Communications Officer (Graphic Design & Social Media)

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide. With hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, and expert teams operating globally, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding - including in some of the world’s most challenging environments.

By leveraging our collective expertise and global networks, GPO supports UNOPS’ strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries. We work closely with major global partners - including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies - to deliver a wide range of services, such as project management, fund management, hosting services, and HR support.

Our thematic focus spans climate action and energy, health, peace and security, sustainable development, and humanitarian action, supporting high-impact initiatives across critical global priorities.

UNOPS Development and Special Initiatives team works with UN partners and Member States. This portfolio offers support for various initiatives and priorities of the UN Secretary-General in pursuit of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, it helps the UN Secretariat in implementing global programs in areas such as political affairs, climate, counterterrorism and peacebuilding, among others.

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the United Nations to implement the activities for the United Nations Youth Office.

The United Nations Youth Office was established by General Assembly resolution 76/306 as a dedicated entity for youth affairs within the United Nations Secretariat. The Office leads system-wide coordination on youth, advances advocacy and policy coherence on youth issues, and promotes the meaningful engagement of young people in United Nations processes and decision-making.

Within the Office, the Partnerships, Communications and Advocacy Section leads strategic communications, public advocacy and external engagement to strengthen awareness of theOffice's mandate, amplify youth voices, support the implementation of key initiatives and partnerships, and promote youth participation across the United Nations system. The Section manages the Office's global communications portfolio, including strategic campaigns, digital communications, social media, multimedia storytelling, executive communications, editorial products, newsletters, events communications and media engagement.

As part of the Partnerships, Advocacy and Communications Section, the Communications Officer will support the development of graphic design and social media management for the United Nations Youth Office. The role will support the development and implementation of the Office’s visual identity and digital communications, producing high-quality, engaging and accessible graphic design materials and social media content that advance its strategic priorities and flagship initiatives. The position will oversee the planning, creation and publication of content across the Office’s digital platforms and printed products, ensuring consistency in messaging, branding and visual presentation. Through creative direction, audience-focused storytelling and effective digital engagement, the Communications Officer will strengthen the visibility of the Office’s work, amplify youth voices and support the Office’s efforts to advance meaningful youth participation and engagement with the United Nations. The Communications Officer will monitor Social Media performance, align tactics and engage in strategic communications discussions.

1. Graphic Design and Visual Identity Development

• Support the development, refinement and consistent application of visual identities for the UN Youth Office and its flagship initiatives, campaigns and advocacy efforts.
• Develop and expand branding systems through the creation of visual concepts, illustrations, campaign branding, graphic design templates and merchandise designs.
• Produce high-quality, youth-friendly communication materials for digital and print platforms, including social media assets, presentations, publications, event signage and other communications products.
• Ensure visual communications are cohesive, engaging and aligned with the UN Youth Office’s communications strategy, established visual identities and target audiences.

2. Social Media Management and Content Production

• Contribute to the planning and coordination of the UN Youth Office’s social media presence across platforms, maintaining oversight of content calendars, editorial priorities and publishing workflows.
• Provide support in content development and the timely preparation, review and publication of social media outputs, ensuring consistency in messaging, tone, visual identity and editorial standards.
• Develop and produce engaging, platform-appropriate social media content, combining graphic design, visual storytelling and written copy to communicate the Office’s priorities, initiatives and impact.
• Coordinate with and provide guidance to interns and other contributors on content development, copywriting, editorial standards and the preparation of social media materials, ensuring quality and consistency across channels.
• Support audience engagement and amplification efforts to strengthen the visibility of the UN Youth Office’s work and amplify youth voices, initiatives and perspectives.

3. Campaign, Event and Advocacy Communications

• Facilitate coordination in visual and digital communications for the UN Youth Office’s flagship initiatives, global campaigns, major events and advocacy activities, ensuring alignment with communications objectives and campaign messaging.
• Support development of communications materials and social media content for key advocacy moments, including flagships on Youth Mental Health and Well-being, UN Youth Compass, Young Leaders for the SDGs, and others.
• Support communications planning and on-the-ground content production and coordination for major events, missions and engagements involving the Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, including capture and dissemination of content.
• Contribute to storytelling and digital outreach around the Office’s activities, highlighting youth leadership, meaningful youth participation, partnerships and results across relevant platforms.
• Support content production and publication to ensure timely and consistent coverage before, during and after major events and advocacy moments.

4. Digital Communications Strategy and Audience Engagement

• Support the continuous refinement and implementation of the UN Youth Office’s digital communications approach, ensuring that content remains youth-friendly, relevant and tailored to the intended audiences and platforms.
• Monitor social media trends, audience engagement patterns, emerging content formats and changes in platform features and algorithms to identify opportunities to strengthen the Office’s digital presence.
• Monitor performance, support in establishing key performance metrics and analyze traffic across channels.
• Provide input and implement improvements to social media content formats, publishing approaches and amplification strategies, particularly in support of major campaigns, events and advocacy priorities.
• Contribute to the development and application of effective digital storytelling and visual communications approaches that strengthen the visibility and reach of the UN Youth Office’s work among young people globally.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in information technology, communications, fine arts, social sciences, or any related field is required, with 2 years of relevant experience OR
• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above related fields with 0 years of relevant experience.

Desired

• A globally or nationally recognized professional certificate in graphic design is desired.

Required

• Relevant experience is considered work in communications, graphic design or related fields.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the use of design software and programmes (eg. Adobe Suite, Canva, Figma, etc.) to create digital cards, gifs, icons, logos, charts, publications, etc.
• Previous experience developing content for major social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X/Twitter, LinkedIn and/or TikTok.
• Familiarity developing content for web management platforms, particularly Drupal.

Desired

• Demonstrated familiarity with media platforms and digital communications tools, such as Adobe Spark, Trello and Submittable.
• Previous experience in creating, implementing and supporting youth-focused advocacy campaigns or communications programmes.
• Previous experience with international organizations will be considered as an asset.

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