Communication Support Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

Faced with a multidimensional crisis since 2012, Mali is going through one of the most difficult periods of this crisis. The security situation in Mali is extremely volatile and increasing numbers of people are continually attacked and/or displaced across the country in unpredictable patterns reaching 377,519 IDPs to date. The deterioration of relations between Mali and armed groups and various other partners has resulted in a sharp increase in insecurity across the country. This has resulted in serious human rights violations and other acts of terrorism, including the complete decimation of several villages and their inhabitants. These acts of terror have created fear among the populations of these areas, as well as among the few state agents (health and protection agents) who were still present in these areas, as well as led to a significant increase in gender-based violence and health concerns.

Under the overall supervision of the UNFPA Country Office Representative and/or Head of Office, the incumbent will be responsible for helping enhance the information flow and visibility of UNFPA emergency assistance while highlighting sexual and reproductive health, gender and gender-based violence in humanitarian response. More specifically, the incumbent will place UNFPA stories in digital and print media, support national efforts and local communication campaigns, and advise the UNFPA Representative on available opportunities to strengthen UN-FPA’s media presence.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Engage with electronic and print media sources ● Identify UNFPA stories of interest relevant to UNFPA’S work in-country and proactively pitch them to national, regional and global press corps and/or find ways to connect to these stories. ● Provide timely and field-driven content, such as print and video stories, for UNFPA’s regional and global websites and Voices. ● Provide UNFPA’s regional and country social media platforms with relevant updates and work closely with the Headquarters social media teams to integrate the humanitarian response into UNFPA’s social media outreach. Draft press releases, fact sheets and other rapid response information materials for use by UNFPA Headquarters and Regional and Country Offices. ● Assist in UNFPA advocacy activities, including providing support to public events, coordinating visits of senior UN officials, including field visits and participating in other UN /UNFPA advocacy initiatives.

Provide Public Information Support to Country Office: (report to Country Rep and RCA as needed) ● Assist the UNFPA Representative and Regional Communication Adviser in preparing written materials, including talking points, articles, press releases, responses to coverage about UNFPA in the media, etc. ● Establish close working relationships with the United National Country Team, senior UN staff and communication officers to identify communication synergies and ‘one UN’ opportunities. ● Cultivate and maintain effective working relationships with local, regional and global media and other relevant partners and identify opportunities for advocacy and communication partnerships.

Serve as the UNFPA focal point for the Communication to Disaster Affected Community (CDAC) ● Liaise with CDAC partners on on-going activities ● Work with the country team to ensure gender and GBV related information are incorporated through CDAC. ● Provide information on CDAC projects to HQ-based media teams, which can then be pitched to international journalists.

Capacity Development ● Provide coaching to newly recruited communications staff and consultants, where appropriate; ● Coach and build communications capacity of staff members and staff of implementing partners responding to emergency/humanitarian crises, as needed.

Any Other Duties ● Perform any other duties as required by the Representative and/or Head of Office, Regional and Sub-regional Offices and Headquarters.

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.

Mali is a non-family duty station. Living conditions of Bamako are acceptable, but security instructions need to be strictly complied with. Adequate housing is available for rent at US$ 500-1500 per month. The national currency is the Franc CFA (November 2021 exchange rate was 1 US$ = 572.08 FCFA). Visa credit cards are accepted in some hotels and larger shops. Mali is a country prone to malaria, so mosquito nets are highly recommended. Basic medicines are available from pharmacies, but provision needs to be made for specialized medication. Security recommendations from the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) must be followed by all UN Staff, including UN Volunteers, in the course of their assignments in Mali. Appropriate measures are in place to mitigate the current security risk for UN personnel in the country. All UN Volunteers, like all UN personnel, undergo a security briefing and the 3 day mandatory training “Safe and Secure Approaches in Field Environments” (SSAFE) upon arrival, where practical guidance and recommendations are provided regarding security threats in Mali. An additional security briefing is provided upon arrival to the final duty station. For the sake of rewarding experience, UN volunteers in Mali carry out their duties with flexibility, commitment, and a willingness to live and work in challenging conditions including heat and limited water and electricity supply.