Digital Communications Associate

The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) is a voluntarily funded, autonomous institution within the United Nations. One of the few policy institutes worldwide focusing on disarmament, UNIDIR generates knowledge and promotes dialogue and action on disarmament and security. Based in Geneva, UNIDIR assists the international community to develop the practical, innovative ideas needed to find solutions to critical security problems.

UNIDIR’s Strategic Communications team is looking for a Digital Communications Associate to support digital communications activities. Under the supervision of the Digital Communications Specialist, the Digital Communications Associate will contribute to the day-to-day management of UNIDIR’s social media channels, content creation, multimedia production and digital monitoring efforts. Working closely with colleagues across the Institute, the Digital Communications Associate will help develop engaging social media content and strengthen the visibility, reach and impact of the Institute’s work.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Digital Communications Specialist, the Digital Communications Associate will be responsible for the following duties:

1. Social media management

• Support the day-to-day management of UNIDIR’s social media channels, including scheduling and publishing content across platforms.

• Draft and adapt social media posts to promote UNIDIR publications, events and activities.

• Develop creative content ideas, storytelling concepts and digital formats to increase audience engagement and visibility.

• Create social media graphics and other digital assets using Canva, Adobe Creative Suite or equivalent tools.

• Ensure content aligns with UNIDIR’s brand, editorial standards and communications objectives.

• Support community management activities, including monitoring comments, messages and audience interactions, and escalating issues as appropriate.

• Assist in maintaining editorial calendars and coordinating content planning with programme teams.

2. Multimedia and event coverage

• Support the development and production of short-form videos for social media and digital communications.

• Assist with video planning, scripting, filming and editing.

• Capture photos and short video content at conferences, events and institutional activities.

• Provide live social media coverage during events through posts, stories, photos and video clips.

• Maintain and organize UNIDIR’s digital photo and multimedia library.

• Coordinate with external photographers, videographers and designers when required.

3. Digital monitoring, analytics and reporting

• Support the monitoring of social media performance and audience engagement across digital platforms.

• Assist with tracking key metrics and identifying trends to help inform content planning and optimization.

• Prepare regular digital communications reports and updates, including analytics, campaign metrics, insights and highlights.

• Monitor relevant online conversations, media coverage and emerging trends related to UNIDIR’s work.

• Perform any other related duties as assigned.

Competencies

The Digital Communications Associate is required to demonstrate the core values of the United Nations: Professionalism, Integrity and Respect for Diversity. In addition, s/he will demonstrate the following competences:

• Communication: Identifies the information needs of target audiences and tailors communication accordingly; drafts clearly and concisely; good written and oral language skills; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

• Creativity: Actively seeks to improve activities or services; offers new and different options to solve problems; takes an interest in new ideas and ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

• Teamwork: Good interpersonal skills; ability to work collaboratively with colleagues from different national and cultural backgrounds to achieve organizational goals.

• Planning and organizing: Uses time efficiently; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary to ensure tasks are completed.

• Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to understand and reflect the clients’ points of view in their work.

Qualifications and experience

Education

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent degree) in communications, public relations, marketing, international relations or relevant field.

• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience

Required

• Minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in digital communications, social media, public information or a related field.

• Demonstrated experience creating and managing content across social media platforms, including drafting copy, developing visual assets and publishing content.

• Experience producing multimedia content, including social media graphics, photography and short-form video content.

• Experience supporting social media coverage of events and campaigns, including content capture, live posting and community engagement.

• Proficiency in social media management, analytics and design tools (e.g. Hootsuite, Canva, Adobe Creative Suite or equivalent), with experience monitoring performance and preparing metrics reports.

Desirable

• Experience producing content for UN entities, research institutes, think-tanks or policy-oriented organizations.

• Previous experience working on international security, disarmament or arms control issues.

Languages

• For the position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.

• Knowledge of French and other official UN languages is desirable.

Screening questions

• Do you hold a master’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, international relations or a related field?

• Do you have at least two years of professional experience in social media or digital communications?

• Do you have experience producing multimedia content, including graphics, photography and/or video content for digital platforms?

• Do you have experience supporting communications for conferences, events or outreach campaigns?

• Do you have experience working on international security, disarmament, arms control or related policy issues?