Job Description

Deadline for Applications

March 23, 2026

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

A (least hardship)

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Family

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

CONTR Local Senior Level Support

Target Start Date

2026-04-01

Terms of Reference

Purpose and Scope of Assignment:
The Senior Communications Associate (Individual Contractor) will support the implementation of the office’s communications and visibility activities, contributing to the planning and production of communication materials that highlight programme results, partnerships and key messages.

The contractor will support a range of communications functions, including content development, media and social media visibility, event coverage, and the preparation of communication materials for external audiences. Particular emphasis will be placed on visual storytelling and the production of multimedia content – including photography and video – to strengthen the visibility of activities and ensure engaging and timely communications outputs.

Working closely with the communications team and relevant programme units, the contractor will contribute to documenting programme activities, field missions, and events, ensuring that communications materials are produced in line with organizational guidelines and with due attention to the sensitivities related to refugee contexts.

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
To view occupational safety and health considerations for specific duty stations, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Key activities may include:
• Support the development and implementation of communications and visibility activities.
• Produce and contribute to written, visual and multimedia communication materials for digital platforms, reports and external communications.
• Support social media content production and visibility, including preparation of visual assets and short-form multimedia content.
• Contribute to photography and video production, including shooting and basic editing, to support storytelling and programme visibility.
• Assist in documenting field activities, events and partnerships through photos, videos and communication materials.
• Ensure communication products are developed in line with organizational communication standards and with sensitivity to refugee protection considerations.
• Support the communications team in responding to emerging communication needs and delivering materials within tight timelines.

Expected outputs and performance indicators:
• Timely production of communication materials supporting programme visibility.
• Contribution to social media and digital communications outputs.
• Availability of quality visual materials (photos and videos) documenting activities and field engagement.
• Compliance with communication guidelines and ethical storytelling standards.
• Effective and timely support to communications activities and campaigns.

Required qualifications, language(s) and work experience:
• Bachelor's or equivalent or higher in Communications, Journalism, Media Studies, Public Relations, International Relations or a related field.

Relevant Experience
• At least 2 years of relevant professional experience in communications, media production, public information or related areas.
• Demonstrated experience in content development for digital platforms, including websites and social media.
• Experience in photography and video production, including shooting and basic editing.
• Experience covering events, field missions or programme activities and translating these into engaging communication outputs.
• Previous experience working with international organizations -preferably UN- or humanitarian contexts is an asset.

Skills
• Strong visual storytelling skills, with the ability to produce compelling photo and video content.
• Proficiency in photo and video editing tools (e.g. Adobe Premiere, Final Cut, Lightroom, Photoshop or similar software).
• Strong writing and editing skills for digital audiences.
• Ability to produce short-form multimedia content suitable for social media platforms.
• Ability to work independently and under tight deadlines while managing multiple assignments.

Languages
• Excellent command of English and Turkish, both written and spoken.

Other Requirements
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with different teams.
• Sensitivity to refugee protection principles and ethical storytelling standards.
• Willingness to travel for field missions and event coverage when required

The incumbent will be under the direct supervision of the Communications Officer in the operation. S/he is expected to stay abreast of the challenges posed to the region by the political context, the UN and humanitarian reform, and institutional developments.

Individual Contractor Agreements

Definition:
Individual contractor is an individual engaged by UNHCR under a contract of limited duration to provide skills or knowledge for the performance of a specific task or piece of work and engaged under an individual contract issued directly by UNHCR. They are neither staff members of UNHCR under the Staff Regulations and Rules, nor Officials for the purpose of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations of 13 February 1946.

Contract Duration/Renewal:
Any extension of an individual contract is subject to operational needs, satisfactory service, and availability of funds. There is no expectation of renewal or conversion of the individual contract beyond its expiry date.

Working Hours:
40 hours per week, inclusive of mandatory night shifts, possibility of work on weekends and official holidays as part of the assigned schedule.

Leave Entitlements:
Annual leave at the rate of two and a half working days per month.
Sick leave at the rate of two working days for each month of service.

Medical Coverage:
Cigna Health Insurance, also available optionally for eligible dependents subject to additional contribution rates.

Remuneration:
Remuneration at the level of the vacancy based on the International Civil Services Commission (ICSC) salary scale.

Legal Requirements:
Individual Contractors must comply with relevant local legislation, including but not limited to those relating to taxation, social security requirements, licenses, work permits and visas, and other details stipulated in the terms of their contract. UNHCR undertakes no liability for taxes and social security contributions, duties or other contributions payable by the individual contract holder on payments made under the individual contract. The individual contract holders will not be reimbursed such taxes or granted any other benefit, payment or subsidy which is not expressly provided for in the contract under which they are engaged. UNHCR may require the individual contract holder to provide evidence within a reasonable time that they have registered for and are paying applicable taxation and social security to the relevant national authorities
Important to note: The Individual Contractor shall be responsible for paying any tax levied by his/her Government or other entities on his/her UNHCR earnings. Under no circumstances shall UNHCR be responsible for paying or reimbursing such taxes.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Clearances and ID Cards:
Applications of non-Turkish candidates are subject to MFA clearance before any offer can be made. For cleared candidates who are recruited, MFA ID card applications will be processed while the issuance lies within the authority of the MFA.

Important to note: Once the MFA ID is issued, the time spent under an Individual Contract no longer counts toward eligibility for Turkish citizenship.

Application Requirements:

Applicants must ensure:

• To apply for the vacancies timely through Workday. No late applications are accepted.
• To reflect their previous experience, language skills (including the mother tongue) and other assets in their Workday applicant profiles duly. Shortlisting is done based on the information provided in the applications only.
• To attach their valid residence permits (both sides visible) in case they are non-Turkish nationals.

PLEASE DO NOT USE TURKISH CHARACTERS IN YOUR NAME & SURNAME INFORMATION.

Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern is subject to successful reference checks and integrity clearance.

Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The recruitment process might include written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted.

External candidates should be legally present in Türkiye at the time of application, recruitment and hire.

Non-Turkish citizens are required to upload their residence permits or relevant documents under the ‘Certifications’ section, by selecting the type as ‘Personnel Administration – Other’, in order to be considered for this job opening.

Applications by non-Turkish citizens will NOT be considered if a valid residence permit is not attached to the application.

For further information on how to apply, please visit ‘UNHCR - Application and Selection’ page, at https://www.unhcr.org/how-to-apply.html.