Associate Communications Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945, currently comprising 193 member states. Its mission is to promote peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and cooperation among nations, and to address global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. The UN Development System, which includes the UN Resident Coordinator Offices (RCO), was reformed in 2019 to enhance its effectiveness in achieving the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The RCOs are led by UN Resident Coordinators, who are the highest-ranking officials of the UN Development System in their respective countries. The UN operates in numerous countries worldwide, focusing on sustainable development and humanitarian assistance, and employs thousands of staff members across various functions and levels.

Job Overview:
The Associate Communications Officer position is critical in supporting the UN's mission to communicate effectively with target audiences about its work and initiatives. This role involves implementing communication strategies that raise awareness and engagement, drafting narratives and messaging, and producing various communication products such as press releases and reports. The officer will also develop media lines, especially during crises, and coordinate strategic communications partnerships to maximize impact. Monitoring and analyzing communication strategies' effectiveness is essential, as is the ability to visualize data for informed decision-making. The position requires a proactive approach to communication, ensuring that the UN's messages resonate with diverse audiences and contribute to the organization's goals.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Associate Communications Officer will be responsible for a range of duties, including:

• Implementing communication strategies that effectively engage target audiences and raise awareness about the UN's work.
• Drafting narratives and messaging tailored to various channels and platforms.
• Developing media lines for crisis situations and sensitive issues.
• Producing communication products such as press releases, web stories, and infographics.
• Coordinating strategic communications partnerships with stakeholders to enhance outreach and impact.
• Monitoring and analyzing communication activities to assess their effectiveness and performance.
• Collecting and analyzing data to identify trends and provide insights through data visualization methods.
• Performing other related tasks as assigned by the Head of the Resident Coordinator Office.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong professionalism, communication, and client orientation skills. They should demonstrate strategic thinking, public speaking, and critical thinking abilities. Knowledge of sustainable development theories and media monitoring tools is essential. The ability to conduct research, analyze data, and draft reports on sustainable development issues is required. Candidates should also show a commitment to gender perspectives and equal participation in all areas of work.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, digital communications, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. Completion of degree and non-degree programs in data analytics or related fields is advantageous.

Experience:
A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in communications, international relations, or relevant areas is required. Candidates should have demonstrated knowledge of risks to information integrity, including misinformation and disinformation, particularly in fragile or crisis environments. Skills in collecting and analyzing large volumes of data are essential, along with knowledge of strategic communications principles and emerging digital media platforms. Experience in data analytics or related areas is desirable, as is proficiency in data visualization tools.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Arabic is required for this position, as these are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency at UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking for both languages.

Additional Notes:
This is a fixed-term position with an initial appointment period of one year, subject to budgetary approval and availability of funds. The position is open to nationals of Iraq only, and candidates residing outside Iraq may be considered if no suitable local candidates are identified. The UN is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. The recruitment process is free of charge, and the UN does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.