Regional Communications and Social Media Coordinator

Regional Communications and Social Media Coordinator

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The incumbent of this position will report to the Regional Representative. S/he will have frequent contacts with the UNHCR offices in the region, local media, NGOs and governmental organizations, as well as sister UN agencies, and may supervise some support staff.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability
- UNHCR's media relations, including social media, and advocacy work within geographic and thematic areas of specialization are actively maintaining the organization's standing with media and audiences.

Responsibility
- Serve as the focal point for the Western European Region on matters related to communication, public outreach and awareness raising.
- Ensure maximum support to and coordination with offices in RRWE region in close coordination with relevant HQ units, specifically in DER and RBE, including RBE¿s communications unit and PLUS, with a particular focus on those offices with more junior/limited communications or PI capacities.
- Support and guide the development of a regional strategy for the use of social media and manage regional social media platforms.
- Consult closely with offices in the region, specifically relevant RBE and DER units to further develop an outreach and advocacy strategy for UNHCR¿s work with key partners and counterparts, including Governments, NGOs, national parliaments and the private sector.
- Participate in/contribute to the development and implementation of public advocacy and information management strategies in the WE region.
- Package and commission information/stories submitted by PI/external relations and field staff for dissemination in the web and other social media platforms.
- Support offices, when needed, with drafting/issuing press releases and briefing notes, responding to media enquiries and building/maintaining a dialogue with individual journalists.
- Identify regional information needs and the most effective methods for packaging and disseminating information to audiences in the region, carrying out evidence based public driven advocacy, using social media effectively.
- Support and guide the development of media and advocacy campaigns in Western Europe and liaise closely with other Communications staff of other Regional Representations in designing such campaigns.
- Ensure synergies/complementarity of outreach activities with HQ, including DER/PSP driven outreach activities and campaigns.
- Coordinate and actively pursue the production of UNHCR communications, publications and visibility efforts.
- Coordinate and facilitate regional meetings of PI and External Relations colleagues and follow up on any agreed action points.

Authority
- Represent the RRWE in external fora, including press events.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Advanced university degree in Journalism, Communications or related field.
- Minimum 6 years (8 years with university degree) of relevant job experience at professional level in progressively responsible functions related to UNHCR or any other humanitarian agency.
- Expertise not only in working with the media and communication, but also on information management and advocacy, including identifying regional information needs and developing the most effective methods for gathering, compiling editing and packaging to a diverse set of audiences in the WE region.
- Experience in advocacy and lobbying with Governments and institutions (such as parliaments), civil society and the private sector.
- Expertise in the use of social media and how to use it as a strategic communication and advocacy tool.
- Ability to use video and photography skilfully, as well as other technical information management tools.
- Fluent English and French.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Knowledge of Dutch and/or German desirable.