Communications Officer-UNOCHA-(Nationals Only)

Organization Setting and Reporting Relationships:

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies.

OCHA’s mission is to:

- Mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies.

- Advocate for the rights of people in need.

- Promote preparedness and prevention.

- Facilitate sustainable solutions.

OCHA provides support to the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) and the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) in Sudan. Working with the entire humanitarian community, OCHA looks to foster a conducive operating environment that facilitates the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance.

OCHA also promotes compliance with humanitarian principles in the humanitarian response. This is an essential element of effective humanitarian coordination and is central to establishing and maintaining access to affected people, particularly in conflict-affected areas of Sudan.

Background:

The Communications Officer reports to the Head of Communications for OCHA Sudan. Through the collection, analysis, processing and dissemination of communications products, he/she supports the work of OCHA Sudan. He/she is in regular contact with other humanitarian organizations to produce and disseminate various communications products. The incumbent is expected to perform the following duties:

Key Duties and Responsibilities :

- Monitor, analyze and regularly report on humanitarian developments or emergency situations and responses in Sudan, based on information from diverse sources, including sub-national offices, partners and assessments, while ensuring evidence-based reporting.

- Lead and contribute to the drafting and consolidation of key humanitarian reporting products, including Flash Updates, Situation Reports, Humanitarian Updates, social media content and other internal and external information products to support advocacy.

- Draft daily and weekly update reports on the humanitarian situation, based on inputs from sub-offices and humanitarian partners; draft other routine and special reports on the humanitarian situation, for circulation as may be required.

- Prepare or contribute to the preparation and dissemination of various public information products, including reports, talking points, key messages, presentations, press releases, statements, human-interest stories, campaign materials and social media content.

- Produce or commission quality visual content including photos, photo galleries (with captions), infographics, social media graphics and videos.

- Work closely with communications staff from other humanitarian organizations to develop communications and advocacy strategies and produce content for internal and external audiences.

- Organize and participate in working groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with colleagues, other agencies and partners on humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters.

- Assist in the review and revision of the Humanitarian Coordinator's information products, in order to ensure that they are meeting the needs of relevant internal and external actors in terms of frequency, timeliness, subject matter and dissemination; and adapt these according to the shifting humanitarian situation and to the changing information needs of recipients.

- Collect, analyze and compile data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven reporting, planning and decision-making.

- Prepare draft notes to Management, Humanitarian Briefing Packages for the wider humanitarian community including donors, as may be required.

- Perform any other relevant duties.

Competencies :

- Professionalism: Knowledge of a range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related human rights issues, including approaches and techniques to address difficult problems. Analytical capacity and in particular the ability to analyze and articulate the humanitarian dimension of issues which require a coordinated UN response. Ability to identify issues and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems. Ability to conduct research, including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the humanitarian rights situation in assigned country/area. Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human misery); ability to provide guidance to new/junior staff. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.

- Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

- Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

- Planning& Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

- Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education:

- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communications, international affairs, social sciences, humanitarian affairs, development, information technology, information management or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

- A minimum of 2 years (with a Master’s degree) or 4 years (with a Bachelor’s degree) of relevant progressively responsible experience in communications, journalism, humanitarian affairs, development, or other related area is required.

- Relevant experience in a humanitarian context (complex emergency or natural disaster) within the UN Common System or other comparable international organization is required.

- Experience in producing field-based content, including videos, human-interest stories and photography is required.

- Experience in developing and adapting content for social media platforms is desirable.

- Experience in coordinating with partner organizations on content production and dissemination is desirable.

- Experience in developing, analyzing and reviewing reports for senior management is desirable.

Language:

- Fluency in English and Arabic is required.

- Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Applicant information about rosters

UNOCHA reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNOCHA at the same grade level and with similar job descriptions, experience, and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNOCHA has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNOCHA is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin, or other status.

Use of AI by candidates

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