Communications and Advocacy Specialist

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.

The incumbent will work within the Strategic Communications Unit on range of communications and advocacy issues pertaining to the humanitarian action and response in Ethiopia. The unit is based in Addis Ababa.

The humanitarian context in Ethiopia is marked by multiple, and often overlapping, crises continue to drive high humanitarian needs in 2023, affecting the most vulnerable Ethiopian people. The Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in northern Ethiopia has created favorable conditions to scale-up assistance to people who have suffered from the two-year long conflict, including uninterrupted flow of humanitarian convoys into the region, restoration of public services albeit it has still a long way to go and the recent lifting of the notification system to transport majority of aid supplies into the region. However, the increased influx of new internally displaced people (IDP) into Amhara from Western Oromia has increased the humanitarian needs with IDP sites are beyond capacity and assistance is not commensurate with needs. There are currently more than 580,000 IDPs in Amhara Region, including 68,000 people residing in IDP sites, according to regional authorities. Insecurity in western and southern Oromia also remains a hurdle to unimpeded humanitarian access and response to affected people, while localized inter-communal hostilities compound already dire humanitarian conditions of vulnerable communities, driving them deeper into destitution.

Similarly, the urgency to further scale up the response in drought-affected southern and eastern Ethiopia is high following five consecutive failed rainy seasons since late 2020. Despite recent rainfall in parts of these areas, the humanitarian condition of vulnerable pastoralists and agro-pastoralists remains extremely dire as their livelihoods have been severely impacted. While the rains may have provided temporary solace through replenished surface water sources and slight regeneration of pasture in some areas, recovery from a drought of this magnitude is estimated to take between 5 to 8 years for those who lost between 80 to 100 per cent of their livelihood. Therefore, the crisis is far from over and requires to engage further on climate change issues. Access to food and water for many households is expected to continue to be extremely limited in 2023 and beyond and continues to require urgent humanitarian assistance.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Strategic Communications Unit, and the oversight of the Deputy Head of Office, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Create compelling content for social media platforms to maximize our online reach re-lated to the humanitarian situation and response in Ethiopia; • Monitor and analyse social media metrics, generate reports, and provide insights and recommendations for increased influence and awareness of the humanitarian work in the country; • Identify influencers, partners, and relevant stakeholders to expand our reach and am-plify our messages; • Maintain and manage OCHA photo database in collaboration with OCHA Headquar-ters colleagues; • Serve as focal point for internal communications activities including collating internal weekly reports from field offices; • Research and gather information from different sources on the humanitarian situation; and support other units with information as needed; • Support the Head of Office and senior management with advocacy efforts including preparing and drafting advocacy products and reports; prepare power point presenta-tions; and briefing packs for donors/diplomatic community; • Support the Head of Communications and senior management as needed, including event organizations

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by read-ing relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for in-stance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publica-tions/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever possible.

• Accountability
• Client Orientation
• Communication
• Ethics and Values
• Planning and Organizing
• Respect for Diversity
• Technological Awareness
• Working in Teams

digital communications and other commutations tools. Similar voluntary experience will also be considered favorably and in lieu of professional experience. • Good knowledge of different social media platforms, trends and proficiency in using so-cial media management tools and analytics platforms. • Excellent writing skills, with the ability to convey complex messages in an engaging man-ner across digital channels. • Experience with graphic design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite) to create visual-ly appealing social media assets. • Basic video editing skills to create and edit short videos for social media platforms is de-sirable. • Ability to work independently as well as part of a team. • Interest in humanitarian and international affairs.

The incumbent will be based in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. Addis is a family duty station. OCHA office is located at compound of the Economic Commission for Africa. Addis Ababa is a regional hub for many humanitarian, development and diplomatic agencies with a huge international community. Living conditions are good with basic services easily available (e.g., schools, restaurants, health and recreation facilities). Medical requirements e.g., vaccinations: Updated yellow fever vaccination only.

Medical facilities available: The UN has secured a number of beds including ICU beds at a local hospital that is fully equipped and reserved for the usage of the diplomatic community (including UN and NGO staff). Besides these efforts, the ECA compound where the UN is located, has a UN clinic with two doctors and two psychologists.