The United Nations University (UNU) is recruiting an Associate Communications Officer (P-2) for the SA-TIED programme at UNU-WIDER, based on-site in Pretoria, South Africa. The post is a full-time, fixed-term appointment of one year with possible renewal, and applications close on 10 November 2026 at 23:59 UTC+2. At Youth Works Hub, we went through the full vacancy notice to put every duty, requirement and benefit of this post in one place.
What the Associate Communications Officer Role Involves
The Associate Communications Officer supports the planning and implementation of communications, research uptake and stakeholder engagement activities for the SA-TIED programme. Working closely with researchers, policymakers and communications colleagues, the officer helps ensure that programme evidence is translated, disseminated and used by policymakers and other target audiences to strengthen evidence-informed policymaking in South Africa and the wider region.
The position combines strategic communications, knowledge translation, policy engagement, monitoring of research uptake, and support to learning and adaptive programme management. It works under the overall supervision of the UNU-WIDER Head of Partnerships and Programme.
About the United Nations University
The United Nations University is a global think tank and postgraduate teaching organization within the United Nations System. UNU engages in policy-relevant research, capacity development and knowledge dissemination in furtherance of the purposes and principles of the United Nations, and its work contributes to solving pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.
For the past five decades, UNU has been a source of impartial research on sustainability, human security and economic development. With hundreds of researchers working at institutes in 12 countries, its expertise spans the full breadth of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and it collaborates closely with other UN entities and leading research institutions across the globe.
About UNU-WIDER
UNU-WIDER is one of 13 research and training institutes that make up the think tanks in the UNU system. It is a leading international development economics research institute that provides economic analysis and policy advice with the aim of promoting sustainable and equitable development for all.
The institute began operations in 1985 in Helsinki, Finland, as the first research centre of the United Nations University. Today it is a unique blend of think tank, research institute and UN agency, providing a range of services from policy advice to governments to open-access original research.
The SA-TIED Programme: Southern Africa – Towards Inclusive Economic Development
UNU-WIDER is implementing a large research, capacity development and policy engagement programme in South Africa called Southern Africa – Towards Inclusive Economic Development (SA-TIED). It runs in close collaboration with the National Treasury of South Africa and the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
SA-TIED brings together world-class researchers and policymakers to address socio-economic challenges in South Africa and across the broader southern African region. A key focus is its partnerships with the policy-making community, and its main aim is to generate robust empirical evidence and use it as a basis to encourage informed debate among people involved in policy processes across the participating organisations and civil society, bridging the gap between research and policy-making.
The programme played an important part in making anonymised administrative tax data available for research purposes at a Secure Data Facility at the National Treasury (NT-SDF), which is now a key asset in the programme. This access has enabled groundbreaking avenues of research, has provided new perspectives on the South African economy and has dramatically improved the quality and breadth of evidence used to inform policy.
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On-Site in Pretoria with Some Travel
The position is based in Pretoria and requires on-site presence in this location. Some travel activity in this position is expected.
Research Uptake Strategy and Stakeholder Engagement
The first group of duties focuses on making the programme's evidence reach and influence policy.
🧭 Contribute to the design, implementation and continuous refinement of the SA-TIED Research Uptake and Communications Strategy to maximise policy influence and programme impact
🗺️ Map policy stakeholders, target audiences and influence pathways
🪟 Identify strategic windows of opportunity for policy engagement and advise researchers and programme management on timing and approaches for communicating evidence
🎯 Support the development of audience-specific engagement approaches
🔁 Advise researchers on uptake opportunities throughout the research cycle
🏁 Ensure communications activities support programme outcomes and policy engagement objectives
📌 Coordinate uptake activities with National Treasury, SARS, universities and development partners
Knowledge Translation and Communications
The second group of duties turns complex economic research into products that policymakers and the public can use.
🔬 Work closely with researchers throughout the research lifecycle so communications and uptake considerations are integrated from project inception through dissemination
📖 Translate complex economic research into accessible policy products
📝 Coordinate and contribute to the production of policy briefs, evidence summaries, explainers and multimedia products
🎤 Draft speeches, talking points and messaging for senior management
📱 Produce web, social media and media content
🗓️ Support conferences, policy dialogues, learning events and dissemination activities
🎨 Ensure consistent branding and quality across programme outputs
Monitoring Research Uptake, Learning and Adaptive Management
The third group of duties tracks whether the evidence is actually being used and feeds lessons back into the programme.
📐 Support the development and maintenance of a research uptake monitoring framework, including indicators, evidence of influence and lessons learned
📊 Monitor communications analytics and policy engagement metrics
🏅 Document examples of policy influence and institutional change
📚 Collect stories of change and lessons learned
🔍 Analyse uptake data and propose improvements
🧾 Contribute to donor reporting on communications activities and programme impact
Partnerships and Policy Engagement Support
The fourth group of duties builds and maintains the relationships that carry the programme's evidence into policy.
🤲 Support the development and maintenance of relationships with policymakers, implementing partners, development partners, research institutions and media to strengthen the uptake of programme evidence
🏦 Support engagement with National Treasury, SARS and programme partners
🗣️ Coordinate communications surrounding policy dialogues
👥 Support the planning and coordination of high-level stakeholder meetings
📋 Prepare briefing material
📰 Coordinate engagement with media and external stakeholders
Programme Management Support
The fifth group of duties covers the planning, budgeting and vendor side of communications work.
📅 Contribute to the development of annual communications and research uptake work plans, monitor implementation progress, identify emerging risks and opportunities, and propose corrective actions where required
🛠️ Coordinate communications consultants and service providers and prepare procurement documentation related to communications and research uptake activities
💼 Manage communications-related expenditure and support the management of communications budgets
👁️ Support donor and programme partner visibility requirements
The post also includes other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
Key Performance Indicators
Performance in this role is measured against five indicators.
✅ High-quality implementation of the SA-TIED Research Uptake and Communications Strategy
📈 Evidence of increased policy engagement and research uptake among target audiences
🏟️ High-quality policy dialogues, stakeholder engagement and dissemination activities delivered
⏱️ Timely production of high-quality communications products
🔆 Increased visibility and recognition of SA-TIED and UNU-WIDER among stakeholders
🔎 Browse more job opportunities on Youth Works Hub.
UNU Values
UNU lists four values for this post.
🌐 Inclusion: take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity
⚖️ Integrity: act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any other breach of UN standards
🌱 Humility: demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others
💙 Humanity: act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet
UNU Behaviours
Five behaviours complete the competency framework.
🧲 Connect and collaborate: build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN
🧠 Analyse and plan: seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action
🚀 Deliver results with positive impact: hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves
🎓 Learn and develop: pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others
💡 Adapt and innovate: demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways
Education Required
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or a related field is required.
Required Skills and Experience
The notice sets out the following experience and skills.
🕰️ A minimum of two years of progressively responsible professional experience in communications, research uptake, knowledge mobilization, policy engagement, public affairs or international development, including experience supporting research, policy or capacity development programmes
🔀 Demonstrated ability to translate complex economics and development research into clear, accessible and policy-relevant communications and knowledge products for diverse audiences
🧩 Experience developing and implementing communications, stakeholder engagement or research uptake strategies that strengthen the use of evidence in policymaking and public discourse
📡 Demonstrated experience using a broad range of communications channels and digital platforms, including websites, social media, newsletters, multimedia, events, media engagement and data visualization, to reach target audiences and maximise research uptake
🏢 Experience working with government institutions, research organizations, development partners, academia, civil society or other policy stakeholders in support of evidence-informed decision-making
🗒️ Good understanding of South Africa's policy environment, socio-economic development priorities and institutional landscape
✍️ Excellent drafting, editing, presentation and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences
🗂️ Strong planning, organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently and deliver high-quality outputs under tight deadlines
🌟 Demonstrated initiative, sound judgement, creativity and commitment to continuous learning and innovation
🌎 Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to establish productive working relationships in multicultural and multidisciplinary environments, with sensitivity and respect for diversity
Desirable Tools and Platforms
Experience with the following is listed as desirable.
🖥️ Content management systems (for example Drupal)
📇 Customer relationship management platforms (for example CiviCRM)
🖌️ Adobe Creative Cloud
🧮 Data visualization tools
Language Requirements
Excellent drafting skills and fluency in both oral and written English are a requirement. Knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.
Remuneration and Benefits
UNU offers an attractive, tax-exempt compensation package. The notice does not state a salary amount.
💵 An annual net salary, subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance
🏖️ 30 days of annual leave
👪 Dependency benefits
🏧 Pension plan
🩺 Health insurance scheme
Contract Duration and Starting Date
This is a full-time, fixed-term appointment. The initial appointment is for one year, with the possibility of renewal on a fixed-term basis, subject to satisfactory work performance.
📆 Starting date: as soon as possible
⌛ Academic positions: the combined duration of fixed-term appointments with UNU may not exceed six years
🎂 Retirement: the mandatory age of retirement for United Nations staff is 65 years
How to Apply
UNU states that you do not need an account to apply. The application involves four steps.
🖱️ Apply via the apply link
📄 Fill out the UNU P11 Form (avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations)
✉️ Provide a motivation statement in the P11 form
❓ Answer a few questions that are tailored to the position
The notice also points candidates to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise, which may be followed by a competency-based interview, background checks and references.
Diversity, Inclusion and Employment Conditions
UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply and become part of the organisation. Applications from developing countries and from women are strongly encouraged, and eligible internal applicants are also encouraged to apply.
A few further conditions apply to the post.
🕊️ Staff members of the United Nations University are international civil servants subject to the Rector's authority and may be assigned to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations University
📉 The Rector reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below that advertised
🚷 UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNU, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
⚠️ Candidates with a supervisory function need to have awareness of gender-related issues
🗃️ UNU reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement and may retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNU
No Application Fee
UNU does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. If you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, disregard it. Emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced, so take particular care when submitting personal information on the web.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UNU-WIDER Associate Communications Officer job?
It is a P-2 level, full-time, fixed-term post at UNU-WIDER based in Pretoria, South Africa. The officer supports communications, research uptake and stakeholder engagement for the SA-TIED programme, so that research evidence is used in policymaking in South Africa and the wider region.
Who can apply for this UNU job?
The notice does not set a nationality restriction. UNU encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, to apply, and applications from developing countries and from women are strongly encouraged.
What qualifications and experience do I need?
You need a Master's degree or equivalent in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or a related field, plus at least two years of progressively responsible professional experience in communications, research uptake, knowledge mobilization, policy engagement, public affairs or international development. A good understanding of South Africa's policy environment is also required.
Is the job based in Pretoria on-site?
Yes. The position is based in Pretoria and requires on-site presence in this location, and some travel is expected.
How long is the contract?
The initial appointment is for one year, with the possibility of renewal on a fixed-term basis subject to satisfactory work performance. The starting date is as soon as possible.
What does the application involve?
You apply via the apply link, fill out the UNU P11 Form, provide a motivation statement in the P11 form and answer a few questions tailored to the position. No account is needed.
Does UNU charge a fee to apply?
No. UNU does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process.
Deadline
⏳ 10 November 2026 (23:59 UTC+2)
Links
🔗 Job description (UNU Careers): https://careers.unu.edu/o/associate-communications-officer-sa-tied-p-2
📨 Apply (UNU Careers): https://careers.unu.edu/o/associate-communications-officer-sa-tied-p-2/c/new
🏫 UNU: http://unu.edu
🏛️ UNU-WIDER: https://www.wider.unu.edu
🧪 SA-TIED: https://sa-tied.wider.unu.edu/
💳 UN pay and benefits: https://careers.un.org/payandbenefits
