Associate Communications Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Development System was reformed on January 1, 2019, to enhance its effectiveness in achieving the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO) play a crucial role in this reform, led by an empowered UN Resident Coordinator who represents the UN Secretary-General at the country level. The organization focuses on supporting countries in achieving their development priorities and ensuring the attainment of the SDGs. The UN RCO operates in various countries, working collaboratively with different stakeholders to foster development and sustainability.

Job Overview:
The Associate Communications Officer is responsible for maintaining relationships with management, other communications specialists, and various stakeholders to facilitate effective communication strategies. This role involves gathering insights from media monitoring, implementing communication strategies to raise awareness and engagement, drafting narratives and messaging, and fostering relationships with media outlets. The officer will also act as a spokesperson when necessary, create compelling content for various platforms, and contribute to the development of strategic communications partnerships. The position requires a proactive approach to outreach and advocacy strategies to engage target audiences and advance UN priorities, while also ensuring the integrity of information shared.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Gather insights and analyze data from traditional, social, and digital media to inform communication strategies.
• Implement communication strategies that raise awareness and drive engagement with target audiences.
• Draft compelling narratives and messaging about UN work across various channels.
• Map media outlets and foster relationships with traditional and new media.
• Develop media lines for crisis situations and sensitive issues.
• Plan and coordinate press conferences, briefings, and media events.
• Act as a spokesperson for the organization when required.
• Create optimized content for target audiences across multiple platforms.
• Draft and produce communications products such as press releases, reports, and infographics. 1
• Develop and implement communications campaigns with measurable impact. 1
• Coordinate strategic communications partnerships with stakeholders. 1
• Deliver outreach and advocacy strategies to engage audiences and advance UN priorities. 1
• Create content for UN and community radio channels and podcasts. 1
• Update policy and training related to strategic communications. 1
• Assist in preparing speeches and success stories for UN reports. 1
• Stay updated on communication trends and emerging technologies. 1
• Maintain confidentiality and integrity in handling sensitive information. 1
• Monitor and analyze communication strategies to assess effectiveness. 1
• Collect and analyze data to identify trends and provide insights for decision-making.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess critical thinking skills, creativity in content development, and knowledge of digital design. They should be able to analyze and interpret data to support decision-making and convey information effectively. A commitment to gender perspectives and equal participation in all areas of work is essential. Candidates should demonstrate professionalism, effective communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, digital communications, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree combined with 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 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 media monitoring tools and risks to information integrity, including misinformation and hate speech in fragile environments. Experience in data analytics or related areas is desirable, as is the ability to communicate complex matters to diverse audiences.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of another official UN language is an advantage, with fluency defined as a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas (reading, writing, speaking, understanding).

Additional Notes:
This is a fixed-term limited position with an initial appointment period of one year, subject to availability of funds and budgetary approval. The position is open to nationals of Samoa only, and candidates must be recruited within the country or commuting distance of the office. If no suitable local candidates are found, SAMOA nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, with the candidate responsible for travel and relocation costs. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. All staff members are expected to adhere to the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, and the organization provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request.