Communications Associate

H (no hardship)

FamilyFamily

GS6

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

June 16 2025

Communications Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Communications Associate is normally supervised by a Communication 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 Associates 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 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.


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 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 area of responsibility; 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 out content on relevant UNHCR channels and placing it on external channels.
- Help 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 assist in 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 G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable.

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-International Media Contacts
CO-Journalism (incl. print broadcast photography video layout & graphics)
CO-Video production for digital platforms (including news organizations)
CO-Editing
CO-Drafting and Documentation
CO-Digital content production
(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 Communications Associate will play a key role in implementing a range of communications activities including media relations multimedia content production public outreach and awareness campaigns social media engagement analytics and brand visibility. The role will also involve supporting fundraising and resource mobilization efforts building engagement with schools and educators to foster awareness and support and collaborating with high profile supporters and digital influencers.

The ideal candidate is a proactive and dependable communications professional with a proven ability to design and deliver impactful communication projects and should demonstrate strong writing editing and storytelling skills in both English and Greek with the ability to identify and produce compelling and emotive content that aligns with UNHCRs objectives to generate empathy and mobilize action for forcibly displaced people. Experience in graphic design editing software and content management systems is highly desirable.

The ideal candidate should possess:

Excellent communication drafting and editing skills in both English and Greek.
Proven experience in social media engagement and multimedia content production.
Ability to monitor news trends and identify strategic opportunities for UNHCR messaging.
Capacity to cultivate and maintain strategic partnerships with media NGOs refugee communities civil society and educational actors.
Familiarity with UNHCRs regulatory framework and strong commitment to its core values of professionalism integrity and respect for diversity.
Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to meet tight deadlines and maintain attention to detail under pressure.
A continuous learning mindset to improve communication strategies and outputs.

English

Greek

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

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

Currently some 142000 asylum-seekers and refugees are hosted in Greece. In 2024 some 62000 people arrived either by sea or land. UNHCR provides expert advice to the State and evidence-based information that helps inform programmes and policies for asylum-seekers and refugees. Access to international protection identifying durable solutions and support to vulnerable asylum-seekers and refugees such as unaccompanied children and survivors of gender-based violence are UNHCRs key also works with national and local authorities the private sector civil society and refugee communities to advance protection solutions and inclusion develop support networks and create employability and training opportunities for refugees. The Office retains a readiness to respond to emergencies and new arrivals with a focus on immediate support to the most vulnerable. UNHCR Greece plays a strong advocacy role since continued support is needed particularly from EU countries and EU institutions in providing immediate protection to those most at-risk through sufficient resources ensuring capacity in the country and responsibility-sharing. UNHCR will continue to assist Greek authorities in responding to both short and long-term challenges.

Located at the Country Office in Athens and under the direct supervision of the Assistant Communication Officer the incumbent will be responsible for supporting the offices communications visibility and public outreach activities.

Living and Working Conditions:

Athens is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens is a family duty station classified as H by ICSC. Public Transportation and medical facilities are well-developed and easily accessible. The educational institutions at all levels as well as international schools are available. The climate can be described as Mediterranean with hot and dry summers and cool and mild winters.

In accordance with UNDSS security risk assessment the whole Greek operation is classified as Security Level 2 (low). Security Clearance is required for travelling in the country.

For more detailed information please consult the continuously updated living conditions booklet on Intranet.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Communication Detail-Oriented Time Management

Education

Certifications

Humanities - Other Journalism - Other Social Sciences - Other

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability Analytical thinking Client & results orientation Commitment to continuous learning Communication Innovation & creativity Organizational awareness Political awareness Teamwork & collaboration

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Additional Information

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a written test and will have to undergo an oral interview.

Functional clearance

This position doesnt require a functional clearance