My website showcases who I am, the education and training I have received, and the work I have done over the past 15-plus years. I am a communications officer and spokesperson, a multimedia journalist, writer and editor with wide range of experience – ready and enthusiastic to play an active role in the rapidly evolving world of modern communications.
I began my career in print and online journalism before branching out to broadcasting and then communications. I have worked in all manner of newsrooms, offices and settings across Canada, Europe and beyond – including Africa. I have become a highly flexible communicator capable of operating across all media platforms – print, online, photography, radio and video/television – in English, French and Russian.
I made an even bigger move in 2012, by bringing my journalism skills to the world of humanitarian assistance and accepting a contract as communications officer with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), based in Nairobi, Kenya. An assignment as a senior communications officer followed at the agency’s global headquarters in Geneva, where I continued to expand and hone my communications skills – including as a spokesperson representing the United Nations and the people it serves.
My most-recent communications work has included:
- Coordinating communications among global, regional and field operations, as well as with partners such as other UN agencies, NGOs and governments.
- Preparing a range of information for public distribution, including field reports, news bulletins and stories for UNHCR’s global website (unhcr.org), photographs, media briefing notes and press releases, and social media posts/campaigns.
- Cultivating and maintaining networks of contacts, including among media at the local, national, regional and global levels – regularly notifying journalists of upcoming events as well as breaking news through media advisories.
- Responding to crises, such as in South Sudan, by taking part in emergency planning and advising senior management, developing timely strategies, preparing and sharing communications messages and questions-and-answers.
- Serving as a senior spokesperson responding to media requests and giving interviews for print, radio and TV news, in English and in French – including for leading global media outlets Aljazeera, the BBC, France 24 and the New York Times.
- Providing direction, support and analytics for a range of advocacy campaigns, including funding appeals for the Syria crisis, major public events like World Refugee Day, and publications such as UNHCR’s annual Global Trends reports.
- Helping design and lead training for UNHCR staff and partners, including on writing and reporting skills and giving interviews.
Have I mentioned my versatility? This website also features photographs I’ve taken over the years. And please find my biography, resume, contact information plus many examples of my work as a communications officer, spokesperson and multimedia journalist.
Daniel MacIsaac 