The United Nations Development Coordination Office (DCO) is recruiting a Communications Officer at P-3 level in New York, within the Resident Coordinator System. Applications close on 18 December 2026, and the post requires at least five years of relevant experience plus English at UN Level III. At Youth Works Hub, we went through the full job opening and set out every duty, requirement and condition below.
The Position at a Glance
💼 Position: Communications Officer
🏷️ Category and level: P-3
🆔 Job Opening ID: 287275
📝 Recruitment type: Position Specific
🏢 Department/Office: Resident Coordinator System
🗽 Duty station: New York
🔖 Section: Communications and Results Reporting Section (CRRS), DCO
📄 Appointment: initial period of one year, which may be extended subject to legislative body funding availability
What DCO Does Within the UN Development System
In its resolution A/RES/72/279, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the transformation of DCO as a stand-alone coordination office within the UN Secretariat, in order to strengthen the coherence, accountability and effectiveness of the UN development system.
DCO serves as the Secretariat for the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) and supports the strategic positioning and operational effectiveness of the Resident Coordinator System (RCS).
Inside the Communications and Results Reporting Section
The post is located within CRRS at DCO in New York. The Section leads communications, editorial coordination, digital engagement and results visibility for the RCS.
CRRS plays a central role in translating the impact of UN Country Teams (UNCTs) into compelling narratives that build trust, drive transparency and mobilise support for the 2030 Agenda, the Pact for the Future, climate action and other global priorities.
Who You Report to and Who You Work With
👤 You report directly to a Digitization Officer.
👔 You work under the overall supervision of the Chief of CRRS.
🗞️ You interact frequently with editorial, media, regional and policy teams within DCO and the wider UNSDG.
🤝 You work hand in hand with communication focal points across the UN system, including the Department of Global Communications (DGC) and the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
🎯 The aim of this cooperation is coherence, amplification and strategic alignment across the UN's digital communications ecosystem.
Flagship Products and DCO's Digital Platforms
A significant part of the role concerns the products and platforms through which DCO presents UN results:
📘 Supporting the design, production and digital promotion of key flagship products, including the e-Report of the Chair of the UNSDG, so that they are visually engaging, user-friendly and optimised for maximum visibility and impact.
🧩 Supporting the strategic repositioning of DCO's content and digital platforms as an integrated suite with distinct entry points but a shared architecture, messaging approach and user experience.
✍️ Contributing to editorial coordination across these platforms as part of a highly collaborative team, ensuring coherence, timeliness and quality of content that showcases UN team results backed by the RCS.
🌎 Positioning the value of multilateral cooperation.
🛠️ Contributing to capacity-building efforts that enhance digital communications in support of DCO 2.0 priorities.
Results-Focused Storytelling and UN 2.0
📊 Driving results-focused storytelling that integrates visual and data-driven content.
📈 Supporting the development of performance benchmarks and analytics to improve user engagement.
🧠 Guiding editorial strategies across digital channels.
🚀 Ensuring a digital presence that reflects the ambition of UN 2.0 related to innovation, digital transformation and data-informed communication.
🎓 Contributing to training and capacity-building initiatives for the global network of communications officers across the RCS.
🤖 Strengthening digital storytelling, the responsible and ethical use of AI tools for communications, and strategic content planning at country level.
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General Communications Duties
Within delegated authority, the Communications Officer will:
🗺️ Contribute to the development and implementation of communications strategies that raise awareness, drive engagement, build support and have measurable impact with target audiences.
💬 Draft compelling narratives and messaging on the work of the UN that engage target audiences across different channels and platforms.
🎨 Create compelling content optimized to reach target audiences across a range of platforms and channels.
📰 Draft and produce communications products such as press releases, press statements, web stories, reports and infographics.
📢 Participate in the creation of compelling communications campaigns with measurable impact through appropriate channels and platforms.
📚 Contribute to the creation and updating of policy guidance and/or training related to strategic communications, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders.
🏛️ Serve as focal point on policy and reporting, and prepare inputs for strategic communications in the context of regular reporting to governmental bodies.
🔭 Keep abreast of the latest trends in communications and maintain expertise in relevant and emerging technologies.
🔒 Maintain confidentiality, integrity and discreet handling of sensitive information in compliance with UN data privacy, security requirements and standards.
📉 Collect and analyse data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports, using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
🧰 Manage the resources required to implement the responsibilities, projects and activities.
Crisis Communications Responsibilities
🚨 Provide analysis and contribute to advising senior management, the Crisis Management Team and/or UN colleagues on crisis communications and reputational risk issues within the scope of UN policy and guidance.
🗣️ Contribute to advising on public narratives to support senior management decision-making and to steer the communications strategy.
📡 Provide insights and analysis based on the monitoring of traditional, social and digital media, including risks to information integrity such as trends in mis- and disinformation.
Digital Communications Responsibilities
🖥️ Participate in the creation and management of compelling, relevant content for websites.
📱 Create and moderate engaging, platform-optimized content for social media channels, including live content tailored for digital platforms, to advance digital communications priorities and campaigns.
🔎 Participate in developing approaches to analyse, monitor and report social media, web and other digital content in order to measure results, inform content creation and adjust ongoing initiatives.
🌟 Develop strategic partnerships with social media influencers to elicit support for and maximize the impact of digital campaigns and promotional objectives.
🌐 Oversee the development and maintenance of the organization's website, ensuring it remains up-to-date, user-friendly and accessible.
🔧 Collaborate with web developers to enhance functionality and user experience, and manage the architecture of the site and its features in line with existing UN web guidelines.
🧾 Contribute to generating or updating guidance related to digital communications, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders.
Digital Media Analytics Responsibilities
📜 Contribute to the development and implementation of the UN's digital communications policies, strategies and guidelines.
🗂️ Contribute to drafting clear, concise business intelligence and insights reports on communications outcomes and trends for key stakeholders, including on reputational risks and crisis communications.
🧮 Contribute to identifying trends and patterns in media engagement and content performance through strategic analytics.
📐 Design and implement communications measurement and evaluation programmes and processes, including standards, methods and tools for communications measurement.
🏫 Provide training and support to team members on communications measurement, digital media analytics tools, techniques and best practices.
Internal Communications Responsibilities
📋 Prepare communications plans for keeping staff informed and engaged in organization objectives and initiatives, including change management, business continuity processes and during times of crisis.
🎤 Participate in organizing regular meetings and events, in cooperation with internal and system-wide stakeholders such as management and subject matter experts, to keep staff informed and engaged with internal initiatives, moderating and presenting as required.
Outreach and Advocacy Responsibilities
🕊️ Contribute to coordination and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to develop and deliver joint outreach and advocacy activities that advance UN priorities.
Competencies the UN Assesses
Professionalism covers the following:
✉️ Ability to draft and tailor clear messages for diverse audiences.
🧱 Knowledge of strategic communications principles and practices.
🛡️ Knowledge of crisis communications and reputational risk management.
📺 Knowledge of the media landscape and trends.
📖 Ability to develop and deliver tailored training and workshops.
🔬 Knowledge of data analysis concepts, methodologies and tools.
🗓️ Planning, organizing and coordination skills in a large multi-stakeholder environment.
🏅 Pride in work and in achievements, with professional competence and mastery of the subject matter.
⏰ Being conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.
🌱 Being motivated by professional rather than personal concerns.
🧗 Persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges, and remaining calm in stressful situations.
⚖️ Taking responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
Communication means speaking and writing clearly and effectively, listening to others, correctly interpreting messages and responding appropriately, asking questions to clarify, showing interest in two-way communication, tailoring language, tone, style and format to the audience, and demonstrating openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Technological awareness means keeping abreast of available technology, understanding its applicability and limitations for the work of the office, actively seeking to apply technology to appropriate tasks, and showing willingness to learn new technology.
Education Requirement
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, digital communications or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience: What Is Required
🎖️ A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in communications, international relations or other relevant areas.
💡 Demonstrated knowledge of current and emerging digital media platforms, their principles and technologies.
🧷 Demonstrated ability to apply policy and guidance in strategic communications.
⌨️ Demonstrated ability to write for digital platforms, such as social media or websites, for an international organization.
Work Experience: What Is Desirable
🧯 Demonstrated knowledge of risks to information integrity: misinformation, disinformation, hate speech, and threats in fragile, post-conflict and crisis environments.
🗄️ Demonstrated skills in collecting, processing and analysing large volumes of unstructured and structured data.
🎬 Demonstrated knowledge of multimedia production and tools.
🖼️ Demonstrated skills in data visualization tools to create charts, graphs and visual outputs.
English Level Required
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required, at UN Level III in each of the four skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking, according to the UN Language Framework.
How Candidates Are Assessed
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include a substantive assessment, such as a written test, which will be followed by a competency-based interview. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
Contract, Probation and Mobility Conditions
🔁 Appointment against this post is open for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension, subject to legislative body funding availability.
🧳 Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations, in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c).
🛫 All staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers, in accordance with established rules and procedures.
🧭 Staff in the Professional and higher categories up to and including D-2, and in the Field Service category, are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions.
⌛ External candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation, and external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2 (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity, are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment.
Who Is Not Eligible to Apply
🚫 Applicants who have reached the mandatory age of separation are not eligible to apply.
🪪 Under section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible.
📎 Individual contractors and consultants (Non-Staff Personnel) who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher temporary or fixed term positions, and their applications will not be considered.
Integrity Standards for Every Candidate
Under article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity.
Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The job opening defines each of these three terms in full.
Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Diversity, Gender Balance and Accessibility
👥 The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
🌏 Due regard is paid to the importance of recruiting staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs.
🌻 The UN recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities, and is committed to a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect.
♿ Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process, when requested and indicated in the application.
👫 The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs.
🚭 The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
How to Apply Through inspira
Applications are made through inspira, the UN's online recruitment platform. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all the instructions available there and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on "Manuals" in the "Help" tile of the inspira account-holder homepage.
✅ Provide complete and accurate information in your personal profile and qualifications, as instructed in inspira. Applicants are evaluated on the basis of the information submitted, according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislation of the United Nations.
✏️ No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification can be made to an application once it has been submitted.
🔐 Internal applicants must ensure that ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up-to-date, since this is the basis on which the hiring manager assesses eligibility and suitability and makes contact.
🕛 Job openings on the Careers Portal are removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
If you are at an earlier stage of a UN career, our guide to the UN Junior Professional Officer Programme explains another route into the organisation. You can also browse more jobs at international organisations on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What level is the DCO Communications Officer post?
It is a P-3 position in the Resident Coordinator System, advertised under Job Opening ID 287275. The duty station is New York, and the recruitment type is Position Specific.
How much experience do I need for this UN communications job?
You need a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in communications, international relations or other relevant areas. Demonstrated knowledge of digital media platforms, the ability to apply policy and guidance in strategic communications, and the ability to write for digital platforms for an international organization are also required.
Can I apply without a Master's degree?
The post asks for an advanced university degree in communication, journalism, international relations, digital communications or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
Is French required for this position?
No. English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat, but for this job opening only English is required, at UN Level III in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
How long is the contract?
The appointment is open for an initial period of one year. It may be extended, subject to legislative body funding availability.
What does the selection process involve?
Qualified candidates may be asked to complete a substantive assessment, such as a written test, followed by a competency-based interview. Candidates under serious consideration will also go through reference checks.
Can former UN consultants apply?
Individual contractors and consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible for this type of position. Their applications will not be considered.
Can I change my application after submitting it?
No. The job opening states that no amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification can be made to applications that have been submitted, so check every field in inspira before you send it.
Deadline
⏳ 18 December 2026
Links
🔗 Apply (Job Opening 287275): https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/287275?language=en
🏠 United Nations Development Coordination Office: https://un-dco.org
🔷 United Nations Sustainable Development Group: https://unsdg.un.org
📑 Resolution A/RES/72/279: https://docs.un.org/en/A/RES/72/279
🔤 UN Language Framework: https://languages.un.org
