Organization Mission

United Nations to the world, interacts and partners with diverse audiences, and builds support for peace, The UN Department of Global Communications communicates the ideals and work of the sustainable development, human rights and multilateral cooperation.

The United Nations Information Centre Dakar is part of the global network of United Nations Information Centres, which serve as principal sources of information about the United Nations system at country and regional level. UNIC Dakar covers Senegal, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania. It disseminates United Nations information materials in English and French, engages local and regional partners, and promotes public understanding of and support for the aims and activities of the United Nations.

Context

This United Nations Volunteers assignment is based in the United Nations Information Centre Dakar within the Department of Global Communications.

The assignment will support UNIC Dakar’s work on information integrity through a 3R approach: Research, Risk assessment and Response. It is intended to strengthen early warning, structured monitoring, analytical reporting and practical response support related to false narratives and other information risks affecting the operational space, staff safety, partnerships and credibility of the United Nations in West Africa, particularly in higher-risk information environments such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, as well as other contexts as required.

The UN Volunteer will be based in Dakar and will report to the Director of UNIC Dakar. The incumbent will work in close coordination with Resident Coordinator Offices, United Nations Communications Groups, relevant regional and Headquarters focal points, especially the Information Integrity Unit in New York under the Office of the Under-Secretary-General for the Department of Global Communications.

This assignment will contribute to evidence-based internal decision-making, crisis communications readiness and practical support to the United Nations system in addressing information risks in West Africa.

Key Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Director of UNIC Dakar, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

•Conduct systematic monitoring and analytical, solutions-oriented research on relevant information environments in West Africa, particularly in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, and in other contexts as required, in order to identify false narratives, emerging risks and operational implications for the United Nations.

•Support the design, maintenance and refinement of keyword libraries, Boolean search strings, monitoring routines, taxonomies and alerting logic, using available tools and platform-native search functions.

•Apply open-source methods and digital verification techniques to assess publicly available information and support analytical findings, including source triangulation, re-verse image checks, basic video verification, timeline validation and cross-platform comparison.

•Maintain regular coordination with the Information Integrity Unit in New York, including on analytical priorities, methodological consistency, escalation issues and alignment of outputs with broader information integrity objectives.

•Produce concise analytical outputs for internal decision support, including weekly trend snapshots, rapid alerts, incident briefs, background notes and periodic risk assess-ments for leadership and coordination mechanisms.

•Identify observable indicators of coordination, manipulation or deceptive behaviour, in-cluding repeated copy-paste messaging, synchronized posting, recycled creative as-sets, impersonation, misuse of United Nations identity and cross-platform amplifica-tion.

•Maintain structured internal records through incident logs and related datasets, includ-ing coding systems and tagging protocols according to internal guidance and the broader 3R methodology, in order to support consistent analysis and decision-making.

•Support crisis communications readiness and response by contributing rapid analytical briefings, internal background notes, proposed lines and evidence-based inputs for re-view, in line with established clearance protocols.

•Support onboarding and capacity strengthening by adapting and applying existing guidance and training materials, including guidance on data collection, coding and use of the 3R approach, for local and regional operational use as appropriate.

•Review, edit and synthesize multiple analytical inputs or draft reports into coherent, leadership-ready outputs with a clear, factual and non-escalatory tone.

•Ensure high standards of research quality, including accuracy, disciplined documenta-tion and careful handling of sensitive information in compliance with internal guidance.

•Keep abreast of evolving information risks, online behaviours and good practices rele-vant to multilateral communications and information integrity.

•Prepare and submit an end-of-assignment report capturing key trends, risks, findings, lessons learned and practical recommendations.

•Perform other duties as assigned.

During the first month of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will work closely with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed-upon work plan. The work plan should outline key objectives and activities and include regular check ins with the supervisor to review progress and receive performance.

Required Skills and Experience

•Open-source research, media monitoring, social listening, narrative analysis, infor-mation integrity, platform integrity, public information, strategic communications, crisis communications or related areas.

•Producing analytical briefs, internal reports or research outputs for decision-makers, including work involving structured monitoring, verification, incident tracking, or evi-dence-based reporting.

Skills in:

•Analytical research, drafting, synthesis and reporting in a clear, factual and non-escalatory style.

•Use of spreadsheets, monitoring tools, platform-native search functions and structured documentation methods, including consistent tagging, coding and filtering.

Core Competencies

•Accountability

•Adaptability and Flexibility

•Building Trust

•Commitment and Motivation

•Commitment to Continuous Learning

•Communication

•Creativity

•Ethics and Values

•Integrity

•Judgement and Decision-making

•Knowledge Sharing

•Planning and Organizing

•Professionalism

•Respect for Diversity

•Self-Management

•Technological Awareness

•Working in Teams

Living Conditions

The assignment will take place in Dakar, the capital of Senegal. Dakar is a family duty station with hardship classification A. It is a liveable city with generally good living conditions and access to health services. Senegal is known for the hospitality of its people, and Dakar offers a dynamic cultural, professional and international environment.

Travellers should verify applicable health requirements before travel. A yellow fever vaccination certificate may be required for travellers arriving from, or transiting through, countries with risk of yellow fever transmission. Vaccinations against meningococcal meningitis and hepatitis A and B may also be recommended. Basic medicines are available in pharmacies, although it is advisable to bring any specific prescription medicines.

According to official estimates from ANSD/RGPH-5 2023, the population of the Dakar region is 3,896,564. The total population of Senegal is 18,126,390 inhabitants. Senegal is located on GMT / UTC plus zero and has a warm climate with sunny days throughout much of the year. Daytime temperatures are, on average, around 30°C. The rainy season usually takes place during the northern hemisphere’s summer and early autumn.

The currency used in Senegal is the West African CFA franc. Many hotels, restaurants and businesses in Senegal accept major international credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard and American Express. It is also possible to withdraw cash from ATMs in major cities. Accommodation options in Dakar are generally good, with a wide range of furnished and unfurnished housing available. UN Volunteers may also co-rent and share private accommodation, which must comply with applicable residential security standards.

Local taxis and other transport options are available in Dakar. A valid passport is required to enter Senegal. The selected UN Volunteer should ensure that all required visa, residence and administrative formalities are completed in accordance with Senegalese requirements before and after arrival, as applicable.

Conditions of Service

The Conditions of Service, available here: https://explore.unv.org/cos, outline the policies and rules governing UN Volunteer assignments. Full information on entitlements at the duty station can be accessed here: https://app.unv.org/calculator.

Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin, or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity’s policy