Communications Officer - Sweden (Temporary)

Context

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) is an intergovernmental organization of 35 member states, with a mission to support sustainable democracy worldwide through policy-relevant knowledge, capacity development, advocacy, and the convening of dialogues. The Institute pursues this mission by developing, sharing and enabling the use of comparative knowledge to reform-makers, combining research, global knowledge tools, and technical assistance to support democratic reform and influence policies and politics at the national and global level.

The Communications Officer works to enhance content from all teams and offices for the organization’s visibility. These tasks require interfacing with multiple teams at the headquarters and regional offices to gather information, prioritizing content, and staying ahead of news and events. The Communications Officer handles writing, editing, and targeting dissemination for the promotion of the organization’s key issues, event and resources. Tasks will be related to outreach, analytics reporting, research, social media and internal communications, as identified in International IDEA’s communications strategy. The Communications Officer provides support in accordance with the Unit’s needs and requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provides thorough marketing research and supports the organization’s communications campaigns and content production;

2. Serves as one of the team’s content editors. Writes and edits web articles, tweets, social media posts, press releases and other outreach content, including digital storytelling packages;

3. Supports with compiling analytics and assessing website and press/media monitoring data;

4. Coordinates the timely content development of mass marketing outreach materials including event announcements, product releases and newsletters. Oversees a calendar for mass email proposed content and themes;

5. Provides communications and media support to the organization’s events and leads on mass email event promotion;

6. Supports with organizing regional communications team meetings and programme team meetings to stay well-informed about planned activities, upcoming events and campaigns;

7. Contributes to the organization’s press lists, and pitches Op-Eds and articles;

8. Generates and develops strategies, concepts and ideas for projects (Internal Communications and AI, for example) and works on their implementation;

9. Creates clear graphics, infographics, and digital assets for use online and in presentations. Handles digital art edits and manipulation;

10. Supports video recording and livestreaming activities, with a strong working knowledge of podcasting tools and video production equipment;

11. Reviews outsourced communications materials, web and video projects and supports coordination with external agencies.

General Profile

• Has developed specialized skills or is multi-skilled developed through job-related training and considerable on-the-job experience;

• Adds considerable value to team-based activities in his/her unit, and likely to act as a resource for colleagues; collaborates with other entities of the Institute as required;

• Follows internal procedures to ensure high standards of performance and compliance with Institutional guidelines;

• · Acts in accordance with International IDEA’s core values; Respect, Integrity and Professionalism;

• Integrates gender equality, diversity, and social inclusion (GEDSI) considerations into all tasks and activities, in alignment with the Institute’s Core Values and commitment to the GEDSI policy.

Reporting line

•  Communications Manager

Education and Experience

• University degree in communications, journalism, international relations or a related subject;

• Minimum of five (5) years professional experience as a journalist or writer in communications for development, with a focus in social media and preferably in an international context;

• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Excel, Canva and the Adobe Creative Suite, especially InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop. Able to use Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn and MailChimp;

• Experience of working in an international context, e.g. in an intergovernmental organization, considered an advantage;

• Fluency in written and oral English is required;

• Knowledge of Spanish, Arabic, Swedish or French (written and oral) would be an asset.

Terms of Contract:

• Local Post.

• Temporary fixed-term appointment until 23 November 2026.

• Start date: May 2026.

Please note as this is a local post, International IDEA will bear no costs relating to the relocation of the selected candidate to the duty station. This position is open to those legally authorized to live and work in Sweden for the duration of the contract. International IDEA is not able to support work permit applications. 

Use of AI in Recruitment
International IDEA places strong emphasis on human input in recruitment. Candidates must disclose any use of AI tools. All application materials, written assessments, and interview responses (as applicable) must be entirely human-generated and reflect the candidate’s own knowledge, skills, and experience. The use of AI to generate content or misrepresent qualifications is not permitted. AI‑powered assistive technologies (such as screen readers or speech‑to‑text tools) may be used for accessibility purposes to ensure equal access to the recruitment process.

Applying for this position:

• Applications should be submitted online no later than 23:59 (CEST) 10 May 2026. 

• Please note that all applications must be made in English.

Selection Process:

• Evaluation of qualified candidates may include a written test assessment and up to two (2) interviews.

• Candidates selected to proceed to the next stage of the process will be contacted once all applications have been carefully reviewed.

• All candidates will be notified of the status of their application via email once the process has been finalized.

Due to the anticipated volume of applications, International IDEA will review applications on a rolling basis, and the vacancy may close earlier than the advertised deadline. Applicants are therefore encouraged to apply early.

International IDEA is an equal-opportunity employer which seeks to further diversify its staff in terms of gender, culture and nationality.