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 Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) is a partnership between the United Nations and the civil society, which supports women led and women’s rights organizations working to build peace and provide humanitarian response throughout the world. Since the end of 2016, the WPHF has been supporting over 140 civil society organizations and is present in 15 countries or group of countries.

 

UN Women hosts the Secretariat of the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund. The WPHF Secretariat provides support to the Funding Board, mobilize resources from Governments, companies, foundations, and individual, provides day to day support to Country Offices implementing WPHF programmes, ensures timely and quality monitoring and reporting. In April 2020, following the recommendation of the UNSG in his 2019 report on WPS, the WPHF Funding Board established a new Rapid Response Window (RRW) on women’s participation in peace processes, as well as a Rapid Response Window Unit to be hosted by the WPHF Secretariat.

 

Under the direct supervision of the Communications, Advocacy and Knowledge Management Analyst of the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund – Peace and Security and humanitarian section – the RRW Strategic Communications Consultant will enhance the visibility and global reach of the new WPHF Rapid Response Window among a wide range of audiences, specifically targeting women peacebuilders and women’s civil-society leaders who have the potential to participate in and influence peace processes in crises and conflict-affected contexts across the globe.

Duties and Responsibilities

The RRW Strategic Communications Consultant will play a critical role in the design, development and execution of a comprehensive visibility strategy for the new WPHF Rapid Response Window. Under the guidance of the WPHF Communications, Advocacy and Knowledge Management Analyst, and in direct support of the WPHF RRW Technical Unit, this consultant will leverage social media, web, email and additional outreach methods to enhance the global visibility, disseminate clear application instructions and optimize the reach of the WPHF RRW. This includes by rapidly communicating new funding opportunities and results to a range of audiences in multiple languages, all while contributing to the broader communications and visibility goals of the WPHF global secretariat.      

 

The RRW Strategic Communications Consultant will:

  • Design, develop and execute a comprehensive visibility strategy for the WPHF Rapid Response Window
  • Rapidly disseminate information about the RRW to ensure enhanced awareness, in both rural and urban areas and in multiple languages (English, French, Spanish, Arabic)
  • Develop and communicate clear instructions on how to request support through a simplified application process (via WPHF website page, email address and templates for requests)
  • Communicate on results and impact of RRW activities and funding across established WPHF communication channels, in strategic coordination with UN stakeholders and WPHF board members
  • Provide advice and guidance to and coordinate with Country Offices managing WPHF Rapid Response Window allocations on communication and outreach activities
  • Support WPHF communications and visibility campaigns and special events as needed
  • Contribute to WPHF website and social media
  • Contribute to the broader communication and visibility strategy and outputs of the WPHF global secretariat, including editorial production, impact story drafting, social media support and graphic design as needed

IV. Key Performance Indicators  

  • Timely and strategic dissemination of impact and results of RRW-related activities across multiple channels
  • Quality communication and instructional materials developed for potential RRW applicants
  • Information is well organized and accessible to internal and external audiences in multiple formats and languages

 

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

  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to contribute to team success and cooperation;
  • Strong organizational skills and strong self-direction;
  • Creative thinking and problem solving;
  • Strong research and communication skills;

Ability to prioritize, work under pressure with colleagues at all levels, and deliver tasks on time; 

Required Skills and Experience

 

Education and certification:

 

  • Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Communications, Political or Social Science, Economics, International Development Studies, Gender/Women's Studies is required.
  • A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience in communications may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

 

 

Experience:

 

  • Experience working in communications to enhance the visibility of organizations in multiple languages across various channels, including social media.
  • Experience in human rights, women’s rights, or related field.
  • Previous experience with the UN is a plus.

 

Language Requirements:

 

  • Fluency in English and at least two other languages (French, Spanish or Arabic) is required.
  • Additional knowledge of a fourth language is an asset.