translations

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Functional clearance

This position doesnt require a functional clearance