Communications Officer – Social Media (Port sudan) – UNV
Job Description
| Organization | United Nations Volunteers |
| Description of the assignment title | Communications Officer – Social Media |
| Host entity | UNOCHA |
| Assignment country | Sudan |
| Duty stations | Port Sudan |
| Type | National |
| Number of assignments | 1 |
| Advertisement end date | 12/02/2026 |
Details
Mission and objectives
OCHA is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response effort.
OCHA’s mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions. This position-specific job opening is being advertised for IUNV Humanitarian Affairs Officer in Port Sudan, OCHA Sudan. This position-specific job opening is being advertised for the position of IUNV Humanitarian Affairs Officer in Port Sudan, OCHA Sudan. Under the overall supervision of the Head of Office, OCHA Sudan, the incumbent reports to the Head of Coordination, Strategic Coordination and Support Unit.
Context
UN Volunteers should be provided equal duty of care as extended to all host entity personnel. Host entity support to the UN Volunteer includes, but is not limited to:
• Introductory briefings about the organization and office-related context including security, emergency procedures, good cultural practice and orientation to the local environment.
• Support with arrival administration including setting-up of bank accounts, residence permit applications and completion of other official processes as required by the host government or host entity;
• Structured guidance, mentoring and coaching by a supervisor including a clear workplan and performance appraisal.
• Access to office space, equipment, IT support and any other systems and tools required to complete the objectives of the assignment including a host entity email address.
• Access to shared host entity corporate knowledge, training and learning.
• Inclusion of the volunteer in emergency procedures such as evacuations.
• Leave management.
• DSA for official travel, when applicable.
• All changes in the Description of Assignment occurring between recruitment and arrival or during the assignment need to be formalized with the United Nations Volunteer Program.
This UN Volunteer assignment offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the volunteer’s wellbeing and enable effective service delivery. The selected UN Volunteer will receive a monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) sufficient to cover basic living expenses at the duty station, in line with UN Volunteers Conditions of Service. In addition, the assignment includes full medical insurance coverage, with eligibility for dependent insurance, as well as danger and hardship differentials applicable to the duty station. Other entitlements include entry and exit lump-sum allowances, learning and development support, and coverage of assignment-related travel and relocation costs. These benefits ensure adequate financial security and professional support throughout the assignment, making this opportunity both impactful and attractive for qualified candidates
Task description
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Head of Communication and Analysis or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Communications Officer will:
• Design and execute a comprehensive social media strategy for OCHA Sudan, incorporating innovative approaches to enhance reach, engagement and the visibility of humanitarian priorities.
• Plan, develop and deliver social media campaigns to support major humanitarian milestones and events, including the launch of the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, World Humanitarian Day and other key advocacy moments.
• Translate the Sudan Humanitarian Country Team’s strategic messages into compelling digital content, ensuring clear, accurate and impactful representation across platforms.
• Adapt and repurpose OCHA and broader UN materials into engaging social media formats tailored for target audiences.
• Produce high-quality field-generated content, including human-interest stories, photos, infographics and short videos that highlight urgent needs, humanitarian response efforts and critical gaps.
• Monitor, analyze and moderate social media engagement, responding to questions, addressing misinformation and fostering constructive dialogue with online communities.
• Maintain and update OCHA Sudan’s website and digital platforms with creative, accurate and timely content that supports advocacy and operational objectives.
• Contribute to broader reporting and communications tasks, including drafting articles on Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SHF)-supported projects for OCHA’s website and newsletters.
• Perform other communications duties as required, in support of OCHA Sudan’s overall strategic objectives.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers program mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day).
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.
• Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Program for newly arrived UN Volunteers.
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
Eligibility criteria
Age
18 – 80
Required experience
3 years
Nationality
Candidate must be a national, legal resident or hold refugee status in the country of assignment.
Assignment requirements
Relevant experience
2 years
Languages
Arabic, Level: Fluent, Required English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Bachelor’s degree in Communications, political science, international relations, development, humanitarian affairs or a related field.
Competencies and values
• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to OCHA; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to OCHA procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and OCHA in daily activities and behaviors while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behavior; does not abuse power or authority.
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
• Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary.
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards OCHA mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
Skills and experience
• Masters’ Degree or equivalent communications, political science, international relations, development, humanitarian affairs or a related field.
• Bachelor’s degree with two additional qualifying years in above fields may be accepted in lieu of the Masters.
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in communication preferably with experience with a UN organization or an NGO.
• Experience producing and interpreting web or social media analytics to inform strategies and work plans.
• Experience working in sensitive and fast-moving communications, advocacy and/or fundraising contexts would be added advantage.
• Strong editorial judgement, including ethical, and socio- political awareness will be an asset.
• Ability to work with multi-cultural teams and international professions.
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, reporting skills.
• Fluency in oral and written English and Arabic is required. Candidates will be tested on their linguistic ability.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.
• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply
Area(s) of expertise
Administration, Communication, Development programmes
Driving license
–
Other information
Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.
Living conditions and remarks
This position is based in Port Sudan.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy
Scam warning
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