UN WOMEN Jobs - 77564- Communications Specialist

Communications Specialist

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Cairo, EGYPT

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Starting Date :

30-May-2018

Application Deadline :

30-Mar-18 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

NO-C

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year

Languages Required :

Arabic English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One year

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

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.

The Regional Office for the Arab States (ROAS) covers 17 countries in the Arab States region and provides support to UN Women Country Offices in Egypt, Iraq, the State of Palestine, Jordan and the Morocco Multicounty Office (MCO) covering Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria. In addition, UN Women has a programme presence (PP) in Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, Libya, Kuwait and Bahrain. ROAS works with these field offices to support countries to implement their international commitments to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment.

ROAS operations are guided by the Strategic Note 2018 – 2021, which is itself aligned with the global UN Women Strategic Plan and key international frameworks such as Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, the Beijing Platform for Action, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and other international norms and standards. The ROAS Strategic Note is also informed by, and will contribute to, implementation of the UN Women Africa Strategy.

A significant element of the Strategic Note is an enhanced strategic approach to communications, with the aim of increasing the visibility of ROAS and public awareness of both success stories and the specific gaps and challenges to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in the region. It is imperative that communications methodologies adopted by ROAS are suited to the regional context and able to attract and support the engagement of diverse stakeholder groups, including youth, civil society, national and regional authorities etc.. ROAS’s communications activities will also support effective advocacy and aim to strengthen and expand partnerships with diverse stakeholders in the region and internationally.

Reporting to the Coordination Specialist, the Communications Specialist will collaborate closely with the Headquarters, Regional, Multi-Country Office, Country Offices and Programme Presences (RO/MCO/CO/PP) colleagues to ensure communications strategies, media relations and organizational outreach efforts are aligned with corporate communications policies and initiatives. S/he also collaborates with RO and MCO/CO/PP colleagues to support outreach campaigns, resource mobilization and donor relations initiatives; s/he mobilizes support in conjunction with intergovernmental processes, and support the activities and special events organized for UN Women.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Lead the development and implementation of communication and outreach/advocacy strategies and plans, with a specific focus on media

Conduct communication needs assessments for the RO, including projects, programmes and corporate change initiatives;
Design, develop, and implement communication and outreach/advocacy strategies, including media 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 prepare reports;
Launch in-country UN Women/ UN system corporate and local/regional campaigns and special events;
Provide advice and guidance to and coordinate with CO/ PP and MCOs in the region.

2. Lead the development and dissemination of advocacy materials in the Arab States region

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 coordinate launching flagship initiatives and publications in the region;
Lead the engagement and supervision of video producers and other communication specialists to produce audio/ visual material on UN Women’s work;
Develop brochures, factsheets, stories from the field to inform media and general public at the regional level;
Follow guidelines from and report to HQ.

3. Manage media relations for the RO

Lead relationship building with press in country; maintain and update database of relevant press;
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 senior managers; connect media with UN Women subject experts;
Finalize talking points.

4. Build and maintain partnerships and maintain relations with donors

Identify and develop new communication 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 other offices to ensure consistency with corporate policies, messaging and initiatives;
Submit packages for programme initiatives for donor review.

5. Oversee the CO/MCO/RO web/online presence

Oversee and maintain (regional) websites, including developing design and content;
Coordinate MCO and COs’ web-presence in the line with corporate web policy;
Oversee and manage (regional) social media accounts in line with corporate social media policy.

6. Facilitate knowledge building and sharing

Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned from CO/PP and MCO directly linked to programme country goals and activities and ensure exchange of information;
Provide training and workshops on communication and advocacy as appropriate.

Key Performance Indicators

Quality communications strategy and timely implementation which leads to greater exposure and understanding of UN Women’s work;
Quality and relevant advocacy materials and content or the website and social media channels;
Regular interactions with mass media, as shown by coverage;
Regular interactions with donors, as shown in increased funds;
Regular exchange of information between MCO/ CO/PP in the region as shown in coherent and relevant regional public presence.

Competencies

Core Values

Respect for Diversity
Integrity
Professionalism

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;
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;
Strong oral and written communication and editing skills;
Strong communication, networking and advocacy skills;
Ability to provide advice and be strategic and analytical;
Good knowledge of local country media landscape;
Knowledge of gender and human rights issues is desirable.

Required Skills and Experience

Education and certification

Master’s degree (or equivalent) in communications, public relations, journalism or relevant field is required.

Experience

At least 5 years of professional work experience at national or international level in public relations, communications or advocacy, including in media relations;
Experience in the use of social media;
Experience in media relations is an asset.

Language Requirements

Fluency in English and Arabic is required;
Knowledge of the other UN official working language is an asset.