Senior Communications Assistant

Deadline for ApplicationsOctober 21, 2025GradeGS Staff Member / Affiliate TypeGeneral ServiceReasonTemporary > Temporary Assignment/ Appointment Hardship LevelD Family TypeNon Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay Residential location (if applicable)Budapest, Hungary Target Start Date Target End Date Standard Job DescriptionSenior Communications AssistantOrganizational Setting and Work RelationshipsThe 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 QualificationsYears of Experience / Degree LevelFor G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higherField(s) of EducationNot applicable.Certificates and/or LicensesInternational Relations; Journalism; Political Science;(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)Relevant Job ExperienceEssentialSome work experience relevant to the position. Communication and computer skills. Excellent drafting skills as well as translation and interpreting skills.DesirableCompletion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of position.Functional SkillsCO-Journalism (incl. print, broadcast, photography, video, layout & graphics)CO-Drafting and DocumentationIT-Web Content ManagementCO-Digital content productionCO-Social Media Publishing/Monitoring/Marketing toolsIT-Web publishing(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)Language RequirementsFor 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 ProfileWe are looking for an individual who has experience with digital communications, incl social media and potentially also graphics production and video editing, who can quickly adapt to support the digital communications activities of UNHCR Ukraine's communications unit. This includes communication to both national and international audiences, providing testimonies and stories of people on the ground as well as sharing messaging and advocacy on the situation and needs on the ground as well as UNHCR's work and impact. The person needs the experience and confidence to engage constructively on communications with both NGO partners, the diplomatic community and other UN entities, as well as across UNHCR (the operation in Ukraine and the global teams). The person needs to be able to manage social media channels: planning and posting content, monitoring and analyzing trends and potential risks, and producing different types of engaging, relevant and impactful digital content. As the role will also entail ad hoc communications tasks as part of the communications team and in a large operation and organization, we are looking for a candidate who can work well independently and in a team – and who can deliver, prioritize and keep the overview in a situation under pressure and with multiple competing tasks and a heavy workload.It is a clear advantage for this position to have prior experience with:- Working with a UN agency, humanitarian agency or another international organization- Managing social media channels (X, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Telegram)- Video content gathering and editing- Producing basic graphics for digital communications useRelevant Job ExperienceEssential:Experience with digital communications (Social media, production of digital communications content). Excellent computer skills and knowledge of MS Office applications. Excellent drafting skillsDesirable:Experience implementing communications strategies. Experience producing social media content and managing social media channels. Experience with graphic design and video editing. Experience working on digital campaigns. Experience with programmes like Adobe Premiere and Canva.Language Requirements:Excellent knowledge of English, spoken and in writing. Fluency in Ukrainian Functional ClearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level)Ukrainian,English, Desired languages,, Additional QualificationsSkillsCO-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 publishingEducationCertificationsInternational Relations - Other, Journalism - Other, Political Science - Other Work Experience UNHCR Salary Calculator Other information