Communication Assistant

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

The COVID-19 pandemic is putting an unprecedented and significant strain on the global economy and public health systems. It is also moving beyond the health issues and magnifying inequalities and the multiple different forms of discrimination faced by women and girls, posting serious socio-economic threat to women’s employment and livelihoods in the labour market and workplace, especially in the informal sectors.

In view of this, UN Women China office launched a project “Supporting Women to Recover from Socio-Economic Impacts of COVID-19“. The project engages women-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and women workers in the development of, and are supported to access, economic recovery solutions for income loss; build the Institutional capacities and resilience of women-owned SMEs in preparedness and contingency planning for future emergencies are strengthened; and promote the role of women and their leadership in the COVID-19 response and recovery through innovative means.

The COVID-19 recovery project is under the umbrella of the Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme (WEE). UN Women work to advance the economic empowerment of women so that they have income security, decent work, and economic autonomy. Together, we work to transform the care economy by pushing for women to be recognized and paid for their work. We also advocate for equal pay, support women as leaders and entrepreneurs, and work to close the digital divide to ensure women and girls have equal access to opportunities, including through capacity building and reskilling in the context of rural revitalization in China.

The UN Volunteer will have experience in communications and be strong in networking skills. She/he will work in close collaboration with the WEE team and communication team of the UN Women China office, women-owned SMEs, media and other partners as necessary to innovatively conduct the communication work ensuring successful advocacy and communication result.

Under the supervision of the Programme Analyst (WEE), the primary responsibilities of the UNV include:

(1) Develop communication materials in both Chinese and English of the COVID-19 recovery project; (2) Use innovative storytelling techniques to showcase role of women as first responders to COVID-19 and documented good practices in catalyzing their leadership and participation; (3) Organize innovative online campaign to promote women's role and leadership in economic and income recovery, and increase the understanding of gender perspective in emergencies such as COVID-19 (such as female medical workers); (4) Provide support and participate to WEE events when necessary, such as CSR conference or policy dialogue event with ILO. (5) Provide support to the WEE programmes and the office as requested.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs:

• As an active team member of UN Women in China Office, the UN Volunteer will provide efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to the organization and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: (1) Design and conduct online campaigns to promote women’s contribution and leadership in COVID-19; (2) Draft and develop multimedia communication products, including publications, concept notes, press releases, articles, graphics, etc. (3) Compile data, research and assist in the development of the events reports, donor reports and campaign performance evaluation. (4) Provide other programme support and participate in WEE events as necessary, such as CSR conference or policy dialogue event with ILO, including but not limited to draft media package (5) Provide translations and other support to the WEE team and the office as requested.

• Awareness and sensitivity regarding gender issues • Accountability
• Communication • Ethics and Values • Integrity • Knowledge Sharing • Planning and Organizing • Professionalism • Respect for Diversity • Working in Teams

communication, journalism, public relations, social science, gender studies or any related field.

Demonstrable interest in innovative media package design including developing communication audio and video products, using social media for communications, leading project’s communication efforts, outreach, and social mobilisation. Demonstrated strong writing skills in both English and Chinese; Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.); Experience working on gender issues Some graphic design on photoshop or video editing experience is helpful; Prior experience working for the UN is an asset.

The duty station is located in Beijing city, where modest public infrastructure and health services are available. It is the foremost political and cultural metropolis in China. The city has excellent health services available. In general, rent for apartments in central locations is high relative to other regions in China, but quality is good. Beijing is well served by many shopping malls, large supermarket chains and international brands. Buses and subways are the most common form of mass transportation. Metered taxis are widely available and domestic and regional travel by train and airplane is popular.

The National Specialist Volunteer receives a standard volunteer living allowance (VLA), which is intended to cover their accommodation and basic living expenses. In China the VLA is 9,480.08 RMB per month. The National UN Volunteer is entitled to an excellent health, life and disability insurance package. The National UN Volunteer is entitled to 2.5 days personal leave per month and UN official holidays.