Digital Communication with Communities (CwC) Assistant

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

A (least hardship)FamilyUNOPS LICA42024-06-01May 5, 2024Please note that this position is offered under UNOPS LICA contract at LICA-4 level until 31 December 2024, with possible extension subject to budget, good performance and operational needs. Persons interested in applying for this position must be legally present in Panama at the time of recruitment.
The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.
Levels of language knowledge:
A1-beginner
A2-elementary
B1-lower intermediate
B2-upper intermediate
C1-advanced/proficient
C2-fluent
Shortlisted candidates might be required to sit for a written test as complementary.

1. General Background

To date, UNHCR’s Communication with Communities (CwC) has largely been through traditional forms of communication, including the Participatory Assessment and Community Based Protection (CBP) approaches through face-to-face interactions. However, it has been well documented that refugees’ communication preferences have significantly diversified - with traditional channels including radio and face-to-face still being used, alongside an increasing uptake of digital platforms and social media. As UNHCR’s operations adapt to IDPs and refugees’ changing communication preferences, new communications approaches are being adopted.

In line with UNHCR accountability to affected people (AAP) commitments, the organisation has been recently investing in meaningful engagement initiatives that put refugees, asylum seekers’ preferences at the centre of its design. As a result, there has been an increased demand by operations in the Americas to implement digital communication channels for effective information-sharing and engagement with forcibly displaced persons using trusted tools.


2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The D Digital Communication with Communities (CwC) Assistant will work under the supervision of the Senior Protection Officer in close coordination with the Digital Communication with Communities Associate in MCO Panama Office, and the UNHCR Community Based Protection teams in other operations covered by the MCO Office as well as the Regional Bureau. S/he will be contributing to strengthening UNHCR CwC strategies and activities in each of the countries with a special focus on digital engagement channels.      

Main duties and responsibilities:
- Support organisation of user testing to finetune content and user experience.
- Assist in the expansion of the project to additional operations to meet evolving needs.
- Support operations in the effective design of their national CwC strategies.
- Contributing to the creation of content related to international protection, access to asylum procedures, the exercise of human rights, and integration in host countries.
- Coordinating with the protection team to respond to information queries via social media, helplines, and chats, while maintaining a record of these interactions.
- Assisting with administrative and programmatic tasks.
- Perform other related duties as required.

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls

A workplan will be but together at the beginning of the contract together with the incumbent and operations defining key activities and project timelines to ensure an efficient delivery of expected outputs. Weekly calls will be organized between the supervisors and the consultant to discuss advances, track progress, and discuss how to overcome potential challenges.

4. Qualifications and Experience

a. Education and Work experience

- 1 year relevant experience in Communications, Journalism or Media and preferably in engaging with communities through digital platforms with High School Diploma; or
- Bachelor or equivalent or higher diploma preferable in relevant area i.e. Audiovisual Communications, Graphic Design, or area related to Communications, Journalism or Media.

b. Additional Experience

- Experience with video editing, graphic design software e.g. Adobe Suite and Canvas would be considered an asset (required);
- Knowledge of existing guidance pertaining to the application of social media and digital tools in humanitarian contexts - including Data Protection, Data Privacy and Online Safeguarding concerns (desirable);
- Experience remotely working with operations to document practices (desirable);
- Experience working with organizations operating in mixed movements, refugee situations or other humanitarian contexts ideally pertaining to the use of social media (desirable).

c. Key Competencies
- Skills in effectively supporting digital/social media projects;
- Skills in copywriting and in quickly articulating complex/technical concepts in simple terms (required);
- Excellent Spanish (both written and spoken) essential, Fluency in English (both written and spoken);
- Highly organized and autonomous, able to multitask and prioritize workload when necessary;
- Strong time management skills, including the ability to work quickly and to meet deadlines;
- Ability to work as a team, including remotely;
- Strong interpersonal skills, including across cultural contexts.

 

Standard Job Description

Required Languages

Spanish

,

English

,

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Certifications

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Home-Based

No