Communications Assistant, Damascus, Syria

General Information

Position Title: Communications Assistant

Job Category: Strategy & Corporate Services

Duty Station(s): Damascus

Seniority Level: Entry Level

ICS Level: ICS 04

Contract Type: ICA - LICA - Support - Retainer

Contract Level: LICA 4

Posting Start Date: 08-Oct-2026

Posting End Date: 22-Oct-2026

Duration: 12 months

Job Highlight

Support strategic communications by developing engaging content and managing digital platforms to enhance visibility and outreach.

About the Region

The UNOPS Middle East Region (MR) provides strategic leadership, performance oversight, and support to UNOPS operations across Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and the State of Palestine. MR is responsible for positioning UNOPS as a key development partner in the region through high-level engagement with regional bodies, UN coordination mechanisms, development banks, donors, and intergovernmental organisations. By fostering strategic partnerships and promoting operational excellence, the region supports country teams in delivering sustainable solutions to complex development, peace, and humanitarian challenges

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

Established in 2004, the UNOPS Amman Multi-Country Office (MCO) provides strategic and operational support to partners across Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and the Gulf countries. The MCO delivers solutions that address development, peace, and humanitarian challenges through infrastructure, procurement, project management, and human resources services. Working in close collaboration with national governments, UN agencies, and donors, the office supports efforts to advance the Sustainable Development Goals. Its portfolio includes large-scale operations focused on improving essential services, strengthening national systems, and enhancing resilience in complex and fragile settings.

Job Specific Context

This position operates within the Nexus Response Mechanism (NRM) project in Syria, supporting project management activities to ensure efficient and effective project implementation. The role involves assisting with project planning, monitoring, reporting, and coordination with various stakeholders in a challenging environment.

The Nexus Response Mechanism (NRM) is a flagship EU-funded initiative managed by UNOPS under the DG MENA (The Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf) framework. NRM will contribute to resilience and sustainable development in Syria through linking immediate humanitarian relief with long-term socio-economic development. The project objectives are:

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Reduce Vulnerability by addressing immediate needs through programmes that simultaneously build long-term resilience, with particular attention to areas affected by repeated displacement and infrastructure damage.

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Enable Sustainable Recovery and Stabilization by creating the Nexus, linking humanitarian assistance with early recovery and development interventions that promote human rights, inclusive governance, and social cohesion, ensuring that interventions are context-sensitive and conflict-informed.

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Facilitate Returns by creating the physical and economic conditions necessary for the durable return of displaced Syrians and returnees to their homes, while prioritizing safety, social cohesion, and equitable access to services.

Role Purpose

The Communications Assistant supports the communications team by assisting with the creation and management of content for various platforms, including print, web and social media. The role involves developing communication materials, maintaining digital archives and social media accounts, and ensuring all content aligns with brand guidelines.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Content and Materials Development

• Provide routine assistance in the development of communication materials (audio-visual, web and print).
• Support the correct use of UNOPS/ project branding on all materials.
• Assist in preparing presentations, news releases and publications for meetings and workshops.
• Support meeting logistics and minute-taking. Compile workshop reports and briefings.
• Contribute to developing a common brand identity across all communication channels.
• Support the development of video tutorials and other audio-visual materials aligned with the office's communication strategy.
• Assist in drafting short, well-designed articles and simple communication pieces.

Content and Information Management

• Develop and manage communication materials, campaigns, publications and events to strengthen visibility.
• Maintain communication-related archives and databases (e.g. Shared Drive, oneUNOPS, etc).
• Maintain the office's social-media accounts (e.g. Facebook, X, website, etc), posting approved content.
• Keep the office's photo archive organized and select suitable images for written content.
• Support website updates to ensure content remains accurate and current.

Knowledge Building and Sharing

• Actively participate in communications-related training and capacity-building initiatives for personnel.
• Contribute to knowledge networks and Communities of Practice (CoPs).

Skills

Communication, Corporate Communications, Internal & External Communications, Social Media Communications, Stakeholder Engagement

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required

• Secondary school (or equivalent) with 4 years of relevant experience OR
• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 0 years of relevant experience is required.

Desired

• A globally or nationally recognized professional certificate in communications, journalism, or digital and social media communications is desired.

Experience Requirements

Required

• Relevant experience is work in communications, public relations, media, journalism or related fields.

Desired

• Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.
• Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.
• Experience in developing and monitoring content for grassroots-level audiences is desired.
• Experience in use of graphic design, video production, and content creation tools is desired.

Language Requirements

Language: English

• Proficiency Level: Fluent
• Requirement: Required

Language: Arabic

• Proficiency Level: Fluent
• Requirement: Required

Additional Information

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.