Communications Officer

Dutystation: Baghdad, Iraq

Functional responsibilities

Within delegated authority and under supervision of the communications advisor,, the Communication officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Provide technical support to the Communications Advisor with the IHEC electoral project team in planning, developing, and implementing a media and communications strategy for the IHEC using social media;

• Work with the IHEC counterparts on social media used for public relations activities at both national and provincial levels, in particular to the External Media Section, Office of the Spokesperson, and Media Units;

• Support the implementation of guidance and technical advice provided to the IHEC on all media and communications activities using social media, including the development of relevant internal procedures, media relations, information provision (press releases, press conferences, call center, use of print, audio/visual and new media, etc.), development of the website and media monitoring;

• Support the communication advisor to advise the IHEC on the development and implementation of effective social media campaigns for specific electoral events;

• Promote the incorporation of electoral best practices and suggest innovative and effective ways to conduct social media for electoral processes;

• Promote the coordination of IHEC media staff with other IHEC units, including finance, legal, administration, operations, translation and graphic design, etc.;

• Provide analytical support to the IHEC in developing partnerships with relevant opinion leaders (traditional, cultural, media, etc.) for the awareness campaign;

• Work with the IHEC and link with poets, religious leaders, and other community principal personalities who can act as channels for messages and feedback on the constitution-building process;

• Identify storylines for publications and drafting substantive articles contributing to debates on the constitution-making process;

• Incorporate cross-cutting themes such as gender and human rights into the electoral process through social media and communications.

• Provide regular reports on progress and activities;

• Work in the development of social media communications tools;

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

The Senior Media and Communication Advisor, the Deputy Director and other members of the UN electoral assistance office; senior staff and officers of IHEC and other national institutions involved in the electoral process; other staff and officers working at the UNAMI office in Baghdad.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in Communications, Journalism, Social Science, or a related field.

• A first-level university ( Bachelor’s Degree) preferably in Communications, Journalism, Social Science, or a related field in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted instead of an advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• At least two years of progressively responsible experience in media, communications, or advocacy is required;

• Previous experience with a multilateral or international organization is desired.

• Technical knowledge of the field of strategic communication, particularly the requirements and methods of communication in the context of elections in post-conflict and transitional societies is desired;

Languages

• Fluency in written and oral English is required.

• Fluency in Arabic is required.

• Knowledge of Kurdish is an asset