I am a communication expert with over 25 years of experience spanning digital communication, video and image editing, web design, reporting, and analytics.

With a PhD in Communication and Culture, 20 years in project management, 16 years at the United Nations, and specialization in humanitarian response to conflict and disaster (Harvard University), I bring a unique blend of academic insight and professional practice.

I am a researcher and professor in human rights, migrations, international studies, and communication, fluent in French, Spanish, English (UN Language Proficiency Examination), and Portuguese.

 

experience

• United Nations  2010-2026
• UNHCR in Syria  2019-2020
• UFRJ – Federal University of Rio de Janeiro  2003-2015
• FIOCRUZ – Oswaldo Cruz Foundation  2006-2008

 

education

• Communication  Undergraduate, Masters and PhD from UFRJ
• Humanitarian response  Harvard Extension School (2022)
• Digital communications  2000-present

 

UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Geneva | Public Information Officer (P3) | Aug 2022 – Jan 2026

• Coordinated multimedia and social media operations, working with Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan.
• Actively participated in UNCTAD’s rebranding process.
• Expanded UNCTAD’s follower base by 300,000+, doubled its social platform presence, and increased video production by 300%. (https://trello.com/b/MHcVcA2w)
• Trained over 120 staff members in multimedia skills and restructured reporting workflows, establishing key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Enhanced multilingual integration, including translating promotional videos into 10 languages for the first time.

 

UNHCR, Syria | Public Information Officer (P2) | Aug 2019 – Feb 2020

• Led social media operations across five field offices and supported reporting and fundraising teams with digital content.
• Served as Secretary of the Local Committee on Contracts, providing support on procurement and contract negotiations.

 

UN Secretariat, Brazil | Public Information Officer | Mar 2010 – Jun 2022

• Established the UN’s digital presence in Brazil, creating a major social media channel with 1.1M+ Instagram followers.
• Managed daily communications for 25+ UN agencies, reaching 15M+ people monthly via social channels.
• Supported Secretary-General’s visits to Brazil and covered key global conferences, including Rio+20 (2012) and the UN Sustainable Development Summit (2015).

Coordination & project management

• I have coordinated dozens of complex, high-cost communication projects with governments, companies, civil society and other actors.
• Coordinated the first World Free Media Forum, held in the city of Belém, Pará, in 2009 during the World Social Forum. The meeting brought together hundreds of participants from dozens of countries.

Public & media relations

• I have been working with the press since 2003, both as a journalist and in media relations. My experience spans engaging with the press at UN international conferences and in various countries, including Switzerland, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Brazil and others. I have worked in diverse contexts, collaborating with civil society, academia, international organizations, and other institutions.
• Facilitated global conferences and events, supporting media relations for thousands of journalists.
• Drafted communications materials, including Secretary-General’s talking points and intergovernmental reports.
• Coordinated Lusophone UN communicators worldwide, delivering multilingual content.

Advocacy

• Coordinated content dissemination, campaigns, and multimedia strategies, achieving broad audience engagement.

Web design & digital communications

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva, and other multimedia platforms.
• Designed and managed 10+ websites for the UN, including platforms for Brazil and Angola.

Training & workshops

• Conducted workshops for Hellenic Rescue Team (hrt.org.gr) volunteers on social media strategies and video production (2016).
• Delivered lectures to prepare military contingents for UN peacekeeping missions and collaborated on civil-military cooperation training (2010-2022).
• Represented the UN at academic events, mentoring students and briefing visiting groups (2010-2022).
• Trained over 120 UNCTAD staff members in multimedia skills (2023-2024).

 

• I have extensive experience mentoring and coordinating diverse teams in international and academic settings.
• At the United Nations, I worked with consultants and contributed to more than 40 recruitment processes while supervising over 60 interns, students and volunteers.
• I trained more than 120 staff members in multimedia and digital communication and facilitated workshops for staff and military contingents.
• My experience also includes coordinating communicators across multiple offices, supporting distributed teams in field operations, and mentoring students and young professionals through academic supervision and project guidance.

PhD in Communication and Culture | Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) | 2015

• Published three books and numerous articles on communication, migration, and human rights.
• Doctoral research: 200 years of immigration in Brazil, examining cultural, sociological, and communicative aspects.

 

Specialist in Humanitarian Response to Conflict and Disaster | Harvard University | 2022

 

Master’s Degree in Communication | Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) | 2011

• Focused on the internet’s role in citizenship and human rights.

 

Visiting Professor | Federal University for Latin American Integration (UNILA) | 2022

• Former professor of the postgraduate course in Human Rights; UNILA a Brazilian public university that welcomes students from various countries.

 

Other publications and activities

• Citizenship and the Internet (2017): Explores media representation and political engagement.
• Two Centuries of Immigration in Brazil (2019): Documents press coverage of migration from the 19th century onward.
• Guide to Social Communication and Risk Communication in Animal Health (2007, ISSN 0101-6970): co-author working for the Pan American Center for Foot-and-Mouth Disease (PANAFTOSA), Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO). The Guide is available online in Portuguese and in Spanish.
• Delivered a TEDx talk on human rights and migration (check below).

 

 

Academic CV

• http://lattes.cnpq.br/0384762289295308

Hellenic Rescue Team | Volunteer | November 2016

• Volunteered for one month with the Hellenic Rescue Team in Northern Greece (November 2016), conducting workshops on social media strategies and video production.

Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) | Journalist | May 2006 – Apr 2008

• Simplified complex scientific topics for public audiences, specializing in public health and scientific communication.

Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) | Executive Coordinator & Researcher | 2003 – 2015

• Executive Coordinator of the Digital Station Lab | 2008 – 2010
  • Managed a multimedia and free software lab under the ‘Pontos de Cultura’ initiative, led by former Minister Gilberto Gil, coordinating event production, government partnerships, software development, and social outreach.
  • Led a team supported by the Ministry of Culture to teach and promote new technologies nationwide.
  • Coordinated the first World Free Media Forum, held in the city of Belém, Pará, in 2009 during the World Social Forum. The meeting brought together hundreds of participants from dozens of countries.

• Researcher and Academic Advisor | 2003 – 2015
  • Conducted research in communication and culture, organized events, provided academic support, and supervised undergraduate projects.
  • Delivered lectures for six years (2009-2015) in Master’s and Doctoral programs.

• Junior Press Officer | 2005 – 2009
  • Worked for the UFRJ Medical School, handling press relations and communications.

Please contact me at gustavo.rtv@gmail.com for references.