Communications Officer

A (least hardship)

FamilyFamily

PR3

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

July 11 2025

Communications Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
In line with its Global Communications Strategy UNHCR requires skilled communications professionals to conceive and execute a range of activities that help us lead the narrative on forced displacement generate empathy and mobilize action. This body of work spans communications strategy and coordination news and media relations multimedia content production social media engagement Goodwill Ambassadors and other influencers public outreach and campaigns fundraising analytics and brand.
UNHCRs Communications Officers need to cultivate a keen understanding of our target audiences including an up-to-the-minute grasp of the methods and tone of voice that resonate deeply win trust and spark quality engagement. They must be vigilant about editorial and journalistic standards attentive to protection concerns and political sensitivities and focused on communicating successfully with key demographics. These audiences will vary by location language and platform among other factors as well as whether the aim is to inform advocate or raise funds.
Communications Officers functions working relationships and skills specializations differ depending on language location grade and whether they sit within a country operation a regional bureau or the Global Communications Service. UNHCRs primary target audiences include public media and policymakers while our main partners and influencers include peers and private sector trusted figures and our own workforce. Some communicators will focus mainly on news and media relations for example while others will produce multimedia content manage social media accounts or lead advocacy campaigns. Forging partnerships with media outlets that reach target audiences is a central role for all Communications Officers.
All Communications Officers are expected to work strategically in support of UNHCRs operational and communications objectives for their geographic area of responsibility (AoR) as well as global priorities. Communications approaches should reflect our core values as an organization that is caring trustworthy proactive outcome-focused and responsive. This will reinforce UNHCRs role as the lead agency that protects refugees internally displaced and stateless people and mobilizes action to provide solutions.

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 development and implementation of communications strategies for countries situations and special projects; identify thematic priorities and target audiences to meet UNHCRs global communications objectives.
- Monitor news and popular trends to insert UNHCRs messaging into ongoing conversations; identify key moments for proactive communications.
- 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.
- Contribute to 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).
- Ensure content created reaches maximum impact by developing strategies for distribution from the outset boosting the visibility of our content on relevant UNHCR channels and placing it on external channels.
- Closely monitor the implementation of communications projects and adjust accordingly. Benchmark the results of communications projects against set success indicators; build on communications successes.

Additional duties for news and media roles:
- Develop and implement communications strategies campaigns events and other initiatives in support of UNHCRs strategic objectives including its need for leading share of voice on refugee and related matters and ensure coverage of refugee situations in their country or region in global and domestic media.
- Research prepare fact-check edit and produce professional media and communications materials for target audiences and ensure their timely dissemination via UNHCRs communications channels ensuring highest quality standards.
- Draft media releases statements and media briefing notes and secure clearances working in conjunction with relevant focal points and keeping sensitive to needs of both internal and external audiences.
- Act as a spokesperson for UNHCR organizing press events handling interviews requests and providing responses to requests from media relating to UNHCR and its work.
- Engage with journalists and public audiences via social media channels.
- Regularly provide ideas for communications initiatives and considered professional communications advice to senior staff of UNHCR.
- Undertake missions and field trips with media and other official visitors in support of UNHCR and its work.
- Actively maintain media relations for UNHCR ensuring that media (and other important external stakeholders such as governments embassies NGOs etc.) are briefed regularly on issues of importance to UNHCR and have access to information and UNHCR expertise.
- Prepare and manage communications budgets.
- Ensure alignment with UNHCRs global branding and messaging.
- 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.

Additional duties for news and media roles within the Global Communications Service
- Oversee coordination of communications work for their designated regions and thematic issues working closely with communications staff in bureaux and country offices and in collaboration with the senior communications officers/advisers in that region.
- Manage a wide network of relationships at all levels across bureaux divisions and offices (including the Executive Office) to ensure timely internal information sharing as a foundation for grounded communications and to build consensus around communications proposals.
- Maintain close involvement in communications recruitment and training needs for assigned regions keeping in mind UNHCRs goals of employing and retaining the worlds leading humanitarian communications expertise.

Additional duties for news and media roles within Country Offices
- Act as the primary interface on communications matters between their country office and the Global Communications Service.
- Act as the lead for crisis communications work for their country alerting the GCS/News & Media Sections crisis communications lead to risk issues and ensuring close coordination.

Additional duties for news and media roles within Regional Bureaux
- Regularly provide ideas for communications initiatives and considered professional communications advice to senior Bureau staff and Representatives of Country Operations overseen by the Bureau.
- Oversee data and information gathering and sharing of information with a view to ensuring the Bureaus authority as a centre of up to date knowledge and expertise relating to its region.
- Assist the Senior Management of the Bureau to implement advocacy objectives for the Bureau and oversee development of supporting communications strategies for these working in conjunction with staff of the Global Communications Service and communications staff in the region.
- Ensure Bureau staff are aware of UNHCRs global positioning needs.

- 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 P3/NOC - 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Journalism; International Relations; Political Science;
Communications; Public Information; Media
Film / Video; or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
not specified

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Minimum 4years of professional experience in journalism and/or communications mainly at international level.

Desirable
Experience developing and implementing communications strategies. Strong social media presence. Experience working on advocacy campaigns. Experience working with goodwill ambassadors and other high-profile influencers. Experience with brand management. Experience with measurement and evaluation especially providing analysis of media coverage social media engagement web traffic etc. Experience reporting writing editing for magazines newspapers and websites. Experience using digital asset management systems. Experience with digital analytics and performance reporting.

Functional Skills
Required skills will vary according to the precise nature of the role location etc. but may include:
CO-Drafting and Documentation
CO-International Media Contacts
CO-Preparation of key messages/talking points/speeches
CO-Spokesperson skills
CO-Strategic Communication
CO-Public Speaking
CO-Video production for digital platforms (including news organizations)
CO-Journalism (incl. print broadcast photography video layout & graphics)
CO-Editing
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.

This overall context requires politically astute candidates who can manage the complex and sensitive terrain UNHCR is managing in MENA as well as a perfect command of the Arabic language and familiarity with this context to help understand monitor this terrain deeply and engage appropriately.

candidate should have the right communication skills and much needed creativity to be able to advocate for the displaced generate empathy mobilize resources and ensure visibility for UNHCRs work and refresh the tools and approaches used to accomplish that.
-be able to draft press releases arrange for media outreach and take interviews as needed in both English and Arabic.
to be able to monitor and analyze the environment and stakeholders build and nurture relationships with external stakeholders from journalists to social media influencers and other SM platforms.
To be able to plan strategically and organize his/her work well against often tight deadlines.
To produce multimedia content and social media posts and provide guidance and training for colleagues in the region who need it.

Arabic

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

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

of Position:

The Communications Officer serves in the Communications Unit of UNHCRs Regional Bureau for the Middle East and North Africa based in Amman under the direct supervision of the Senior Communications Advisor at the Bureau.

The Communications Unit provides Communications products and services including guidance on communications strategies and approaches for UNHCR Regional Bureau as well as providing support and guidance to country operations in MENA. Responsibilities include drafting press releases If Asked Lines content for social media platforms and arranging and conducting media interviews. In addition the Unit works and coordinates closely with Global Communications units at HQ to ensure cohesion and alignment in messaging and in providing communications product from the region to input into global products and services including PSP.

Numerous protracted and new emerging conflicts have triggered multiple displacement crisis in the MENA region resulting in millions of people either displaced internally or refugees who had crossed the borders into neighboring countries at a time when these hosting countries are facing their own social and economic challenges. The overall political context and developments in the region puts MENA in the eyes of the storm globally as regional and Intl powers and countries have direct stakes in the region and its dynamics adding sensitivities and complexity to an already multilayered situation.

The MENA region is also a significant media hub home to numerous influential news outlets and a growing number of innovative digital platforms that are reshaping public opinion and challenging traditional media in terms of reach and influence. From its base at the Amman Regional Bureau the Communications Officer will be strategically positioned to engage with these platforms as part of the regional team. Building and strengthening relationships with both traditional and non-traditional media is vital for UNHCR to reach diverse audiences advocate for refugees raise awareness of their plight and secure critical support including funding for its programs.

The MENA region also includes potential important donor countries and that audience

Living and Working Conditions:

Jordan has a total population of 9.4 million people. Amman houses 42% of Jordans population 4.008 million making it the populous city in the country. Amman is categorized as (A) duty station. Several International airlines operate daily flights from Amman (Queen Alia International Airport). The local currency is the Jordanian Dinar and the exchange rate is fixed and equivalent to ( 1 JOD0.71 USD) Money traders and good local banking system are available.

Jordan is visa free for UNLP holders; however appointed staff must obtain a residency permit. Residency permits and other local protocol remain a challenge due to governmental procedures subject to frequent changes. The process of obtaining residency in Jordan may vary depending on nationality of applicant type of contract offered and its length.

Staff members assigned to Amman are residing in private accommodation. Rent in Amman can vary depending on the size of the property itself number of bedrooms and the area of Amman in which it is located. Renting a 3-bedroom apartment can range fromUSD per month.

Food and other commodities are widely available in the local shops and markets.

Amman tends to have a Mediterranean climate; summers are mildly hot winter usually starts around the end of November and continues until mid-March there is occasional snowfall.

The medium for teaching in international schools is English however there are a few French language schools as well. There is a plethora of institutions for children of all ages from pre-school to high school as well universities.

The majority of international educational institutions are in Amman.

Amman is the home to many top-end hospitals and clinics. Due to Jordanian healthcares international appeal nearly all doctors and many support staff speak English. Healthcare here is also very accessible and affordable.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Bachelor of Arts: Communication Bachelor of Arts: International Relations Bachelor of Arts: Political Science Bachelor of Arts: Public Professions

Certifications

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability Analytical thinking Client & results orientation Commitment to continuous learning Communication Empowering & building trust Innovation & creativity Judgement & decision making Leadership Organizational awareness Political awareness Strategic planning & visions Teamwork & collaboration

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Additional Information

This position requires Functional Clearance