The women, Peace and Secuity Agenda requires proactive efforts to regularly inform stakeholders on progress, achievements and lessons learned and increase awareness at all levels. Strategic communication will also ensure that the right of women to peace remains at the centre of building a better Africa and coordinated actions around this objective

As such communication on OSE strategy built around the below four major strands is key:

• Bridging the gap between policy and implementation on the WPS Agenda
• Women’s leadership in peace processes
• Advocacy for enhanced commitments to implement the WPS agenda.
• Networking and Partnership

Through the office, UN Women provides technical support to member states, the AU Commission and ECA in the adoption, implementation and monitoring of commitments on gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) at the regional level, and in accordance with its mandate. In the context of its partnership with the AUC for the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, the UN Women Liaison to the AU and UNECA works closely with the Office of the Special Envoy of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (OSE).

Since 2019, AUC-OSE and UN Women forged joint advocacy activities towards the accelerated implementation and monitoring of UNSCR 1325 National Action Plans and GEWE commitments broadly in AU Member States. In 2022 too, with support from the Irish Aid, the partners propose to sustain the efforts through strategic policy advocacy, networking and communication related activities. Some of these include the AWLN intergenerational dialogue (December 2022), the Positive Masculinity Forum (November 2022), Africa Pre-CSW 67 consultative process (November 2022) AU Heads of States summit related side events (January 2022), CSW 67 New York (March 2022).

About the Consultancy

Against this background, UN Women proposes to recruit an experienced Communication Consultant, to support the roll out of the OSE’s strategy through sustained visibility actions and outreach to stakeholders.

The consultant will be hosted by the AUC-OSE and will support all strategic communications related actions to strengthen the collaboration between the AUC-OSE and AU Member States, UN agencies, CSOs  and other key partners. The role would contribute to increased awareness and commitment to implement the WPS agenda by relevant stakeholders.

The communication consultant will be required to undertake the following:

2.1. Communication Strategy

• Develop OSE  communication strategy for 2022 -2023 focusing on the implementation of the WPS Agenda in Africa and the leadership of women in the transformation of Africa in line with Agenda 2063.
• Develop a living data base of target groups, relevant messages, channels and key products for effective visibility and impact of the WPS activities.
• Facilitate the production and dissemination of WPS videos through AU media channels, Twitter, YouTube and Other digital channels.
• Produce short films and animation messages to be aired through different media channels and disseminated through WPS Networks throughout the continent.
• Perform media review and analysis with data on outreach and impact.
• Guide photographers and videographers from the AUC in the production of videos and photos.
• Produce topical articles, Op-Eds and Newsletters and other publicity articles.

2.2. Media relations:

• Establish and maintain liaison with regional and international media houses and dissemination platforms.

• Identify outreach and media opportunities, write related press releases and media advisories as well as disseminate to broad and up-to-date mailing lists.
• Track and promote media coverage of high impact/visibility activities.

2.3. Publicity and external communications:

• Liaise with stakeholders to ensure a coherent approach to communication initiatives related to the reporting and monitoring of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda

• Widely disseminate news using various mediums including the website, social media accounts, and the post-event publications and mailing lists.
• Oversee the design, development and launch of online information on OSE’s work
• Oversee the design work and printing of various publications.
• Catalogue and build an active audio-visual storage and library (press releases, articles) containing all materials.

The consultant is expected to ensure adherence to the branding and visibility strategy of AUC including in the use of promotional materials, the effective use of the media in promoting the work of the office and the effective distribution and dissemination of information.

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity 
• Profesinalism

Core Competencies:

• Awarness and senstivity regarding Gender issues
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Education  

• An advanced degree in Communication, Journalism, Political science, Gender studies, Peace and Security or related field with a minimum of four years relevant experience.

Experience

• First-level university degree in combination with four additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Experience in the design and management of advocacy campaigns will constitute a sold advantage.
• Experience in using technology such as Adobe Photoshop, In Design and other softwares.
• Experience working with intergovernmental and/or regional organizations including the United Nations (UN) and African Union (AU).
• Knowledge of GEWE and experience communicating on GEWE is critical.

Language and Other Skills

• Excellent knowledge of written and oral communication in English. Knowledge of any other AU language is an asset
• Full command of Microsoft applications, particularly Word, and other relevant software.

Application:

All applications must include (as an attachment) a completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment.