Hiring: Strategic Communication Manager

Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation

The Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation, (Stiftelsen Dag Hammarskjölds Minnesfond), is a non-governmental organisation established in 1962 in memory of the second Secretary-General of the United Nations. It aims to advance dialogue and policy for sustainable development and peace. The Foundation is not a grant-giving institution, and is autonomous and unaffiliated with any political, religious or ideological groups. Its work is guided by respect for and alignment to the principles outlined in the UN Charter.

The Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees. The work of the Foundation is carried out by a permanent Secretariat based in Uppsala. The work of the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation is anchored in its Statutes and guided by a Strategic Framework with three thematic areas to focus its engagement. The Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation is a values-based organisation, and its employees should share its vision and ideals and understand what it means to work in and represent Hammarskjöld’s legacy in an international context. The working language is English.

Dag Hammarskjold Foundation is a “think-and-do-tank” with a focus on effective multilateralism with the UN at the center. The Foundation works in the legacy of the second Secretary General Dag Hammarskjöld to advance dialogue, principled policy, and effective practice for sustainable development and peace. The Foundation works with the UN, its Member States and other key stakeholders required to make the UN’s work effective, transparent and accountable.

The Foundation’s pathways to impact are as a producer of evidence-based knowledge, facilitator of key stakeholder dialogues, and trainer of multilateral leaders.

We recognise that development action must result in change where it is most needed – at local and country level ­and that it must be driven by local actors with support from multilateral stakeholders.  Therefore, we work to actively link global policy and implementation through analysis and facilitation, exchange, learning and inclusive dialogue.

As a small organisation the Foundation strives to balance clarity and predictability of work, with agility, responsiveness and relevance in delivery. All staff have a focus in one programme area and should be prepared to support others. The priorities and distribution of tasks and designated human resources are agreed upon in the Annual Work Programme, approved by the Board of the Foundation. For more information about the Foundation see: http://www.daghammarskjold.se.

Description of the position

The Strategic Communication Manager is responsible for advancing the Foundation’s communication in line with its Strategic Framework and Annual Work Programmes. The role combines senior-level strategic advice with hands-on delivery across digital, print, and event communication channels.

Working closely with the Executive Director and programme teams, the Strategic Communication Manager plays a key role in enhancing the visibility of the Foundation’s work, promoting the legacy of Dag Hammarskjöld, and engaging stakeholders across the multilateral system and beyond.

Communication is a cornerstone of the Foundation’s programme work. The purpose of communications and outreach is to build support for the Foundation’s vision, mission, objectives and values, and to expand awareness of its work. The Foundation’s communications aim to inspire dialogue, encourage engagement, and influence policy and networks in line with our principles.

Responsibilities and Tasks

• Leading the renewal, development, and implementation of the Foundation’s communications policy and strategy.
• Leading the Foundation’s communication work in close cooperation with programme teams.
• Providing strategic communication advice to the Executive Director, Management Team, and Programme Teams to ensure consistent and impactful external and internal messaging aligned with the organisation’s strategy.
• Overseeing communication activities in line with the Foundation’s Strategic Framework and Annual Work Programmes.
• Managing the production, commissioning, and editing of high-quality content, in close collaboration with programme teams, for the Foundation’s website, newsletters, social media channels, and other platforms.
• Coordinating the communication aspects of the development, production, and dissemination of flagship reports and publications, in close collaboration with programme teams, ensuring editorial quality and alignment with the Foundation’s branding.
• Planning and executing communications for events, including promotional materials, media outreach, and live coverage.
• Designing and leading campaigns and initiatives that highlight the legacy of Dag Hammarskjöld as part of the Foundation’s programming.
• Monitoring trends in communications, digital engagement, and media, and recommending improvements.
• Supporting media relations, including drafting press releases, handling media inquiries, and maintaining and expanding media contacts.

Additional tasks in support of work programmes may be assigned by the Executive Director.

Qualifications

• A university degree (Bachelor or higher) in communications-related fields such as Journalism, Media/Communications, Public Relations or equivalent.
• At least 8 years of professional experience in communications, with demonstrated expertise in strategic communications and outreach.
• Proven ability to write, edit, and produce communications tailored to different audiences.
• Experience addressing communication aspects of policy issues related to the UN agenda on peace, sustainable development, and human rights.
• Solid knowledge of managing digital content, modern information technology platforms, and social media platforms, with the ability to oversee and hands- on produce digital content (including basic design and layout).
• Experience in event communication and management.
• Strong project management and coordination skills, with an ability to initiate and drive tasks and ideas forward in collaboration with colleagues.
• Excellent command of English. Good command of Swedish is a strong asset.
• Legal right to work in Sweden.

Merits

• Additional academic studies at Bachelor level or higher in international relations, development studies, peace and conflict studies, or equivalent.
• Experience supervising or coordinating communication staff or consultants.
• Experience working with or within an international organisation.
• Field experience from multilateral cooperation, preferably within the UN system.

Personal qualities

The role requires a person who:

• Communicates with clarity, integrity, and respect, and is attentive to diverse perspectives.
• Balances strategic thinking with hands-on delivery.
• Works well in collaboration, while also taking initiative and responsibility independently.
• Is structured and organised, yet flexible and adaptable.
• Maintains professionalism, enthusiasm, and clear priorities in a fast-paced international environment.
• Demonstrates creativity, curiosity, and a willingness to learn and innovate.
• Shares and acts in line with the Foundation’s values and commitment to dialogue, inclusiveness, and principled multilateralism.

Reporting and Relations:

The Strategic Communication Manager:

• Reports to the Executive Director.
• Leads and coordinates the daily work of the communication team.
• Works closely with Programme Directors, Programme staff, and administrative staff.
• Liaises and collaborates with Senior Advisors, other consultants to the Foundation, and external partners.

Terms of employment

• The Strategic Communication Manager will be based at the Foundation’s office in Uppsala, Sweden. Employees may work remotely up to two days per week, subject to work requirements.
• The Foundation has a collective agreement through Fremia, covering salaried employees in civil society including pension ITP1.
• At the Foundation, we believe that a healthy work–life balance and long-term wellbeing are key to thriving at work.
  • That’s why we offer vacation benefits that go beyond the statutory requirements of the Swedish Annual Leave Act:
    • 28 vacation days per year up to the age of 29
    • 31 vacation days per year from the age of 30
    • 35 vacation days per year from the age of 40
  • In addition, you will also enjoy
    • An occupational pension in line with collective agreements
    • A wellness allowance of SEK 4,500 per year to support your health and wellbeing
  • This is a permanent position (tillsvidareanställning), which includes a six-month probation period for mutual assessment.
  • Salary as per agreement.
  • The candidate must have, or arrange for, a valid work permit in Sweden before the employment can be formalised.

Application procedure

Please send a cover letter motivating why you would be the best candidate for this position (no more than one page) and your CV to: recruitment@daghammarskjold.se with the subject heading ‘Strategic Communication Manager’.

Deadline: Monday, 13 October, 2025.

For questions, please contact Björn Holmberg, Executive Director: bjorn.holmberg@daghammarskjold.se with the subject heading ‘Strategic Communication Manager’.