Communications Specialist, P3, EECARO, FTA

The Position:

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Regional Communications Adviser, the Communications Specialist in the UNFPA Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia is part of a team working, through a variety of communications, advocacy and outreach activities, on increasing awareness of, and generating support for, the ICPD agenda and UNFPA’s work in the region. 

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2026-2029), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.
 

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

The Communication Specialist is responsible for conceptualizing and implementing regional communications and advocacy campaigns and writing content, including human interest stories and social media posts. You will handle the Regional Office’s website and social media accounts, and will lead and/or coordinate the creation of audio visual multi-media content.  You will also help build the capacity of communications staff in the region to use relevant policies, guidelines and tools. 

You will be working closely with the Regional Communications Adviser and the regional communications team, as well as with regional thematic teams, Country Offices, HQ, and external partners, influencers, and other stakeholders, as well as service providers.  

You would be responsible for:

Communication and advocacy campaigns 

• Develop or adapt and implement high-impact communications and advocacy campaigns and activities  
• Develop innovative campaign ideas, concepts and strategies in consultation with  relevant topic leads 
• Craft user-friendly and concise online communications and advocacy messages,  including drafting new content and editing existing website/Extranet/Intranet content
• Coordinate the design of quality visual and other campaign assets 
• Contribute to the production of quality advocacy and knowledge products
• Drive effective use of design and branding in the region in line with UNFPA guidelines and policies 
• Share campaign materials with Country Offices and other stakeholders, influencers and  partners, and engage them in campaign roll-outs 
• Monitor, analyse and report campaign reach and impact  

Story-writing and editing

• Research and write human interest stories showcasing the impact UNFPA’s work has on the lives of people
• Edit stories and other content produced by Country Offices for use at regional and global levels

Audio-visual multi-media content  

• Conceptualize and oversee the production of creative, innovative and engaging audio-visual  content for use on social media, including video and infographics/data visualizations 
• Consult with, and engage, relevant stakeholders in development and production process 
• Advise clients on design style, formats, production requirements and timelines. 
• Liaise with external service providers, including designers, videographers, photographers and translators 
• Conceptualize and oversee the Office’s digital asset management system 

Social media and public website  

• Continuously monitor the social media environment, identify opportunities and develop  ideas for engagement. 
• Manage and monitor regional social media accounts  
• Maintain the regional public website 
• Set up and promote online events  

Knowledge building and sharing 

• Provide advice and support to Country Offices and Programmes, including with regard to  communication and advocacy campaigns and the development of print and audio-visual  materials. 
• Offer training and other capacity-building activities to Country Office communications  staff. 

Carry out other related tasks as required.  

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

Advanced degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or related fields. 

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in communications  at the international level
• Proven track record of designing effective communication campaigns 
• Excellent writing and editing skills 
• Experience in developing audio-visual content and working with vendors.
• High levels of organizational and project management skills
• Familiarity with UNFPA’s areas of work is a strong advantage.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.  
• Experience working in a multicultural and online environment; 
   

Languages: 

• Native-level fluency in written and spoken English is required. 
• Knowledge of the Russian language is an asset. 

Required Competencies: 

Values:

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

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

Functional Competencies:

• Leading global advocacy for organizational priorities 
• Creating visibility for the organization 
• Mobilizing resources

Managerial Competencies:

•  Engage internal/external partners, 
• Lead, develop and empower people, create impact a culture of performance 
• Making decisions and exercising judgment

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

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

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.