Communications 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.

UN Women Turkey Office implements a three-year project `Strengthening civil society capacities and multi-stakeholder partnerships to advance women’s rights and gender equality in Turkey- Strong Civic Space for Gender Equality’ funded by the European Union between April 2021 and March 2024 with a total budget of 4,5 million Euros. The Project aims to reduce gender inequalities by enhancing the ability of civil society organizations to be agents of transformative change towards gender equality and women’s rights.

Under this project UN Women works with civil society actors as knowledge partners, implementing partners, and advocates for normative advancements and accountability, and will support civil society through convening and networking, knowledge exchange, capacity development, funding, including through its small grants mechanisms. The intervention will address the challenges faced by CSOs and the women’s movements, especially in the context and aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic which is expected to have adverse mid- and long-term impacts on the social and economic status of women. It will seek to foster strategic and innovative partnerships between organizations and individuals working to advance women’s empowerment with a wide range of stakeholders, including men and boys advocates, youth groups, academia, disability rights activists, climate justice activists and other key constituencies, as well as across generations and sectors.

Reporting to the Programme Specialist (NOC) and in collaboration with the Communication Analysts, the UN Volunteer will work in close collaboration with the project team, UN Women Turkey’s communication team and UN Women Europe and Central Asia Regional Office communication team.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Programme Specialist and in close collaboration with the Communication Analysts the UNV Communications Assistant will contribute to below duties and responsibilities:

1. Contribute to the implementation and adaptation of the communications and visibility plan of the ‘Strong Civic Space for Gender Equality’ project o Provide support to sustain the continuous communication and visibility of the project’s milestones, achievements, results, and outcomes. o Provide support to the conceptualization, preparation and implementation of the communications and advocacy efforts implemented under the project such as online/offline visibility events, press conferences, internal/external communications activities and campaigns. o Provide support to monitor and report on the media coverage of the project, as well as to overall reporting on project communication and visibility. o Provide support to drafting press releases, briefing materials, information documents, key messages, talking points. o Provide support to the development and production of creative and innovative social media posts/content, infographics, newsletters, human-interest stories, news articles, multi-media assets highlighting project milestones, achievements and results. o Provide support to the translation and dissemination of basic documents o Provide support for the design and implementation of communication and advocacy activities of the civil society partners.

2. Contribute to the coordination of the vendors and partners such as event organization company, printing and publishing companies, graphic designer, multi-media expert, and editor.

3. Support the management of UN Women Turkey’s corporate communication efforts o Provide support to the development and production of digital communication tools, assets, content, materials, and campaigns. o Participate in the planning, organization, implementation, and reporting of digital and social media campaigns under UN special days of observance such as 16 Days of Activism, International Women’s Day, the Day of the Girl Child. o Support the development and dissemination of UN Women Turkey’s quarterly newsletter. o Maintain and regularly update the stakeholder database and database of relevant press in the country. o Convey or respond to inquiries and information requests received through UN Women Turkey’s info email address and social media platforms.

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

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.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UN Women; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UN Women procedures and rules • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UN Women in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains • 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, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age • Commitment to continuous learning: 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. • 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 • Flexibility: willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UN Women’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

the national and/or international level in the field of communication, journalism, advocacy or visibility; • Experience in the field of gender equality, women’s rights or women’s empowerment is a strong asset, • Experience working in the UN or other international development organization is an 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 partner; 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; • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in gender issues, women’s rights and volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

The UN Volunteer will live and work in Ankara, Turkey. Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the country’s second largest city following Istanbul. Ankara is an important commercial and industrial city. It is where the Turkish Parliament, Turkish Armed Forces General Staff, ministries and foreign embassies are located. The city is strategically located at an important crossroads for trade in proximity of Turkey’s highway and railway networks.

Security: The current security level in Ankara is minimal – 1. Ankara is considered a generally a safe city. Public transportation is safe to use. There are no direct threats towards United Nations staff in Turkey.

Medical Services: No special vaccinations are required for a travel to Ankara. Medical services available are of high quality, and health care services are available also in English.

Housing: Apartments and flats are easily available and generally of good condition, with well working services (gas, electricity, water). The cost of housing is reasonable, although certain locations close to foreign embassies and area where UN Women Turkey CO is located tends to be more expensive.

Cost of living and services: Housing is the largest monthly expense, and the cost of living is otherwise affordable. Daily food and products are inexpensive, as there are various types of services.

Imported goods and many non-essential services and products tend to be more expensive. The provision of goods and services in general is very good. Local transportation ranges from buses, mini-busses to taxis, which are all affordable. The subway lines are very limited.

Weather: The city is cold, often snowy during winters due to its elevation and inland location, and hot, dry during summers.

Language: Turkish is the only official language. English is widely spoken in touristic areas, but less common in Ankara. In supermarkets and shops, knowing basic Turkish can be useful. There are variety of Turkish language schools and tutors available in Ankara.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.

Note on novel coronavirus – COVID-19. The rapidly changing nature of novel coronavirus COVID-19 has placed significant and increasing restrictions on the freedom of movement of people, even within countries. Such restrictions may affect the ability of UN Volunteers to begin their assignments at their assigned duty station or limit the ability to enter UN premises. Thus, UNV cannot guarantee assignments will proceed as normal. Candidates for UN Volunteer assignments requiring travel to the duty station may be exceptionally granted during this period alternative working arrangements to work from their place of recruitment until restrictions are lifted. Candidates for UN Volunteer assignments may also need to begin their assignments remotely in cases where access to UN premises is restricted. These are decisions at the discretion of the host entity. Candidates proceeding to interview are recommended to discuss travel requirements, any restrictions, and possible alternative arrangements with the host entity. If selected, candidates should carefully consider the circumstances before accepting UNV’s offer.