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 leads and coordinates United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

UN Women is operational in Moldova since 2010 on the basis of former UNIFEM projects, which were laid and active in the country from 2007. It extended continuous support to the Government of Moldova, to key stakeholders from national and local levels, through various programmes and activities aimed at creating an enabling environment for gender equality, recognized as a prerequisite for sustainable development with a strong and active policy on gender equality

In 2014, UNDP jointly with UN Women and in partnership with the East Europe Foundation (EEF) and the Centre for Participatory Development (CPD) started a new programme in Moldova: “Enhancing Women’s Political Representation through improved capacity and enhanced support in Moldova” (Women in Politics). The programme aims at ensuring an increased participation of women in politics and in the decision-making process by creating an environment conducive to their meaningful participation, and providing support to capacity development of women before, during and after the elections at the central and local levels. It will also seek to promote increased public awareness of women’s contribution to political leadership. The proposed programme will support the realization of women’s rights and commitments undertaken by the Government of Moldova.  

The programme purpose is to support gender equality advocates in creating a favourable environment for advancing women’s right to participate in decision making at national and local levels by influencing legal frameworks and policies to increase women’s leadership and political participation.

The programme consists of two inter-related components, and each UN Agency is responsible for the implementation of activities under particular areas of intervention. UN Women will be responsible for the overall programme implementation, and will be leading the specific parts related to the election legislation review and high-level advocacy for Temporary Special Measures (TSM), media capacity development, capacity of CSOs and women candidates, work with the communities and women on identifying their needs, among others. UNDP’s area of responsibility is related to the electoral assistance and administration, parliamentary affairs and capacity building of elected women and builds further on the results achieved through the previous and on-going support to the institutional capacity development of the Parliament and the Central Elections Commission (CEC) with a focus on enhancing capacities of the Election Management Bodies on gender responsive electoral management and on strengthening capacities of elected women parliamentarians and councillors for performing the elected official’s duties.

The Programme will be managed as a Joint Programme (UN Women and UNDP) on the basis of the UN Moldova Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF). The activities shall be implemented in close coordination and cooperation with the on-going UNDP Democracy Programme (2012 – 2016).

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall programmatic guidance and direct supervision of the Programme Manager, the incumbent shall be responsible for the conceptualization, planning, development, and implementation of a communication strategy of WiP program as well as coordinate a media component of the program.

The Communication specialist works in close collaboration with other programme partners and their respective teams (EEF, and CPD), with the Communications specialists of Democracy Programme, Joint Integrated Local Development Program and other program teams, UN Women RO Communications Specialist, Communications Consultant of UN Women Country Office in Moldova, and in cooperation with UNDP Communications Officer with the overall aim to support timely and synergetic implementation of the WiP programme in line with the programme document and as a contribution to the implementation of respective country plans of UN Women and UNDP.

The Communication specialist applies and promotes the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach consistent with UN Women and UNDP rules and regulations. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UN Women and UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems.

The Communications Specialist, under the supervision of Programme Manager and in close cooperation with the Joint Programme Team and UN Women country offices, shall be responsible for the conceptualization, planning, development, and implementation of a communication strategy of WiP program as well as coordinate a media component of the program by ensuring the high quality media and communication products of the program through applying human rights based approaches. More specifically:

• Coordinate Media component of WiP program, including monitoring the implementation of the relevant program initiatives; This implies coordination of the work of media, who participate in the WiP program both as partners and as beneficiaries of specific program interventions, monitoring the progress of media capacity improvement from gender equality perspectives, among others;
• Conceptualize, plan, develop and coordinate the implementation of the WIP Program communications strategy in line with the UN Women and UNDP communication guidelines;
• Coordinate process of dissemination of knowledge products in line with corporate communication policies;
• Maintain an increased coverage and understanding of WiP programme through regular media contacts, social media and provision of newsworthy information to national public and, where possible, donors;
• Cultivate and maintain effective working relationships with parliament, political parties, government, donors, civil society organizations and other relevant partners and identify opportunities for advocacy and communication partnerships in order to ensure prompt and accurate visibility of programme activities;
• Write stories, press releases and news about the program’s most important achievements to be placed in the national media as well as in the local and regional websites;
• Lead the process of developing clear and appealing messages/slogans with strong and straightforward communication and advocacy plan in support to implementing WiP programme interventions, including campaigns to mobilize key decision-makers, civil society, mass media, etc.  with the special focus on engaging men and boys to unite efforts to promote women in politics and decision making;
• Prepare a range of communication documents (press releases, articles, video scripts, etc.) including regular production of human interest stories that give a "human face" to the work of the UN Women, and support its dissemination through social media and on-line platforms (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, UN Women website).
• In cooperation with the Programme Manager coordinate development, preparation, publication and dissemination of information materials on WiP Programme and other related activities among various partners, including civil societies, UN agencies, donors, Governments, media, etc.;
• Promote the programme results in national mass media, social media and online platforms by organizing and facilitating interviews with experts in the area, maintaining relations with the mass media, etc.;
• Fulfil UN Women and UNDP guidelines on Communication and Visibility, Branding and Identity standards as well as using UN Women name and logo. Efficiently cooperate with the UN Women Regional Communication and Advocacy Specialist;
• Update and maintain electronic database of partners (UN agencies, NGOs, media, etc.);
• Provides advice and support to the Joint UN Communications Strategy;
• Undertake any other related tasks as required.

Competencies

• Demonstrate and safeguard ethics and integrity;
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN Women;
• Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds;
• Accepts responsibility and accountability for the quality of the outcome of his/her decisions;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Take charge of self-development and take initiative;
• Encourage learning and sharing of knowledge;
• Focuses on tasks/activities which have a strategic impact on programme and capacity development activities;
• Promotes a supportive environment to enhance partnerships, leverages resources and build support for UN Women and UNDP strategic initiatives;
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Job knowledge/Technical expertise/In-depth knowledge of the subject-matter

• Understands more advanced aspects of promoting women in politics and empowering women as the fundamental concepts related to gender equality and women empowerment;
• Demonstrates very good understanding of and experience in communications and outreach/advocacy
• Proven networking skills, and ability to generate interest in UN Women’s mandate
• Continues to seek new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the unit;
• Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
• Serves as internal consultant in the area of expertise and shares knowledge with staff.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Proven ability to problem-solving and think creatively to develop and implement smart business solutions in a challenging socio-economic environment;
• Ability to establish and maintain contacts with media at national and local levels, with senior-level officials of the host government required. Excellent interpersonal skills are essential part of the job;
• Ability to facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for effective communication both orally and in writing; Communicates sensitively, effectively and creatively across different constituencies
• Proven performance in organizing and coordinating major initiatives, events or challenging inter-organizational activities;
• Demonstrate informed and transparent decision making
• Adapts flexibly to changing situations, overcomes obstacles and recovers quickly from set-backs.

Leadership and self-management

• Focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Strong initiative-taker
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Ability to establish priorities for self and others, achieve results and meet strict deadlines in an effective manner, maintaining a high quality standard throughout;
• Tolerates conditions of stress, uncertainty or ambiguity and continues to maintain a positive outlook and to work productively;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Identifies opportunities and builds strong relationships with clients and partners
• Interacts effectively with all levels of the organization, including senior management
• Stay composed and positive even in difficult moments, handle tense situations with diplomacy and tact, and have a consistent behaviour towards others
• Surface conflicts and address them proactively acknowledging different feelings and views and directing energy towards a mutually acceptable solution.
• Demonstrates exceptional ability to remain calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure and tight deadlines.

Required Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree in corporate communications, public relations, media communications, social sciences, international relations, journalism and/or other relevant;
• Additional training and certification in communication and related areas is a strong advantage.

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience (post-Masters) in communications at the national or international level, including   experience in media relations. Experience in on-line outreach and multimedia an asset;
• Experience working in large development agency also pertinent.;
• Good IT skills, including databases and office software packages;
• Familiarity with gender issues. Familiarity with UN Women and UN system is an asset.;
• Outstanding oral and written communications and editing skills, with proven ability to meet tight deadlines, to handle multiple priorities simultaneously and to adapt to changing circumstances.

• Fluency in oral and written Romanian, English;
• Good knowledge of Russian is an asset.
• Working knowledge of one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova, including Bulgarian, Gagauzian, Romani, Ukrainian or sign language is an asset.