Communications Associate

August 26, 2026

D

Family

GS6

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-09-01

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.

Excellent videography and photography skills
Excellent English drafting skills
Experience in working in media relations
Demonstrated skills in digital content production, video editing, and the creation of other multimedia products.
Experience in social media campaigns and writing materials for digital channels and external audiences (e.g., web stories, press releases)
Experience of work with or for international humanitarian organizations.
Experience of work in refugee/forced displacement context.
Experience of work with vendors (for event planning, production of items, services, etc.)
Desirable:
Completion of UNHCR Learning Programmes or specific training relevant to functions of position.
Knowledge of Rohingya (Chittagonian) is an asset

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Health hazards in the duty station include road crashes, work overload, natural disasters, mental health problems, substance use and abuse, heart disease, metabolic disease (diabetes), vector-borne disease, water and food-borne disease, SGBV, other infectious diseases and environmental hazards. Throughout the year, there are prevalent risks of malaria and dengue necessitating recommended vaccinations against Japanese Encephalitis and Diphtheria.

The General Threat Assessment in Cox’s Bazar is level 3 moderate. Given the current situation in the area, All UN official movements should be completed during daytime hours (Sunrise to sunset). All personnel should return to their homes before 2300 hours. Crowded local markets should be avoided. Security Clearance is required and can be requested via TRIP at https://dss.un.org. Requests for clearance should be submitted 7 days prior to travel.

Nature of Position:

As of 30 June 2026, Bangladesh hosts more than 1.2 million Rohingya refugees, 52% of whom are female, and 52% are under the age of 18. Most refugees live in 33 extremely congested camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf sub-districts of Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, and some 35,000 reside on Bhasan Char, an island in the Bay of Bengal, 60 km from the Bangladesh mainland.

August 2026 marks nine years since the Rohingya crisis escalated, when more than 700,000 Rohingya women, men, and children fled Myanmar to Bangladesh. While voluntary repatriation is the preferred solution, conditions in Myanmar are not presently considered conducive for the safe, voluntary, sustainable, and dignified return of Rohingya refugees.

Following the escalation of conflict in Rakhine State in late 2023, the operation in Bangladesh has recorded the arrival of more than 150,000 new refugees fleeing violence and persecution. Overcrowding is a major protection concern, contributing to significant security, safety, health, and protection risks. Limited access to education and livelihood opportunities is driving growing frustration, hopelessness, and a loss of purpose, particularly among adolescents and young adults. As conditions in Myanmar continue to deteriorate and news of declining humanitarian assistance reaches refugee communities, hope is steadily fading.

Now in its ninth year, the Rohingya situation has evolved from an emergency response into a protracted humanitarian crisis. Maintaining global attention on the plight of the Rohingya and the life-saving needs of both refugees and Bangladeshi host communities is, therefore, critical. To help illustrate conditions in the camps, highlight urgent challenges and solutions, and sustain public engagement, the incumbent will produce high-quality, impactful, and evidence-based multimedia content for social media, UNHCR websites, and other communication platforms.

In light of global reductions in humanitarian funding, and with the Rohingya situation being consistently included in the UNHCR underfunded report, the incumbent will also support resource mobilization efforts through digital communication, social media engagement, and through engagement with civil society and other interest groups.

To ensure the Rohingya crisis is reflected accurately and effectively in local and international media, the incumbent will engage with Bangladesh-based media for timely responses to often time-pressured inquiries, pitch relevant stories, facilitate interviews with experts and explore other ways to utilize partnerships with the media for increased visibility. The incumbent will also support the production of press releases in both English and Bangla and ensure dissemination to local media, and advise senior management and subject matter experts in the operation on media engagement.

The incumbent will liaise closely with the Regional Bureau and Headquarters to ensure the timely production of communication materials, including press releases, stories, multimedia packages, and social media content, and ensure strategic communication supports resource mobilization objectives, reinforces advocacy efforts with the Government and development partners, and strengthens UNHCR's visibility as a trusted and leading actor in the Rohingya refugee response.

Living and Working Conditions:

Cox's Bazar is a beach city located in the southeastern corner of Bangladesh about 298 kilometres from Dhaka, the capital city. Educational resources are limited, and international schools spanning primary to secondary levels are exclusively located in Dhaka. Health services are somewhat also limited in Cox's Bazar, with more reliable facilities accessible in Dhaka. As a prominent tourist destination in Bangladesh, Cox's Bazar draws visitors due to its scenic location at the Bay of Bengal and its expansive beach stretching over 120km to the tip of the peninsula, with several hotels and restaurants.

The climate of Cox’s Bazar is mostly tropical monsoon: high temperatures, heavy rainfall, and generally excessive humidity, with distinct seasonal variations. The annual average temperature in Cox's Bazar is a maximum of 34.1 °C (92.2 °F) and a minimum of 22.0 °C (71.6 °F). Flights connecting Cox's Bazar to Dhaka operate daily. Flight from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar takes one hour. The main airlines serving the airport are Biman Bangladesh Airlines, US-Bangla Airlines, Novoair and Air Astra. In addition, Banking facilities and ATMs are available in Cox's Bazar.

The workweek is from Sunday to Thursday and working hours are from 8:00 to 17:00hrs with one hour lunch break.

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)

Certifications

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

Competencies

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

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

Compendium

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance