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.

The UN Women Albania programme is framed under the GoA and UN Programme of Cooperation 2017-2021 and it supports government, civil society and gender equality advocates in cooperation with UN agencies and international development partners to achieve national and international commitments towards gender equality. UN Women actively contributes to existing UN inter agency coordination structures, including the UNCT and the Joint Communication Group. Un Women chairs the Gender Results Theme Group, which also supports advocacy and public awareness around gender equality and the empowerment of women.

UN Women more specific areas of programme intervention in Albania focus on:

1. Ending Violence against Women
2. Governance, National Planning and Budgeting
3. Women’s leadership and political participation
4. Women’s economic empowerment

During implementation of Annual Work plans as well as to achieve results in the above mentioned areas, UN Women will organize a series of different events such as launching of publications or reports, study visits in support to main partners, conferences, campaigns, trainings, and field visits that will be held in Tirana and in other regions where programme is being implemented. These events require adequate media coverage and visibility conveying specific messages and targeting specific audiences. Moreover, UN Women will also regularly contribute with articles related to UN Women Albania mandate, activities and results to be published in different websites (UN Albania, UN Women/Region, UN Women HQ etc.) and Facebook page.

UN Women Albania has developed a Communication Strategy to ensure higher visibility to its mandate, activities and results. Among the main recommendations made in the strategy was the need to ensure a systematic and strategic coverage of UN Women Albania activities. Another main communication document is the Strategy on Social Media recommending and increased visibility of UN Women work in social media. In line with corporate and national communication strategy and advocacy, UN Women Albania office will also lead a number of national campaigns with different purpose and target groups. 

In light of these needs, UN Women Albania is recruiting a National Communication Officer to lead and increase UN Women outreach, visibility and communication in Albania.

The National Communication Officer will collaborate closely with the Regional and Headquarters colleagues to ensure communications, media relations and Country Office outreach efforts are aligned with corporate communications policies and initiatives. S/he also collaborates with Country Office colleagues to support programme visibility, advocacy campaigns and donor relations initiatives. In addition, she liaises with communications community of the other UN agencies in the country. The recommendations from Country Office communication documents together with the direct work with programme coordinators will guide the work plan and results expected by the National Communications Officer.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the UN Women Representative and in collaboration with Country Office Programme personnel, the National Communication Officer’s main responsibilities are as follows:

Provide substantive support to the planning and design of external communication and outreach/advocacy strategies and plans

• Provide analysis for elaboration of communication strategies; ensure gender perspective;
• Integrate communication, advocacy and outreach strategies into proposals for project/programmes and other initiatives, as necessary;
• Ensure strategic, innovative as well as regular media coverage (content and visuals) of office and programme activities in the above mentioned areas;
• Monitor and analyze print and social media and provide analysis to Regional Office;
• Provide substantial inputs, ensure focus and support to the launch of in-country UN Women/ UN system corporate and local campaigns and special events, as well as monitor the implementation and results of the above activities
• Provides support to UN Women Country Office staff and builds internal capacity on media initiatives and media relations, including activities in connection with global advocacy campaigns, launch of flagship reports and corporate and office publications;
• Supports Programme team in the development of high quality publications following UN Women standard publication and branding guidelines.
• Provide inputs to the Country Office quarterly and annual reports and other reports as needed based on results achieved throughout the year;

Coordinate and contribute substantively to the development and dissemination of advocacy materials in the country

• Draft briefing materials, and press releases and coordinate its dissemination through effective channels, by ensuring timely and relevant print and TV briefings, coverage and updates on different UN Women events as per the agreement with staff and senior management.
• Identify storylines for publication and articles;
• Promote and disseminate corporate advocacy materials for launching flagship initiatives, publications, and campaigns;
• Coordinate the translation/adaption/rewriting of information received, printing and dissemination of publications and audio-visual materials;
• Building on existing dissemination contact lists, identify targeted dissemination networks for the office publications and information, including UN Women and UN partners, donors, NGOs, academic institutions, private sector partners, and other constituents.
• Facilitate information distribution on UN Women programmes to relevant partners and stakeholders;
• 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, as delegated.
• Follow communications and advocacy guidelines from HQ and Regional Office.
• Coordinate with UN Communication Officer in the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator and UN Agencies communication focal points in joint events and activities

Coordinate media relations for the Country Office

• Develop a media plan to ensure systematic media coverage to increase office visibility and targeted outreach both in different media outlets such as print, online and TV in line with programme and office strategic interventions;
• Coordinate the establishment of relevant relationships;
• Maintain list of relevant media in country; Support liaison with Albanian Media and different journalists to increase office visibility as well as to promote substantive coverage of issues related to UN Women mandate/initiatives;
• Respond to inquiries for public and UN system information materials;
• Organize roundtable discussions, press conferences and briefing session for press, as required;
•  Provide logistical support related to media for the organization of publicity/outreach for the CO programme, knowledge-sharing events and promotional opportunities, especially UN events;
• Draft talking points.

Coordinate the Country Office’s web/ online presence

• Coordinate CO’s websites’ content and maintenance based on corporate requirements;
• Coordinate CO’s social media accounts in line with corporate social media policy;
• Upload information to knowledge management system on a regular basis, including news, updates, resources.
• Systematically update UN Women Albania website, Facebook and Twitter accounts in coordination with relevant personnel, to increase interaction and engagement of online audience;

Facilitate knowledge building and sharing

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

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

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf?la=en&vs=637

Functional Competencies:

• Ability to communicate sensitively, effectively and creatively across different constituencies
• Knowledge of web-based management systems
• Knowledge of production, graphic design and photography standards
• Knowledge of social media platforms and experience in social media outreach
• Knowledge of local country media landscape
• Communication, networking and advocacy skills
• Ability to be strategic and analytical
• Knowledge of gender and human rights issues desirable

Required Skills and Experience

Academic/Education requirement:

• 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.

Work Experience:

• At least 5 years of relevant work experience at national or international level in public relations, communications or advocacy;
• Experience in the use of social media.
• Experience with gender issues and challenges would be considered an asset
• Experience or familiarity with the UN system or similar international organizations is desirable

Language Requirement:

• Fluency in English and Albanian is required;

Application Procedure:

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online. Applications should contain:

• Cover letter stating your interest in and qualifications for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the online application.
• Completed and signed UN Women Personal History Form - http://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment

Please make sure you have provided all requested documents.

How to Submit the Application:

To submit your application online, please follow the following steps:

• Download and complete the UN Women Personal History Form (P11)  http://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment;
• Merge your UN Personal History Form (P11) and cover letter into a single file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded.
• Click on the Job Title (job vacancy announcement).
• Click “Apply Now” button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and then click “Submit Application;”
• Upload your application/single file as indicated above with the merged documents
• You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system

Special consideration  

As this position is under Service Contract modality, only citizens of Albania and those holding valid working permit in Albania will be considered for the vacancy.

UN Women 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.