UNODC contributes to global peace and security, human rights and development by making the world safer from drugs, crime, corruption and terrorism by working with Member States to promote justice and the rule of law and build resilient societies.

UNODC Country Office for Afghanistan is operating to identify and address aspects of the drugs and crime situation in Afghanistan, through advocacy in the policy arena; providing reliable information on opium poppy cultivation, production, prices, and drug users; and through implementation in the field, delivery of basic human needs through effective alternative livelihoods, drug demand and harm reduction support to people affected by drug dependence.

Under the overall guidance of the UNODC Country Representative and direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer, and in close collaboration with the HQs Advocacy Section, Programme staff at the country office and external counterparts, the Communication Assistant promote a client-oriented approach in UNODC, consistently ensuring accurate, timely, and high-quality delivery of work under pressure. The Communication Assistant will carry out the following duties and responsibilities. 

• Under guidance, develops and prepares communication materials for publicity to external stakeholders;
• Supports the advocacy of the office by managing/updating/preparing the office website, newsletters, profiles and press briefings in line with UNODC HQ guidelines;
• Ensure that all communication products of UNODC are well presented, result focused, informative, clear and concise;
• Organizes publicity, advocacy, knowledge-sharing events and promotional opportunities, provision of logistics support to the events when required;
• Develop and maintain a photo database that contains images expressive of the issues, actions and results of UNODC work;
• Research and retrieval of data from internal and external sources;
• Suggests inputs, content development, coordination of production and dissemination of media materials, publications, articles and sharing of UNODC knowledge and success stories;
• Support maintaining relationships with national and international media outlets, communication staff of UN agencies in Afghanistan, UNODC offices in the region and at the headquarters;
• Monitor national and international media outlets and prepare highlights for UNODC management;
• Provides translation and interpretation services from English into Dari/Pashto and vice versa as needed;
• Maintains the filing system ensuring safekeeping of confidential materials;
• Performs any other task assigned by supervisor.

Education:

• High School Certificate or bachelor’s degree in communication, media relation, journalism, public policy, international relations or other relevant discipline;
• People having bachelor’s degree will highly be preferred. 

Experience:

• With high school certificate 5 and with bachelor’s degree 3 years of experience in communication, public relations and administration is required;
• Experience in designing, editing, preparing videos and photography is an asset;
• Working experience with UN or other international development organizations is asset;
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing.

Languages:

• Proficiency in written and spoken English and excellent knowledge of Afghanistan’s official languages (Pashto or Dari) are required.

Other Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.

COMPETENCIES:

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNODC;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Professionalism: Knowledge of, and ability to apply financial rules, regulations and procedures in the UN environment. Ability to maintain accurate records, review and interpret a wide variety of data. Ability to identify and resolve data discrepancies and operational problems. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Planning& Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Communication: Excellent and effective communication (verbal and written) skills, including ability to assist in preparing reports and conduct presentations with the use of common software applications by clearly formulating positions on issues, articulating options concisely conveying maximum necessary information, making and defending recommendations; diplomacy and tact; ability to convey difficult issues and positions to senior officials.

Creativity: Ability to actively seek to improve programmes/services, offer new and different options to solve problems/meet client needs.

The application comprises a one-page cover letter explaining your interest and suitability for the post, and a UN Personal History Form (P11), which can be downloaded from https://www.unodc.org/coafg/en/work-opportunities.html

Interested and qualified Afghans national candidates should email their applications (indicating on the subject line the vacancy number and the title of the position applied for) to unodc-afghanistanvacancies@un.org  

Please note that incomplete Personal History Form (P.11) & applications received after the closing date (18 December 2024) will not be given consideration. 

Only short-listed candidates whose application responds to the above criteria will be contacted for test and/or competency-based interview. 

Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.