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 Surging Women’s Employment Initiative (SWEI) seeks to increase women’s employment in the Arab States region by 5% by 2030 through innovative and collaborative approaches across governments, international financial institutions, the private sector, UN agencies, NGOs, and media. The Communications Specialist will play a critical role in supporting the initiative’s visibility, outreach, and advocacy efforts by producing high-quality content and supporting the implementation of communication strategies.

Reporting to the Director of the SWEI Flagship Initiative and the Regional Communication Specialist (dual reporting lines), the Communications Analyst is responsible for assisting in the planning and implementation of the communications and advocacy strategies to increase the standing and awareness of the Flagship initiatives with partners, the media and the public.
 
The Communications Analyst works in close collaboration with the Programme, Operations and technical teams in the RO, and the Regional communications teams, personnel of other UN Agencies, Government officials, media, multilateral and bilateral donors and civil society.

Scope of Work:

Plan and design communication and outreach/advocacy strategies and plans for the SWEI Flagship

  • Prepare and conduct communication needs assessments for the COs relevant to the SWEI Flagship;
  • Analyze requirements and synthesize proposals for elaboration of communication 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 draft reports;
  • Coordinate in-country UN Women/ UN system corporate and local campaigns and special events; and
  • Provide advice and guidance to relevant CO in the region.

Coordinate and implement the development and dissemination of advocacy materials in the country/region for the SWEI Flagship

  • Develop and produce communication instruments and materials, including briefing materials, press releases, and drafts of articles, and manage its dissemination;
  • Identify and propose information opportunities, activities, approaches and platforms and partners;
  • Promote and disseminate corporate advocacy materials for launching flagship initiatives, publications, and campaigns;
  • Manage the translation/adaption/rewriting of information received, printing and dissemination of publications and audio-visual materials; and
  • Follow guidelines from HQ and RO.

Coordinate media relations for the SWEI at RO and CO levels 

  • Manage relationships with press in country; maintain and update database of relevant press;
  • Respond to a variety of inquiries and information requests; prepare related correspondence;
  • Organize roundtable discussions, press conferences, and briefing sessions for press, as required; and
  • Draft talking points.

Build and maintain partnerships and maintain relations with SWEI donors 

  • Identify and develop new communication partnerships and alliances to enhance visibility;
  • 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; and
  • Provide inputs to packages for programme initiatives for donor review.

Maintain the SWEI RO’s web/online presence 

  • Manage the SWEI page on the RO’s websites content and maintenance based on corporate requirements; 
  • Manage the CO/MCO’s social media accounts in line with corporate Social Media Policy; and
  • Upload information to knowledge management system on a regular basis, including news, updates, and resources.

Facilitate knowledge building and sharing

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

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: N/A

Competencies:

Core Values:

  • Integrity;
  • Professionalism;
  • Respect for Diversity.

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 Values and Competencies Framework: 

Functional Competencies:

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

Required Qualifications:

Education and Certification:

  • 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.

Experience:

  • At least 2 years of professional work experience in public relations, communications or advocacy is required;
  • Experience in media relations is desirable;
  • Experience in the use of social media is required;
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems is required;
  • Experience in the use of a modern web-based ERP System, preferably Oracle Cloud, is desirable.

Languages:

  • Fluency in English is required;
  • Fluency in Arabic is required;
  • Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable (French).

Statements :

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.

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Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.