ASSOCIATE COMMUNICATION OFFICER (Social Media Coordinator)

OVERVIEW

Position Number: CPE 083

Grade: P-1/P-2

Parent Sector: Division for Communications and Public Engagement (CPE)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Public Information

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Duration of contract: 2 years, renewable

Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates

Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 04/12/2026

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Division for Communications and Public Engagement (CPE) is responsible for shaping and managing UNESCO's internal and external communications, ensuring that the Organization’s activities, content, and messages are effectively conveyed to diverse audiences. It strengthens UNESCO's visibility, reputation and institutional narrative by managing digital platforms, press relations, publications, events and stakeholder engagement, while ensuring coherent messaging across Programme Sectors and Field Offices. 

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the overall authority of the Director for Communications and Public Engagement, and the direct supervision of the Chief of Digital Content, the incumbent serves as social media coordinator and supports the implementation of UNESCO's Social Media Strategy and Guidelines. Within established and operational frameworks, s/he contributes to a coherent, engaging and audience-centred social media presence across UNESCO platforms.

The incumbent coordinates the planning, production and delivery of social media content ensuring its consistency with UNESCO's communication strategy, mandate and organizational priorities. Working in close collaboration with the Chief of Digital Content, the Communications Strategy Planning Team, the Director of the Division, and relevant CPE colleagues, s/he supports the coordination of social media campaigns and content initiatives with CPE specialists, communication focal points across Programme Sectors, and subject specialists.

The incumbent ensures that UNESCO's global narrative vision and key messages are appropriately reflected in social media content and adapted to different platforms, audiences and languages. S/He is also the main focal point for social media monitoring, listening and performance analysis, giving insights on key performance indicators and statistics, ensuring the strengthening of UNESCO's presence and impact across social media content platforms.

KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

In particular, the incumbent will:

1. Implementation of the Social Media Strategy and Guidelines

• Work with Sectors' communication focal points and CPE's communications specialists to ensure message consistency and graphic coherence, to create engaging social content.
• Coordinate with the Communications Strategic Planning Team to update the Communications Planning Grid with social media input, ensuring alignment of activities with UNESCO's communication priorities. 

2. Coordination of social media campaigns

• Develop and assess social media components for communications campaigns and contribute to the design of strategies to maximize outreach to global audiences and increase awareness on the UNESCO role, messages, activities and special events, through organic, earned and paid media on social media platforms.
• Support the adaptation of campaign content to different social media platforms, audiences and languages.

3. Development of social media content

• Contribute to the strategic planning, creating and editing of engaging multimedia content to further develop UNESCO presence on a range of major social media platforms.
• Maintain a consistent brand tone and identity on different social media platforms, in all languages.
• Review, fact-check, and edit all content to ensure accuracy, clarity and high quality before posting.
• Ensure multilingual production and sharing of social media content.

4. Monitoring and evaluation of communication material on social media platforms

• Supervise the monitoring and evaluate results and impact of communication materials on social media platforms, reporting on developments, trends and attitudes, including demographic analyses of target audiences, through the use of social media listening tools, including Talkwalker/Meltwater and other relevant tools.

5. Implementation of new trends on social media

• Survey the social media landscape for new trends and opportunities and share findings.
• Provide advice on social media practices, platform requirements and content formats.
• Conduct social media training sessions and provide regular strategic guidance to Programme Sectors and Field Offices.

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)
• Professionalism (C)

Short Description

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in the field of communications, journalism, political science, international relations, or related fields.
• A first level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in social media management and digital communications, including content creation, of which preferably one (1) year acquired at international level.
• Experience in coordinating social media content and campaigns involving several colleagues, and/or teams, within organizational constraints (e.g. approval procedures, brand guidelines or multi stakeholders).
• Strong experience in drafting, editing and translating communication materials tailored to different audiences.
• Strong experience in coordinating tasks with internal and external stakeholders at different levels and adapting content to different platforms, audiences and languages.
• Experience in social media monitoring and performance analysis.
• Experience in scheduling social media posts and campaigns across several accounts.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities, with a proven capacity to manage competing priorities and meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent coordination and interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent writing, editorial and multimedia development skills.
• Strong knowledge of major social media platforms, and emerging trends, with the ability to provide recommendations to improve reach and engagement.
• Good understanding of organic, earned and paid social media to improve reach, engagement and impact.
• Ability to adapt content for different platforms and audiences.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy and quality.
• Creative, innovative and results-oriented approach.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive topics with sound editorial judgement and cultural awareness when developing or reviewing digital content.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks and adapt to changing priorities, in line with organizational goals.
• Team-oriented and culturally sensitive, with strong interpersonal and communication skills for effective collaboration across diverse teams.
• Ability to provide guidance and conduct training sessions for stakeholders at different levels.

LANGUAGES

• Excellent knowledge of English or French (written and spoken) and a good working knowledge of the other language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• University degree in management and coordination of duties.
• Relevant professional training (MOOCs, Masterclasses or other short-term training programmes).

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Work experience in similar functions within the United Nations system or an international organization/institution.
• Experience coordinating global or multilingual social media campaigns. 

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Familiarity with social listening tools such as Talkwalker or Meltwater.

LANGUAGES

• Good knowledge of Spanish (written and spoken).
• Knowledge of another UNESCO official language (Arabic, Chinese and/or Russian).

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc. 

The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 65 970 US $. 

For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our  Guide to Staff Benefits.

SELECTION AND HIRING PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.

To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted. 

The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.  

Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course. 

Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
• UNESCO applies to a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment.
• UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply.
• lndividuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.
• All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality.
• Geographical mobility is required for staff members appointed to UNESCO’s international posts.
• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. UNESCO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. The list can be accessed through the link: https://www.whed.net
• The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
• UNESCO appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by the Organization, is required for International Professional positions.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.