Communications Specialist

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 UN Women office in Ethiopia plays a dual role, representation to the African Union (AU) and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and representation to Ethiopia. In this regard, under its regional function, the Ethiopia country office engages with the AU and its various organs, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), regional (Africa wide) women’s rights networks, as well as the diplomatic community and in particular, delegations to the African Union. Through the office UN Women is able to provide technical support to member states and the AU 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.

A midterm review of the Strategic Note undertaken in 2018 confirmed that UN Women continues to be relevant to the realities, challenges and emerging issues faced by women and girls in Ethiopia and in Africa.  It further recommended that, for UN Women to become a knowledge hub and a partner of choice on GEWE at both Ethiopia as well as regional level, there is need to strengthen its internal capacity in communications, knowledge management and advocacy. A communications and knowledge management strategy/plan (for the CO as well as for individual programmes) aligned with RO strategy and plan would support clear and systematically organized internal and external communications and knowledge management.

It is on this background that UN Women is strengthening their Communications Team and seeking the services of a competent Communications Officer to lead the design, implementation and management of the UN Women Ethiopia Communications and Knowledge Management Strategy and team.

Reporting to the Representative to Ethiopia, Communications Specialist will supervise a small team of communications team and ensure that Communications becomes integral to all the programmes of the office.  She/He will also collaborate closely with the Regional and Headquarters Communications teams to ensure the results from Ethiopia are shared widely internally and externally. In undertaking her/his duties, the Communications Officer will o ensure communications strategies, media relations and organizational outreach efforts are aligned with corporate communications policies and initiatives.

The Communications Analyst works in close collaboration with the Programme, Operations and technical teams in the Country Office and the Headquarters and Regional communications teams, staff of other UN Agencies, Government officials, media, multilateral and bilateral donors and civil society.

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 Country Office, 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;

2. Lead the development and dissemination of advocacy materials in the country

• 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 Country Office

• 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 and other media related content / materials

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’s 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 Country Office 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 country offices in region as shown in coherent and relevant regional public presence

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

Education

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Gender Studies, International relations, communications, public relations, journalism or relevant field is required

Experience

• At least 5 years of professional relevant work experience at national or international level in public relations, communications or advocacy, resource mobilization, with experience in a multilateral or international organization a great asset, advocacy with gender-related programs is also an asset including in media relations;
• Experience in the use of social media;
• Experience in media relations is an asset.
• Experience in multimedia production

Language Requirements

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

UNWOMEN is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.