National Communications Assistant

Contract

This is a UNV National Youth contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Youth contracts.

UNFPA supports: ● Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) for all, particularly women and girls in more than 150 countries – home to more than 80 per cent of the world’s population. SRH includes: ● The health of pregnant women, especially the 10-15 million who face life-threatening complications each year; ● Reliable access to modern contraceptives sufficient to benefit 20 million women a year; ● Training of thousands of health workers, particularly midwives, to help ensure at least 80 per cent of all childbirths are supervised by skilled attendants; ● Prevention of teen and early pregnancies, complications of which are the leading cause of death for girls 15-19 years old; ● Delivery of safe birth supplies, dignity kits and other life-saving materials to survivors of conflict and natural disasters. ● Prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), one of the most common forms of violence today affecting 1 in 3 women across the globe; ● Abandonment of female genital mutilation, which harms 3 million girls annually; ● Gender-responsive, age-appropriate Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE); ● Efforts to end child marriage affects 12 million girls every year; ● Countries in the development of youth policies and reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health policies and action plans; ● Population census, demographic health surveys, research, data collection and analysis are essential for development planning and humanitarian settings.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Communications and Partnership Analyst or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV National Communications Assistant will perform duties as a part of the UNFPA Communications team by closely collaborating with the Multimedia Officer and:

Implement the Country Office Advocacy and Communication Strategy:

● Develop and maintain the implementation of communication activities, highlighting events, campaigns and issues on UNFPA key flagship days and other related events. ● Assist the development of all methods of communication – print, TV, radio, web, photo, media advisory, press releases, social media updates, advocacy materials/packages and factsheets on UNFPA work and mandate area in Lao PDR. ● Support the coordination of media activities around events with a strategic impact, such as press conferences, report launches, media breakfasts and media visits to project sites. ● Engage with programme teams to collect, document and use information and stories to showcase the impact of UNFPA work and support the update of the UNFPA Lao website and social media.

Provide technical advice and support other communications-related tasks:

● Provide advice and support to programme teams on communication aspects of their work. This will involve working with the units (and other members of the communications team) to develop communication materials, events and outreach programmes. ● Monitor the implementation of communication activities and, to the extent possible within the resources available, gather feedback on their impact and effectiveness. ● Establish and maintain good relations with the Governement, UN agencies, donor counterparts and (inter)national media to enhance cooperation. ● Draft press releases based on the information given by program teams. ● Provide basic Lao translation to communications materials, coordinate with online UNV and professional translator for long documents. ● Maintain and update the communication materials inventory list. ● Actively reach out to and coordinate with program teams on communications materials production and distribution plan. ● Support basic graphic designs such as social media cards, infographics, IEC and promotional materials. ● Support basic short video shooting and editing for social media. ● Support events and meetings such as taking photos, preparing communications and advocacy material packages, and documenting events in formats for digital media. ● Perform other tasks as assigned by Communications and Partnership Analyst and UNFPA Country Representative.

● Commitment to UNFPA Values and Guiding Principles; ● Achieving results; ● Being accountable; ● Developing and applying professional expertise; ● Thinking analytically and strategically; ● Working in teams/managing ourselves and relationships; ● Communicating for impact. ● 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;

journalism, media and/or communications-related field; experience with humanitarian setting is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; ● Excellent oral and written skills in Lao and English; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; ● Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; ● Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; ● Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; ● Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; ● Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; ● Have affinity with or interest in sexual and reproductive health, youth and adolescent, gender equality, population dynamics, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

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