Spotlight Communications Specialist

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.

The Spotlight Initiative is a global initiative of the United Nations which has received generous support from the European Union and aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. The Spotlight Initiative Regional Programme for Central Asia and Afghanistan is implemented in the spirit of the UN Reform by three recipient UN Agencies (RUNOs) - UN Women, UNFPA, and UNDP - and pursues the objective of supporting the transformative changes on the ground to eliminate violence against women and girls (EVAWG) and harmful practices (HP) in the region by advancing legislative reform, policy dialogue and advocacy, technical assistance in adaptation of the most effective measures to address sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and social norm changes required to prevent and respond to SGBV and HPs such as bride kidnapping, child and forced marriage, etc., in line with international norms and standards guiding SGBV, including the CEDAW and the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating VAWG and domestic violence, better known as the Istanbul Convention.

The Spotlight Regional Programme, with its original project duration from 2020 to 2022, will be extended to December 2023. UNDP, jointly with the UN Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) in Kazakhstan, is hiring National UN Volunteer - Spotlight Communications Specialist - to support collaborative activities carried out across all Spotlight Regional Programme Pillars to strengthen the programme outreach and communication oversight on public accounts and social media. The incumbent will be responsible for preparing Spotlight Regional Programme Communications and Visibility Plan for Phase II, with support from the RUNOs’ Communications Officers in Central Asia and Afghanistan, and in consultation with the RCO Communications and Advocacy Adviser in Kazakhstan.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Spotlight Regional Programme Coordinator, or her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Spotlight Communications Specialist will:

• Position the Spotlight Initiative, its donors and partners at regional and global level in the public, political and media agenda, as a reference programme to prevent and eradicate SGBV and harmful practices; • In collaboration with the Spotlight Regional Programme team and regional partners, develop and support implementation of the programme’s advocacy and communication strategic priorities, specifically, develop Spotlight Reginal Programme’s Visibility and Communication Plan for 2023; • Lead on the production of advocacy and communication materials (e.g., infographics, podcasts, video, audio-visual, other social media and website content, etc.) for regional campaigns, and oversees the qualitative aspects of production (e.g., quality control including respect of SGBV survivors rights, translation, review of layouts and graphic designs etc.) to ensure the highest standards and compliance with the Spotlight Initiative Communications and Visibility Guide as well as with the UN communication guidelines and policies; • Monitor and analyze the political, social and economic environment relevant to the programme’s work, as well as the public perception of the programme activities in the media, including social media and general public; identify opportunities for strategic communications interventions and recommend appropriate action to seize opportunities for increasing visibility for the regional programme; • Ensure developing and maintaining close collaboration with traditional and social media, as well as with civil society groups and organizations essential to achieving the programme’s advocacy and communication objectives; • Prepare and edit communication materials (articles, press releases, human-centered stories, social media content, videos and other advocacy/information items); • Organize media coverage and arrange for media contacts, briefings, interviews; seminars, lectures, conferences, public events on major issues and events related to the programme; • Assist in the day-to-day operation of the programme team to include participating in coordination of substantive and administrative activities of the office related to communications and advocacy, preparing communication budget submissions; • Maintain relationships with key partners in Central Asia to strengthen the overall effectiveness of the Spotlight Regional Programme’s public information activities; • Maintain/update the programme’s online communication channels, including websites as applicable and social media platforms; • Monitor media and press coverage of the Spotlight Regional Programme work to feed into the Annual Report 2022; • Support the organization of review meetings and other programme related workshops and events and ensure proper communication and dissemination of relevant information; • Monitor and coordinate the Spotlight Regional Programme advocacy and communications activities and ensure that the communication across the region is aligned with the Spotlight Initiative standards and communication guidelines; • Liaise with EU Delegation to boost visibility of the Spotlight Regional Programme; • Contribute to the Knowledge Management products development during the implementation of the regional programme that might include inventory, control of distribution, etc.; • Facilitate knowledge sharing within the region; • Perform any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

• As an active [UNDP/RCO] team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to [UNDP] and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: • Adherence to UN standards and rules; • Timely and quality inputs to communication workplans and budgets; • Tools for tracking project results against targets developed and staff guided on their use; • Quality and timely reporting; • Strong relations with partners and stakeholders; • Visibility and communication plan regularly updated and implemented; • Timely organization of advocacy and communication events; • Factsheets, infographics, press releases and other communication materials developed and disseminated; • Good practices and lessons learned compiled and disseminated. • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

Respect for Diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Demonstrating commitment to the UN System.

Core Competencies: Awareness and Sensitivity concerning Sexual and Gender-based Violence and Sexual Harassment Issues; Accountability; Creative Problem Solving; Communicating for Impact; Inclusive Collaboration; Stakeholder Engagement; Working in Teams; Thinking analytically and strategically.

Functional Competencies: Advocacy/ Advancing a policy-oriented agenda; Delivering results-oriented programmes; Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilization; Drafting and producing the communication content and materials; Tailoring language, tone, style and format to match target audience; Demonstrating openness in sharing information and keeping people informed; Engaging internal/external partners and stakeholders.

national or international level in advocacy and communication preferably in the field of gender equality with a particular focus on Gender-based violence; • Experience developing and implementing strategic, multimedia communications campaigns for a diverse audience is required; • Experience interacting and managing relations with the media is required; • Proficiency in current office Software Applications and corporate IT systems; • Ability to produce visuals, infographics, presentations etc.; • Skills of photo/video editing; • Experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies and/or donors is an asset.

Fluency in spoken and written English, Russian & Kazakh languages is required; Working knowledge of other Central Asian languages is an advantage;

Almaty city is a former capital of Kazakhstan with a total population of over 2 mln. people. It is located in the south-east of the country. The country has a continental climate, the average temperature is about +30°C in summer and −15°C in winter.

As of September 2022, the amount of the Monthly Living Allowance received by the National UN Volunteer Specialists in Almaty is approx. KZT 323,590/month. Other benefits include: -Entry lump sum of USD 400 (a one-time contribution towards expenses incurred before and initially upon commencement of service); -Comprehensive coverage for health, life and malicious acts for the UN Volunteer and health insurance coverage for up to 3 eligible dependents; -Access to UNV's learning and career development resources; -Annual leave: 2.5 days per month; -Exit allowance (paid on successful completion of the assignment).

See the UVP Entitlements calculator & UNV Conditions of Service for more details & information.