Senior Communications Associate

February 8, 2026

H (no hardship)

FamilyFamily

GS7

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-04-01

Senior Communications Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Communications Associate is normally supervised by a Communication Officer or other position as decided by the senior management in the area of responsibility (AoR). The supervisor provides the incumbent with regular guidance, who works quite independently on regular assignments with an oversight from the supervisor. S/he keeps frequent contacts with staff at various levels in the office and occasionally with staff at the same level in other duty stations and/or Headquarters; with media, local suppliers, NGO, implementing partners, embassies and UN agencies. The incumbent normally supervises some support staff.

The Senior Communications Associate, depending on the organizational structure and location, may also be required to provide support in executing a range of communications activities in the fields of news and media relations, multimedia content production, social media engagement, video production, Goodwill Ambassadors and other influencers, public outreach and campaigns, fundraising, analytics and brand. The incumbent may also be required to help strengthen coordination and editorial planning in the AoR, support advocacy, awareness-raising and digital fundraising efforts as well as strengthening analytics to inform the social media strategies and work plans.

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
- Support the implementation of communications strategies for countries, situations and special projects within the AoR; help identify thematic priorities and target audiences to meet UNHCR's global, regional and country-level communications objectives of leading the narrative, generating empathy and mobilizing action for forcibly displaced and stateless people.
- Monitor news and popular trends to insert UNHCR's messaging into ongoing conversations; identify key moments for proactive communications.
- Help forge strategic partnerships with individuals and organizations who can help produce and promote UNHCR content, activities and messaging as well as provide research insights to improve communications; promote the work of engaged businesses and civil society actors.
- Support the development of news-driven and authoritative content to lead the narrative on forced displacement and show UNHCR's impact (e.g. interviews, press releases, flagship reports, speeches), create emotive storytelling to generate empathy (e.g. stories, multimedia content) and mobilize action by signposting concrete steps people can take to help refugees (e.g. digital diplomacy, action-driven campaigns, fundraising).
- Help ensure that content created reaches maximum impact by supporting the development of strategies for distribution from the outset, boosting the visibility of our content on relevant UNHCR channels and placing it on external channels.
- Monitor the implementation of communications projects and adjust accordingly.
- Assist in research, preparation, editing and production of professional media and communications materials for target audiences and ensure their timely dissemination via UNHCR's communications channels, ensuring highest quality standards.
- Continually maintain and upgrade communications skills, keeping abreast of emerging platforms and tools, and systematically reviewing media impact results and other measurement tools for learning purposes.
- May be required to support the implementation of campaigns, events and other initiatives in support of UNHCR's strategic objectives, including its need for a leading share of voice on refugee and related matters.
- May be required to undertake missions and field trips with media and other official visitors in support of UNHCR and its work.

- 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 Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G7 - 4 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not specified.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Journalism, Social Sciences, Humanities or related fields
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential:
Excellent computer skills and knowledge of MS Office applications. Excellent drafting skills.

Desirable:
Experience implementing communications strategies. Professional writing and editing skills. Experience working on advocacy campaigns.

Functional Skills
CO - Drafting and editing content for International Organizations
CO-International Media Contacts
CO-Journalism (incl. print, broadcast, photography, video, layout & graphics)
CO-Video production for digital platforms (including news organizations)
CO-Editing
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For 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.

Operational Context
The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation on 24 February 2022 triggered one of the fastest-growing displacement and humanitarian crises on record, forcing millions of people into internal displacement and across borders in search of safety. Since the onset of the crisis, a total of 199,538 refugees have been granted temporary protection in Romania as of 30 November 2025, according to data from the Government of Romania. UNHCR, together with other UN agencies and non-governmental organizations, supports the Government of Romania’s response through inter-agency coordination of the Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRP) 2025–2026, in line with the Refugee Coordination Model. Implemented under government leadership, the RRP sets out strategic priorities and activities aimed at ensuring the protection, inclusion and long-term solutions for refugees from Ukraine who are beneficiaries of temporary protection in Romania. UNHCR in Romania addresses the needs of refugees through its Country Office in Bucharest and a field presence at the Emergency Transit Centre (ETC) for refugees in Timișoara. In 2025, however, UNHCR closed its two field offices in Constanța and Suceava and reduced its staffing levels in Romania by nearly 50 per cent due to severe funding constraints. These closures and staffing reductions paired with a significant reduction of its overall budget, have significantly affected UNHCR’s operational capacity, including its ability to maintain a sustained presence in northern and eastern parts of the country. Consequently, direct support to refugee communities has been reduced, especially in the areas related to inclusion and self-reliance, while engagement with local authorities and partners to address complex protection and integration challenges has become more limited. Despite these constraints, UNHCR remains committed to supporting refugees through continued coordination and engagement from its presence in Bucharest. Key figures 199,538 refugees obtained temporary protection in Romania (as of 30 November 2025). 9 UNHCR partners operating in 15 counties implementing a wide range of programmes and activities (reduced to 6 partners operating in 7 counties by the end of 2025). 46,580 refugees supported with 190,295 core relief items (CRIs). 11,857 refugees provided with protection counselling services and legal support. 5,903 refugees supported with livelihood and employment services. 43 Refugee Response Plan partners including 33 national NGOs under the 2025 RRP appeal. In 2025, UNHCR implemented projects through nine national and international partner NGOs across 15 counties in Romania, later reduced to six partners operating in seven counties as a result of funding limitations. Furthermore, UNHCR has supported 12 refugee and community led organizations in 9 counties to support their grassroot activities both with the refugee and host communities.

Desired candidate:

The Senior Communications Associate should have a strong experience in working with national and international media concerning refugees’ issues. In addition to strong Communications skills and knowledge and experience with media/social media, the candidate should have experience as “spokesperson role” as well as proven experience in collaborating with major donors (Governments and private partners), Romanian authorities and in an Inter-Agency setting. The candidate should also be able to provide support concerning reporting and donor relations, particularly concerning emergencies and refugee response. For this role, the candidate is required to be fluent in English and Romanian.

Candidates may be invited to sit for a written test.

English

,

Romanian

,

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

Living and Working Conditions:

 

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO - Drafting and editing content for International Organizations, CO-Editing, CO-International Media Contacts, CO-Journalism (incl. print, broadcast, photography, video, layout & graphics), CO-Video production for digital platforms (including news organizations)

Certifications

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Innovation & creativity, Managing performance, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

Candidates may be invited to sit for a written test.

This position doesn't require a functional clearance