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 has undergone significant reforms to enhance its effectiveness in achieving the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN Resident Coordinator Offices (RCO) play a crucial role in supporting countries to meet their development priorities, ensuring that the UN's efforts are aligned with national needs and goals. The UN operates in numerous countries worldwide, employing thousands of staff members dedicated to various missions and initiatives.

Job Overview:
The Associate Communications Officer is a pivotal role within the UN Resident Coordination Office (RCO) in Mogadishu, Somalia. This position is designed to enhance the UN's communication strategies and outreach efforts, ensuring that the organization's messages resonate with target audiences. The officer will be responsible for maintaining relationships with various stakeholders, including management, other communications specialists, and external partners such as government officials, civil society representatives, and media outlets. The role requires a proactive approach to gather insights from media monitoring, develop compelling narratives, and implement communication strategies that drive engagement and support for UN initiatives. The officer will also act as a spokesperson when necessary and contribute to the planning and execution of media events, ensuring that the UN's work is effectively communicated to the public.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including:

• Gathering insights and conducting analysis from various media sources to inform communication strategies.
• Implementing communications strategies that raise awareness and drive engagement with target audiences.
• Drafting narratives and messaging that effectively communicate the UN's work across different channels.
• Mapping media outlets and fostering relationships with traditional and new media.
• Developing media lines for crisis situations and sensitive issues.
• Planning and coordinating press conferences, briefings, and media events.
• Acting as a spokesperson for the organization when required.
• Creating compelling content optimized for various platforms.
• Drafting and producing communications products such as press releases and reports. 1
• Developing and implementing communications campaigns with measurable impact. 1
• Building strategic communications partnerships with stakeholders. 1
• Engaging in outreach and advocacy strategies to advance UN priorities. 1
• Creating content for UN and community radio channels and podcasts. 1
• Updating policies and training related to strategic communications. 1
• Assisting in reporting and inputs for strategic communications. 1
• Monitoring and analyzing communications strategies to assess effectiveness. 1
• Collecting and analyzing data to identify trends and provide insights for decision-making. 1
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong foundation in communications, journalism, or related fields, with a demonstrated ability to develop and implement effective communication strategies. Critical thinking skills, public speaking abilities, and knowledge of digital design are essential. The ability to analyze and interpret data to support decision-making is also required. Candidates should show professionalism, efficiency, and a commitment to gender perspectives in their work. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, are necessary, along with the ability to tailor messages for diverse audiences. Strong planning and organizational skills are crucial for managing multiple priorities and deadlines.

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 programs in data analytics or related fields 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 strategic communications principles and practices, as well as skills in creating engaging content. Experience with current and emerging digital media platforms is desirable, along with the ability to conduct research and analyze information from various sources. Work experience in data analytics is also a plus.

Languages:
English and Arabic are required for this position, with proficiency at UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Knowledge of French is considered an asset, as English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

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 Somalia only, and candidates must be recruited within the country or commuting distance of the office. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply, and reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.