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 the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established in 201

• The UN Resident Coordinator Offices (RCO) play a crucial role in this system by coordinating the UN's development efforts at the country level, ensuring that the UN's work aligns with national priorities and the SDGs. The Caracas office is part of this global network, working to enhance the effectiveness of the UN's development initiatives in Venezuela.

Job Overview:
The Communications Officer position is integral to the UN Resident Coordinator Office in Caracas, Venezuela. This role involves establishing and maintaining relationships with various stakeholders, including senior management, UN agencies, government officials, civil society representatives, and media outlets. The Communications Officer is responsible for developing and implementing communication strategies that effectively convey the UN's mission and initiatives, particularly in the context of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. The officer will engage in crisis communication, media relations, and digital campaigns, ensuring that the UN's messaging is coherent and impactful. The position requires a proactive approach to identifying opportunities for communication and managing reputational risks, particularly in politically sensitive contexts. The officer will also be involved in monitoring media narratives and public perceptions, providing insights that inform strategic communications decisions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Communications Officer will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including but not limited to: developing and implementing comprehensive communications strategies; conducting media relations and outreach; managing crisis communications; analyzing media coverage and public narratives; drafting compelling narratives and messaging; coordinating with internal and external stakeholders for joint advocacy efforts; planning and managing resources for communication projects; advising senior management on communications issues; monitoring emerging crises and reputational risks; creating engaging content for digital platforms; organizing events and media coverage; and fostering relationships with media outlets and influencers. The officer will also be responsible for ensuring that communications efforts align with the UN's priorities and effectively engage target audiences.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong background in communications, with a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in development communications, public information, or journalism. Experience in politically sensitive contexts and complex humanitarian settings is essential, as is the ability to provide strategic communications advice to senior officials. Familiarity with media monitoring tools and crisis management communications is highly desirable. The ideal candidate will demonstrate critical thinking skills, creativity in content development, and the ability to tailor messages for diverse audiences. Strong presentation skills and the ability to analyze and interpret data are also important qualifications for this role.

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 qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of communication in an international context and for effectively engaging with various stakeholders.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of relevant work experience, with a focus on development communications and advocacy, public information, or journalism. Candidates should have at least one year of experience in politically sensitive environments and complex humanitarian settings, providing quality communications advice to senior officials. Experience in crisis management communications is also desirable, along with a demonstrated ability to develop and implement effective communications strategies.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Spanish is required for this position, as these are the primary working languages of the UN Secretariat. Knowledge of another UN official language is considered an advantage. Fluency is defined as a rating of 'Fluent' in all four areas (reading, speaking, writing, and understanding), while knowledge is rated as 'Confident' in two of the four areas. This linguistic proficiency is essential for effective communication within the UN and with external stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The appointment for this position is open for an initial period of one year, with the possibility of extension based on funding availability. The UN is committed to achieving gender balance in its workforce and strongly encourages female candidates to apply. The recruitment process is open to applicants from underrepresented member states, and reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities. The UN does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and emphasizes the importance of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity in its hiring practices.