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 improving the quality of life for people worldwide. The UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO) play a crucial role in this system by coordinating development activities and ensuring that the UN's efforts align with national priorities. The UN is committed to gender equality and diversity, striving to create an inclusive environment for all staff members.

Job Overview:
The UN Associate Communications Officer is responsible for supporting the communication strategies of the UN Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) in Nouakchott, Mauritania. This role involves maintaining relationships with various stakeholders, including UN agencies, government officials, civil society representatives, and media outlets. The officer will contribute to the development and implementation of communication strategies that raise awareness and engage target audiences. The position requires a proactive approach to media relations, content creation, and the use of digital platforms to enhance the visibility of UN initiatives. The Associate Communications Officer will also support the Crisis Management Team and participate in training activities related to communications, ensuring that the UN's messaging is clear, consistent, and impactful across different channels.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will be responsible for a range of duties, including gathering insights from media monitoring, implementing communication strategies, drafting narratives and messaging, media mapping, and fostering relationships with media outlets. They will contribute to the planning and coordination of press conferences and media events, act as a spokesperson when required, and create compelling content for various platforms. The officer will also maintain strong relationships with journalists and media organizations, monitor national media coverage, and propose communication responses as needed. Additionally, they will coordinate joint messaging and campaigns across UN entities, develop strategic communications partnerships, and create content for UN and community radio channels. The role requires keeping abreast of communication trends and maintaining expertise in emerging technologies, as well as monitoring and reporting on the effectiveness of communication strategies.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess critical thinking skills and knowledge of strategic communications principles. They should be able to draft clear messages for diverse audiences and develop creative content. Familiarity with digital design and analytics tools is essential, along with the ability to manage social media in an international context. The candidate should demonstrate professionalism, effective communication skills, and the ability to plan and organize tasks efficiently. A client-oriented approach is also necessary, ensuring that the needs of stakeholders are met and that productive partnerships are established.

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 experience managing digital communication platforms, including content production, and building relationships with journalists and media organizations. Experience in developing communication campaigns in collaboration with various stakeholders is desirable, as is experience within the UN system or other international organizations. Skills in graphic design, photography, video production, and data visualization are also advantageous.

Languages:
The working languages of the United Nations Secretariat are English and French, both of which are required for this position. Proficiency in Arabic is also required. Candidates must meet the minimum required level for reading, writing, listening, and speaking in these languages according to the UN Language Framework.

Additional Notes:
This is a fixed-term position with an initial appointment period of one year, subject to availability of funds and budgetary approval. The position is open to nationals of Mauritania, and candidates must be recruited within the country or commuting distance of the office. If no suitable local candidates are identified, Mauritania nationals residing elsewhere may be considered. The UN is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities. The UN does not charge any fees during the recruitment process.