UN 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 various agencies and programs, aims to support countries in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) and enhancing their development priorities. The UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO) play a crucial role in this system, providing leadership and coordination for development efforts at the country level. The UN is committed to gender equality and diversity within its workforce, striving for a balanced representation of men and women across all levels of the organization. The UN operates in numerous countries worldwide, with a significant presence in developing nations, and employs thousands of staff members dedicated to various missions and initiatives.

Job Overview:
The Associate Communications Officer position is integral to the UN Resident Coordination Office (RCO) in Djibouti City, Djibouti. This role involves maintaining relationships with management and other communications specialists within the organization, as well as with external stakeholders such as government officials, civil society representatives, and media outlets. The officer is expected to support the development and implementation of communications strategies that effectively raise awareness and engage target audiences regarding the UN's work and initiatives. This includes drafting narratives, creating compelling content, and coordinating media events. The position also requires the officer to monitor and analyze communications approaches, assess their effectiveness, and contribute to the overall communications strategy of the UN in Djibouti. The Associate Communications Officer will work under the direct supervision of the Head of the Resident Coordinator Office, contributing to the UN's mission of achieving the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will perform a variety of duties, including but not limited to: gathering insights and analysis from media monitoring; implementing communications strategies to raise awareness and drive engagement; drafting narratives and messaging for various channels; fostering relationships with media outlets; developing media lines for crisis situations; planning and coordinating press conferences and media events; acting as a spokesperson when required; creating optimized content for target audiences; producing communications products such as press releases and reports; developing strategic communications partnerships; delivering outreach and advocacy strategies; creating content for UN and community radio channels; updating policy and training related to strategic communications; assisting in reporting for governmental bodies; and maintaining confidentiality and integrity in handling sensitive information. The officer will also be responsible for monitoring and analyzing communications activities to assess their performance and effectiveness, and for contributing to data collection and analysis for informed decision-making.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong professionalism, communication, and teamwork skills. They should demonstrate strategic thinking, public speaking abilities, and critical thinking skills. Knowledge of sustainable development theories and the ability to analyze data for decision-making are essential. The candidate should also be able to incorporate gender perspectives in their work and ensure equal participation of women and men. The role requires a proactive approach to problem-solving and the ability to remain calm under pressure. Additionally, the candidate should exhibit a commitment to the UN's values and principles, including integrity and respect for diversity.

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 in lieu of the advanced degree. Successful completion of degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics, or data science is considered an advantage.

Experience:
A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in developing and implementing communications strategies is required. Candidates should have demonstrated knowledge of risks to information integrity, including misinformation and disinformation, particularly in fragile or crisis environments. Skills in data visualization and the ability to analyze large volumes of data are essential. Familiarity with current and emerging digital media platforms is desirable, as is experience in data analytics for at least one year.

Languages:
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, proficiency in both languages is required, with a minimum level of proficiency as per the UN Language Framework. Candidates must demonstrate strong reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in both languages.

Additional Notes:
This is a Fixed Term position available for a duration of one year, with no expectation of renewal. The appointment is subject to budgetary approval and the availability of the post. The position is open to nationals of Djibouti only, and candidates must be of Djiboutian nationality or residing within commuting distance of the office. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply, and reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities. The UN does not charge any fees during the recruitment process.