Communications Assistant

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)
A (least hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
UNOPS LICA4
Target Start Date

Job Posting End Date
August 18, 2024
Terms of Reference

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• This position is advertised to internal and external applicants. Candidates must be legally present in México at the time of application, recruitment, and hire. Only Mexicans or candidates holding a permanent residency or valid work permit in México will be considered eligible.
• Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern, is subject to proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, independently of contract type and duration. The selected candidate(s) will be required to provide proof of vaccination prior to recruitment.
• Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on the grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.
• Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The recruitment process might/could include a written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted.
• UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training, or any other fees).
• This position is offered under UNOPS Local ICA contract until 31/12/2024 with possibility of extension.

Remuneration:
A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.

For more information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, please visit the portal of the Office of HR Management of United Nations.

UNHCR also offers comprehensive medical insurance and pension plans.

• General Background

(Brief description of the national, sector-specific, or other relevant context in which the individual contractor will operate)

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights, and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people.

Mexico is a transit country and has also become a destination country for a growing number of refugees, a trend that is expected to continue given the complex context of human mobility in the region.

In 2023 more than 140,000 asylum claims were made in Mexico, a record number and steady increase when compared to previous years.

UNHCR is committed to supporting the government of Mexico to strengthen its capacity to ensure that people in need of international protection can access the territory.

The External Engagement team in Country Office Mexico City (COMEX) is responsible for managing and coordinating UNHCR's relationships with external counterparts, including UN Agencies, donors, government, and the media.

Interagency coordination is at the heart of this team's efforts, especially in terms of ensuring UNHCR's full participation in UN working groups and amplifying our capacity to work with other agencies.

Additionally, UNHCR and IOM are co-coordinators of the national platform of the R4V (Response for Venezuela), which in Mexico also includes 7 other UN and NGO partners.

In 2024, the R4V platform will conduct a planning exercise, Refugees and Migrant Response Plan (RMRP) for the period , which will be publicly launched in December 2024.

The RMRP will include a Joint Needs Assessment (JNA) - a comprehensive data collection exercise to assess and examine the specific needs of Venezuelan refugees and migrants in Mexico.

The Communications Assistant will be part of the Communications team.

The Communications Assistant normally functions under the direct supervision of the Communications Officer or Head of Sub-Office or another professional staff depending on staffing structure of the Office; s/he will have regular contacts within the office/unit involving exchange of information.

S/he will also have limited external contacts on routine matters.

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.

• Purpose and Scope of Assignment
• Lead the development and dissemination of Communicating with Communities material in the Northern Region of Mexico covered by Sub Office Monterrey.
• Function as first line of communication for media related requests, keeping supervisor duly informed.
• Prepare talking points in coordination with the Head of Sub Office for media interviews and events.
• Focal person in the organization of public information events and activities, in close coordination and communication with other Units including community based protection.
• Compile and maintain the mailing list for press releases, information bulletins, etc. and ensure timely dispatch of information to media and other interested parties.
• Classify and maintain adequate stock of PI materials and promote sale of merchandise where appropriate.
• Provide assistance with regard to PI events such as poster campaigns, exhibitions, and public awareness raising events.
• Respond to routine enquiries from a variety of sources such as the media, the public, NGOs, and government officials etc.
• Maintain PI files up to date.
• Have access to UNHCR's communication systems.
• Perform other related duties as required.
• Monitoring and Progress Controls

(Clear description of measurable outputs, milestones, key performance indicators and/or reporting requirements which will enable performance monitoring)

• Weekly/Bi-Weekly analysis/discussion of reports
• Application of UNHCR rules and regulations.
• Qualifications and Experience

(List the required education, work experience, expertise, and competencies of the individual contractor. The listed education and experience should correspond with the level at which the contract is offered.)

a. Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education)

• Completed high school or bachelor or equivalent or higher with certificate / training in Business Administration, Journalism, Social Science, or another relevant field. University degree in communication related field is preferred.

b. Work Experience
(List number of years and area of required work experience. Clearly distinguish between required experience and experience which could be an asset.)

• Minimum 1-year relevant experience to the above description of activities.
• Communication and computer skills. Excellent drafting skills in Spanish and very good communication skills in English, both written and verbal.

Desirable:
Prior experience in media and/or community level communications.

c. Key Competencies
(Technical knowledge, skills, managerial competencies, or other personal competencies relevant to the performance of the assignment. Clearly distinguish between required and desired competencies)

Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
CO-Drafting and Documentation
TI-Interpretation
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk\* are essential)

Core Competencies
Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation

Cross-Functional Competencies
Innovation and Creativity
Technological Awareness
Political Awareness
Standard Job Description

Required Languages

,

,

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications
*Skills**Education**Certifications**Work Experience*
Other information
This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Home-Based
No

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