Consultancy- Humanitarian Communications Consultant, Division for External Relations, UNFPA, New York

Support UNFPA's humanitarian communications strategy and deliver impactful content.

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Thursday 20 Feb 2025 at 17:00 UTC

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Overview

Support UNFPA's humanitarian communications strategy and deliver impactful content.

You have:

  • 7+ years of experience at national and international level in communications for humanitarian crises.
  • Significant experience coordinating compelling communications in humanitarian crises.
  • Proven ability to create humanitarian content for diverse audiences on social media and web platforms.
  • Strong understanding of traditional media and experience pitching stories to journalists.
  • High-level understanding of the UN's humanitarian communications structure and processes.
  • Ability to develop effective communication strategies to promote UNFPA and advocate for women's and girls' needs.
  • Superior writing and editing skills; broad knowledge of content creation and public relations tools.
  • Ability to work well under pressure, manage time, meet deadlines, and prioritize during crises.
  • Master's degree in the humanities, communications or related field.
  • Fluency in English and knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Purpose of consultancy:

To support the implementation of UNFPA’s humanitarian communications strategy with a view to build UNFPA’s reputation as an emergency responder, advocating for the rights of women and girls in crises and mobilizing funds for our humanitarian work. This consultant will help coordinate DER, HRD, Regional and Country Offices on humanitarian content production. Reporting to the Media and Humanitarian Advisor in the Media and Communications Branch (MCB), the Consultant will undertake the following key tasks: ● Initiate regular contact with country offices and regional humanitarian communications teams to develop and implement communications strategies, offer guidance, identify visibility opportunities and gather and repackage content for dissemination to media/on digital channels.

● Draft key messages and media QA, press releases and UNFPA statements as needed in collaboration with local, regional and technical experts across UNFPA. Support the development and implementation of humanitarian communications campaigns, including messaging and content.

● Gather data from reports, assessments, Flash Updates and other materials from humanitarian crises and package for use in communications outreach to media and social media.

● Ensure donor governments receive the needed visibility on global digital channels. Frame pitches for international media.

● Represent UNFPA at UN- wide crisis communications group meetings and other coordination fora in lieu of the Media and Humanitarian Adviser when needed and ensure UNFPA's visibility as part of UN humanitarian responses.

● Support UNFPA's reputational crisis management efforts in collaboration with the team as needed. This includes drafting strategies and messaging, crisis scenarios, dealing with journalists and stakeholders.

Deliverables: Communications work will be ongoing and delivered via video conferencing, MS teams, google suite, phones and electronic copy.

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:

The Communications Consultant will work in close cooperation with other team members in the Media and Communications Branch, and colleagues across the organization. The Media and Humanitarian Advisor will review deliverables.

Expected Travel: Occasional travel if needed.

Knowledge and Experience: 7+ years of experience at national and international level:

● Significant experience coordinating the delivery of compelling communications in humanitarian crises. ● Proven ability to create humanitarian content for multiple audiences on social media, , and web platforms ● A strong understanding of traditional media and experience pitching stories and handling journalists ● A high level understanding of the UN’s humanitarian communications structure, mechanisms, and processes. ● Maturity and experience to deal directly with senior management at HQ, with UN and NGO humanitarian partners, and in the UN Secretariat. ● Proven ability to develop effective communications strategies and tactics to promote an international organization, such as UNFPA, and its work; and to advocate for the needs of women and girls. ● Detailed understanding of how UNFPA works on the ground and delivers SRHR in emergencies an advantage ● Superior writing and editing skills and broad knowledge of content creation, messaging, public relations tools and techniques. ● Highly organized, proactive self-starter with a passion for humanitarian and SRHR issues ● Ability to work with and motivate people from diverse cultures to deliver results. ● Ability to work under pressure, manage time, meet tight deadlines, and prioritize during a crisis response

Education: Master’s degree in the humanities, communications or related field Languages: ● English and knowledge of another UN language is an asset

How to Apply:

Please send your application to Jefferys@unfpa.org with the subject line “Humanitarian Communications Consultant” by 20 February 2025.

Potential interview questions

Can you describe a time you had to create communications under pressure during a crisis? This question assesses your ability to work under tight deadlines and manage stress effectively. Share your experience and focus on the strategies you used and the positive outcomes.
How do you ensure that your communications resonate with diverse audiences? The interviewer wants to know about your ability to tailor messages to different audiences. Pro members can see the explanation.
What strategies would you use to advocate for women's rights in humanitarian contexts? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe your experience in collaborating with various stakeholders during a humanitarian response. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What is your approach to managing relationships with the media during a humanitarian crisis? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unfpa.org