UNHCR Recrute un Agent de Communication PI à N’Djamena, Chad

Job Title: Comm/PI Officer
Job ID: 14947
Location: N’Djamena, Chad
Salary Grade: P3
Hardship Level: D
Family Location Type: Non-Family

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Procedures and Eligibility

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.

Duties and Qualifications

Communication/Public Information Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Direct supervision is normally exercised by the Snr. Communications/PI Officer who provides guidance on the applicable procedures. Advice may also be provided by relevant functional units at HQ. The incumbent may supervise some support staff. Contacts are predominantly with persons on subject matters of importance to Organization’s programmes (e.g. counterparts in other organizations or at working level in national Governments).

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability

• UNHCR’s media relations and advocacy work within geographic and thematic areas of specializations are actively maintaining the organization’s standing with media and audiences.

Responsibility

• Assist in developing and implement communications strategies, campaigns, events and other initiatives in support of UNHCR’s strategic objectives.
• Assist in researching, preparing fact-checking, editing, and producing professional media and communications materials for various audiences and ensure their timely dissemination via UNHCR’s communications channels.
• Act as a spokesperson for UNHCR, if so designated by the supervisor, organizing press events, handling interviews requests, and providing responses to requests from media relating to UNHCR and its work.
• Provide considered professional communications advice to Representative and senior staff of UNHCR as needed.
• Undertake missions and field trips with media and other official visitors in support of UNHCR and its work.
• Actively maintain media relations for UNHCR, ensuring that media (and other important external stakeholders, such as governments, embassies, NGOs etc.) are briefed regularly on issues of importance to UNHCR, and have access to information and UNHCR expertise.
• Assist in preparation of communications budgets.
• Perform other duties as required.

Authority

• Represent UNHCR in press events, interviews and other media events.
• Authorize expenditures against communication budgets.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in Journalism, International Relations, Communications, Political Science or similar relevant field plus minimum of 6 years of relevant job experience at professional level in progressively responsible functions related to UNHCR and/or any other humanitarian agency on promotional activities of the agency. Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master’s) plus 5 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 4 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
• General understanding of UN/UNHCR reforms and the priority agenda of the organization.
• Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint essential).
• Excellent communication skills with strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Excellent knowledge of English and working knowledge of another UN language.
• (In offices where the working language is not English, excellent knowledge of UN working language of duty station and working knowledge of English.)

For National Officer positions, very good knowledge of local language and local institutions is essential.

• Highly developed drafting ability in the UN working language of the duty station.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

• Completion of UNHCR Learning Programmes or specific training relevant to functions of position.
• High IT affinity with specific focus on preparation of website/pages.
• Knowledge of another relevant UN language or local language.

Position Competencies

• C001L3 – Accountability Level 3
• C002L3 – Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
• C003L3 – Communication Level 3
• C004L3 – Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
• C005L3 – Client & Result Orientation Level 3
• C006L3 – Organizational Awareness Level 3
• M002L3 – Managing Performance Level 3
• M006L3 – Managing Resources Level 3
• X001L3 – Analytical Thinking Level 3
• X002L3 – Innovation and Creativity Level 3
• X007L3 – Political Awareness Level 3

Additional Information

For those people applying for High Risk Duty Stations, we strongly encourage colleagues to read the country specific security and welfare profiles which can be found on the Intranet under Support Services – Duty of Care (https://intranet.unhcr.org/en/support-services/duty-of-care.html). These profiles have been specifically designed to answer some of the key questions (on security conditions, medical provisions, staff welfare, living and working conditions) potential applicants might have before deciding to apply. Ensuring staff are better informed is part of the increased attention UNHCR is paying to Duty of Care. This project is still in the pilot phase, and as such some of the information leaflets are being produced as we speak and might not be available yet. They will be soon, so keep checking. </p>

Desirable Attributes

The External Relations section is responsible for drafting and disseminating regular updates, reports, fact sheets and other documents/informational pieces externally – to donors, partners, and stakeholders and internally to HQ, field offices as well as N’Djamena.

The incumbent will be responsible to help produce reader-friendly and eye-catching information pamphlets/flyers’etc’ on the dynamics of this operation: the various themes and pilot projects for public information. S/He will also help the operation liaise with OCHA Information Management, and produce portfolios of projects for fund-raising based on the country operations Plan. The PI will liaise with public media and ensure adequate visibility to UNHCR activities in the country. S/He will be part of the communication team within the UNCT and play a key role to put refugees’ issues on top of the agenda. S/he will draft articles in UNHCR/Chad magazine.

Due to the logistical challenges the operation faces in Chad (vast country, extreme climactic conditions, enormous distances and weak infrastructure) access to the field can take time. In addition to missions, the incumbent must be able to work closely with field colleagues to ensure effective communication and wide coverage of UNHCR’s activities, sharing of updated information and open dialogue with technical sections.

The section liaises with other units in N’Djamena to ensure main activities are captured in regular reports, appropriate web stories are highlighted and that photo opportunities are seized as appropriate.

The operation is vast and dynamic. Due to challenging context creativity is an added value.

Desirable Attributes

Given the considerable and diverse work load, it is important that the applicant be motivated, hard-working, organized and fluent in French (written and spoken), as all communications within the office and with external partners such as Government and humanitarian agencies are conducted in French. Working knowledge in English, especially written, is also required as more and more reports, internal as well as external, are requested in English.

Current Situation

Chad hosts some 400,000 refugees including Sudanese, Central Africans, Nigerian, Congolese and other refugees and tens of thousands of Chadians who returned from CAR and are at risk of statelessness.

The operation in Chad is currently decentralized and the Branch Office in N’Djamena retains the role of strategy provision and coordination of four Sub-Offices and their respective Field Offices.

Working and Living Conditions

N’Djamena is an expensive city. Finding good accommodations remains a challenge. However there are a number of supermarkets where local and foreign goods are available and expatriates frequent a number of restaurants offering Lebanese, Chinese, French and other foods.

Security Considerations

N’Djamena is a security level 2 duty station. While security in N’Djamena is, at present, stable, due to criminality staff are discouraged from walking in the streets, taking taxis, staying out late at night and visiting public places alone. Physical integrity of UNHCR staff. UNHCR staff are always reminded the need to strictly respect all norms of security.

Closing Date

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the Add.3 to the September 2017 Compendium is Thursday 15 March 2018 (midnight Geneva time).