Communications Management Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East, established to provide assistance and protection to Palestine refugees. With over 30,000 staff members, UNRWA operates across five areas of operation, focusing on education, health care, social services, and emergency assistance. The agency is committed to helping Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development despite the challenging circumstances they face. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations, and individual contributions. The agency's mission emphasizes the importance of neutrality, impartiality, and integrity in its operations, ensuring that it serves the needs of the refugee population effectively and equitably.

Job Overview:
The Communications Management Specialist plays a crucial role in supporting the Director of Communications and the Senior Communications Manager in the development, management, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of advocacy and communication strategies. This position involves preparing and curating communication materials for review and clearance by the Communications Division's management. The specialist acts as the focal point for UNRWA field offices and departments, managing requests and organizing communications meetings to enhance synergies within the agency. The goal is to raise awareness about issues concerning Palestine refugees, strengthen political will in support of UNRWA's mission, and enhance the organization's credibility. The role also includes maintaining a network of international journalists and media outlets, organizing interviews, and responding to media inquiries to effectively convey UNRWA's story to a global audience. Additionally, the specialist is responsible for developing essential communication tools and resources, drafting statements and news releases, and monitoring media mentions of UNRWA to identify misinformation or disinformation.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the Director of Communications and Senior Communications Manager in developing and implementing communication strategies.
• Prepare and curate communication materials for review by management.
• Act as the focal point for UNRWA field offices, managing requests and organizing communications meetings.
• Maintain and develop a network of international journalists and media outlets.
• Organize interviews for UNRWA spokespeople and respond to media inquiries.
• Develop and update communication tools, including key messages and fact sheets.
• Liaise with counterparts in other UN agencies to ensure accuracy and monitor content usage.
• Draft statements, news releases, and materials related to UNRWA milestones and events.
• Conduct analysis and monitoring of media mentions, identifying misinformation. 1
• Manage the production of monitoring and evaluation reports. 1
• Provide support to other members of the Communications Division, particularly in multimedia content production.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related discipline.
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in communications, including print, broadcast, and new media.
• Professional experience in communications roles within international organizations or INGOs.
• Field experience is required.
• Candidates must have at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA and their country of citizenship.
• Experience providing support to senior officials is desirable.
• Experience managing inter-agency communications networks is desirable.
• Experience in fact-checking and misinformation-related areas is desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) from an accredited institution in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related discipline. A first-level university degree combined with additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience:
Candidates are required to have at least five years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in communications, including experience in print, broadcast, and/or new media. Additionally, candidates must have professional experience working in communications roles in other international organizations or INGOs, along with field experience. For international posts, candidates must have at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA and their country of citizenship.

Languages:
English is the required working language for this position, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Knowledge of French is desirable as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Command of other official UN languages is also considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
This position is a UN Regular Budget post with a contract duration of 2 years, with the possibility of further extension. The incumbent may be required to travel within the Agency’s area of operations based on operational requirements. Applications must be fully completed in UNRWA's online e-recruitment system, and late applications will not be accepted. UNRWA is committed to achieving gender balance in its workforce and strongly encourages applications from qualified candidates with disabilities. A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become eligible for appointment to the same or similar posts when the need arises. UNRWA does not charge a fee or request money from candidates at any stage of the recruitment process.