Communications Analyst, NOB, Suva, Fiji

The position:

Under the supervision of the Director/Representative and with the guidance of the Deputy Director, and in close collaboration with the UNFPA Pacific Communications Specialist, the Communications Analyst is responsible for coordinating, networking, implementing and monitoring communications and advocacy strategies and related products and activities on an ongoing basis, with the aim of promoting awareness, understanding, support and respect for UNFPA’s mission.

The Communications Analyst is the focal point for communications and media strategies for UNFPA Pacific Sub-Regional Office (PSRO) and the Multi-Country Programme for the 14 Pacific Small Island States and Territories. He/she works with the Technical Advisors and Programme Officers at PSRO and with the Pacific Country Offices and provides substantial input into external communications and advocacy aspects of project formulation, implementation and reporting.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, and every young person’s potential is realized. UNFPA’s Strategic Plan (2022-2025) reaffirms the relevance of UNFPA’s current strategic direction and focuses on three transformative outcomes: end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These outcomes set out our strategic commitments to accelerate progress towards the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action to 2030. Our Strategic Plan calls on UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better” as we address the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, recover lost gains, and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need employees with principles and ethics, who promote these international norms and standards and defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is looking for candidates who transform, inspire and deliver impactful and sustainable results. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional stewards of the resources entrusted to them and committed to delivering outstanding programme results.

You are responsible for:

Communications and advocacy strategy:

• Develop and maintain the UNFPA Pacific Sub Regional Office’s clear communications and advocacy strategy and associated work plan to Positioning UNFPA as the lead agency on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender-based violence (GBV) in the Pacificand to strengthen and expand supporters’ engagement with UNFPA’s mission and objectives, and to enhance the organization’s credibility and brand.
• Design communications and advocacy strategy and associated work plan. Maintain close collaboration with senior management, and technical/programme team and country offices for effective overall coordination and to ensure that communications and advocacy strategy contributes to office-wide communications and advocacy objectives.

Media Relations:

• Develop and maintain PSRO’s media strategy and engagement plan, aligned with communications and advocacy objectives, with clearly defined success indicators and targets to maximise opportunities for collaboration with national and international media.
• Ensure that PSRO has a well-maintained and regularly updated contact list of journalists and media covering all media – print, TV, radio, digital, etc. – and a successful process of communicating and maintaining regular contact and close cooperation with the online and traditional media.
• Provide expertise in effective media strategies and implement proactive media communications, building long-term relationships in close collaboration with PSRO senior management.
• Coordinate media events, information sessions, trainings and site visits for journalists and other related events.
• Advise senior management on issues of concern and identify issues requiring communications preparation and response. Additionally, respond to media inquiries.

Development and dissemination of communication tools

• Drafting and developing key communications products, including key messages, media bulletins, press releases, position papers, audiovisual, photographic and print materials, and facilitating their distribution and dissemination to the public and other key stakeholders.
• Provide editorial guidance (i.e., editing and proofreading) to the technical team and information managers to ensure quality control on communications products, including reports.

Networks and partnerships:

• Represent UNFPA on the Pacific UN Communication Group and assist UNFPA in contributing to the One UN-One Voice aspects of the joint advocacy efforts.
• Responsible for initiating, maintaining and strengthening relationships with celebrities and influencers.
• Update the mapping and engagement plan of partners and stakeholders as part of the UNFPA Pacific Communications and Advocacy Strategy.

Global Priorities and Campaigns:

• PSRO has an effective process for integrating UNFPA’s regional and global communications priorities into PSRO-level initiatives and campaigns and for disseminating them in a locally appropriate manner.
• Lead the development of campaigns, materials and activities at PSRO level, ensuring alignment with regional and global priorities as appropriate.

Support in building partnerships and mobilizing resources:

• Support UNFPA Pacific senior management with quality input for funding proposals, donor reporting, annual reports and other materials.

Resource management and monitoring:

• Ensure that both human resources (communications team under the communications department) and financial resources (budget planning, management and monitoring) are managed effectively and used optimally.
• Provide technical support to ensure that a set of communications performance indicators is identified and adjusted as necessary, and that these communications indicators are included in all annual work plans.
• Conduct timely and accurate monitoring and evaluation activities to ensure that communications objectives are achieved and the strategy is effective.
• Identify equipment and materials needs for UNFPA offices in the Pacific for effective communications and assist in procurement.

Capacity development:

• As part of the office’s annual work plan, I plan and lead communications trainings for UNFPA Pacific staff, both at the PSRO and at the country offices.

Qualifications and experience:

Education:

• A master’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, social sciences, or a related discipline.

Knowledge and experience:

• At least two (2) years of sustained professional experience at mid-level in a national/international development, health and/or gender programme related to the UNFPA mandate.
• Demonstrable experience working in the field of communications and advocacy.
• Demonstrable knowledge of communications, information management and public relations.
• Demonstrable writing and editing skills and the ability to communicate effectively.
• Excellent knowledge of using social media and traditional media.
• The ability to think and plan strategically.
• Knowledge or skills in visual design and website development.

Languages:

Expert knowledge of English. Working knowledge of the local language.

Required competencies:

Values:

• Embodying integrity,
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,
• Embracing cultural diversity,
• Embracing change.

Core competencies:

• Getting results,
• To be accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Analytical and strategic thinking,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
• Communicating for impact.

Functional competencies:

• Advocacy/promotion of a policy-oriented agenda,
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/building strategic alliances and partnerships,
• Delivering results-oriented programs; Internal and external communications and advocacy to mobilize results.

Compensation and benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package consisting of a competitive net salary, plus health insurance and other applicable benefits.

UNFPA Working Environment:

UNFPA provides a working environment that reflects the values ​​of gender equality, diversity, integrity and a healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender equality in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, ethnic minorities, indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and other underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in appointment, training, compensation and selection for all, regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the core of UNFPA’s workforce – click here for more information.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background checks, reference checks, medical examinations, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interview, test or other fees related to the application or recruitment process. Nor does UNFPA handle applicants’ bank account information.

Candidates for positions in the international professional and higher categories who have permanent residence status in a country other than their country of nationality may be required to renounce this status upon appointment.

Notification:

UNFPA strives to achieve diversity in its workforce in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Persons from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are also encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.

UNFPA does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any form of harassment, including sexual harassment, abuse of power and discrimination. All selected candidates will therefore undergo strict reference and background checks. Only selected candidates will be contacted for the next phase of the selection process.