Youth Mobilization and Communications Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as a response to the United Nations General Assembly's call for a dedicated entity to promote gender equality and empower women. The organization is grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and works towards eliminating discrimination against women and girls, empowering women, and achieving equality between women and men. UN Women leads and coordinates efforts within the United Nations system to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action globally. The organization operates in multiple countries and collaborates with civil society and other relevant actors to build effective partnerships. In the Arab States region, UN Women is implementing a regional programme called 'Dare to Care' from October 2023 to April 2027, focusing on transforming patriarchal social norms and masculinities across six countries: Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Tunisia, Lebanon, and Palestine. The programme aims to promote gender equality and women's empowerment by engaging men and boys in unpaid care and household responsibilities, thereby contributing to shifting discriminatory social norms that hinder women's participation in the workforce and public life.

Job Overview:
The Youth Mobilization and Communications Specialist will operate under the guidance of the 'Dare to Care' Regional Programme Manager. This role is pivotal in leading the youth engagement and communications efforts of the DTC regional programme. The Specialist will provide substantive technical support and collaborate closely with team members, communications officers, and youth focal persons from various UN Women offices. A significant aspect of this position involves designing and implementing the 'Hand in Hand' regional social mobilization campaign, which aims to increase the involvement of men and boys in unpaid care and household responsibilities. The Specialist will work with external stakeholders, including government partners, civil society organizations, UN agencies, and the media, to ensure maximum outreach and impact of the campaign. The role also includes monitoring, documenting, and reporting on the campaign's results and lessons learned, as well as developing high-quality communications materials and managing a network of youth leaders and activists.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Youth Mobilization and Communications Specialist will lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of the 'Hand in Hand' regional campaign targeting youth across the Arab region. Responsibilities include designing the campaign's strategic elements, managing the action plan, supervising vendors involved in campaign development, and ensuring the campaign's consistency with ethical standards. The Specialist will engage with various stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society organizations, and the private sector, to maximize the campaign's impact. Additionally, the Specialist will coordinate the Youth Advisory Group, develop communication and advocacy materials, manage media relations, and ensure effective dissemination of information. The role also involves monitoring and evaluating the campaign's progress and impact, preparing reports, and supporting resource mobilization efforts for the DTC programme.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in Gender/Women’s Studies, Communications, Journalism, Marketing, International Development, International Relations, Social Sciences, or related fields. Academic credentials in gender/women’s studies are considered a strong asset. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in corporate external communications for programmes or organizations, with a proven record in campaign coordination and successful implementation of campaigns related to social norms change for gender equality. A deep understanding of cultural nuances involved in gender norms in the Arab region and experience in youth mobilization are also required. Previous experience working within the UN system is an asset.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's degree in relevant fields such as Gender/Women’s Studies, Communications, Journalism, Marketing, International Development, International Relations, or Social Sciences. A strong academic foundation in gender studies is highly valued. Candidates with a first-level university degree and additional qualifying experience may also be considered. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of gender issues and effectively engaging with diverse stakeholders in the context of the DTC programme.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in corporate external communications, particularly in the context of programmes, projects, or organizations. Candidates must have demonstrated experience in campaign coordination, specifically with a successful track record of implementing at least two campaigns focused on social norms change for gender equality. Additionally, experience in promoting gender equality and a nuanced understanding of cultural dynamics related to gender norms in the Arab region are essential. Experience in youth mobilization is also required, while familiarity with promoting positive masculinities is desirable. Previous work experience within the UN system is considered an asset.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Arabic is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of French, which is another official UN working language, is considered an asset. Proficiency in these languages is crucial for effective communication and engagement with diverse stakeholders across the Arab region.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and involves working closely with various stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society organizations, and youth leaders. The role may require travel within the region to facilitate campaign activities and stakeholder engagement. UN Women is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, and candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The organization adheres to a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims and objectives, including discrimination and harassment. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks to ensure compliance with UN Women’s standards of conduct.