Country: Lebanon
Closing date: 12 Jul 2018
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
Under the supervision and guidance of the Representative, the Senior Strategic Communications and Advocacy Officer leads and manages the UNHCR Lebanon operation's work in the area of strategic communication and advocacy, conducted in pursuit of the operation's strategic objectives as set out in the operations plan. The Deputy Representative (protection) serves as the incumbent's direct link with the protection/legal unit, and provides detailed guidance on the operation's protection and durable solutions objectives and the office strategy for achieving these.
The communications landscape in Lebanon is very diverse, and highly complex, and the risk of messages being misinterpreted or misused for political or other reasons is high. Furthermore, many governmental and non-governmental actors as well as 'persons of influence' engaged in advocacy are highly strategic and quite sophisticated in their methods of communication. The UNHCR Lebanon Operation thus needs to be sensitive to, and have a sound understanding of the ways in which UNHCR needs to 'package' and communicate its protection and solutions advocacy messages, as well as information about UNHCR's work globally and the importance and impact of funding, vis-à-vis the various stakeholders in order for the advocacy to have the intended impact. An external communications and advocacy strategy, founded on the operation's protection and solutions strategy and developed on the basis of a sound understanding of the diverse communications culture, complex political and socio-economic environment and the various communication channels and tools available thus needs to underpin decisions on which stakeholders to target with a particular advocacy message, when to communicate the message and how to communicate the message.
The Senior Strategic Communications and Advocacy Officer is responsible for leading the development of the aforementioned communications and advocacy strategy, through a multi-functional and consultative process, and for ensuring its continuous development and implementation. The incumbent also has important responsibilities to represent and communicate on behalf of UNHCR towards external actors, including through the media. For example, s/he provides information on UNHCR's activities, policies and strategies in the operation to local and international media and to interlocutors in the Governments or partner organizations, and other external parties. The Senior Strategic Communications and Advocacy Officer will function as a liaison with communication/ advocacy activities that HQ and the MENA Bureau develop on a global level and in the broader Syria Emergency Region context (including campaigns/launches in connection with WRD, asylum trends reports etc.) and i.a. ensure that these are adequately adapted to the Lebanese context and implemented. The incumbent will at the same time seek opportunities with HQ and the Bureau to raise the profile of 'local stories/messages' more broadly. S/he will advise the Representative and other senior staff in the operation and at HQ and in the Bureau of impending major media requirements or issues of concern and advise on appropriate actions to be taken by UNHCR. In conjunction with HQ and the Bureau, the incumbent will provide support and advice on the design, development and implementation of specific mass information communications. ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's) in Journalism, International Relations, Communications, Political Science or similar relevant field plus minimum 8 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. Of the 8 years, at least 5 years should be directly related to strategic communication and advocacy, and enable the candidate to demonstrate an ability to strategically use different communication channels, government counterparts, NGOs, social media to communicate UNHCR's protection and durable solutions advocacy messages in the region. Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) plus 9 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 7 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
- Preferably, in-depth knowledge on UNHCR's protection and durable solutions work obtained through first-hand experience in operational situations.
- General understanding of UN/UNHCR reforms and the priority agenda of the organization.
- Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint essential).
- Excellent knowledge of the operation and strategic use of various communication channels and tools, including written press, radio, TV and social media, including Twitter.
- Excellent communication skills with strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.
- Excellent ability to draft engaging, innovative and professional media and communications materials for various audiences and various media channels in English, and preferably, in French and Arabic.
- Excellent knowledge of English.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Completion of Learning Programmes in the area of communication, media training, advocacy and/or use of social media.
- High IT affinity, with specific focus on preparation of websites/pages and use of social media.
- Knowledge of Arabic and French.
How to apply:
Application
Interested candidates should apply on the UNHCR Career Page/international vacancies section here: http://www.unhcr.org/careers.html.
Deadline for applications: Thursday 12 July 2018 (midnight Geneva time).
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, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.