Communications Specialist

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. 

UN Women has been working in Afghanistan since 2002 (as UNIFEM until 2010). Current programmes are closely aligned with national priorities, focusing on four thematic areas: women’s political participation, ending violence against women, women’s economic empowerment and women, peace, and security which includes humanitarian action. UN Women provides financial and technical support to help strengthen national women’s types of machinery and works with local partners to promote lasting institutional, attitudinal, and behavioral change at all levels.

Reporting to the Country Representative, Communications Specialist will collaborate closely with the Country Office (CO), as well as Regional Office (RO) and Headquarters (HQ) colleagues to ensure communications strategies, media relations, and organizational outreach efforts are aligned with corporate communications policies and initiatives. The Communications Specialist also collaborates with CO and RO colleagues to support outreach campaigns, resource mobilization, and donor relations initiatives. The Communication Specialist mobilizes support in conjunction with intergovernmental processes and supports the activities and special events organized for UN Women.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Lead the overall development and implementation of communication and outreach/advocacy strategies and plans in the Afghanistan CO (CO), with a specific focus on media, partnerships and knowledge management

• Conduct communication needs assessments for CO, including projects, programs, 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/programs and other initiatives;
• Launch of in-country UN Women/ UN system corporate and local/regional campaigns and special events;
• Provide input to the CO’s a web/ online presence. 

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

• Develop and produce public information materials, including briefing materials, media talking points, press releases, and articles and coordinate its dissemination through effective channels; 
• Identify information opportunities, activities, approaches and platforms and partners in Afghanistan;
• Provide advice on advocacy materials and coordinate launching flagship initiatives and publications in the region;
• Review brochures, factsheets, stories from the field to inform media and the general public at the regional level;
• Ensure that guidelines from HQ and RO are followed.

3. Manage media relations for the CO

• Lead media relations with press in the country; maintain and update database of the 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;
• Pitch stories to media, organize editorial roundtable discussions, press conferences, and briefing sessions with the press;
• Facilitate interviews with senior managers; connect media with UN Women subject experts, and field stories
• Finalize media talking points.

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. Facilitate knowledge building and sharing

• Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned from COs, directly linked to programme country goals and activities and ensure the exchange of information; 
• Provide training and workshops on communication and advocacy as appropriate for staff, partners and others

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Divers

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
• Good knowledge of local country media landscape and media contacts
• 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
• Affinity with UN Women’s mandate
• Knowledge of gender and human rights issues is desirable

Required Skills and Experience

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 5 years of professional work experience at national or international level in journalism, public relations, communications or advocacy, including in media relations;
• Experience in leading advocacy and outreach campaigns

Language Requirements:

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