Background and Organizational Context

The position is in the Operations and Advocacy Division, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). OCHA is part of the United Nations Secretariat, responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures a framework for each actor to contribute to the overall response efforts. OCHA”s mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies, advocate the rights of people in need, promote preparedness and prevention, and facilitate sustainable solutions.

The Communications Unit plays a critical role in supporting OCHA’s mandate by ensuring timely, accurate, and strategic dissemination of information to a wide range of audiences, including humanitarian partners, donors, the media, and the general public. Key priorities for the Unit include raising awareness of humanitarian needs and response efforts, strengthening advocacy for affected populations, and enhancing the visibility of OCHA’s work in Venezuela. The Unit faces challenges such as rapidly evolving humanitarian contexts, the need for clear and consistent messaging, and the importance of building strong relationships with local and international media and humanitarian organizations. The Communications Associate (GS6) position directly contributes to these priorities by supporting the development and implementation of communication strategies, producing high-quality content, and ensuring effective information flow within OCHA and with external stakeholders.

This job opening is for the Communications Associate position, based in Caracas, Venezuela.

Position Purpose

The Public Information Associate supports the effective implementation of OCHA’s Venezuela communications strategy in Venezuela by producing and disseminating timely, accurate, and relevant information on humanitarian needs and response efforts. This position contributes to raising awareness among key audiences, including humanitarian partners, donors, media, and the public, and helps strengthen advocacy for people affected by crises. Working closely with the Head of Communications Unit, the incumbent is responsible for developing content, maintaining information channels, and ensuring consistent messaging that aligns with OCHA’s mandate and priorities in a dynamic and challenging context.

Key Duties and Accountabilities

Within delegated authority the Public Information Associate may be responsible for the following duties:

1.) Prepare and disseminate communication materials to highlight humanitarian needs and response efforts

Example of Duties:

• Provides specialized assistance in the production and delivery of information, products and services related to the communications strategy.
• Write and edit stories, reports, interviews, and other content; coordinate photo and video production;
• Edit videos and manage tools such as Adobe Suite, Canva, and CutCup
• Ensure content is tailored to diverse audiences.

  2.) Support the development and implementation of media outreach strategies.

  Example of Duties:
  Draft press releases and media advisories; maintain media contact lists; organize press briefings and facilitate media coverage of humanitarian issues.

  3.) Support the preparation of internal and external OCHA reporting products.

  Example of Duties:
  Assist in drafting and editing situation reports, weekly updates, and flash reports; gather and verify information from field teams and partners.

  4.) Develop and manage OCHA’s social media presence in Venezuela.

  Example of Duties:
  Create and schedule content for social media platforms; monitor and analyze trends; and respond to inquiries

  5.) Support the implementation of the Humanitarian Communication Group (HCG) communication strategy.

  Example of Duties:
  Participate in HCG meetings; coordinate joint communication initiatives with partners; contribute to the development of common messages and advocacy campaigns. Serves as an information focal point on UN activities

  Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:

  Requirements

  Education

  Secondary education is required.

  Bachelor’s degree in social communications, journalism, social sciences or related field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement

  Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

  List:

  • A minimum of 6 years (with a high school diploma) or 3 years (with a bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area is required.
  • Experience working in national media, communication agencies or organizational communication is required.
  • Experience in working in social media is desirable.
  • Excellent communication, drafting and analytical skills with attention to detail. Accuracy in editing documents.
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (e.g. Adobe pack-age), good knowledge and experience in handling of web-based management systems and medium knowledge in photo and video shooting and editing.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners.
  • Deep knowledge of the Venezuela”s political, social, economic and media context.
  • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
  • Self-motivated and ability to work with tight deadlines.

  Language Requirements

  • Fluency in Spanish is required.
  • Good knowledge of English is required. (Intermediate)

  Expected Demonstration of Competencies

  Core

  Achieve Results:: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

  Think Innovatively:: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

  Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

  Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

  Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

  Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

  Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

  People Management (Insert below standard sentence if the position has direct reports.)

  This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities.

  UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

  Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

  Knowledge DomainThematic Area
  Name
  Definition

  Business Management
  Communication
  Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate

  Business Management
  Digital Awareness and Literacy
  Ability to monitor new and emerging technologies, as well as understand their usage, potential, limitations, impact, and added value. Ability to rapidly and readily adopt and use new technologies in professional activities, and to empower others to use them as needed. Knowledge of the usage of digital technologies and emerging.

  Policy and Programme
  Innovation
  Strategic Foresight.

  Business Development
  Collective Intelligence Design
  Ability to bring together diverse groups of people, data, information, ideas, and technology to solve problems and design solutions or services. Knowledge and understanding of Collective Intelligence Design principles, methodology and practices.

  Communications
  Writing and Editing

  Ability to create and/or edit written content in different UN languages

  .

  Partnership Management
  Relationship Management
  Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.

  Communications
  Social Media Management
  Ability to represent and promote the OCHA brand in virtual communities and networks.

  Disclaimer

  Equal opportunity

  As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

  UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

  Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

  UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

  Probation

  For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

  Right to select multiple candidates

  UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

  Scam alert

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