Communications Associate

Contract

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

The United Nations World Food Programme is a solution provider in the challenge to end hunger and malnutrition and focuses on reaching the most food insecure, and the malnourished all over the world.

WFP’s dual mandate allows it to use a development lens in its humanitarian responses, and to align early recovery and development interventions accordingly. In Mozambique, WFP has a five-year Country Strategic Plan (2017-2021), which aims to strengthen resilience, emergency preparedness and response while continuing to address the underlying causes of hunger in the country. WFP has collaborative relationships with host governments, donor governments, NGOs, the private sector, the United Nations system, international finance institutions, international and regional organizations, academia and think tanks. WFP adopts a partnering approach with the children, women and men its serves, the governments that sit on its governing bodies and the media.

Organizational Context & Project Description:

WFP has significantly expanded its operations over the last few years. The scale up of operations was due to two major tropical cyclones and a long drought that occurred in Mozambique in 2019. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic and the escalation of violence and insecurity in northern Mozambique, brought new challenges to WFP Mozambique. In response to the displacement crisis in the north, WFP increased the scale of its operations to respond to the increasing food and nutritional needs of IDPs and established the United Nations Humanitarian Air Services (UNHAS). As of March 2021, WFP has maintained the corporate Level 2 emergency category for Mozambique.

Under the supervision of the head of Partnerships and Donor Relations, working in coordination with the other CO staff and partners, the UN Youth Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

Overall support to the country office communication strategy 


Ensure that the production of communication products and materials linked with WFP’s COVID-19 response is timely executed and followed up to support country communication strategy, regional and global campaigns and priorities and to support resource mobilization 


Liaise with other UN agencies under the umbrella of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, on all external communications related to WFP’s programmes and COVID-19 in Mozambique 









In coordination with field offices, undertake communications tasks (media messages, web contents and “stories” for advocacy purposes). Review draft publications and recommend revisions or changes in approaches, scope, format, as needed to ensure best quality standards.  


Help to maintain the Country Office website and social media accounts through commissioning and production of relevant, interesting material and posting.  


Oversee and approve the information collated from media and local internal and external sources to facilitate and maximize the exchange of information and data flow between functional area networks in WFP, to provide operational awareness and understanding of events that may have humanitarian and/or operational impact.  

, Adaptability and Flexibility, Commitment and Motivation, Communication, Creativity, Integrity, Knowledge Sharing, Leadership, Managing Performance, Planning and Organizing, Respect for Diversity, Self-Management, Technological Awareness, Vision, Working in Teams

0-2 years

Ideally one year or more of postgraduate professional experience in a relevant field of work, with a background and interest in international relations, humanitarian and development programmes and/or journalism.

Communications, Marketing, Public Relations

Strong analytical skills with the ability to analyse and interpret information and draw out the key messages. 









Strong oral and written communication skills, able to clearly articulate insights to stakeholders in WFP. 

Mozambique has a total population of about 29 million people and Maputo is its capital city. The city is very pleasant and offers a wide range of facilities. The hottest and wettest months in Maputo Province are December to February when the average daily minimum temperatures are around 22°c and the average daily highs of 30°c. The rain season is between October and April. Winters (June to August) are mild with the average daily temperature ranging from 13°c to 24°c. Communication and transport services are available at various costs. There is a wide selection of apartments and houses for rent from US$ 700 to US$ 1,000 per month. Meals at restaurants cost between US$7 and US$15.

Maputo city has several supermarkets that sell food, clothing, and household goods at reasonable prices. An entry visa is required for travelers and must be obtained prior to arrival. However, some nationalities are exempted from the visa requirement and usually, travelers are advised to check for their visa status prior to traveling to Mozambique. The Metical is the local currency and exchange rate stands at USD 1 equivalent to about 69 meticais (MZM) as of May 2020. There are private clinics that provide healthcare services. Banks and ATMs are as well available to meet financial needs. Visa cards are partially accepted. Maputo is categorized as a family duty station offering a variety of different accommodation options. It has a vibrant international community whilst also providing excellent opportunities to work in a national, Mozambican context. The country hosts some of the finest beaches in the world. Game parks and wildlife reserves are easily accessible from Maputo.

Mozambique is located in the southeastern coast of Africa, bordering South Africa, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania, with an Indian Ocean coastline of 2,700 Km. The country is endowed with important natural resources, such as arable land, forestry, water, energy and mineral resources, including the third largest reserves of natural gas in the continent, recently discovered in the Rovuma river basin, bordering Tanzania, in the northern province of Cabo Delgado.