Associate Communication Officer

Terms of Reference

In the dynamics of the humanitarian-development-peace Nexus, and in the temporary absence of the External Relations Officer and moreover the discontinuation of this previous position from June 2025, The RE team in Mali focuses on three main areas of work: communications and media, fundraising and donor relations, and inter-agency coordination. The selected candidate will coordinate the communications and media activities of the external relations (ER) team, reporting to the Head of Section. 

This position is based in Bamako and covers the entire Operation. This role involves managing relationships with media,UN and NGO partners, including interaction with donors and, government officialsand private sector actors. This position requires a highly motivated candidate for a demanding role that requires strong prioritization skills, diplomacy, and the ability to effectively manage a large portfolio in a dynamic environment. The ideal candidate will possess excellent strategic communication skills including message crafting, strong editorial writing skills, content gathering, social media management and crisis communication. The candidate works well under pressure, and demonstrate adaptability while maintaining a high level of performance. 

In addition to coordinating communication and media activities (ER), the selected candidate may act as a spokesperson for the organization or prepare senior leadership for interviews, ensuring that communication aligns appropriately within the operational environment, including through media interviews, social media, website management and ensuring UNHCR’s visibility. This role requires close collaboration with all sections.

To do this, it must have the following skills and qualities;  

Strategic Communication: Expertise in setting clear objectives, crafting impactful messages, identifying, and understanding target audiences, and conducting monitoring and analysis to optimize communication outcomes.

• Editorial writing and content creation
• Media relations
• Social media management
• Advocacy and campaign management
• Experience of working with social media.Fund-raising and programming/program management experience an asset
• Knowledge of several local languages, especially those of the majority of the people we serve (Bamabra, Sonrhai, Arabic, Tamasheq, Peul, Dogon, etc.).

Standard Job Description 

Associate External Relations Officer

• Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
• Direct supervision is normally exercised by a (Snr) External Relations Officer or Representative who provides guidance on the applicable procedures. Advice may also be provided by relevant functional units at HQ. External contacts are with a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including inter alia, government, media, embassies, donors, UN agencies, NGOs and other national and international organizations, as well as general public on matters of importance to the Organization.
• 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

• Stay abreast of the challenges posed by the political context, the UN and humanitarian reform, and institutional developments in the area of forced displacement and humanitarian operations.
• Assist the implementation of a communications strategy that generates support for UNHCR¿s operations from external partners (e.g. the general public, governments, partners, media, academia, NGOs, private sector and persons of concern).
• Assist in the dialogue with donors and embassies and provide relevant information on UNHCR operations and financial requirements by organizing regular briefings, bilateral meetings and missions and responding to donors¿ requests for information on ad hoc basis.
• Through a consultative process with headquarters, disseminate information on UNHCR¿s global funding situation and mobilize additional funds to implement programmes and projects aimed at enhancing the quality of protection for persons of concern in the country operation.
• Assist in the coordination of the drafting of, situation reports, briefing notes, background material, talking points, fact sheets, press releases and articles.
• Draft narrative and financial reports on contributions in compliance with specific donor requirements.
• Monitor earmarking level of funding for UNHCR Country operation and ensure appropriate visibility for donor contributions in compliance with UNHCR guidelines and specific donor requirements.
• Participate on behalf of the Representative and other supervisors in inter-agency cooperation and communication strategies, initiatives and tools.
• Assist in the management of information flows within the country operations by identifying priority matters, securing, analyzing and disseminating documentation and information to support country operations and corporate communication processes and priorities.
• Consolidate information on UNHCR¿s country operations and identify appropriate messages for campaigns and appeals.
• Propose events and initiatives (e.g. commercial, cultural, political and sports) to promote the work of UNHCR and take action as appropriate.
• Support the management of media relations by, inter alia, responding to direct queries, publishing press releases, handling interview requests and organizing regular briefings and visits to country operations.
• Promote visibility of UNHCR¿s work and advocate for support for the people of concern through providing inputs for social media and other web content.
• Organize missions to the field and press briefings for external parties as required.
• Implement all aspects of a communications strategy.
• Represent UNHCR on behalf of senior management in fundraising and communication priorities in inter-agency initiatives and fora.
• 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

Education & Professional Work Experience

Years of Experience / Degree Level

• For P2/NOB – 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

• Experience in humanitarian operations in a field environment.
• Excellent knowledge of local institution, politics and culture.

Desirable

• Fund-raising and programming/programme management experience.
• Experience of working with social media.

Functional Skills

• CO-Drafting and Documentation
• PS-Fundraising (incl. operations, programmes)
• PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)
• IT-Computer Literacy
• IT-Web Content Management
• (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.

Source: https://unhcr.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External/job/Bamako-Mali/Associate-Communication-Officer_JR2448419