Communications and Outreach Associate

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Job Description

Mission and objectives

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers. In most cultures, volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UN Volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities. In all assignments, UN Volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive.

Context

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing United Nations Volunteers.
UNV is Headquartered in Bonn, Germany, with 6 Regional Offices in Amman (Jordan), Bangkok (Thailand), Istanbul (Türkiye), Nairobi (Kenya), Panama (Panama) and Dakar (Senegal). At country level, UNV is represented by the Field Units, integrated into the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Country Offices and UNV Offices in the UN missions.
UNV Asia and the Pacific Regional Office covers 32 countries in the region, which provide oversight and strategic guidance to the UNV Field Units (FU) and non-Field (non-FU) units in their respective geographical assignments. The FUs and Non-FUs are mainly accountable for the placement of UN Volunteers mobilized for UN Agencies, Funds, and Programmes focused on peace, development and humanitarian needs. The UNV Field Units represent and position UNV in the respective countries and bring UNV’s services and solutions closer to its partners from governments, UN entities, civil society and private sector. The Field Units are managed by Country Coordinators.
Reporting directly to the Country Coordinator, Field Unit, and with the technical guidance and supervision of the Regional Communications Officer or assigned communications focal point at regional level, the Communications and Outreach Assistant is responsible for communications activities and outputs (visuals, editorial content, social media) in support of the UNV program in the country (-ies), including content research, drafting and media production and regular update and maintenance of the UNV online country programme presence. In addition, he/she supports communications and outreach efforts, talent acquisitions activities and campaigns of the Field Unit in the assigned country(-ies). He/she closely coordinates his/her work with the communications team in the regional office and UNV headquarters and for talent acquisition actions with the regional Operations Analyst on Talent Acquisition.

Task description

Reporting to the Country Coordinator or his/her designated mandated representative(s) and with the technical guidance and supervision of the Regional Communications Officer, the national UN Volunteer Specialist Communications and Outreach Associate will:

Communications, Advocacy and Outreach:

Support development, updates and implementation of annual communication plans for the UNV Field Unit(-s);
Support design and production of communications materials for the Field Unit in coordination with the regional office;
Contribute to the development and implementation of the Regional Office Communication Plan through provision of ideas and inputs and support to communications/outreach activities in assigned countries within the region, as agreed with the regional office. This may include sourcing of volunteer success stories and visuals, supporting the management of social media channels of UNV Field Units in the region as well as carrying out of international travel in support of communications activities, as guided by the regional office;
Organize communications data and information, prepare and maintain communications records, document and report on UNV country programme’s communication activities implemented throughout the year;
Support outreach and advocacy initiatives to raise visibility and media interest in the work of UNV and the contributions made by UN Volunteers at country level;
Support promoting the volunteer stories through existing UN platforms and other agencies’ social media channels through maintaining effective coordination;
Support production of UNV photographic/video materials, newsletters, brochures, and other relevant materials at country level;
Coordinate and facilitate UNV photo missions and other communications engagements of the regional office in the assigned country(-ies);

Support organization and management of the International Volunteer Day (IVD) and other UN days (as applicable) events;
Support media coverage for important UNV activities/operations and events, e.g International Volunteer Day (IVD);
Maintain Field Unit(-s) social media platforms, and prepare social media content based on UNV country programme needs and regional priorities (international UN Days, relevant campaigns, etc.);
Run regular social media and communication analytics at country level and produce relevant reports;
Liaise with local influencers and mass media on partnerships for outreach activities;
Analyse promising practices and lessons learned on advocacy, communication and development related issues to management decisions.
Act as the Focal Point (FP) for UNV communications at country level, in liaison with, and direct supervision of the UNV Country Coordinator, participating in UNDP Country Office and other UN country system communications groups (e.g. United Nations Communications Group (UNCG), task forces for preparation and dissemination of UNV country programme’s promotional and information materials and publicity;
Extend and expand support to national and UN media for coverage of UNV country programme’s related events and activities;
Work with partner UN agencies and other partners at the country level for the publishing of information on UNV to ensure consistency of content and editorial products, regular visibility;
Support the translation of communications materials when required, ensuring brand and quality of such materials.
Provide multi-country (if applicable) communications and outreach support maintaining smooth coordination with the respective Country Coordinators and Regional Communication Officer

Talent Acquisition (with the technical guidance and supervision of the Operations Analyst on Talent Acquisition):

Support identification of local talent sourcing channels, challenges and trends, especially for hard-to-fill profiles on demand to develop prospective pipeline;
Assist with utilization of innovative and proactive methods to attract and engage potential talents, including leveraging social media, professional networks and other relevant platforms;
Establish and maintain relationships with external partners and talent providers to enhance talent acquisition capabilities and expand talent network;
Support to wider dissemination of UN Volunteer vacancies at respective country (-ies) using the social media channels and other communications sources for attracting qualified candidates
Support the regional office with sourcing UN Volunteer talents and analysis of national talent pool.
Perform any other duties, related to the assignment, upon request of the direct supervisor.

Requirements

Required experience

3 years of experience in communications, mass media, development of editorial social media content and promotional materials
Previous work experience in volunteer organizations and/or international organizations is an advantage;
Advanced computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications, e-mail and Internet;
Familiarity with design and editorial software is an asset;
Have affinity with or interest in UNV’s work, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system;
Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
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; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
Sound security awareness.