Communications Assistant

Context

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) is a special political mission established by the UN Security Council in 2011 to assist Libyans in navigating the country’s complex political transition. Its core mandate is to support a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process aimed at restoring peace, stability, and unified governance. UNSMIL works impartially to facilitate dialogue among political, security, and civil society actors with the goal of reaching inclusive and lasting solutions to the country’s institutional divisions and prolonged political impasse.

One of UNSMIL’s key objectives is to help prepare the ground for credible, inclusive, and peaceful national elections. The Mission supports efforts to agree on a constitutional basis and legal framework for elections, encourages consensus-building among rival institutions, and engages with a broad range of stakeholders to ensure that all voices—including those of women, youth, and marginalised communities—are heard in the political process. UNSMIL also monitors and reports on political developments and works to prevent and mitigate spoilers who seek to undermine progress.

Beyond the political track, UNSMIL plays an essential role in supporting the implementation of the October 2020 ceasefire agreement. The Mission assists the 5+5 Joint Military Commission in efforts to unify military institutions, oversee the withdrawal of foreign fighters and mercenaries, and enhance security arrangements across the country. It also promotes disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration (DDR) of armed groups, while advocating for civilian oversight of security forces.

UNSMIL’s mandate also includes the promotion of human rights, rule of law, and transitional justice. It monitors violations, supports accountability efforts, and works to strengthen Libya’s judicial and legal institutions. In coordination with UN agencies and international partners, UNSMIL helps facilitate humanitarian assistance and the delivery of essential services, while encouraging inclusive governance and local-level reconciliation. All of its efforts are guided by the principles of Libyan sovereignty, impartiality, and respect for human rights.

In December 2024 UNSMIL launched a new political process. As the Mission facilitates a Libya-led process to find a solution to the political impasse, there is an increased demand for communications resources and content explaining the mandate and Libyan engagement in the roadmap.

The Mission has developed a communications strategy focused on informing, educating and moblising the Libyan public around the key issues. Our aim is to inform the public around the key issues and explain the recommendations being presented by Libyan stakeholders in the Structured Dialogue.

We want to engage Libyan youth, women, civil society, security and political actors to ensure that they can share their views and ideas, and to mobilise them on a collective path for change.

Task description

We are looking for an experienced and creative individual to work as a Communications Assistant supporting the Public Information and Communications Section with media monitoring and content creation.

The communications officer will support our communications team with the development of digital outreach and social media campaigns to support the political process in Libya, create multimedia content to support the good offices and political meetings of the Mission and develop educational campaigns and content for the Libyan public on the Mission’s activities. They will also support with media monitoring and engagement producing the daily headline readout and media monitoring analysis. An excellent command of Arabic is required.

In close collaboration with the communications team:

- Monitor media and support the section’s media engagement activities

- Design and develop social media content - including GIFs, animations, graphics and video content tailored to key audiences

- Support with content creation ideas regarding combatting mis/disinformation, the political process, explaining UNSMIL's mandate, civic education and the political process.

- Translate content into Arabic or English.

Entitlements:

The position is based in Tripoli, Libya.

UNV Entitlements

1. Pre-assignment

• Entry lump sum: USD 350

• Relocation costs: USD 175 at the beginning and end of assignment if the duty station is outside commuting distance (as determined by UNV)

2. During Assignment

• Volunteer living allowance: USD 1,101.5

• Learning: Access to UNV's learning and career development resources

• Annual leave: 2.5 days per month

• Insurance: Comprehensive coverage for health, life, and malicious acts for the UN Volunteer and health insurance coverage for up to 3 eligible dependents (see Conditions of Service for eligibility details)

• Danger and hardship differential: USD 330.44

3. End of Assignment

• Exit lump sum: USD 120 for each month served, paid on successful completion of the contract

Application deadline is on 30 April 2026