The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is seeking a Communication Officer in Freetown, Sierra Leone, for a full-time, onsite national assignment. The position is scheduled to start on 10 January 2026 and has a 12-month duration, with the possibility of extension.
The role focuses on digital communications, creative storytelling, social media management, media relations, and public outreach. It is particularly suited to candidates with a background in communication, journalism, public relations, social sciences, or film production for new media.
UNDP Communication Officer: Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) |
| Job title | Communication Officer |
| Location | Freetown, Sierra Leone |
| Work location | On UN premises |
| Modality | Onsite |
| Schedule | Full-time |
| Assignment type | National |
| Duration | 12 months, with possibility of extension |
| Expected start date | 10 January 2026 |
| Number of positions | 1 |
| SDG | Goal 17 – Partnerships for the Goals |
| Host entity | UNDP |
The assignment information identifies the position as a national opportunity, with candidates required to be nationals, legal residents, or refugees in the country of assignment.
What Does the UNDP Communication Officer Do?
The Communication Officer will support the UNDP Country Office’s communications strategy under the supervision of the Communication Lead and Communication Analyst. The work combines strategic communication with hands-on digital content production, outreach, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge management.
A significant part of the position involves developing communication content for digital audiences. The role includes supporting digital communication strategies, using audience data to identify target groups, and helping UNDP communicate its programmes and advocacy priorities through appropriate digital channels.
Creative Content and Storytelling
The position has a strong creative component. The selected candidate will contribute to different forms of visual and multimedia storytelling, including:
- Hero profiles, journey films, and micro-documentaries
- Motion graphics and other low-budget, high-impact formats
- Content involving creative direction, lighting, set design, and sound
- Innovation-focused series and researcher-oriented video formats
- Meme-based educational content aimed at youth audiences
- Behind-the-scenes storytelling around prototypes and research
- Motion-comic explainers covering areas such as science, technology, circularity, and artificial intelligence
- AI-assisted production tools for editing, captioning, colour grading, and voice-over work
- Audio elements such as theme music and sound signatures
The assignment also mentions digital storytelling connected with heritage locations, including the Cotton Tree and Bunce Island.
Social Media and Digital Outreach Responsibilities
Social media management is another central part of the position. The Communication Officer will help produce content for social networks, websites, newsletters, and text and video stories.
The work includes supporting UNDP Sierra Leone’s social media accounts through content planning, scheduling, and monitoring. The officer will also assist with digital campaigns designed to raise awareness of UNDP programmes and initiatives.
The role is not limited to publishing content. The successful candidate will use analytics to assess how digital communication efforts perform, prepare reports on key metrics, and adjust strategies based on the resulting data.
The assignment also calls for collaboration with influencers, online communities, and partners to extend the reach of campaign messages.
Multi-Format Communication and Media Partnerships
The position gives considerable attention to experimenting with different storytelling formats. These include podcast-style conversations, urban-talk formats, walk-and-talk interviews, first-person innovation stories, and behind-the-scenes content.
The Communication Officer may also work with telecom companies, creative studios, local film schools, online creator groups, and African YouTube creator communities. Supporting press materials, media kits, and launch campaigns is also part of the assignment.
This makes the position broader than a conventional social media role. It combines communication planning, content production, digital audience engagement, analytics, and external collaboration.
Who Can Apply for the Communication Officer Assignment?
The source lists an age range of 18 to 80 and states that candidates must be a national, legal resident, or refugee in Sierra Leone. The assignment requires a bachelor’s degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, Social Sciences, or Film Production for new media.
The listed relevant experience requirement is two years. English at a fluent level is required, while working knowledge of Krio is desirable.
Candidates should therefore pay close attention to both the academic requirement and the practical communications experience before applying.
Skills and Experience Required
The position calls for professional experience in digital communication and the ability to develop effective content for online platforms. Experience managing social media channels and using digital tools for outreach is also specified.
Experience with the United Nations or another international development organisation is described as an asset rather than a stated mandatory requirement.
Other capabilities highlighted in the source include:
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Drafting, formulation, and reporting ability
- Accuracy in document production and editing
- Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills
- Cultural and social sensitivity
- Ability to work with communities, youth organisations, authorities, and other partners
- Familiarity with communications for development
- Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment
- Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office applications
- Ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines
- Security awareness
- Interest in UNDP’s work, volunteerism, and the UN system
The listed areas of expertise include digital and social media, art and design, culture, communication, advocacy, and public information.
What Candidates Should Know About the Assignment
This is a national, onsite, full-time assignment in Freetown, rather than a remote international position. The source specifically requires applicants to have the appropriate connection to Sierra Leone through nationality, legal residency, or refugee status.
The role also stands out for the breadth of communication formats involved. Applicants are expected to bring together digital strategy, social media, written communication, multimedia production, audience analytics, and relationship-building with media and creative partners.
The source lists a required experience figure of one month under its general eligibility criteria but separately specifies two years of relevant experience under the assignment requirements. Because these appear as separate fields in the supplied material, applicants should check the official vacancy information carefully when submitting an application.
Application Details
The supplied source material identifies the Communication Officer assignment and provides its eligibility, education, experience, language, and responsibility details. However, it does not include an official application URL or specific application instructions.
For that reason, no application link or additional submission steps have been added here.
