Consultant for Communication Strategy Development

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. It was created as part of the UN reform agenda to consolidate resources and mandates for greater impact on gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women merges and builds on the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender equality and women's empowerment. The organization operates globally, advocating for women's rights and gender equality, and works in collaboration with various stakeholders including civil society and government entities.

Job Overview:
The consultant will be responsible for developing a comprehensive Communication Strategy for the Ethiopian National Action Plan on Women Peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security (NAP on WPS). This strategy aims to create awareness and support for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which emphasizes the importance of women's participation in peace processes. The consultant will conduct a situational analysis, identify communication objectives, analyze target audiences, and outline a communications approach that includes risk management and evaluation frameworks. The consultant will also facilitate a validation workshop to finalize the strategy based on stakeholder feedback.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's primary responsibilities include preparing an inception report that reviews existing literature and outlines the methodology for developing the communication strategy. The consultant will then develop the communication strategy itself, which should include situational analysis, communication objectives, target audience analysis, and a detailed implementation plan. The consultant will present the strategy at a validation workshop, incorporate feedback, and prepare a final policy brief. Deliverables include a comprehensive inception report, a draft communication strategy, and a finalized communication strategy after validation.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong background in communications, public relations, or journalism, with a Master's degree or equivalent in a related field. A PhD is considered an advantage. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. The consultant should demonstrate a solid understanding of gender equality, women peace and security, and humanitarian action, along with experience in developing communication strategies.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree or equivalent in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field is required. A PhD is an added advantage. Alternatively, a first-level university degree with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
The consultant should have a minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in journalism, communications, and outreach at national, regional, or international levels. Experience in developing communication strategies and a strong understanding of gender issues, particularly in the context of peacebuilding and conflict resolution, is essential. Familiarity with the Women Peace and Security Agenda and experience working with UN agencies or UN Women is a strong asset.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Amharic is required. Knowledge of additional languages is considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
This is a home-based consultancy with a maximum of one trip outside of Addis Ababa for the validation workshop. The consultant will report to the Program Specialist, WPSHA, and will be supported by the WPS Programme Officer. The consultancy will involve close collaboration with UN Women, the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, and the Technical Committee on the National Action Plan on Women Peace and Security. The payment schedule is structured around the completion of deliverables, with 20% paid upon submission of the inception report, 60% upon submission of the draft communication strategy, and 20% upon finalization of the strategy after the validation workshop.