International Specialist UN Volunteer

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is a UN agency established in 1949 by the General Assembly. Its mission is to provide assistance and protection to approximately 5 million registered Palestine refugees across Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. UNRWA operates as the largest UN operation in the Middle East, employing over 30,000 staff members. The agency's services include education, healthcare, relief and social services, camp infrastructure improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance. UNRWA also advocates for the rights of Palestine refugees and supports their well-being until a durable solution to their plight is found. The Department of External Relations and Communications (ERCD) is responsible for raising funds and ensuring due diligence of private sector contributions for the entire Agency, with a focus on improving internal communication and communication with Palestine refugee communities and the general public.

Job Overview:
The position of International Specialist UN Volunteer is designed to enhance communications between UNRWA staff, management, and Palestine refugee communities. The volunteer will work under the direct supervision of the Senior Communications Manager and will be involved in establishing a Monitoring and Verification Unit within the Agency’s Communications Division. This unit aims to monitor media and social media mentions of UNRWA, track misinformation, and evaluate media coverage of the agency. The volunteer will utilize advanced analytics tools and social listening techniques to detect misinformation trends and will be responsible for producing reports on these trends. The role also involves contributing to the evaluation of UNRWA’s anti-misinformation and verification plan, adapting the communications strategy based on emerging trends, and ensuring continuous improvement in communication efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the International Specialist UN Volunteer include:

• Monitoring and Evaluation: - Monitor and report on mainstream and digital media channels, social media platforms, and other online forums. - Identify risks from online lobbyists/campaigners that have a history of attacking UNRWA. - Evaluate media coverage of UNRWA and the impact of its messages, conducting sentiment analysis in both mainstream and social media. - Utilize advanced analytics tools to detect misinformation trends related to UNRWA and share recommendations with team members and management. - Produce daily and weekly trend analyses and other periodic reports on misinformation and verification, including risk and reputational management assessments. - Identify UNRWA supporters to grow a list of potential third-party defenders.
• Partnerships: - Undertake fact-checking and suggest messaging to respond to misinformation. - Liaise with international, regional, and national fact-checking entities, sharing fact-checked content to cultivate a two-way relationship. - Regularly share fact-checked content through official UNRWA channels to amplify the work of partner organizations.
• Communications Strategy: - Contribute to evaluating the effectiveness of UNRWA’s anti-misinformation and verification plan within the overall communications strategy. - Adapt the communications strategy based on emerging trends and lessons learned to ensure continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the International Specialist UN Volunteer position include strong communication skills, creativity, ethical values, integrity, planning and organizing abilities, professionalism, respect for diversity, self-management, technological awareness, teamwork, accountability, adaptability, flexibility, commitment, motivation, and a commitment to continuous learning. The candidate should possess a strong understanding of media monitoring and evaluation techniques, as well as experience in communications strategy development and implementation.

Educational Background:
Candidates for the International Specialist UN Volunteer position should have a relevant educational background, typically a degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field. Advanced degrees or specialized training in media studies or international relations may be advantageous.

Experience:
The position requires a level of experience that includes familiarity with media monitoring and evaluation, as well as experience in communications strategy development. Previous work or volunteer experience in a similar role, particularly within international organizations or NGOs, is highly desirable. The candidate should demonstrate a proven ability to analyze media coverage and develop effective communication strategies.

Languages:
The official language of Jordan is Arabic, and proficiency in Arabic is mandatory for this position. English is widely spoken, especially in urban areas, and fluency in English is also required. Knowledge of additional languages such as French, German, Italian, or Spanish is considered a plus, but not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position is a volunteer role with a monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) of USD 2565.48, subject to change. Additional benefits include entry and exit lumpsum allowances, travel allowance, annual and learning leaves, free medical and life insurance, and access to various learning platforms. The position is based in Jordan, which is a relatively stable country with good medical facilities and affordable transportation options. The living conditions in Jordan are generally favorable, with a semi-arid climate and a variety of housing options available.