Assistant Communications Officer

Job description

Deadline for Applications

September 19, 2025

Hardship Level

A (least hardship)

Family Type

Family

Family Type

Family

Residential location (if applicable)

Grade

NOA

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

National Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Target Start Date

Standard Job Description

Assistant 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 Assistant Communications Officers need to cultivate a keen understanding of our target audiences - 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.

The Assistant 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 Assistant Communications Officers.

All Assistant 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

• Assist in establishment of close working relationships with television, radio and news agencies to promote and ensure the dissemination of UNHCR aims, activities and principles.
  
  
• Assist in development of working relationships with the Government, NGOs and UN Agencies in order to raise interest and develop co-operation in inter-related activities.
  
  
• Organize UNHCR's public awareness campaign in the duty station.
  
  
• Draft bulletins and updates on UNHCR's operations in the duty station.
  
  
• Brief national and international media of developments in UNHCR's operations in the duty stations and accompany visiting media to the refugee camps where applicable.
  
  
• Assist in planning and organizing advertisements, exhibitions, training seminars, conferences, meetings, social events and other activities to promote a better understanding of UNHCR¿s activities and accomplishments by the general public and/or organized groups.
  
  

• Assist in preparation of communication budget.
  
  

• 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 P1/NOA - 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no 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 1 year of professional experience in journalism and/or communications, mainly at international level.

Desirable

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

CO-Digital content production

CO-Drafting and Documentation

CO-Editing

CO-International Media Contacts

CO-Journalism (incl.

print, broadcast, photography, video, layout & graphics)

CO-Preparation of key messages/talking points/speeches

CO-Public Speaking

CO-Spokesperson skills

CO-Video production for digital platforms (including news organizations)

IT-Web Content Management

(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

UNHCR Peru is seeking a creative and motivated individual to coordinate its communication efforts.

The ideal candidate should have:

• At least 2 years of proven experience leading a communications team, including developing and implementing communication strategies
• Proven experience in designing communication campaigns related to social or humanitarian topics, ideally related to forcibly displaced persons
• Proven experience in managing media relations, including developing press materials, coordinating interviews, and maintaining strong networks with local and international journalists.
  
  
• In-depth understanding of the Peruvian political, cultural, and humanitarian context
• Proven experience in stakeholder management, in particular the government, UN agencies, the civil society and donors
• Experience working with an international NGO or UN agency, with a focus on ensuring accurate, ethical, and timely coverage of humanitarian and development issues, would be an asset
• Experience in the monitoring of social media and in producing multimedia assets, including videos, and social media content tailored to diverse target audiences
• Excellent communication skills, as well as written and oral language skills, both in English (B2 minimum) and in Spanish (C2 minimum)
• Excellent analytical thinking, planning and organizing skills
• Strong leadership and decision-making skills
• Experience in preparing internal and external communications documents such as press releases, talking points, key messages, etc.
  
  
• Experience with designing and producing, and disseminating visibility materials, particularly for donors would be an asset
• Experience in planning, coordinating, and executing public events, including logistics, outreach, and visibility.
  
  

This position is based in LIMA, Peru.

Please note that this is a local recruitment.

All candidates must provide a proof of permanent residency at the time of application.

This vacancy is open to internal candidates (i.e., staff members with an indefinite or fixed-term appointment in the same category as the position advertised) and candidates with UNHCR experience at the time of application (i.e., current staff members in other categories, JPOs, staff members on temporary appointment, affiliate workforce, interns, and staff loaned/seconded), will be considered for regular appointments and assignments.

Please note that this position is offered under an initial one-year Fixed-term appointment.

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/or a functional assessment.

No late applications will be accepted.

Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member 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, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

All applications willl be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

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

English

,

Spanish

,

Desired languages

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

Nature of Position:

With over 1.5 million Venezuelans, out of which 532K are asylum-seekers, Peru is the second destination country for Venezuelan nationals, only after Colombia, and the first host country for Venezuelan asylum-seekers worldwide.

UNHCR and partners have supported over persons in 2023 with legal assistance, psychosocial support, core relief items, multipurpose cash grants, access to shelter and safe spaces for people with specific needs, especially survivors of SGBV, and economic inclusion projects among others.

This position, supervised by the External Relations Officer, serves as the leader of UNHCR Peru's Communication team, which aims to develop and implement of a comprehensive communications strategy.

In line with UNHCR's global communication objectives—leading the narrative, generating empathy, and mobilizing support for the organization and the forcibly displaced—the incumbent will advance the operation's strategic priorities.

These priorities include combating xenophobia, reinforcing the protection narrative, and amplifying UNHCR's mandate and role, ensuring that the operation's work is visible, impactful, and resonates with diverse audiences.

The incumbent will collaborate with key actors, including media, other UN agencies, civil society, donors, and refugees, to amplify advocacy messages, create impactful multimedia content, and support fundraising efforts.

In addition to engaging external audiences, the incumbent will work closely with colleagues across the UNHCR Peru operation, senior management, expert teams, and regional communications colleagues to strengthen internal awareness of UNHCR's mandate and role, aligning messaging across teams and ensuring the consistent and timely delivery of communication products.

The position also involves the supervision of the social media accounts and any media communication output.

The incumbent will play a critical role in producing multimedia assets, including videos, explainers, and social media content tailored to diverse target audiences.

By leading the editorial and design calendar, the incumbent will define key communication priorities, establish deadlines, and ensure the smooth production and dissemination of materials for key moments and campaigns.

Living and Working Conditions:

• Despite the security concerns mentioned below and the current stranded health situation, Lima - category A - is a family duty station having good medical services.
  
  The recreational facilities, schools, and hotels are of international standards.
  
  There are possibilities of renting private accommodation, as well as good banking and currency exchange facilities available at the airport terminal, local banks, shopping malls, and main hotels; there is also unlimited access to communication options such as the internet, telephone sim cards, etc.
  
  Lima is a modern city with a great variety of commercial, economic, cultural, and industrial activities.
  
  
• No vaccinations are required to enter the country; however, it is important to check if the itinerary of the incumbent includes endemic areas of malaria, dengue, or yellow fever to take precautionary prevention measures.
  
  
• February is the hottest month in Lima with an average temperature of 24 °C and the coldest is August at 17 °C.
  
  
• Lima is considered of Low-Security level according to the security Level system methodology.
  
  
• The most frequent crimes reported nationwide are violent assaults in the streets occurring at night, extortion robberies in hotels, restaurants, and malls.
  
  
• Traffic accidents have become a public health issue nationwide due to driving negligence, low road safety as well as climatic factors.
  
  
• It is strongly advised to avoid using ATMs or banking services without basic precautions and, if necessary, use of credit and debit cards, which should never leave one 's sight, to prevent possible fraud through cloning.
  
  Also, avoid withdrawing large amounts of cash, use cashier cheques as much as possible or electronic transactions.
  
  
• Social unrest is frequently reported in the city of Lima, due to its media impact with demonstrations; however, these are also registered in other cities of the coastal regions.
  
  These actions, mainly related to socio-environmental conflicts, cause roadblocks and demonstrations in Lima tending to happen at the historical downtown area near the Congress and in areas where the main government buildings are located, showing a recent tendency towards localized violence, thereby stressing the government crowd control mechanisms.
  
  
• Peru is a highly exposed country to natural disasters in particular as it is seismic with several instances of devastating earthquakes and tremors; therefore the possibility of earthquakes is expected at any time.
  
  

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Digital content production, CO-Drafting and Documentation, CO-Editing, CO-International Media Contacts, CO-Journalism (incl.

print, broadcast, photography, video, layout & graphics), CO-Preparation of key messages/talking points/speeches, CO-Public Speaking, CO-Spokesperson skills, CO-Video production for digital platforms (including news organizations), IT-Web Content Management

Education

Bachelor of Arts: Communication, Bachelor of Arts: International Relations, Bachelor of Arts: Journalism, Bachelor of Arts: Media, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science, Bachelor of Arts: Public Information

Certifications

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Innovation & creativity, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration

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Compendium

Additional Information

Functional clearance

This position requires Functional Clearance

Required Skill Profession

Other General