JOB DESCRIPTION

Hardship Level

H (no hardship)

Family Type

Family

Family Type

Family

Residential location (if applicable)

Grade

NOD

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

National Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Target Start Date

2025-09-01

Deadline for Applications

July 16, 2025

Standard Job Description

Senior Communications Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
In line with its Global Communications Strategy, UNHCR requires skilled communications professionals to conceive and execute a range of activities that help us lead the narrative on forced displacement, generate empathy and mobilize action. This body of work spans communications strategy and coordination, news and media relations, multimedia content production, social media engagement, Goodwill Ambassadors and other influencers, public outreach and campaigns, fundraising, analytics and brand.
UNHCR’s Senior Communications Officers need to cultivate a keen understanding of our target audience’ including an up-to-the-minute grasp of the methods and tone of voice that resonate deeply, win trust and spark quality engagement. They must be vigilant about editorial and journalistic standards, attentive to protection concerns and political sensitivities, and focused on communicating successfully with key demographics. These audiences will vary by location, language and platform, among other factors, as well as whether the aim is to inform, advocate or raise funds.
Senior Communications Officers’ functions, working relationships and skills specializations differ depending on language, location, grade, and whether they sit within a country operation, a regional bureau or the Global Communications Service. UNHCR’s primary target audiences include public, media and policymakers, while our main partners and influencers include peers and private sector, trusted figures and our own workforce. Some communicators will focus mainly on news and media relations, for example, while others will produce multimedia content, manage social media accounts or lead advocacy campaigns. Forging partnerships with media outlets that reach target audiences is a central role for all Senior Communications Officers.
All Senior Communications Officers are expected to work strategically in support of UNHCR’s operational and communications objectives for their geographic area of responsibility (AoR) as well as global priorities. Communications approaches should reflect our core values as an organization that is caring, trustworthy, proactive, outcome-focused and responsive. This will reinforce UNHCR’s role as the lead agency that protects refugees, internally displaced and stateless people and mobilizes action to provide solutions.

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
– Develop and implement communications strategies for countries, situations and special projects; identify thematic priorities and target audiences to meet UNHCR’s global communications objectives.
– Monitor news and popular trends to insert UNHCR’s messaging into ongoing conversations; identify key moments for proactive communications.
– Forge strategic partnerships with individuals and organizations who can help produce and promote UNHCR content, activities and messaging as well as provide research insights to improve communications; promote the work of engaged businesses and civil society actors.
– Develop news-driven and authoritative content to lead the narrative on forced displacement and show UNHCR’s impact (e.g. interviews, press releases, flagship reports, speeches), create emotive storytelling to generate empathy (e.g. stories, multimedia content) and mobilize action by signposting concrete steps people can take to help refugees (e.g. digital diplomacy, action-driven campaigns, fundraising).
– Ensure content created reaches maximum impact by developing strategies for distribution from the outset, boosting the visibility of our content on relevant UNHCR channels and placing it on external channels.
– Closely monitor the implementation of communications projects and adjust accordingly. Benchmark the results of communications projects against set success indicators; build on communications successes.

Additional duties for news and media roles:
– Strategically lead UNHCR’s media relations work for designated AoR and thematic issues, working with international and national media, acting as a UNHCR spokesperson for their respective areas, doing interviews, speaking on behalf of the Organization at press events, handling media queries and providing comment. Maintaining close coordination with focal points in headquarters, bureaux, and country offices.
– Working in collaboration with Senior Management and assigned focal points, lead development and implementation of communications strategies for the assigned AoR, ensuring close alignment with UNHCR’s Global Communications Strategy.
– Develop in-depth expertise on their assigned AoR and issues, proposing and developing communications/advocacy initiatives, plans and messaging, securing internal consensus for these, and overseeing rapid and timely implementation.
– Ensure UNHCR’s leading share of voice in a variety of news and social media on all matters relating to refugees and others under the Organization’s duty of care, by proposing initiatives, and using reactive, opportunistic and proactive communications.
– Draft, research, prepare, fact check, sub-edit and secure clearances for media releases (including reports, media briefing notes, fact sheets, statements and press releases), keeping in mind needs of media and public.
– Engage with media and public on social media in support of UNHCR’s global advocacy objectives on behalf of refugees, the internally displaced and stateless people.
– Ensure messaging and other communications guidance is regularly updated and shared in a timely manner with other communications staff and UNHCR managers and representatives.
– Provide expert communications advice to senior staff, including on strategies and media relations tactics, as needed. Propose communications initiatives, secure internal support for them, and once agreed see them to completion
– Undertake missions and field trips with media and other official visitors, as well as short-notice missions to humanitarian emergencies and other situations as required, and represent UNHCR at media and public events.
– Facilitate the production of multimedia content for the assigned AoR, working with the Content Production Section within UNHCR’s Global Communications Service as well as staff and freelance contributors.
– Seek opportunities for collaborative advocacy with partners, while ensuring UNHCR’s distinct positioning and brand visibility.
– Ensure that media contact lists are regularly updated and that effective distribution mechanisms are in place for time-dependent communications products including press releases and statements.
– Ensure highest standards of accuracy and editorial content in all external outputs. Offer editorial guidance and coordinate training activities for communications staff;
– Continually maintain and upgrade communications skills, keeping abreast of emerging platforms and tools, and systematically reviewing media impact results and other measurement tools for learning purposes.

Additional duties for news and media roles within the Global Communications Service
– Oversee coordination of communications work for their designated regions and thematic issues, working closely with communications staff in bureaux and country offices and in collaboration with the senior communications officers/advisers in that region.
– Manage a wide network of relationships at all levels across bureaux, divisions and offices (including the Executive Office) to ensure timely internal information sharing as a foundation for grounded communications, and to build consensus around communications proposals.
– Maintain close involvement in communications recruitment and training needs for assigned regions, keeping in mind UNHCR’s goals of employing and retaining the world’s leading humanitarian communications expertise.

Additional duties for news and media roles within Country Offices
– Act as the primary interface on communications matters between their country office and the Global Communications Service.
– Supervise and oversee country communications team and manage related budgetary resources.
– Act as the lead for crisis communications work for countries in their region, alerting the GCS/News & Media Section’s crisis communications lead to risk issues and ensuring close coordination.

Additional duties for news and media roles within Regional Bureaux
– Serve as primary liaison and interface for advocacy and communications matters between the Bureau and the Global Communications Service. Establish for the Bureau global positioning and advocacy priorities and timelines for these in consultation with Senior Management and assigned focal point.
– Advocate within Bureau for a positive communications culture that takes into account the political and protection landscapes for country operations and UNHCR’s global positioning needs.
– Supervise and oversee country and regional communications teams and manage related budgetary resources.

– Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed.
– Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P4/NOD – 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Journalism; International Relations; Political Science;
Communications; Public Information; Media;
Film / Video; or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified.

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Minimum 7 years of professional experience in journalism and/or communications, mainly at international level.

Desirable
Depending on the specific role, the following areas of experience may be essential or desirable: Experience developing and implementing communications strategies. Strong social media presence. Experience working on advocacy campaigns. Experience working with goodwill ambassadors and other high-profile influencers. Experience with brand management. Experience with measurement and evaluation, especially providing analysis of media coverage, social media engagement, web traffic, etc. Experience reporting, writing, editing for magazines, newspapers and websites. Experience using digital asset management systems. Experience with digital analytics and performance reporting.

Functional Skills
Required skills will vary according to the precise nature of the role, location, etc. but may include:
CO-Drafting and Documentation
CO-International Media Contacts
CO-Strategic Communication
CO-Public Speaking
CO-Spokesperson skills
CO-Preparation of key messages/talking points/speeches
CO-Video production for digital platforms (including news organizations)
CO-Journalism (incl. print, broadcast, photography, video, layout & graphics)
CO-Editing
CO-Digital content production
(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.

Desired Candidate Profile

Given that the media landscape in Germany is fast paced and complex, the Senior Communication Officer shall have deep knowledge of traditional German print and broadcast media, social media and digital engagement, preferably in the humanitarian or development area. Strong editorial judgement, including ethical and political awareness, is also important. Further, he/she should be able to propose creative and innovative media strategies across various platforms to strengthen visibility with mainstream audiences, reach out to new audiences and promote UNHCR’s strategic objectives in Germany.

This position requires native-level proficiency in German, both in speaking and in writing.

**Please note that as this is a National Officer position, only German nationals are considered eligible**

Additional information:

Candidates must be legally present in Germany at the time of application, recruitment and hire.

Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a test. No late applications will be accepted.

This position requires functional clearance.

UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).
NOTE: An individual whose mother, father, son, daughter, brother or sister is a staff member of UNHCR, including a Temporary Appointment holder or a member of Affiliate Workforce, is not eligible to apply.

This is an internal vacancy announcement.

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

German

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,

Desired languages

,

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.

Nature of Position:

Germany is an important partner to UNHCR, as a large host country, one of the most important humanitarian donors in displacement contexts, including the second largest donor to UNHCR and a resettlement country. In this context, communication and media relations to inform of UNHCR’s work, to support advocacy and to mobilize support in Germany are key to the protection of refugees and displaced persons and to the work of the organization.
The Senior Communications Officer, working with a small communications team, will be in charge of developing and implementing UNHCR’s national communications strategy, in managing media relations, including engagement with traditional media and managing social media, as well as in producing content and visibility in support of the implementation of advocacy of mobilizing public and governmental support and actions, in a fast paced and complex media landscape of Germany. The Senior Communications Officer will work under the supervision of the Representative and coordinate closely with protection and external relations colleagues as well as UNHCR’s Global and Europe Communications team, while being able to perform high-level tasks independently, including but not limited to public speaking, providing interviews, drafting press-releases and statements, producing videos and publications as well as developing social media campaigns and managing media accounts (like Twitter or Instagram) and the UNHCR Germany WebSite. The Senior Communications Officer will also be responsible for working closely with UNHCR’s national partner in Germany, UNO-Flüchtlingshilfe e.V. to coordinate with the partner’s communications for private sector fundraising.
The Senior Communications Officer has to work with television, radio, and news agencies, newspapers, and online media to promote and ensure the dissemination of UNHCR aims, activities and principles. This requires excellent proficiency with the German language at a level of a native speaker, experience in working with German media and the ability to stay abreast of technical developments.
The Senior Communications Officer is directly supervised by the Representative, both managerially and functionally and supervises an Assistant Communication Officer (NOA) and one Senior External Relations Associate (G-5). The incumbent works closely with the Senior External Relations Officer and the Senior Legal Officer. The incumbent closely liaises with DER, in particular with the Global Communications Team as well as with the communications team of the Regional Bureau for Europe.
Living and Working Conditions:

The position is based in Berlin, Germany. The incumbent may be required to travel, occasionally on short notice. Living and working conditions in Germany are those of a highly developed country, with reliable access to quality education, healthcare, public services, and infrastructure. Berlin offers a multicultural environment with a high standard of living. The position requires residence in Berlin and cannot be performed remotely, although some teleworking arrangements may be possible in consultation with the manager.

 

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Bachelor of Arts: Communication, Bachelor of Arts: International Relations, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science

Certifications

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Innovation & creativity, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

Functional clearance

This position requires Functional Clearance

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements