Senior Communications Assistantnew

July 27, 2026

Grade

GS5

General Service

Reason

Temporary > Temporary Assignment/ Appointment

A (least hardship)

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2026-08-01

2026-12-31

Standard Job Description

Senior Communications Assistant

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Communications Assistant 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 will have frequent contacts involving the exchange of a wide range of information with colleagues within UNHCR as well as media, international organizations, academic institutions and private individuals.

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
- Regularly monitor media and local situation regarding UNHCR.
- Follow-up on administrative and logistical arrangements to organise press briefings and other events, such as workshop and conferences.
- Contribute to the production of information materials for public awareness campaigns and for the preparation of in-house bulletins, newsletters and information kits by contributing to articles, reports and other information gathered from various sources.
- Liaise with printers concerning brochures and publications published by the office.
- Draft routine correspondence and texts for the office's website and maintain information databases.
- Compile and distribute a daily news clipping service.
- Distribute press statements and similar information to media, to other offices locally as well as to Headquarters.
- Maintain up-to-date filing system and appointments diary.

- 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 G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable.

Certificates and/or Licenses
International Relations; Journalism; Political Science;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Some work experience relevant to the position. Communication and computer skills. Excellent drafting skills as well as translation and interpreting skills.

Desirable
Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of position.

Functional Skills
CO-Journalism (incl. print, broadcast, photography, video, layout & graphics)
CO-Drafting and Documentation
IT-Web Content Management
CO-Digital content production
CO-Social Media Publishing/Monitoring/Marketing tools
IT-Web publishing
(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.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. We lead international action to protect and assist refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people.

Based in Bangkok, Thailand, the UNHCR Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific provides strategic leadership, oversight, technical support, coordination, and advocacy to 16 UNHCR operations across 38 countries and territories.

The Asia and the Pacific region faces an increasingly complex displacement landscape, with overlapping crises – armed conflict, human rights violations, natural disasters and extreme weather events – driving the number of forcibly displaced people higher. In 2025, the region hosted 17.6 million forcibly displaced and stateless people, mostly from Afghanistan and Myanmar.

Across the region, UNHCR advocates for safe access to territory, reduced loss of life at sea, and predictable disembarkation for maritime movements. UNHCR continues to pursue durable solutions for refugees, such as resettlement and complementary pathways, including education and labour mobility schemes, while promoting greater socioeconomic inclusion. 

Description of role:

Within the Bureau External Engagement unit, the Communications team coordinates with and provides support to country operations to deliver timely, strategic and impactful public information and communications initiatives to lead the narrative on forced displacement and statelessness, generate empathy, and mobilise social, political and financial support.

Reporting to the Communications Officer and working closely with UNHCR colleagues across the region and beyond, the Senior Communications Assistant assists in the development and implementation of communications efforts, supporting realisation of UNHCR’s priorities across the region.

The Senior Communications Assistant conducts daily news and social media monitoring, ensuring management and operations are kept apprised of external regional developments regarding forced displacement and statelessness, and alerting of any emerging areas of concern, including Misinformation, Disinformation and Hate Speech.

The incumbent supports implementation of UNHCR’s communications and social media strategies and assists in the curation and creation of relevant reports, including trends, performance metrics and activity reports.

The Senior Communications Assistant supports digital asset management and archiving of photo and video content, including coordinating with counterparts in country operations and headquarters, contributing to UNHCR’s global archive. The incumbent supports review of UNHCR websites across the region, and maintenance of the regional website, ensuring updated, accurate and pertinent information is widely available to external audiences.

The ideal candidate should have a strong command of English (written and oral), including a well-developed drafting ability, a strong sense of visual design and composition, strong attention to detail, experience with website content management systems, and familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite or similar tools.

The position requires strong interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to work well in a team environment as well as independently, and manage own work related to multiple tasks and activities.

Staff in the GS category are recruited in the country and should have a permit to work in Thailand. UNHCR is not responsible for obtaining permission to work in Thailand for locally recruited staff.

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

English

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Skills

Education

Certifications

International Relations - Other, Journalism - Other, Political Science - Other

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