Job Description

Deadline for Applications

October 26, 2026

Hardship Level

H (no hardship)

Family Type

Family

Residential location (if applicable)

Grade

GS6

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Target Start Date

2026-11-01

Standard Job Description

Communications Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Communications Associate 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 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 Communications Associates, 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 incumbents may also be required to help strengthen coordination and editorial planning in the area of responsibility, 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 area of responsibility; 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 out content on relevant UNHCR channels and placing it on external channels.
• Help 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 assist in 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 G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education

Not applicable.

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-International Media Contacts

CO-Journalism (incl. print, broadcast, photography, video, layout & graphics)

CO-Video production for digital platforms (including news organizations)

CO-Editing

CO-Drafting and Documentation

CO-Digital content production

(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.

Desired Candidate Profile

PSP Benelux is looking for an enthusiastic professional to strengthen our fundraising and communications programme in Benelux.

Established in December 1950, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect and assist refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people.

In the current global context, new support for and deeper engagement in the refugee cause is essential. Particularly, expanding private sector fundraising to broaden the donor base is imperative in times of ever-growing humanitarian needs and increased competition over scarce governmental resources.

UNHCR’s Private Sector Partnerships (PSP) plays a crucial role in helping expand the organization’s funding base, by raising funds from both individual giving and private sector sources, ensuring a sustainable and predictable stream of income.

This position will sit within the Private Sector Partnerships (PSP) team in The Hague, which aims to raise funds to support UNHCR’s work globally and lead the narrative on forced displacement. The Communications Associate will work under the supervision of the PSP Officer and in close collaboration with local and international fundraising and communications colleagues.

The Private Sector Partnerships (PSP) Services works in different regions: Europe, MENA, Americas, Africa, and Asia, and further decentralizes at local levels. The position will be part of UNHCR’s Private Sector Partnerships Unit, which sits within the Department of External Relations (DER) responsible for mobilizing resources to enable UNHCR’s refugee response programming around the world. This position sits within UNHCR’s Private Sector Partnerships team in the Benelux, which aims to raise funds from private sector donors in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg to support UNHCR’s work. UNHCR is almost entirely funded by direct, voluntary contributions, the bulk of it from donor nations. However, support from the private sector is growing globally.

We are seeking a dynamic and proactive team player who is also able to work independently, with a strong interest in marketing communications and fundraising, to become a steady and reliable asset to the UNHCR Benelux operation. The ideal candidate will have experience working on communication and fundraising campaigns involving multiple stakeholders, as well as a good understanding of communications strategies and their implementation. Experience implementing communications strategies in one of the Benelux countries, as well as an understanding of private sector fundraising in the Benelux, would be considered an asset. The Communications Associate will work under the supervision of the PSP Officer (Benelux) and will be responsible for delivering communication activities, content and materials to support UNHCR/PSP Benelux private sector engagement and fundraising programs - including Individual Giving (on- and offline) and Private Partnerships & Philanthropy. The Communications Associate is expected to work closely with the Benelux PSP team, as well as regional and global communications teams and the rest of the PSP network as required. Excellent knowledge of English and Dutch, both written and spoken, with strong comprehension skills, is required for the role. French language skills would be considered an asset.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process. In addition to the interview, candidates might be required to sit for a written test in relation to this vacancy.

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

Dutch

English

Desired languages

French

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

Living and Working Conditions:

Additional Qualifications

Skills

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

Education

Certifications

Humanities - Other, Journalism - Other, Social Sciences - Other

Work Experience

Competencies

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

UNHCR Salary Calculator

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

Compendium

Additional Information

Functional clearance

This position doesn't require a functional clearance