Associate Communications Officer

About the role

The Associate Communications Officer works in the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) in Gaborone, Botswana, under the direct supervision of the Head of the Resident Coordinator Office. The role supports the RCO's communications strategy, media engagement, content production and stakeholder outreach, and acts as the RCO focal point for UNCT strategic communications. It is a fixed-term position of one year, open only to nationals of Botswana.

Key responsibilities

• Gather insights from media monitoring (traditional, social and digital) to inform communications strategy
• Lead contributions to communications strategies that raise awareness, drive engagement and build support among target audiences
• Draft narratives, press releases, statements, web stories, reports and infographics
• Contribute to media mapping, media lines and crisis communication, and act as spokesperson when required
• Plan and coordinate press conferences, briefings and media events
• Develop and run communications campaigns and in-person outreach and advocacy
• Create content for radio channels, podcasts and interviews
• Coordinate strategic communications partnerships and contribute to policy, guidance and training on strategic communications
• Monitor, analyse and report on communications activities, and use data visualisation to support decision-making
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with UN data privacy and security standards

Required profile

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, digital communications or a related field; a first-level degree plus two years of qualifying experience may be accepted
• Minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience developing and implementing communications strategies
• Knowledge of strategic communications principles and current digital media platforms; data analytics experience is desirable
• English at UN Level III reading, writing, listening and speaking; French is the other working language of the Secretariat

Required skills

• Drafting and presenting clear messages tailored to diverse audiences
• Media relations and content creation
• Data collection, analysis and visualisation
• Public speaking and critical thinking