UNV Communications Specialist

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.

Eligibility criteria

Minimum age: 25 years old. Nationals of the country of assignment are not eligible, except the assignments in Headquarters duty stations.

Description of task

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Project Manager, the UNV Communications Specialist will:

1. Lead the development and implementation of communication and outreach/advocacy actions in line with the communication and visibility plan

• Design, develop, and implement communication and outreach/advocacy activities, including media strategies;
• Monitor and analyze print and social media and prepare reports related to the Action;
• Support the programme team to launch the Action-related campaigns and special events;
• Provide advice and guidance as requested.

1. Lead the development and dissemination of advocacy materials

• Develop and produce communication and advocacy instruments and materials, including briefing materials, press releases, and articles and coordinate its dissemination through effective channels;
• Identify and launch information opportunities, activities, approaches and platforms and partners;
• Provide advice on advocacy materials and publications to be developed within the Action at the country and regional levels;
• Lead the engagement and supervision of video producers and other communication specialists to produce the related audio/ visual material;
• Develop brochures, factsheets, stories from the field to inform media and general public at the regional level.

3. Manage media relations

• Lead relationship building with press, maintain and update database of relevant press in line with the objectives/priorities;
• Respond timely and clearly to media inquiries and to a variety of inquiries and information requests; prepare related correspondence; identify topics, background information, news-related development and coverage of interest;
• Organize roundtable discussions, press conferences, and briefing sessions with press;
• Facilitate interviews with partners and personnel of the Action;
• Develop talking points.

4. Build and maintain partnerships

• Identify and develop the communication-related partnerships and alliances to enhance visibility; manage and nurture existing partnerships;
• Liaise with advocacy partners and undertake outreach to civil society organizations, governments, and other groups to ensure that newsworthy information reaches the public and donors;
• Guide and collaborate closely with communication colleagues in the country offices to ensure consistency with corporate policies, messaging and initiatives.

6. Facilitate knowledge building and sharing

• Provide support to identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned from COs and MCOs directly linked to Action’s country goals and activities and ensure exchange of information;
• Provide training and workshops on communication and advocacy as appropriate.

Qualifications/Requirements

Required degree level:

Master degree or equivalent

Education - Additional Comments:

• Type of degree: Master’s degree (or equivalent) in communications, public relations, journalism or relevant field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Required experience:

60 Months

Experience remark:

• Years of work experience: At least 5 years of professional work experience at national or international level in public relations, communications or advocacy on gender equality and women’s empowerment;

Language skills:

• English(Mandatory), Level - Fluent
• Russian(Optional), Level - Working Knowledge

Area of expertise:

Gender equality and the advancement of women, Knowledge management, archiving and documentation, Public information and reporting

Area of expertise details:

• Strong understanding on gender equality issues
• Expertise on managing web-based knowledge management systems
• Strong knowledge of social media platforms and experience in social media outreach
• Expertise on media relations

The incumbent must be a dynamic, multi-functional person, who supports the Joint Action with professionalism, dedication and client orientation, and who must be willing both to work on programmatic/substantive aspects and to provide operational/logistical services.

The following competencies are required:

• Ability to communicate sensitively, effectively and creatively across different constituencies
• Strong knowledge of managing web-based knowledge management systems
• Strong understanding of production, graphic design and photography standards
• Strong knowledge of social media platforms and experience in social media outreach
• Oral and written communication and editing skills in English, at native speaker level
• Strong communication, networking and advocacy skills
• Ability to provide advice and be strategic and analytical
• Good knowledge of local media landscapes
• Knowledge of gender and human rights issues is an asset

Driving license:

No

Competencies values:

Accountability, Commitment and Motivation, Communication, Integrity, Leadership, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Working in Teams

Application procedure:

If you have not yet registered in the UNV Talent pool, please apply by registering your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/signup.

Important: Once you have created your UNV account by validating your email address, please complete all sections of your profile.

Go to‘My Page’ section of your profile, click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink and select the special call you would like to apply.

If you are registered in the UNV database, please update your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/profileGo to ‘My Page’ section of your profile, click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink and select the special call you would like to apply.

Application deadline: 07-02-2021

Disclaimer

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme which welcomes applications from qualified professionals.