Communication support for UNFPA South Sudan

Volunteering

Overview

Support UNFPA communications in South Sudan through multimedia content creation.

You have:

• Master’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, advertising or related field.
• At least 3 years of professional work experience in communications, public relations, journalism or advertising; preferably some experience with public relations or information campaigns.
• Experience in or familiarity with a humanitarian setting is a major asset.
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills.
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.
• Have affinity with or interest in UNFPA Humanitarian Action, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Contract

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The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), established in 1967 as the UN Agency for sexual and reproductive health, works in more than 150 countries to promote gender equality and ensure universal access to reproductive health services, guided by its mission to achieve a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA advances global and national development priorities by supporting countries to end preventable maternal deaths, addressing unmet need for family planning, and eliminate gender-based violence and harmful practices, in line with the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Program of Action and the Sustainable Development Goals.

UNFPA has operated in South Sudan since 2006 and established a full Country Office in 2012, working closely with government institutions, UN agencies, civil society organizations, and development partners to strengthen health systems, expand access to quality reproductive health services, train midwives, improve population data for planning, and prevent and respond to gender-based violence. Within humanitarian and recovery settings, UNFPA delivers life-saving sexual and reproductive health interventions and coordinates technical and protection initiatives to support women, girls, and young people. This online volunteering assignment forms part of UNFPA program portfolio in South Sudan, supporting national priorities and UN cooperation frameworks to enhance rights, resilience, and wellbeing across the country.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of UNFPA South Sudan Emergency Coordinator, the Online Volunteer will carry out the following duties:

· Engage with electronic and print media outlets to promote accurate and timely coverage of UNFPA humanitarian work.

· Identify compelling stories related to UNFPA humanitarian program and proactively pitch them to national, regional, and international media, while supporting implementing partners to generate field-based content aligned with UNFPA priorities.

· In coordination with implementing partners, develop timely and high-quality multimedia materials such as articles, photos, videos and human-interest stories for use across UNFPA country, regional, and global platforms.

· Support the management of country social media channels by providing regular updates and integrating humanitarian response messaging into digital outreach.

· Draft press releases, fact sheets, talking points, and other rapid-response communication materials for use by UNFPA country, regional and headquarters, offices.

· Prepare periodic communications and visibility updates for humanitarian donors, including but not limited to KOICA and ECHO, in line with agreed donor visibility and branding requirements.

· Support advocacy initiatives such as public events, campaigns, and high-level missions, including coordination of media engagement and field visits for senior UN officials.

· Strengthen collaboration with UN Country Team communications colleagues and partner agencies to identify joint messaging opportunities and advance “One UN” communications approaches.

· Establish and maintain effective working relationships with local, regional, and international media, as well as strategic partners, to expand outreach and advocacy opportunities.

· Work closely with the UNFPA Country Office communications team to ensure coherence, consistency, and alignment of messaging and products.

· Provide technical guidance and mentoring support to communications focal points of implementing partners to enhance content quality and adherence to UNFPA standards.

· Contribute to capacity strengthening of staff through knowledge-sharing, practical coaching, and development of simple tools or guidance that improve communications effectiveness.

· Any other related tasks may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

As an active UNFPA team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNFPA and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:

o Increased visibility of the humanitarian response of UNFPA South Sudan through regular publication of high-quality multimedia content featured on country, regional, or global platforms.

o Strengthened media engagement demonstrated by expanded and active media contacts list, proactive pitching of stories, and increased positive media coverage of UNFPA humanitarian work.

o Timely production of communication materials for emergencies, including press releases, situation reports, fact sheets, and talking points, ensuring rapid dissemination during priority humanitarian moments.

o Consistent donor visibility achieved through monthly and/or periodic communications updates and visibility products that meet branding and reporting requirements for key humanitarian donors, including KOICA, ECHO, and others as assigned.

o Enhanced social media presence through regular, coordinated content that integrates humanitarian messaging and aligns with corporate standards and campaign priorities.

o Improved coordination and message coherence across UNFPA communications outputs through structured collaboration with the Country Office communications team and adherence to approved messaging frameworks.

o Strengthened inter-agency collaboration demonstrated by joint communication initiatives, shared campaigns, or coordinated messaging with UN Country Team partners.

o Increased availability of field-based content through strengthened engagement with implementing partners and establishment of simple content-submission workflows or guidance.

o Enhanced communications capacity among partners and staff through mentorship sessions, practical guidance tools, or short training that improve storytelling, branding compliance, and content quality.

o Effective support to advocacy and visibility events, including senior-level visits and campaigns, resulting in well-documented media coverage and communications packages.

· Master’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, advertising or related field.

· At least 3 years of professional work experience in communications, public relations, journalism or advertising; preferably some experience with public relations or information campaigns.

· Experience in or familiarity with a humanitarian setting is a major asset.

· Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills.

· Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing.

· Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development.

· Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.

· Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment.

· Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.

· Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain; (if not applicable, delete).

· Sound security awareness.

· Have affinity with or interest in UNFPA Humanitarian Action, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 3 months ago - Updated 3 months ago - Source: unv.org