Communications Associate

Mission and objectives

Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is a middle-income country in Southeast Europe, navigating complex socio-economic and political challenges. While the country has made significant progress since the 1990s, it continues to face high unemployment, limited industrial diversification, and regional disparities. Governance is decentralized, which complicates policy implementation and economic reforms. The economy relies on sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism, but low competitiveness and a large informal economy hinder growth. BiH also faces environmental challenges, including climate change impacts like floods and droughts, which threaten livelihoods and economic stability. Although committed to international climate goals, the country requires enhanced capacity and financing to meet these targets. Social inequalities persist, with marginalized groups, women, and youth disproportionately affected by unemployment and limited opportunities. The outmigration of skilled workers further exacerbates development challenges. UNDP in BiH addresses these issues through programs promoting inclusive economic growth, green energy, climate resilience, and social inclusion. UNDP BiH plays a key role in supporting the country’s sustainable development by addressing complex socio-economic and environmental challenges. Operating within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UNDP collaborates with national and sub-national governments, civil society, private sector, and international partners to drive transformative change. Its programs focus on fostering inclusive economic growth, strengthening governance systems, enhancing social inclusion, and promoting environmental sustainability and climate resilience. UNDP BiH emphasizes innovative and evidence-based approaches, including digital transformation and green economy initiatives, to address structural inequalities and foster resilience in communities. By aligning with national development priorities and leveraging its global expertise, UNDP works to empower institutions, enhance community capacities, and create opportunities that contribute to a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable future for all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Context

Effective communication is integral to UNDP's work, helping to communicate development results and impact, strengthen partnerships, raise public awareness and engage diverse audiences around sustainable development priorities. The Communications Associate will provide day-to-day support to UNDP Bosnia and Herzegovina's communications function across programmes, projects and corporate initiatives. Under the direct supervision and guidance of the UNDP Communications focal point, the UN Volunteer will contribute to content development and storytelling, social media and digital communications, website content, visual and multimedia production, event communications and other outreach activities, working closely with programme and project teams.

Task Description

Under the direct supervision and guidance of the UNDP Communications focal point, the Communications Associate will undertake the following tasks:

• Support the day-to-day implementation of UNDP communication activities, plans and campaigns;
• Draft, edit, proofread and adapt communication content, including social media posts, website stories, news articles, newsletters, briefs and other outreach materials;
• Support the identification and development of human-interest stories and other compelling content showcasing UNDP results, impact and the people behind its work;
• Prepare, adapt and schedule content for UNDP social media channels and support their day-to-day management;
• Update UNDP's website, including preparing, formatting, uploading and publishing web content;
• Support the development and adaptation of visual communication materials, including social media cards, infographics, event and campaign materials, presentations and other digital and print products, in line with UNDP branding guidelines;
• Support the production of video and multimedia content, including filming, editing, subtitling and adapting content for different digital platforms;
• Provide photography and video support for UNDP events, field visits and project activities, and assist with the basic editing and organization of multimedia assets;
• Support communications and visibility activities for campaigns, conferences, workshops, launches, field visits and other UNDP events and project activities;
• Liaise with programme and project colleagues, under the guidance of the supervisor, to gather information, results, stories, photographs, videos and other materials for communications purposes;
• Help ensure that communication products comply with UNDP corporate branding and relevant donor and partner visibility requirements, and support the organization and maintenance of communication materials and digital assets;
• Support monitoring of social media and website performance and compilation of basic communication analytics and contribute to other communication and outreach activities as required. Expected results The Communications Assistant's support will contribute to:
• Timely and effective implementation of UNDP communication activities, plans and campaigns;
• Regular, engaging and audience-appropriate content across UNDP digital communication channels;
• Increased capacity to develop quality editorial, visual and multimedia communications content;
• Timely and accurate updating of UNDP web content;
• Effective communications and visibility support for programmes, projects, campaigns and events;
• Consistent application of UNDP branding and relevant donor and partner visibility requirements;
• Improved organization and accessibility of communication and multimedia assets.

Competencies and values

Core Competences

• Achieve Results: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
• Learn Continuously: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
• Act with Determination: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination Cross-Functional & Technical competencies Business Management/ 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. Business Management/ Digital Awareness and Literacy
• Ability to monitor new and emerging technologies, as well as understand their usage, potential, limitations, impact, and added value.
• Ability to rapidly and readily adopt and use new technologies in professional activities, and to empower others to use them as needed. Knowledge of the usage of digital technologies and emerging trends. Communications/ Multimedia writing/editing
• Ability to create and/or edit written content for multimedia

Living conditions and remarks

The assignment is based in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sarajevo offers a range of accommodation options and has adequate public transport, healthcare, banking, shopping, electricity, water, internet and telecommunications services. The duty station provides a suitable environment for regular office-based work. The UN Volunteer is expected to respect local laws and customs and to comply with all applicable United Nations security policies and guidance. The UN-designated state of alert for Bosnia and Herzegovina is Security Level 1 which is the minimal and lowest security level in the Security Level System for the entire country, including the capital of Sarajevo. The situation in BiH is generally quiet; all international agencies consider threats to their staff to be low at this time. However, BiH has the same problems as much of Europe, from pickpockets to traffic accidents, so all staff must exercise appropriate personal security awareness and common sense. Bosnia and Herzegovina is still the country with the largest mine contamination problem. Staff are advised not to deviate from well-travelled routes while in the country. See http://www.bhmac.org. The UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her housing and other living essentials. You may check the full benefits and allowances applicable to the duty station using the UVP calculator. Please see the Conditions of Service for UN Volunteers for more information and details.