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.

UN Women Liberia country Office contributes to its global corporate mandate to make the vision of the sustainable Development Goals a reality for women and girls and stands behind women’s equal participation in all aspects of life. Its main objective is to promote women’s human rights and gender equality which are key in sustaining and furthering achievements in stability and development.  In this regard, its programming in the Country is connected to five corporate priority areas: (1) women’s leadership and political participation; (2) enhancing women’s economic empowerment; (3) engaging women in all aspects of peace and security processes; (4) advancing women’s rights to live free from violence; and (5) Implementing gender responsive budgeting and governance. UN Women also coordinates and promotes the UN system’s joint work in advancing gender equality.

Reporting to the Communication Specialist, the Communications Officer is responsible for assisting in the planning and implementation of the Office communications and advocacy strategies to increase the standing and awareness of UN Women with partners, the media and the public. 

The Communications Officer works in close collaboration with the Programme, Operations and technical teams in the CO/RO, HQ/Regional communications teams, staff of other UN Agencies, Government officials, media, multilateral and bilateral donors and civil society.

Duties and Responsibilities

Plan and design communication and outreach/advocacy strategies and plans

• Prepare and conduct communication needs assessments for the RO/CO, including projects, programmes and corporate change initiatives;
• Analyze requirements and synthesize proposals for elaboration of communication strategies; ensure gender perspective;
• Integrate communication, advocacy and outreach strategies into proposals for project/programmes and other initiatives;
• Monitor and analyze print and social media and draft reports;
• Coordinate in-country UN Women/ UN system corporate and local campaigns and special events;
• Provide advice and guidance to CO/ in the region.

Coordinate and implement the development and dissemination of advocacy materials in the country/region

• Develop and produce communication instruments and materials, including briefing materials, press releases, and drafts of articles, and manage its dissemination;
• Identify and propose information opportunities, activities, approaches and platforms and partners;
• Promote and disseminate corporate advocacy materials for launching flagship initiatives, publications, and campaigns;
• Manage the translation/adaption/rewriting of information received, printing and dissemination of publications and audio-visual materials;
• Provide communications support to partners and ensure all communication materials comply with the UN Women and donor branding guidelines.
• Maintain information database and photo library
• Follow guidelines from HQ and RO.

Coordinate media relations for the CO/RO

• Manage relationships with press in country; maintain and update database of relevant press;
• Respond to a variety of inquiries and information requests; prepare related correspondence;
• Organize roundtable discussions, press conferences, and briefing sessions for press, as required;
• Draft talking points.
• Prepare press releases, articles, key messages, and other advocacy materials;
• Provide logistical and programme support for all advocacy initiatives and events
• Monitor media reports online and in print and compile the daily media monitoring report for sharing with UN Women Liberia staff
• Compile weekly media monitoring reports featuring UN Women Liberia

Build and maintain partnerships and maintain relations with donors

• Identify and develop new communication partnerships and alliances to enhance visibility;
• 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;
• Provide inputs to packages for programme initiatives for donor review.

Maintain the CO/RO’s web/ online presence

• Manage CO/RO’s websites’ content and maintenance based on corporate requirements;
• Manage the CO/MCO’s social media accounts in line with corporate social media policy;
• Research, compile and produce reports on social media statistics on a regular basis
• Upload information to knowledge management system on a regular basis, including news, updates, and resources.

Facilitate knowledge building and sharing

• Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country goals and activities;
• Provide training and workshops on communication and advocacy, as appropriate

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Honesty

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
• Accountability
• Creative Problem Solving
• Effective Communication
• Inclusive Collaboration
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Leading by Example

Functional Competencies

• Ability to communicate sensitively, effectively and creatively across different constituencies
• Good understanding of production, graphic design and photography standards
• Good knowledge of social media platforms and experience in social media outreach
• Good knowledge of local country media landscape
• Good communication, presentation, networking and advocacy skills
• Ability to be strategic and analytical
• Knowledge of gender and human rights issues desirable
• Ability to establish, build and sustain effective relationships with various stakeholders including the media
• Ability to gather content, write stories and take good photographs
• Ability to identify relevant events and stories and communicate them to a mass audience

Key Performance Indicators:

• Quality inputs and analysis into the communications strategy for the office
• Timely monitoring of current events and trends
• Quality and relevant advocacy materials and content
• Timely updating of website and social media
• Timely dissemination of materials as shown by knowledge of UN Women’s activities in country
• Regular interactions with mass media, as shown by coverage
• Quality audio/visuals materials showcasing UN Women activities in country
• Timely delivery of developed communication and advocacy materials in high quality

Required Skills and Experience