Job Description

Please note that this vacancy is only open to eligible staff members who have been individually notified of their eligibility to apply for positions advertised in the Accelerated Posting Compendium.

June 12, 2026

H (no hardship)

Family

PR4

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-05-26

Senior Communications Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
In line with its Global Communications Strategy, UNHCR requires skilled communications professionals to conceive and execute a range of activities that help us lead the narrative on forced displacement, generate empathy and mobilize action. This body of work spans communications strategy and coordination, news and media relations, multimedia content production, social media engagement, Goodwill Ambassadors and other influencers, public outreach and campaigns, fundraising, analytics and brand.
UNHCR¿s Senior Communications Officers need to cultivate a keen understanding of our target audiences including an up-to-the-minute grasp of the methods and tone of voice that resonate deeply, win trust and spark quality engagement. They must be vigilant about editorial and journalistic standards, attentive to protection concerns and political sensitivities, and focused on communicating successfully with key demographics. These audiences will vary by location, language and platform, among other factors, as well as whether the aim is to inform, advocate or raise funds.
Senior Communications Officers' functions, working relationships and skills specializations differ depending on language, location, grade, and whether they sit within a country operation, a regional bureau or the Global Communications Service. UNHCR¿s primary target audiences include public, media and policymakers, while our main partners and influencers include peers and private sector, trusted figures and our own workforce. Some communicators will focus mainly on news and media relations, for example, while others will produce multimedia content, manage social media accounts or lead advocacy campaigns. Forging partnerships with media outlets that reach target audiences is a central role for all Senior Communications Officers.
All Senior Communications Officers are expected to work strategically in support of UNHCR's operational and communications objectives for their geographic area of responsibility (AoR) as well as global priorities. Communications approaches should reflect our core values as an organization that is caring, trustworthy, proactive, outcome-focused and responsive. This will reinforce UNHCR's role as the lead agency that protects refugees, internally displaced and stateless people and mobilizes action to provide solutions.

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
- Develop and implement communications strategies for countries, situations and special projects; identify thematic priorities and target audiences to meet UNHCR's global communications objectives.
- Monitor news and popular trends to insert UNHCR's messaging into ongoing conversations; identify key moments for proactive communications.
- 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.
- Develop 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).
- Ensure content created reaches maximum impact by developing strategies for distribution from the outset, boosting the visibility of our content on relevant UNHCR channels and placing it on external channels.
- Closely monitor the implementation of communications projects and adjust accordingly. Benchmark the results of communications projects against set success indicators; build on communications successes.

Additional duties for news and media roles:
- Strategically lead UNHCR's media relations work for designated AoR and thematic issues, working with international and national media, acting as a UNHCR spokesperson for their respective areas, doing interviews, speaking on behalf of the Organization at press events, handling media queries and providing comment. Maintaining close coordination with focal points in headquarters, bureaux, and country offices.
- Working in collaboration with Senior Management and assigned focal points, lead development and implementation of communications strategies for the assigned AoR, ensuring close alignment with UNHCR's Global Communications Strategy.
- Develop in-depth expertise on their assigned AoR and issues, proposing and developing communications/advocacy initiatives, plans and messaging, securing internal consensus for these, and overseeing rapid and timely implementation.
- Ensure UNHCR's leading share of voice in a variety of news and social media on all matters relating to refugees and others under the Organization's duty of care, by proposing initiatives, and using reactive, opportunistic and proactive communications.
- Draft, research, prepare, fact check, sub-edit and secure clearances for media releases (including reports, media briefing notes, fact sheets, statements and press releases), keeping in mind needs of media and public.
- Engage with media and public on social media in support of UNHCR's global advocacy objectives on behalf of refugees, the internally displaced and stateless people.
- Ensure messaging and other communications guidance is regularly updated and shared in a timely manner with other communications staff and UNHCR managers and representatives.
- Provide expert communications advice to senior staff, including on strategies and media relations tactics, as needed. Propose communications initiatives, secure internal support for them, and once agreed see them to completion
- Undertake missions and field trips with media and other official visitors, as well as short-notice missions to humanitarian emergencies and other situations as required, and represent UNHCR at media and public events.
- Facilitate the production of multimedia content for the assigned AoR, working with the Content Production Section within UNHCR's Global Communications Service as well as staff and freelance contributors.
- Seek opportunities for collaborative advocacy with partners, while ensuring UNHCR's distinct positioning and brand visibility.
- Ensure that media contact lists are regularly updated and that effective distribution mechanisms are in place for time-dependent communications products including press releases and statements.
- Ensure highest standards of accuracy and editorial content in all external outputs. Offer editorial guidance and coordinate training activities for communications staff.
- 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.

Additional duties for news and media roles within the Global Communications Service
- Oversee coordination of communications work for their designated regions and thematic issues, working closely with communications staff in bureaux and country offices and in collaboration with the senior communications officers/advisers in that region.
- Manage a wide network of relationships at all levels across bureaux, divisions and offices (including the Executive Office) to ensure timely internal information sharing as a foundation for grounded communications, and to build consensus around communications proposals.
- Maintain close involvement in communications recruitment and training needs for assigned regions, keeping in mind UNHCR's goals of employing and retaining the world's leading humanitarian communications expertise.

Additional duties for news and media roles within Country Offices
- Act as the primary interface on communications matters between their country office and the Global Communications Service.
- Supervise and oversee country communications team and manage related budgetary resources.
- Act as the lead for crisis communications work for countries in their region, alerting the GCS/News & Media Section's crisis communications lead to risk issues and ensuring close coordination.

Additional duties for news and media roles within Regional Bureaux
- Serve as primary liaison and interface for advocacy and communications matters between the Bureau and the Global Communications Service. Establish for the Bureau global positioning and advocacy priorities and timelines for these in consultation with Senior Management and assigned focal point.
- Advocate within Bureau for a positive communications culture that takes into account the political and protection landscapes for country operations and UNHCR's global positioning needs.
- Supervise and oversee country and regional communications teams and manage related budgetary resources.

- Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed.
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P4/NOD - 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree.

Field(s) of Education
Journalism; International Relations; Political Science;
Communications; Public Information; Media;
Film / Video; or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified,

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Minimum 7 years of professional experience in journalism and/or communications, mainly at international level.

Desirable
Depending on the specific role, the following areas of experience may be essential or desirable: Experience developing and implementing communications strategies. Strong social media presence. Experience working on advocacy campaigns. Experience working with goodwill ambassadors and other high-profile influencers. Experience with brand management. Experience with measurement and evaluation, especially providing analysis of media coverage, social media engagement, web traffic, etc. Experience reporting, writing, editing for magazines, newspapers and websites. Experience using digital asset management systems. Experience with digital analytics and performance reporting.

Functional Skills
CO-Drafting and Documentation
CO-International Media Contacts
CO-Strategic Communication
CO-Public Speaking
CO-Spokesperson skills
CO-Preparation of key messages/talking points/speeches
CO-Video production for digital platforms (including news organizations)
CO-Journalism (incl. print, broadcast, photography, video, layout & graphics)
CO-Editing
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
The selected candidate will play a key role in shaping and delivering high-impact communications and advocacy, working in close coordination with the RBE Senior Management, RBE MFT, HQs divisions and operations in the region.

Essential Criteria:
• Demonstrated expertise in media and strategic communications, including narrative development, media engagement, spokesperson functions, including in high-pressure situations.
• Recent experience in managing complex communications portfolios in emergencies and/or high-profile operations.
• Proven ability to lead and manage teams, including supervising staff, setting strategic direction, and ensuring effective coordination and delivery of results in complex operational environments.
• Excellent drafting and editorial skills in English, with a strong track record of producing high-quality communications products (e.g. press releases, talking points) under tight deadlines. Experience producing multi-format storytelling and digital content, tailored to diverse audiences and platforms.
• Proven ability to design and deliver communications initiatives that support UNHCR advocacy and protection objectives, including visibility and outreach to key stakeholders.

Desirable Attributes
• Strong analytical and messaging skills, with the ability to translate complex political, operational, and protection developments into clear and impactful communications.
• Strong understanding of UNHCR’s global strategic priorities and policy directions, including the route-based approach and policy innovations, combined with awareness of political and media dynamics shaping asylum and migration debates.
• Experience supporting fundraising, donor visibility, and strategic external engagement through communications.
• Ability to work effectively in multi-stakeholder and inter-functional teams, including coordination across operations, regional bureaux and headquarters.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position

The Regional Bureau for Europe, oversees 19 operations, including 13 country offices and 6 multi-country offices. The Bureau covers one territory and 49 countries, including 27 EU Member States, as well as EU accession countries and others with diverse political and economic contexts.

UNHCR’s engagement in the Europe region focuses on advancing protection and solutions, while supporting two major operations in Ukraine and Türkiye. The region also hosts key political and financial centres that are critical for mobilizing public and private support, and for shaping global discourse on refugee protection, international cooperation, and humanitarian action.

The policy and public discourse on migration and asylum remains highly dynamic and often polarized. The upcoming implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum (June 2026) will further shape the operational and advocacy landscape.

In this context, strategic communications and external engagement are critical to promoting evidence-based narratives, strengthening public support, and influencing policy outcomes.

Under the supervision of the Senior External Engagement Coordinator, the Senior Communications Officer will:

Lead the development and implementation of a regional communications and advocacy strategy aligned with UNHCR priorities;

Support the implementation of an integrated strategy for Ukraine, bringing together communications, fundraising, and donor visibility efforts for the region’s largest operation.

Lead engagement with media and act as a regional spokesperson for the Europe Burreau and for operations where direct support is needed.

Provide strategic communications advice to the Regional Director, Deputy Director, and senior leadership;

Coordinate the Europe Communications Network to ensure coherence, alignment, and sharing of good practices across operations;

Strengthen communications capacity in country offices and provide direct support where needed;

Liaise and coordinate with headquarters divisions (e.g. GCS, DRRM, PSP) and country offices and National Association Partners (NAPs) where relevant to ensure effective information flow and joint planning;

Monitor political, policy, and media developments to inform timely and evidence-based communications responses;

Support advocacy efforts through the strategic use of data, analysis, and messaging;

Supervise and guide a small communications team.

Living and Working Conditions

Geneva is a HQ duty station offering high-standard living conditions with a relatively high cost of living.

With the exception of nationals of the European Union (EU), the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), Brunei Darussalam, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Principality of Andorra, San Martin, Singapore and Vatican, nationals from other countries are subject to the visa requirement for taking up employment. In the absence of a Swiss long stay entry visa, the Swiss mission cannot issue them a Carte de legitimation (equivalent to a work and residency permit). The same rule applies to family members who, depending on their nationalities, must enter Switzerland with a visa for family reunion purposes.

Identifying accommodation will be a priority before arriving at the duty station. Staff members assigned to Geneva have also been granted the opportunity to reside in neighbouring France on the understanding that the preconditions to acquiring a French residency permit are respected.
Medical care is up to international standards. Under the Swiss Federal Health Insurance Act health insurance coverage is compulsory for all persons domiciled in Switzerland within three months of taking up residence or being born in the country. International staff members and their family members holding a Carte de legitimation or an attestation delivered by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs are exempt from this compulsory insurance provided that they are covered by another health insurance scheme (i.e. UNSMIS).

With regard to educational facilities in the Geneva area, international schools (La Grande Boissière, Châtaigneraie and Pregny) have difficulties to find places for new admissions. It is therefore advisable to make requests for admission for children as early as possible. For more information on this subject, staff can contact the Association Genevoise des écoles privées in Geneva (www.agep.ch), tel: (+41 22 735 7671).

Staff members at the grade of P-5 and above, who reside in Switzerland, enjoy diplomatic status in Switzerland and may purchase goods tax-free in Switzerland. They are also entitled to the Swiss petrol card and CD plates.

Switzerland is in general a safe place with little violent crime.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Bachelor of Arts: Communication, Bachelor of Arts: International Relations, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science

Certifications

Annual Budget OL in Operation/Office, Number of Persons of Concern Served, Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Workforce to Supervise, Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Internally Displaced Persons, Working with Persons of Concern: Others of Concern, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned IDPs, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Stateless

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Innovation & creativity, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration

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

Compendium

Accelerated Posting Compendium 2026 - Part B

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance