Programme Communication Officer

Programme Communication Officer

UN Women India

Mission and objectives

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.

Established by General Assembly resolution 64/289 of 2 July 2010 on system-wide coherence, with a mandate to assist the Member States and the United Nations system to progress more effectively and efficiently towards the goal of achieving gender equality, women’s empowerment, and upholding women’s rights, UN Women’s global programmatic priorities for the period 2018-2022 are: (a) a comprehensive and dynamic set of global norms, policies and standards on gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls is strengthened and implemented; (b) women lead, participate in and benefit equally from governance systems; (c) women have income security, decent work, and economic autonomy; (d) all women and girls live a life free from all forms of violence; and (e) women.

Context

The strategic communication team effectively promotes UN Women’s gender equality and empowerment mandate in the country. It addresses the need for tailored communication efforts that resonate with various stakeholders, including the beneficiaries of these programs. By leveraging digital media, engaging with stakeholders, and conducting impactful storytelling, UN Women can enhance the visibility of gender equality initiatives, advocate for women's rights, and drive meaningful change. The outlined responsibilities ensure a comprehensive approach to communication that supports UN Women’s mission and amplifies its impact on gender equality. The Strategic Communication team is seeking to recruit two team members who will be responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive communication strategy to highlight and promote UN Women’s gender equality and empowerment programs. This strategy will ensure alignment with the organization's global goals and priorities.

General

Expected start date - 16/09/2024

Duration - 8 months (with possibility of extension)

Task description

1. Strategic Communication for Gender Equality Programs
• Implement communication strategies that highlight UN Women’s gender equality and empowerment programs, ensuring they align with the organisation’s global goals and priorities.
• Tailor communication efforts to address gender-specific issues and promote women’s rights and empowerment.

2. Content Development and Storytelling
• Design and draft impactful content including talking points, success stories, case studies, and program reports that showcase the achievements and challenges of UN Women’s initiatives.
• Ensure that content effectively communicates the program’s impact on gender equality and is consistent with UN Women’s branding and messaging guidelines.

3. Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy
• Engage with key stakeholders such as beneficiaries, partners, donors, and government officials to share updates on UN Women’s programs and gather feedback.
• Organize events, briefings, and discussions to advocate for women’s rights and amplify the voices of those affected by gender inequality.

4. Media and Public Relations
• Develop and disseminate press releases, media advisories, and fact sheets to highlight program milestones and successes.
• Cultivate relationships with journalists and media outlets to secure coverage and enhance the visibility of UN Women’s work.

5. Digital and Social Media Management
• Implement UN Women’s social media plan including designing, posting and tracking performance of content that highlights program activities and engages with followers.
• Monitor social media platforms for trends and discussions related to gender equality that the ICO can leverage, responding to inquiries and feedback as needed.

6. Cross Function Coordination
• Facilitate communication within UN Women’s program teams to ensure consistent messaging and coordination of communication activities.
• Prepare internal updates, newsletters, and reports to keep staff informed about program developments and communication strategies.

7. Monitoring and Evaluation of Communication Efforts
• Track and assess the effectiveness of communication strategies in promoting UN Women’s programs and achieving gender equality goals.
• Prepare analytical reports on communication outcomes and their impact on program visibility and stakeholder engagement.

8. Advocacy and Public Awareness Campaigns
• Develop, design and implement advocacy campaigns to raise awareness about gender equality issues and mobilize support for UN Women’s initiatives.
• Collaborate with advocacy teams to integrate program messages into broader UN Women campaigns and initiatives.

9. Event Planning and Management
• Plan and execute events related to UN Women’s programs, such as conferences, workshops, and community outreach activities.
• Handle event logistics, including communication, promotion, and coordination, to ensure successful and impactful outcomes.

10. Capacity Building for Communication
• Provide training and support to UN Women staff on effective communication practices and tools specific to gender equality programs.
• Develop resources and toolkits to assist program teams in crafting compelling messages and content.

Eligibility criteria

Age

18 - 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

5 years of experience in communications, public relations, journalism, or other relevant programs at the national and/or international level;
• Experience working with a PR agency is an asset.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including excellent drafting, formulation, & reporting abilities.
• Accuracy & professionalism in document production & editing.
• Proficiency in using various MS Office applications, Canva, InDesign; familiarity with database management & office technology equipment.
• Solid understanding of digital communication tools & social media platforms.
• Familiarity with tools & approaches of communications for development.
• Strong writing & storytelling skills, with the ability to create impactful content.
• Experience in crafting content that effectively communicates program impacts & adheres to branding and messaging guidelines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive.
• Ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels.
• Experience in organizing & facilitating events, briefings, and discussions to advocate for women’s rights & amplify affected voices.
• Experience in developing & disseminating press releases, media advisories, & fact sheets.
• Established relationships with journalists & media outlets to secure coverage and enhance organizational visibility.
• Proficiency in managing social media platforms, creating and sharing content that highlights program activities and engages followers.
• Ability to monitor social media trends & discussions, and effectively respond to inquiries and feedback.
• Strong facilitation skills to ensure consistent messaging and coordination across program teams.
• Experience in preparing internal updates, newsletters, and reports to keep staff informed about program developments and
• Monitoring and Evaluation of Communication Efforts
• Skills in tracking and assessing the effectiveness of communication strategies.
• Ability to prepare analytical reports on communication outcomes and their impact on program visibility and stakeholder engagement.
• Advocacy and Public Awareness Campaigns
• Experience in developing and implementing advocacy campaigns to raise awareness about gender equality issues.
• Ability to collaborate with advocacy teams to integrate program messages into broader organisational campaigns and initiatives.
• Proven event planning and management skills, including organising conferences, workshops, and community outreach activities.
• Ability to handle event logistics, communication, promotion, and coordination to ensure successful outcomes.
• Capacity Building for Communication
• Experience in providing training and support on effective communication practices and tools.
• Ability to develop resources and toolkits to assist program teams in crafting compelling messages and content.

Area(s) of expertise

Communication, Community development, Development programmes

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required
Hindi, Level: Fluent, Desirable

Required education level

Master degree or equivalent in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, International Relations, Development Studies, or a related field.

Competencies and values

• Demonstrates strong written and oral communication abilities, effectively conveying complex information to diverse audiences.
• Upholds high ethical standards, demonstrating consistency in actions and decisions that align with UN Women’s values.
• Works collaboratively with colleagues and partners, valuing diverse perspectives and fostering a spirit of teamwork.
• Establishes productive partnerships with programme teams and media, understanding and addressing their needs with appropriate solutions.
• Applies critical thinking and problem-solving skills to address complex issues, utilizing strong research and analytical abilities.
• Shows respect and sensitivity for gender issues, actively promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.
• Develops clear goals and priorities, efficiently allocating time and resources to achieve organizational objectives.
• Remains effective under pressure, adapting to changing circumstances and embracing new challenges with flexibility.

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

New Delhi, as a duty station, presents a dynamic and diverse environment. The living conditions in this vibrant metropolis offer a mix of cultural richness, historical significance, and modern amenities. The city provides various housing options, catering to different preferences and needs. New Delhi's cosmopolitan atmosphere allows for easy integration into its multicultural society. While the city boasts a range of international schools, medical facilities, and recreational opportunities, it is essential to be mindful of factors such as air quality and traffic congestion. Additionally, due diligence is essential, especially when it comes to being cautious with street food and water. New Delhi is well-connected with extensive air travel options, both domestic and international, through Indira Gandhi International Airport. The city has robust public transportation, including the Delhi Metro, buses, and taxis. New Delhi experiences extreme weather conditions, with very hot summers (April to June), a monsoon season (July to September), and cool winters (November to February). It is advisable to prepare accordingly for these varying climates. New Delhi has numerous medical facilities, including hospitals and clinics that provide a wide range of services. Private hospitals offer high standards of care, though costs can be high without adequate insurance.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. This position is based in New Delhi. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan. National UN Volunteers are expected to be culturally sensitive and adjust to the prevailing culture and traditions.

The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.

The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents - except for UN Community Volunteers), as well as final repatriation (if applicable).

For information specific to your assignment please see below:
• Monthly Voluntary Living Allowance (VLA): INR 58,346.66
• Entry lump sum (one-time payment): USD 400 (equivalent in INR)
• Travel ticket if/when moving to duty station: USD 200 (equivalent in INR)
• Exit allowance (paid on successful completion of the assignment): 1 VLA/12 Months
• Medical and life insurance Cigna Private Insurance

Leave entitlements
• Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month
• Certified sick leave: 30 days
• Uncertified sick leave: 7 days
• Learning leave: 10 working days per consecutive 12 months
• Maternity leave: 16 weeks
• Paternity leave: 10 days


You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator.

The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

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