Mission and objectives

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. We work with partners to integrate qualified, highly motivated and well supported UN Volunteers into development programming and promote the value and global recognition of volunteerism. UNV champions environments in which volunteerism can flourish. It pushes for the ability and right of people to participate in their own development. UNV works under a dual mandate – to mobilize volunteers for the United Nations System and to advocate for the importance of volunteerism in development worldwide.

Context

At UNV, communications is a strategic function that strengthens the organization’s ability to engage partners, advocate for volunteerism, and demonstrate results. Communications contributes directly to UNV’s overall mandate by contributing to the mobilization of UN Volunteers, increasing visibility of UN Volunteers and their contributions to peace and development, promoting volunteerism, supporting talent outreach, and reinforcing UNV’s identity within the UN system and beyond. UNV’s audiences include UN partners, host governments, donors, talent sourcing entities, civil society organizations, former, current and prospective volunteers, and the general public - each requiring tailored messaging through the most relevant platforms and formats. The communications function enables UNV to connect with these audiences, build credibility, and inspire engagement through timely, targeted, and values-driven content. Whether through content creation, social media campaigns, joint communication efforts with partners, or storytelling about volunteer assignments, or marketing products to present UNV’s mandate and unique offer, the function plays a key role in showcasing the relevance and value of volunteerism across global development priorities. The role involves regular contact and liaison with counterpart UN personnel at all levels, including senior level staff. Within UNV, all personnel are expected to work across multiple units, functions, and teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Task Description

The Communications Assistant supports the implementation of UNV’s communications strategy at regional and country levels. The incumbent ensures timely and relevant content delivery, and enhances visibility of UN Volunteers and the UNV at local level. The position plays a key role in achieving the goals of UN Volunteer mobilization targeted at UN partners and attracting diverse local and national talent to serve as UN Volunteers, while also strengthening the UNV brand visibility and promoting volunteerism in the country. Working under the technical supervision of the Communications Analyst in the Regional Office, and under the day-to-day supervision by the Country Coordinator (where applicable), the Communications Assistant contributes to content production, identification of good practices and inspiring Volunteer stories, transforming relevant data into appealing products to showcase UNV’s value, social media management, campaign coordination, support for talent outreach activities, and other public outreach, ensuring messages are aligned, locally adapted, and strategically disseminated. UNV personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams fostering horizontal collaboration and enhancing organizational effectiveness. 1. Support the implementation of communications strategies and campaigns • Support the implementation of communications strategies and marketing products that raise awareness, drive engagement, build support and have measurable impact with target audiences. This includes the creation of country-specific promotional materials on UNV’s mandate and work for relevant stakeholders and UN client programmes, agencies, and funds, as well as communication products in line with corporate guidelines aimed at attracting talent for a broad pool of volunteer candidates. • Support the roll-out of UNV’s communications strategies at country level to increase visibility, engagement, and support for volunteerism and UN Volunteers. • Assist in implementing content plans and communication activities aligned with the corporate ONEUNV Brand and regional strategies. • Contribute to the organization of advocacy campaigns and key events that raise awareness and foster engagement. 2. Assist in the generation and adaptation of content for multiple platforms • Support in drafting original, country specific, and audience-specific and data-driven content that highlights the work, contributions and attributes of UN Volunteers, tailored for partnership meetings, mobilization negotiations, external presentations, as well as social media, websites, and various social media channels, ensuring consistent content output in line with predefined KPIs and corporate guidelines. • Collect and collate content (photos, videos, quotes, content) to support the creation of multimedia content in line with UNV branding guidelines and communication objectives. • Coordinate with the Regional Communications team to ensure consistency in messaging and brand compliance. 3. Support the dissemination of content through digital and offline channels • Support the country-level social media presence by creating, scheduling, publishing, and monitoring content across platforms. • Track and report on performance analytics and audience engagement to inform future communications activities and share the results monthly with the Regional Office and Headquarters. • Contribute to the dissemination of promotional, partner specific outreach materials and knowledge products through UNV’s and partners’ communications channels to bolster mobilization efforts. 4. Contribute to the facilitation of joint communications and field-level storytelling • Liaise with UN partners, UN Volunteers, and field teams to source stories, visuals, and testimonials for communications use to draft country-specific editorial pieces and contribute to regional editorial pieces. • Collaborate on joint communication products and campaigns that reflect shared goals between UNV and host entities. • Support basic editing of communications materials and partner-specific outreach materials aligned with the corporate ONE-UNV Brand, formatting, and proofreading of materials to ensure clarity, consistency, and alignment with UNV tone and style. 5. Provide operational support for communications activities • Assist with organizing logistics for communications initiatives and events (photo mission, EXO missions, etc.), including planning, procurement processes, coordination with external consultants when required, photo/video coverage, and post-event content and follow-up. • Support basic graphic design and layout of communications products based on provided templates (for social media visuals, posters, one-pagers) and ensure brand compliance. • Upload all photo libraries to the UNV content library (currently Photoshelter) and maintain communications files to document outreach efforts and support internal reporting in line with Knowledge Management practices. • Support in the engagement with potential partners by drafting materials such as presentations, case studies, and mapping on opportunities for volunteerism for internal use by UNV. • Contribute to the development of key messages, talking points, and reports as needed. The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.

Competencies and values

• System Thinking - Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system. • Communication - Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels. • Brand & quality management - Ability to position a UNV brand and uphold it to a high level of quality. • Campaign management - Ability to produce and implement communications and advocacy campaigns which lead to impactful change. • Marketing - Ability to communicate the value of a product or service. • Story telling - Ability to empathize with people's perceptions, motivations, feelings and mental models and craft narratives to build an emotive argument for change accordingly. • Relationship management - Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.

Living conditions and remarks

Dhaka is located in central Bangladesh along the Buriganga River. Not only is it the capital city, but it is also the largest in the country. It is the centre of political, cultural, and economic life in Bangladesh. The official language is Bengali, while English is the working language of UN Agencies. In recent decades, Dhaka has seen the modernization of services, communications, and public works. The city is attracting large foreign investments and greater volumes of commerce and trade. It is also experiencing an increasing influx of people from across the nation; this has reportedly made Dhaka one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. Good English-speaking medical, dental services, and educational centres are available for internationals. Dhaka is connected to other cities by rail, road, and by air and internationals can move easily from one city to another. Dhaka has venerable green spaces, including many gardens and parks, historical places, and nice restaurants. The weather is tropical - hot and very humid during the summer monsoon season (April-September) and drier and cooler in the winter (October-March). You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.