Communications Assistant

Host entity: UNV Brazil

Volunteer type: National

Areas of expertise: Project management, programme development, strategy, Art, design, culture, Communication, advocacy, public information

Application deadline: 21/09/2026

Mission and objectives

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. We work with partners to integrate qualified, highly motivated and well supported UN Volunteers into development programming and promote the value and global recognition of volunteerism.

UNV is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and reports to the UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board. Read more about the added value of UNV, UN Volunteers and volunteerism https://www.unv.org/Added-value-UNV-UN-Volunteers-and-volunteerism.

Assignment context

At UNV, communications is a strategic function that strengthens the organization’s ability to engage partners, advocate for volunteerism, and demonstrate results. Communications contributes directly to UNV’s overall mandate by contributing to the mobilization of UN Volunteers, increasing visibility of UN Volunteers and their contributions to peace and development, promoting volunteerism, supporting talent outreach, and reinforcing UNV’s identity within the UN system and beyond.

UNV’s audiences include UN partners, host governments, donors, talent sourcing entities, civil society organizations, former, current and prospective volunteers, and the general public - each requiring tailored messaging through the most relevant platforms and formats. The communications function enables UNV to connect with these audiences, build credibility, and inspire engagement through timely, targeted, and values-driven content.
Whether through content creation, social media campaigns, joint communication efforts with partners, or storytelling about volunteer assignments, or marketing products to present UNV’s mandate and unique offer, the function plays a key role in showcasing the relevance and value of volunteerism across global development priorities.

The role involves regular contact and liaison with counterpart UN personnel at all levels, including senior level staff. Within UNV, all personnel are expected to work across multiple units, functions, and teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Task description

The Communications Assistant supports the implementation of UNV’s communications strategy at regional and country levels. The incumbent ensures timely and relevant content delivery, and enhances visibility of UN Volunteers and the UNV at local level. The position plays a key role in achieving the goals of UN Volunteer mobilization targeted at UN partners and attracting diverse local and national talent to serve as UN Volunteers, while also strengthening the UNV brand visibility and promoting volunteerism in the country.

Working under the technical supervision of the Communications Analyst in the Regional Office, and under the day-to-day supervision by the Country Coordinator (where applicable), the Communications Assistant contributes to content production, identification of good practices and inspiring Volunteer stories, transforming relevant data into appealing products to showcase UNV’s value, social media management, campaign coordination, support for talent outreach activities, and other public outreach, ensuring messages are aligned, locally adapted, and strategically disseminated.

UNV personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams fostering horizontal collaboration and enhancing organizational effectiveness.

1. Support the implementation of communications strategies and campaigns
• Support the implementation of communications strategies and marketing products that raise awareness, drive engagement, build support and have measurable impact with target audiences. This includes the creation of country-specific promotional materials on UNV’s mandate and work for relevant stakeholders and UN client programmes, agencies, and funds, as well as communication products in line with corporate guidelines aimed at attracting talent for a broad pool of volunteer candidates.
• Support the roll-out of UNV’s communications strategies at country level to increase visibility, engagement, and support for volunteerism and UN Volunteers.
• Assist in implementing content plans and communication activities aligned with the corporate ONEUNV Brand and regional strategies.
• Contribute to the organization of advocacy campaigns and key events that raise awareness and foster engagement.

2. Assist in the generation and adaptation of content for multiple platforms

• Support in drafting original, country specific, and audience-specific and data-driven content that highlights the work, contributions and attributes of UN Volunteers, tailored for partnership meetings, mobilization negotiations, external presentations, as well as social media, websites, and various social media channels, ensuring consistent content output in line with predefined KPIs and corporate guidelines.
• Collect and collate content (photos, videos, quotes, content) to support the creation of multimedia content in line with UNV branding guidelines and communication objectives.
• Coordinate with the Regional Communications team to ensure consistency in messaging and brand compliance.

3. Support the dissemination of content through digital and offline channels

• Support the country-level social media presence by creating, scheduling, publishing, and monitoring content across platforms.
• Track and report on performance analytics and audience engagement to inform future communications activities and share the results monthly with the Regional Office and Headquarters.
• Contribute to the dissemination of promotional, partner specific outreach materials and knowledge products through UNV’s and partners’ communications channels to bolster mobilization efforts.

4. Contribute to the facilitation of joint communications and field-level storytelling

• Liaise with UN partners, UN Volunteers, and field teams to source stories, visuals, and testimonials for communications use to draft country-specific editorial pieces and contribute to regional editorial pieces.
• Collaborate on joint communication products and campaigns that reflect shared goals between UNV and host entities.
• Support basic editing of communications materials and partner-specific outreach materials aligned with the corporate ONE-UNV Brand, formatting, and proofreading of materials to ensure clarity, consistency, and alignment with UNV tone and style.

5. Provide operational support for communications activities

• Assist with organizing logistics for communications initiatives and events (photo mission, EXO missions, etc.), including planning, procurement processes, coordination with external consultants when required, photo/video coverage, and post-event content and follow-up.
• Support basic graphic design and layout of communications products based on provided templates (for social media visuals, posters, one-pagers) and ensure brand compliance.
• Upload all photo libraries to the UNV content library (currently Photoshelter) and maintain communications files to document outreach efforts and support internal reporting in line with Knowledge Management practices.
• Support in the engagement with potential partners by drafting materials such as presentations, case studies, and mapping on opportunities for volunteerism for internal use by UNV.
• Contribute to the development of key messages, talking points, and reports as needed.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.

Skills and experience

• Minimum of 3 years of practical and relevant experience at national or international level in communications and/or public relations, with two additional years with Highschool diploma.
• Experience in graphic design and content creation is a distinctive advantage. 
• Experience working with media, including social media, is desired.
• Experience in digital communications is desired.
• Previous volunteer experience or experience with international or development organizations is considered an asset.
• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), design software and web-based resource or service management systems is a strong asset.

Competencies and values

System Thinking - Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to
understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and
to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Communication - Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

Brand & quality management - Ability to position a UNV brand and uphold it to a high level of quality

Campaign management - Ability to produce and implement communications and advocacy campaigns which lead to impactful change

Marketing - Ability to communicate the value of a product or service;

Story telling - Ability to empathize with people's perceptions, motivations, feelings and mental models and craft narratives to build an emotive argument for change accordingly.


Relationship management - Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.

Event planning and execution - Ability to plan, manage and execute public and private
events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNV's overall brand and mandate.

Living conditions

The assignment will be in Brasília, the Federal capital of Brazil and seat of government of the Federal District. Brasilia is a family duty station and classified A (hardship). The living conditions in Brasilia are good as well as the access to health services. The accommodation facilities are in general good, and the choice is wide.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging their own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.

Brazil is security level 3 (moderate). United Nations Department of Safety and Security UNDSS Brazil advises to exercise a high degree of caution in Brazil due to high levels of serious and violent crime, particularly in major cities. Violent crime as muggings, armed robbery, kidnappings, and sexual assault, is very high. Avoid shanty towns (favelas) in the big cities and if you are attacked or robbed, do not resist. Demonstrations can occur at any time and may turn violent with little or no warning. All United Nations personnel must scrupulously comply with UNDSS procedures and recommendations during their assignment in Brazil. For missions in rural areas or indigenous reservations, special procedures may apply; UN personnel should consult with the local DSS office in advance.

Information on entitlements at the duty station is available at https://app.unv.org/calculator.
The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.

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