External Relations and Writing Officer

Contract

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

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal death; to end unmet need for family planning; end gender-based violence and harmful practices.

UNFPA’s long standing presence in Mozambique has allowed the agency to build strong networks with governments, local NGOs, UN agencies and other partners to ensure that sexual reproductive health and rights and responses to gender-based violence are integrated not only in the development programmes but building into the emergency and recovery responses.

The agency requires an international candidate to support and manage day-to-day external relations functions to assist with growing resource mobilization efforts and in the timely writing, production and submission of donor proposals, concept notes, donor reports, briefs and more. As the agency increases its focus on donor visibility and external relations, the candidate will stay abreast of donor, fundraising and industry trends and announcements to inform proactive outreach efforts, while also using such intel to inform the development of briefing notes, background documents, speeches, presentations, fact sheets, in-person donor events and more.

The position requires fluency in English writing and speaking, and demonstrated experience drafting and editing donor-focused products and coordinating units, as the candidate will be responsible for overseeing the development of donor proposals and concept notes and reports, sourcing inputs from technical leads, and facilitating process for editing and finalization.

The candidate will manage internal tools for tracking purposes, and oversee the development of donor-focused communication products, including, but not limited to: fact sheets, human interest stories, social media posts and more. In coordination with the Supervisor, the candidate will regularly monitor the Communications and External Relations work plan to ensure adherence and compliance to deliverables within its donor-funded projects.

The position requires a candidate who is proactive, agile and creative, and who can identify tools and products and action ideas and approaches to strengthen and systematize the office’s external relations and visibility functions.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Insert function or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the Candidate will complete the following:

EXTERNAL RELATIONS 1. Lead and maintain research of donor and industry trends, sharing updates and information on a regular basis to inform donor engagement and resource mobilization efforts. 2. Support the development of briefing notes, speeches, fact sheets, talking points, as needed, serving as the focal point to provide input on donor-related research. 3. Lead writer and editor of donor proposals and concept notes, coordinating colleagues for brainstorming and providing technical and strategic inputs to draft documents, oversee the process for feedback and revision before ensuring its completion. 4. Provide editorial revision for donor reports and oversee Communications-related impact reporting to feed into such project reports. 5. Day-to-day management of the resource mobilization tracker, providing inputs and informing colleagues of upcoming deadlines. 6. Ensuring deadlines are met for development, approval and completion of donor reports, and timely submission to donors and uploading to UNFPA’s internal tracking system. 7. Research and oversee abidance with donors requirements including sharing knowledge and information on the donor rules and regulations to programme officers and managers. 8. Capture notes and agreed actions during resource mobilization meetings. 9. Works with the Representative’s Personal Assistant to maintain bios of all key Ambassadors, relevant Ministers and deputy Ministers. 10. Co-organizer in donor ceremonies, launches, project closures, field missions, supporting the drafting of necessary communication products and ensuring adequate photographic documentation for external use. 11. Develop and manage a resource mobilization master folder for office use, ensuring all documents are correctly saved and filed. 12. Conduct research and source insight and ideas from other UNFPA offices to inform innovative ways/ideas to advance resource mobilization efforts and attract new donors, including with the private sector and international financial institutions (IFIs) 13. Other tasks as assigned. COMMUNICATIONS: 1. Oversee development of donor-related fact sheets and/or other products and ensure steady flow of donor-focused social media content, as linked to stories developed by the communications team. 2. Regularly maintains and reviews team work plan with Supervisor to ensure adherence to donor deliverables. 3. Works with P&D team and the M&E Specialist to maintain a document of key country data for use in external communication products, ensuring fact checking in all documents produced. 4. Draft key advocacy messaging linked to UNFPA thematic areas. 5. Oversee the development of presentations for donor meetings. 6. Develop and regularly update a ‘living document’ - overall office presentation and fact sheet- highlighting key areas of work. 7. Maintain communication internal tracking tools updated with links to communications products linked to donor projects as part of donor reporting efforts. 8. Organizes relevant training with staff on donor-focused communication and writing. 9. Lead the monthly external newsletter through the coordination of inputs from colleagues, drafting of the newsletter in MailChimp, and dissemination to partners and donor focal points. 10. Other tasks as assigned. 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 UNFPA; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNFPA 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 UNFPA 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 UNFPA’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

the national and/or international level in communications, external relations, donor engagement, or other relevant programmes; experience working in the UN or other international development organization is desirable

Mozambique has a total population of about 29 million people and Maputo is its capital city. Mozambique is located on the southeast Coast of Africa. To the East is the Indian Ocean, Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia is to the north, to the west Zimbabwe and South Africa and to the South, Swaziland and South Africa. The total area of Mozambique is 799 380 Km square from North to South. It is tropical hot and humid. 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. In Maputo, houses and apartments can be rented from US$ 700 to US$ 1,000 per month and meals at the restaurant cost between US$ 10 and US$ 15. Maputo city has several supermarkets that sell food, clothing, and household goods at reasonable prices. Prices of basic commodities and goods are not necessarily low and quality is often questionable, but you can easily buy all that you need to live in Maputo.

Mozambique is a unique country with a unique (humanitarian) operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.