Consultant, Communicaitons Support

Contract

This is a National Consultant contract. More about National Consultant contracts.

Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. Placing women’s rights at the center of all its efforts, UN Women also leads and coordinates United Nations systems efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translates into action.

In Sierra Leone, UN Women is recognized as a central stakeholder in advancing global norms and standards for gender equality and the empowerment of women. UN Women’s work in Sierra Leone started through UNIFEM in 2002. UN Women provides unique supports to national gender machineries, cooperating with UN and public, private, community-level non-UN institutions to empower women and advance gender.

Women account for about 51% of the 7.9 million Sierra Leoneans, yet occupy less than 20% of elected positions, and own less than 17% of businesses. Women actively participate in electioneering process as voters, campaign agents, political party activists, and candidates/aspirants, but their role is not reflective in the elective and appointive seats obtained. Currently, women represented only 13% of parliamentarians, 13% of Cabinet members and held 19% of local government positions.

Sierra Leone made key strides in the promulgation of laws and policies relating to Sexual and Gender Based violence, women’s leadership in public life and in peace and security, and their access to land. In line with the principle of Leaving No One Behind, UN Women makes deliberate efforts to develop partnerships which address the needs, demands and interests of women facing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, vulnerability and marginalization. The Agency’s portfolio in Sierra Leone includes the following flagship Programme Initiatives across the country:

• Women’s Participation and Leadership in Governance and Politics.
• Ending Violence Against Women.
• Women in Peace, Security and Humanitarian Actions.
• Women’s Economic Empowerment.

UN Women is recruiting a communication consultant to amplify and showcase the various programmatic activities around Women economic empowerment, EVAW, Women in governanceBaskek fund) and Women’s peace and security in the newspaper, social media etc and giving it the visibility it deserve at Regional and HQ.

Reporting to the Head of office,the consultant will support UN Women with Communications and is responsible for assisting in the planning and implementation of the Office communications and advocacy strategies to increase the standing and awareness of UN Women visilibity with partners, the media and the public.

The Communications consultant works in close collaboration with the Programme, Operations and technical teams in the Sierra Leone Country Office, Regional and HQ communications teams, staff of other UN Agencies, Government officials, media, multilateral and bilateral donors and civil society.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant deliverables under the direct supervision of UN Women Head Office in Sierra Leone, will not be lmited to the following tasks.

Key Deliverables:

An inception meeting with the technical team to discuss the priorities of the first month and to consequently submit a detailed activity plan based on these identified priorities

At least 1 Newsletter article published per week on UN Women’s work.

On social media: Followers handle/list increased and Tweet at least once a day.

Submit a report of the consolidated publications, newsletter, social media tweet validated with indication of followers and tweets and recommendations with lesson learnt Incorporated from UN Women (Sierra Leone, HQ and RO) and submit the final report and approval in November 2023

Every information before publication must be cleared by the Head of office.

Under the direct supervision of UN Women Head Office in Sierra Leone , the Consultant will be responsible for the following specific tasks:

1. Plan and design communication and outreach/advocacy strategies and plans

• Prepare and conduct communication needs assessments for the Sierra Leone country office, including projects, programmes and corporate change initiatives;
• Analyze requirements and synthesize proposals for elaboration of communication strategies; ensure gender perspective;
• Integrate communication, advocacy and outreach strategies into proposals for project/programmes and other initiatives;
• Monitor and analyze print and social media and draft reports;
• Promote visibility of the UN Women programmes/projects and events.

2. Maintain the country office’s web/ online presence

• Manage Sierra leone ofice websites’ content and maintenance based on corporate requirements;
• Manage the CO’s social media accounts in line with corporate social media policy;
• Upload information to knowledge management system on a regular basis, including news, updates, and resources.

3. Facilitate knowledge building and sharing

• Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country goals and activities;
• Write human impact stories in UN Women’s flagship interventions such as Women’s Economic Empowerment, Women’s participation and leadership in politics and governance, Ending violence against women, Women in Peace, Security and Humanitarian, etc.
• Clearance of all publications through the Head of Office
• Key Indicators
• Quality inputs and analysis into the communications strategy for the office
• Timely monitoring of current events and trends
• Quality and relevant advocacy materials and conte
• Timely updating of website and social media
• Timely dissemination of materials as shown by knowledge of UN Women’s activities in country
• Regular interactions with mass media, as shown by coverage.

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
• Accountability
• Creative Problem Solving
• Effective Communication
• Inclusive Collaboration
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Leading by Example

Functional Competencies

• Ability to communicate sensitively, effectively and creatively across different constituencies
• Good knowledge of web-based knowledge management systems
• Good understanding of production, graphic design and photography standards
• Good knowledge of social media platforms and experience in social media outreach
• Good knowledge of local country media landscape
• Good communication, presentation, networking and advocacy skills
• Ability to be strategic and analytical
• Knowledge of gender and human rights issues desirable

Required Skills and Experience

High school Diploma (WASC)

• 2 years of professional work experience at national communications related to the Job description;
• Experience in media relations;

Experience in the use of social media

• Fluency in English is required

Knowledge of the other UN official working language is an asset.