Hardship Level A (least hardship) Family Type Family Family Type Family Residential location (if applicable) Grade GS5 Staff Member / Affiliate Type General Service Reason Regular > Regular Assignment Target Start Date 2025-09-01 Deadline for Applications June 26, 2025 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. Desired Candidate Profile Colombia is the country most impacted by the outflow of over 7.7 million Venezuelan refugees, hosting nearly 2.8 million Venezuelans. Over 2.4 million have registered to benefit from the Temporary Protection Status (TPS), issued by the Government of Colombia in February 2021. The TPS provides a 10-year protection status and access to a full range of rights, including healthcare, education, formal employment, and financial inclusion. More than 1.9 million permits have been delivered; however, challenges remain in terms of access to rights and services. Xenophobia against Venezuelans persists, as misinformation and the perceptions that Venezuelans will take away job opportunities from Colombians, fuel general discontent. UNHCR supports the TPS roll-out, as well as a similar initiative announced by the Government of Colombia in December 2024, and believes it is a promising pathway for addressing the vulnerable situation of Venezuelan refugees, including opportunities for durable solutions. At the same time, despite the 2016 Peace Agreement, conflict and armed violence continue to generate new internal displaced persons, in addition to the 7.7 million Colombians already displaced. Afro-Colombians and indigenous people continue to be disproportionally affected by large-group displacement events and confinements, particularly in the Pacific coast. UNHCR and partners work to strengthen preventive actions as well as to respond to emergencies, providing protection and solutions for internally displaced persons. UNHCR also works with individuals transiting Colombia, including promoting alternatives to dangerous, irregular crossings of the Darien region for those heading north and seeking solutions to those returning from central America through the same route. In the context of the Humanitarian Reset and funding challenges, innovative approaches are being explored of interagency offices and pooling of UN resources and missions. UNHCR is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, socio-economic, religious and ethnic backgrounds, to apply to become a part of the organization. Furthermore, UNHCR Colombia strongly encourages persons living with disabilities to apply to this position. The grading (step calculation) of the appointed candidate will be based on the information you have registered in Workday. Please make sure to include all the relevant work experience you have (specify the relevant responsibilities) as well as educational qualifications necessary for the position. Any discrepancies or missing information could affect this step calculation. DESIRED CANDIDATE PROFILE The ideal candidate has relevant experience managing communication, public information and external engagement tasks in a complex mixed migration context such as the one of the Northwestern Region of Colombia. As the only communication staff based in the Sub Office covering 7 Departments, the preferred candidate will be proactive, able to take initiatives, coordinate with the other units and following the guidance of the Senior management of the SO. S/He will have good knowledge of communication and PI tools and previous experience in external relations and in dealing with a wide range of stakeholders, including donors and other key partners, medias and academia. The preferred candidate is able to redact high quality communication reports, fact sheets and other reports according to the needs. Knowledge and previous experience in forced displacement and refugee issues will be an asset. S/he has a good knowledge of English language (spoken and written). The preferred candidate is a creative, out of the box thinker and a great team player. Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level): Spanish , English , Desired languages , , Operational context Occupational Safety and Health Considerations: Nature of Position: Living and Working Conditions: 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 Work Experience Competencies Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Innovation & creativity, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration, Technological awareness UNHCR Salary Calculator https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales Compendium Additional Information Functional clearance This position doesn't require a functional clearance #J-18808-Ljbffr