Communications and Advocacy 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.

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. Placing women's rights at the centre of all its efforts, UN Women leads and coordinates United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. UN Women also provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States' priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

UN Women South Sudan Country Office is seeking an UN Volunteer Communications and Advocacy Officer to work as the communications focal point for the office, including its advocacy efforts. The Country Office operates across five thematic areas: women, peace and security, women’s economic empowerment, women in governance and leadership, ending gender-based violence, and gender mainstreaming in humanitarian affairs. Given the post-conflict and fragile state context, particular importance is placed for the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) that was signed in September 2018. This marked the end of the conflict that had plagued South Sudan since December 2013. The agreement allows for a Pre-Transitional Period and Transitional period during which key tasks are expected to be undertaken. As part of the agreement, the start of the formation of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity of the Republic of South Sudan constituted by the parties to the conflict at the signing of the Peace Agreement commenced in February 2020.

Within the delegated authority and under the direct supervision of the Country Representative, the UN Volunteer Communications and Advocacy Officer will:

• Coordinate, update and oversee the implementation of the communications, outreach, and advocacy strategy to enhance UN Women visibility, and support the resource mobilization; • Collaborate with the UN Communications Group (UNCG), UN Women’s regional office (RO), the global UN Women communications’ team, and other relevant UN communications’ actors to lead assertive communications and advocacy projects that demonstrate UN Women’s added value to both internal and external audiences; • Serve as the communications and advocacy focal point for the Country Office, both in terms of internal communications and external communications and outreach; • Prepare and disseminate regular information (newsletters, stories from the field, brochures, annual reports, situation reports etc.) to new and potential partners, upcoming events and ongoing programmes as well as reviewing the design and content of UN Women’s webpage; • Manage content production of traditional and social media content to enhance coverage and support of UN Women’s activities; • Build and maintain effective relationships to liaise with donors, other UN agencies, (I)NGOs and partners, attending meetings when required; • Train and enhance the capacity of UN Women’s Country Office staff to produce coherent and quality communications and advocacy; • Conduct research and coordinate timely and effective delivery of photographic, video/film, infographic and other communications and advocacy projects in South Sudan, strategizing for broader visibility and dissemination. • Raise awareness and support the execution of special events, working closely with the Country Representative, Country Office colleagues and external partners, including but not limited to donor events, workshops and seminars; • Perform any other tasks as may be necessary towards achieving UN Women’s communication and advocacy related goals and objectives.

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 UN Women South Sudan Country Office member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UN Women and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions includes results and expected outputs of: o Coordination and execution of the Country Office’s communications and advocacy efforts; o Implementation of the communications strategy; o Support in resource mobilization efforts; o Contribute to, enhance and innovate partnership collaboration, including with the UN Communications Group in South Sudan and UN Women’s communications entities as well as with donors, other UN agencies, (I)NGOs and other partners; o Development of newsletters, stories and other communications and visibility materials; o Management of the Country Office’s social media accounts; o Training UN Women Country Office’s staff on communications and advocacy. • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment. • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

• Professionalism: Demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UN Women; transferrable technical capabilities to UN Women procedures; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomatic skills and tact in relation to stakeholders; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures. • Integrity: Demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UN Women while acting without consideration of personal gains; ability to resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour, immune to abuse power or authority. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: Ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and mixed-gender environment with sensitivity, respect and desire for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementating the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement and a level playing field of women and men in all aspects of UN operations, ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues. • Commitment to continuous learning: Have initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment, encouraging, embracing and contributing to capacity-building of others. • Planning and organizing: Effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. • Communication: Proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely and in a compelling manner; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from diverse backgrounds, capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups. • Flexibility: Adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations, as necessary, ability to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods. • Genuine commitment towards the principles of gender equality and voluntary engagement, including showcasing of solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance, and commitment towards UN Women’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

the field of communications, advocacy and/or public relations; • One year of relevant professional experience required in emergency contexts, with previous work experience in the UN or other international development organizations is considered an asset; • Knowledge of communications/advocacy best practices, techniques, and processes, with the ability to analyze and interpret diverse information and draw out the key messages in a compelling manner; • Outstanding oral and written communications and editorial skills in English, with proven ability to produce communications products and content, including online platforms and social media; • Strong knowledge of social media platforms and experience in social media outreach; • Experience in media relations; • Familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners; • 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.); • Familiarity with database management and experience with design software; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.

South Sudan is classified as a non-family duty station. Recent reports show progress towards the implementation of the peace agreement made in 2018. The improving security situation across the country that was once engulfed in fighting has built positively onto national security and stability. Security situation in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, is relatively calm, and there is a UN imposed curfew from 19:00hrs to 6:00hrs due to security and crime issues. The International UN Volunteer will stay in an UNDSS approved residential compound, regulated by the curfew. There are also several UN approved hotels for accommodation.

Juba has basic infrastructure. Grocery stores are fairly well-stocked with food items, clothes and other household goods. There are also local markets for vegetables and other farm produce. There are restaurants serving food from different regions of the world. There are also several mobile telephone companies providing services and SIM cards can be easily bought with credit vouchers. However, there are no fixed telephone lines. The cost of living is generally high as almost all the goods are imported. There are local banks dealing in both local and foreign currencies. Credit cards and travelers’ checks are mostly not accepted. There are thousands of multinationals in South Sudan supporting various humanitarian, development, and peacekeeping activities.

South Sudan is a unique country with cross country humanitarian operation. It provides an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility, and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential. Based on the policy of the host agencies, as for their regular international staff, paid Rest and Recuperation (R&R) after every six weeks of work is applied to the UN Volunteers.