Mission and objectives

The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).

Context

The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org). The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Cameroon is established throughout the country and works in collaboration with the government and other humanitarian and development partners, to provide protection and assistance to these people in situations of forced displacement. Given the protracted situation of many refugees in Cameroon due to the persistence of certain crises, the response to date has had many limitations. Refugees remain dependent on humanitarian assistance. The humanitarian solutions applied to date are no longer adapted to the needs of forcibly displaced and stateless people, which calls for a change in the response provided. In line with its Global Communications Strategy, UNHCR requires a communications Assistant to execute a range of activities that help UNHCR lead the narrative on forced displacement, generate empathy and mobilize action. This body of work spans communications strategy and coordination, news and media relations, multimedia content production, social media engagement, and other influencers, public outreach and campaigns, fundraising, analytics, and brand. UNHCR’s Communication Assistant working under the guidance of the External Relations Officer, will carry out activities to cultivate a keen understanding of the target audiences. UNHCR Representation in Cameroon, covering Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Sao Tome and Principe, provides protection, coordination and durable solutions for the situation of forcibly displaced populations in Cameroon. The Cameroon MCO Communications team provides information on UNHCR’s role to national and international media outlets, and engages national and international audiences through strategic partnerships, digital outreach, campaigns, and events. UNHCR’s primary target audiences include public, media and policymakers, while our main partners and influencers include peers and private sector, trusted figures, and our own workforce. The Communication Assistant will focus mainly on media relations, production of multimedia content, manage social media accounts and support advocacy campaigns and events organisation. The Communications Assistant is expected to work strategically in support of UNHCR’s operational and communications objectives for the geographic area of responsibility (AoR) as well as global priorities. Communications approaches should reflect our core values as an organization that is caring, trustworthy, proactive, outcome-focused and responsive. This will reinforce UNHCR’s role as the lead agency that protects refugees, internally displaced and persons at risk of statelessness and mobilizes action to provide solutions.

Task Description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the communication Assistant or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Communication Assistant will: Communication Support • Support the development and implementation of engaging Digital/Social • Support the management of the UNHCR Cameroon social media accounts • (content development, content posting schedule, regular engagement • monitoring, and analysis). • Support the development of compelling multiple media content (posts, • testimonies, photo exhibits, videos, podcasts, captions, etc.) and key • messages for dissemination across UNHCR Cameroon’s digital platforms • (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Flickr). • Regularly shoot quality pictures and videos to accompany social media posts, • testimonies, and more. • Identify and leverage innovative ways and new communications tools to • display and promote the work of UNHCR Cameroon. • Monitor the trends across the social media space, review best practices, and • make recommendations on how to improve UNHCR Cameroon’s digital • platforms. • Assist in establishment of close working relationships with television, radio and news agencies to promote and ensure the dissemination of UNHCR aims activities and principles. • Assist in development of working relationships with the Government, NGOs and UN Agencies in order to raise interest and develop co-operation in inter-related activities. • Assist in the organization of UNHCR’s public awareness campaigns in the duty station. • Assist in drafting external bulletins and updates on UNHCR’s operations in the duty station. • Assist in briefing national and international media of developments in UNHCR’s operations in the duty stations and accompany visiting media to the refugee camps where applicable. • Assist in planning and organizing advertisements, exhibitions, training seminars, conferences, meetings, social events and other activities to promote a better understanding of UNHCR’s activities and accomplishments by the general public and/or organized groups. • Engage with different communications platforms UN and UNHCR Regional Communications Unit to ensure the coordination of the humanitarian efforts within the country. • Assist in preparation of communication budget. • Perform other related duties as required. Results/expected outputs: • As an active UNHCR team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNHCR and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: Results/Outputs can be modified as appropriate; should not entirely mirror the task description but serve as a basis for workplan and deliverables] • Quality implementation of the Communication content plan/schedule • Availability of digital content on various social platforms • Increase in the rate of social media engagements and followers on various • platforms • Availability of infographics and multimedia materials • Availability of social media reports • Availability of quality pictures and videos A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

Competencies and values

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNHCR; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNHCR procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNHCR in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNHCR mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Living conditions and remarks

Yaounde is the political capital of Cameroon and the second most populated city in the country after Douala. It is the headquarters of the UN, several international organizations, and embassies. Yaounde features a tropical wet and dry climate with constant temperatures throughout the year and high temperatures ranging from 27 to 29 degrees C. Yaounde also features a lengthy wet season covering a ten-month span between February and November. However, there is a noticeable decrease in precipitation within the wet season, seen during the months of July and August. As this is a National UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.