Communications Associate

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.

In 2018, UN Women Nigeria established a presence in Maiduguri, Borno State North East, Nigeria to support the efforts of the Government of Nigeria and other UN agencies towards the humanitarian response through targeted livelihoods support for women and girls and the broader transition from humanitarian relief to longer-recovery and development. UN Women is also engaged in coordination and technical support across the sectoral responses; capacity building for humanitarian workers; and undertakes various assessments and related initiatives to allow for evidence-based, gender-responsive response to the evolving crisis in the North East. The objective of UN Women programmes in the Northeast is to ensure protection for vulnerable women and girls as well as their equitable safe access to humanitarian and recovery assistance. The programmes also promote women’s meaningful participation and leadership in humanitarian and recovery processes.

In this regard, UN Women, with funding support from the HQ, is implementing a project on Empowering Women and Girls for Enhanced Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response in Borno and Yobe States. The project is designed to contribute to support women’s leadership and participation in preventing and responding to gender-based violence while expanding access to economic empowerment opportunities.

Under the direct supervision of the UN Women Programme Manager, Humanitarian and Disaster Risk Reduction and with strategic reporting to the Country Office National Communications Officer, the Communications Associate supports the formulation and implementation of the communications and advocacy strategies to increase result and impact communication and awareness of UN Women with partners, the media and the public. The Communications Associate promotes a client-oriented approach in the implementation of UN Women programmes in Northeast Nigeria.

1. Provide administrative support in the development of a coherent sub-office communications and advocacy strategy • Provide background information for the development of the CO/Sub-office communication strategy; • Work with the central national office to develop periodic communications strategy for the sub-office • Develop communications marketing strategy for high-level events and campaigns, including international day commemorations

2. Provide support for the planning and organizing of high-profile programmes and events • Provide logistical support to advocacy efforts and campaigns by organizing roundtable discussions, press conferences, and other publicity events and providing inputs to briefing materials and press releases, as necessary. • Manage participation of press and news reporting of these events and programmes

3. Provide administrative support to the development of sub-office advocacy materials • Identify and develop human interest stories and features stories that capture the work and impact of the CO/Sub-office • Draft press releases, articles, key messages and other advocacy materials; • Review translations, and contact printers and other suppliers for quality assurance of production of IEC materials and knowledge products; • Maintain library/ database of reference materials and photos; • Follow guidelines from RO/HQ.

4. Provide support in the management of the sub-office social media presence and website • Develop and share with the central office social media messages that capture the work and impact of the sub-office • Develop and share with central office social media assets, including infographics, photos, video bites, etc. • Develop social media strategies for campaigns and international day commemorations including IWD and 16 Days of Activism • Plan and implement social media campaigns, including participation of infleuncers, and organizing of social media chats, Twitter Spaces and IG Live. • Gather information for the development of content for the CO/Sub-office website hosted at the Regional Office and social media channels; • Draft web-articles for publishing on the website • Update the website and social media channels, as required; • Maintain files, databases, and systems relevant to the sub-office digital presence.

5. Provide media relations support to the CO/sub-office • Maintain and update the database of the relevant press in the country, with special focus on the Northeast; • Mobilise the Press for participation in events, ensure reporting of favourable of the events, and collate news reports in form links and newspaper cut-outs’ • Respond to requests for information, as delegated; • Gather and compile inputs for talking points for speech and other presentations.

6. Facilitate knowledge management and sharing • Contribute to the identification of best practices and lessons learned; • Organize trainings and workshops on communication practices; • Ensure cloud-based storage and e-sharing of communication and media assets; • Provide/ exchange information with HQ and RO, MCO, and COs.

7. Other • Perform other tasks as assigned by supervisor; • Provide support on special web/digital/media projects undertaken by the CO/Sub-office.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UN Women; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UN Women procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; 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; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • 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; 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; does not 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, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement 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: 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; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very 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; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; 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 work of regional and/or international organizations; • Experience in supporting partnership activities for promoting gender equality • At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in providing support to the formulation and implementation of internal and external communications and advocacy strategies and related plans; • Experience in the use of computers applications and software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) as well as web based management systems; • Experience in the use of social media and digital communication. • Strong interpersonal, communication, advisory, networking and advocacy skills • Strong analytical and drafting skills • Motivated to contribute towards peace and development and to serve others; • Fluency in spoken and written English is required, and working knowledge of Hausa and other local language is desirable • Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team. • Flexible and open to learning and new experiences • Respect for diversity and adaptability to other cultures.

The assignment will take place in the state capital, Maiduguri (Hardship classification E). With approximately 184 million inhabitants, Nigeria accounts for 47% of West Africa’s population, and has one of the largest populations of youth in the world. It is a political federation that consists of 36 autonomous states, and a multi-ethnic and culturally diverse society. With an abundance of natural resources, Nigeria—Africa’s biggest oil exporter— also has the largest natural gas reserves on the continent. The country is viewed as a multinational state, as it is inhabited by over 500 ethnic groups, of which the three largest are the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba; these ethnic groups speak over 500 different languages, and are identified with wide variety of cultures. The official language is English. Nigeria continues to face terrorist attacks in the northeast, a restive insurgency in the Delta region, and the perennial inter-communal violence across the middle belt. At the root of the security challenges are high levels of poverty, joblessness, growing numbers of frustrated youth, and the degradation of natural resources and climate stressors. The critical and immediate challenge is ensuring the welfare of the internally displaced people, host communities, and population in the North- East. Terrorism is the main threat in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja SLA. General crime is also prevalent. UN staff members are advised to stay only in assessed hotels. Assessed hotels list available with Agency Security Focal Points.

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