Communication Associate

Host entity: UNICC ZAF

Volunteer type: National

Areas of expertise: Administration, Communication, advocacy, public information, Community development

Application deadline: 20/08/2026

Mission and objectives

The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) serves as the principal communications office of the United Nations in South Africa. UNIC promotes public awareness and understanding of the work, values and priorities of the United Nations by implementing strategic communications, advocacy and public information initiatives that support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through partnerships with government, media, academia, civil society, youth organizations and the private sector, UNIC works to strengthen public engagement and amplify the impact of the UN's work across the country.

In addition to its communications mandate, UNIC chairs the United Nations Communications Group (UNCG), the inter-agency communications coordination mechanism of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT). Through the UNCG, UNIC coordinates joint communication strategies, campaigns, media engagement and advocacy initiatives that promote coherent and unified messaging across all participating UN entities.

Assignment context

The Communications Associate will support both the communications mandate of UNIC and the inter-agency coordination functions of the United Nations Communications Group (UNCG). The assignment provides an opportunity to contribute to the development and implementation of strategic communication, advocacy and public engagement initiatives that increase the visibility and impact of the United Nations in South Africa.

Hosted within UNIC South Africa, the Communications Associate will assist in producing high-quality communication products, managing digital platforms, supporting multimedia content creation, coordinating campaigns and public events, and monitoring communication performance. The volunteer will also support the coordination of the United Nations Communications Group by assisting with joint communication planning, meeting coordination, documentation, knowledge sharing and collaboration among communications focal points across UN agencies.

Working in a dynamic, multicultural and collaborative environment, the UN Volunteer will gain practical experience in strategic communications, digital media, public information, advocacy, stakeholder engagement and inter-agency coordination while receiving structured mentoring, coaching and workplace learning within the United Nations system.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the designated UNIC supervisor, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1. Support programme coordination and implementation
● Support the planning, coordination and implementation of UNIC's communications, advocacy and public information initiatives that promote the work, priorities and values of the United Nations and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
● Assist in coordinating communication campaigns, public outreach activities, commemorative events, exhibitions and stakeholder engagements, ensuring effective logistical and administrative support.
● Contribute to the implementation of approved work plans and support the timely delivery of communication outputs and activities.

2. Support UNCT internal coordination mechanisms
● Support UNIC's role as Chair of the United Nations Communications Group (UNCG) by assisting with the coordination of meetings, preparation of agendas and background documentation, recording minutes, maintaining action trackers and following up on agreed action points.
● Contribute to coordination and information sharing among communications focal points across UN agencies to strengthen coherent UN messaging and implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).
● Support the planning and coordination of joint communication campaigns, advocacy initiatives and visibility activities undertaken by the UN Country Team.

3. Conduct research, data collection and basic analysis
● Conduct research on communication trends, media coverage, public information priorities and audience engagement to support communication planning.
● Assist in monitoring traditional and digital media, compiling communication metrics and analysing basic communication data to support evidence-informed communication strategies.
● Support the preparation of background information, briefing materials and communication planning documents.

4. Support monitoring, reporting and results tracking
● Assist in monitoring communication activities by maintaining activity trackers and compiling information on campaign implementation and outreach.
● Contribute to the preparation of communication reports by compiling communication metrics, media monitoring results and administrative inputs.
● Support the documentation of communication outcomes, lessons learned and good practices to strengthen future communication initiatives.

5. Support knowledge management and documentation
● Organize and maintain communication documentation, digital asset libraries, mailing lists, media databases and information repositories.
● Support the organization and archiving of communication products, photographs, videos and other multimedia resources.
● Document lessons learned, successful communication practices and campaign outputs to strengthen institutional memory and knowledge sharing.

6. Support stakeholder engagement and operational coordination
● Assist in coordinating engagement with government institutions, media organizations, civil society, youth organizations, academia, development partners and other stakeholders.
● Support the organization of meetings, consultations, campaigns, public events and outreach activities, including logistical and operational arrangements.
● Maintain stakeholder databases and support follow-up on collaborative communication initiatives.

7. Support communication and visibility
● Assist in developing, editing and disseminating communication products, including news stories, feature articles, newsletters, press releases, speeches, briefing materials and digital content.
● Support the creation of multimedia communication products, including presentations, graphics, infographics, videos and other visual materials using appropriate digital tools.
● Assist in managing digital communication platforms, including websites and social media channels, ensuring timely publication of approved content and supporting audience engagement activities.

8. Provide general administrative support
● Provide administrative support for communication and outreach activities, including meeting logistics, travel arrangements, procurement documentation, records management, filing systems and correspondence.
● Assist with maintaining administrative and operational documentation related to communication campaigns, events and stakeholder engagements.
● Perform other communication, coordination and administrative support duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Skills and experience

Demonstrated interest or experience in:
● Strategic communications and advocacy.
● Digital media, social media management and multimedia production.
● Public information, journalism or media engagement.
● Graphic design, video production or content creation.
● Event coordination and stakeholder engagement.
● Development communication and public outreach.       

Skills in:
● Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams).
● Graphic design software (e.g. Adobe Creative Suite or Canva).
● Social media content creation and digital communications.
● Photography, videography and multimedia editing.
● Report writing and communication analytics.
● Excellent written and verbal communication skills.   

*Mastercard Foundation Alumni and Youth with Disabilities are encouraged to apply.

*Candidates must be between 18 and 34 years of age at the time of application.

Competencies and values

Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Building Trust, Client Orientation, Commitment and Motivation
Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Creativity, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Knowledge Sharing, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Self-Management, Technological Awareness, Working in Teams.

Living conditions

Bigger cities in South Africa can be highly cosmopolitan. In Johannesburg and Pretoria, you will find an abundance of world class gyms, restaurants, bars, recreational classes, galleries, parks etc. The bigger shopping malls host a large selection of international brands. There is a plethora of international cuisine to be sampled, and quirky independent cinemas to be discovered. OR Tambo International Airport is a world class airport, offering highly sophisticated facilities. It is located just outside of Johannesburg, in Kempton Park. It has many international airlines that fly into this airport. Crime rates in South Africa are ranked on the high end, petty theft and opportunistic crimes are common, and armed robberies, smash & grabs and hijackings are also fairly frequent in certain areas. One needs to remain vigilant especially at night and at road intersections. There are usually sign posts that indicate such hot spots. Periodic security information updates are sent via email providing information at national level, with regards to circumstances such as incidents of civil unrest, transport security, computer and networking safety and trends in criminality. UNDSS sends weekly security updates via email. Updates from wardens are on an ad hoc basis, following security related events in your residential area. Updates from UNDSS are provided weekly.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.