UNHCR is seeking an Associate Communication Officer to join its team based in SO Bassiknou, Mauritania. This role is pivotal in supporting external and internal coordination activities in consultation with the External Relations unit in Nouakchott. You will contribute to telling the story of UNHCR's work in Mauritania through strategic communications, content creation, and media engagement.

What You'll Do

Assist in planning and organizing events and other activities to promote a better understanding of UNHCR's work.
Ensure the availability of UNHCR visibility materials and community communication tools.
Support the development of a public information and communications strategy.
Help format and edit awareness-raising content (in Arabic, French, and English) and support its publication and dissemination.
Participate in UN communication group activities in Mauritania, including meetings, events, and UN Day.
Attend meetings and events as needed, taking photographs and compiling brief reports.
Perform tasks as a photographer and videographer, including photo and video editing and retouching.
Produce content for websites, social media, and other media outlets (in Arabic, French, and English).
Support maintaining a strong in-country and regional presence for UNHCR Mauritania across social media networks like Facebook and Twitter in multiple languages.
Assist in organizing and coordinating missions for international and national media in the field, ensuring visibility of visits on social media platforms and other media.
Establish and strengthen internal communication through electronic newsletters for staff, quarterly e-newsletters, and organizing staff briefings on communication and awareness.
Contribute to improving internal communication by assessing needs, developing relevant tools, liaising with other units, and disseminating information throughout the operation.
Support the implementation of communications strategies for countries, situations, and special projects; identify thematic priorities and target audiences.
Monitor news and trends to insert UNHCR's messaging into ongoing conversations and identify key moments for proactive communications.
Forge strategic partnerships to help produce and promote UNHCR content, activities, and messaging.
Contribute to the development of news-driven and authoritative content, create emotive storytelling, and mobilize action through concrete campaigns.
Support the supervisor in ensuring content reaches maximum impact by developing distribution strategies and boosting visibility on relevant channels.
Closely monitor and adjust communications projects, benchmarking results against success indicators.
Implement communications strategies, campaigns, and events to support UNHCR's strategic objectives and ensure coverage of refugee situations.
Research, prepare, fact-check, edit, and produce professional media and communications materials for timely dissemination via UNHCR's channels.
Draft media releases, statements, and briefing notes, securing clearances in conjunction with relevant focal points.
Act as a spokesperson for UNHCR, organizing press events, handling interview requests, and responding to media inquiries.
Engage with journalists and public audiences via social media channels.
Regularly provide ideas for communications initiatives and professional advice to senior staff.
Undertake missions and field trips with media and other official visitors.
Actively maintain media relations, ensuring key stakeholders are briefed regularly and have access to information.
Prepare and manage communications budgets.
Ensure alignment with UNHCR's global branding and messaging.
Continually maintain and upgrade communications skills, keeping abreast of emerging platforms and tools.
Act as the primary interface on communications matters between the country office and the Global Communications Service.
Support the supervisor in crisis communications work, alerting to risk issues and ensuring close coordination.

What We're Looking For

Professional experience in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field.
Proven ability to produce and edit multimedia content.
Experience in strategic communications planning and media relations.
Strong writing and editing skills with professional fluency in Arabic, French, and English.
Experience managing social media platforms and digital communications campaigns.
Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team and coordinate with diverse stakeholders.
Willingness to undertake field missions in the operational area.