Senior Communications Assistant

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

A (least hardship)FamilyUNOPS LICA52025-03-01February 9, 2025The Senior Communications Assistant (LICA 5) is part of the External Relations Unit, which is comprised of the External Relations, Reporting, and PI/Communications teams. The position reports to the Communications Associate.

As an integral member of the PI/Comms team, the Senior Communications Assistant will contribute to the implementation of the Communications Strategy and in ensuring the visibility and impact of UNHCR Peru’s work. The PI/Comms team is responsible for carrying out and producing an array of products and activities, including external communications documents (i.e. press releases, flyers/pamphlets, posters, etc.), videos (for campaigns, donors, etc.), content gathering, management of the Operation’s social media channels and the development of content materials for these same, design and production of visibility materials and merchandise, event planning, and media relations, amongst others.

In addition to the essential experience required for the position, the desired candidate should have previous experience in graphic design, dealing with media/press, communications and/or awareness-raising campaigns and events (including support and coordination), production of videos and social media content, fluency in English and Spanish, and excellent oral and written skills in both languages.

Additional desired experience includes:

• Experience in social media campaigns and writing materials for digital channels and external audiences (e.g., web stories, press releases)
• Experience working with or for international humanitarian organizations.
• Experience working in refugee/forced displacement settings.
• Experience working with vendors (for event planning, production of items, services, etc.)
• Reporting experience (drafting of internal and external documents) would be an asset.

Furthermore, it is expected that the desired candidate has excellent interpersonal skills, strong coordination, organization, and communication qualities, as well as the ability to work both independently and in teams.

Person interested in applying for this position should be legally present in the country at the time of application, recruitment, and appointment.

The position is a full-time role with working hours starting from Monday to Thursday from 8:30 am to 05:30 pm and Friday from 8:30 am to 02:00 pm. The successful candidate will be assigned to support the team in the Country Office Peru located in Miraflores, Lima.

Please note that this position is offered under a Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA / UNOPS). It will last for 6 months initially. Extension is subject to operational needs, budget, and performance.

Only short-listed candidates will be notified and might be requested to sit a test and to provide a proof of their language knowledge (English or Spanish). No late applications will be accepted.

Recruitment as a UNHCR affiliate is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted based on the information submitted during the application. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision, or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training, or any other fees).
The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

 

Standard Job Description

Senior Communications Assistant

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Communications Assistant is normally supervised by a Communication Officer or other position as decided by the senior management in the area of responsibility. The supervisor provides the incumbent with regular guidance. The incumbent will have frequent contacts involving the exchange of a wide range of information with colleagues within UNHCR as well as media, international organizations, academic institutions and private individuals.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
- Regularly monitor media and local situation regarding UNHCR.
- Follow-up on administrative and logistical arrangements to organise press briefings and other events, such as workshop and conferences.
- Contribute to the production of information materials for public awareness campaigns and for the preparation of in-house bulletins, newsletters and information kits by contributing to articles, reports and other information gathered from various sources.
- Liaise with printers concerning brochures and publications published by the office.
- Draft routine correspondence and texts for the office's website and maintain information databases.
- Compile and distribute a daily news clipping service.
- Distribute press statements and similar information to media, to other offices locally as well as to Headquarters.
- Maintain up-to-date filing system and appointments diary.

- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable.

Certificates and/or Licenses
International Relations; Journalism; Political Science;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Some work experience relevant to the position. Communication and computer skills. Excellent drafting skills as well as translation and interpreting skills.

Desirable
Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of position.

Functional Skills
CO-Journalism (incl. print, broadcast, photography, video, layout & graphics)
CO-Drafting and Documentation
IT-Web Content Management
CO-Digital content production
CO-Social Media Publishing/Monitoring/Marketing tools
IT-Web publishing
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Required Languages

English

,

,

Desired Languages

Spanish

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Digital content production, CO-Drafting and Documentation, CO-Journalism (incl. print, broadcast, photography, video, layout & graphics), CO-Social Media Publishing/Monitoring/Marketing tools, IT-Web Content Management, IT-Web publishing

Education

Certifications

International Relations - Other, Journalism - Other, Political Science - Other

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Home-Based

No