Communications Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda to enhance gender equality and women's empowerment. It merges the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender issues. UN Women operates in 12 countries in the East and Southern Africa Region, including Kenya, and has a mission to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between genders. The organization emphasizes the importance of human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security in its operations.

Job Overview:
The Communications Specialist will report to the Regional Director of the East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) in Nairobi. This role involves collaborating with various offices within UN Women to ensure that communication strategies and media relations align with corporate policies. The specialist will lead the development and implementation of communication and outreach strategies for the region, ensuring that gender perspectives are integrated into all initiatives. The position requires conducting communication needs assessments, designing advocacy strategies, and launching campaigns that promote UN Women’s mission. Additionally, the specialist will manage media relations, oversee the production of advocacy materials, and coordinate knowledge-sharing initiatives across the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Communications Specialist will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of communication strategies for the region, including conducting needs assessments and designing outreach plans. They will develop public advocacy materials, manage media relations, and coordinate communication knowledge-building initiatives. The role includes overseeing the regional office's web presence and social media platforms, ensuring that they align with corporate policies. The specialist will also build and maintain partnerships with advocacy groups and civil society organizations, ensuring effective communication of UN Women’s initiatives. Supervisory responsibilities include leading a team of two personnel and providing training on communication and advocacy as needed.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. The role requires at least five years of professional experience in public relations, communications, or advocacy, with a strong emphasis on media relations and social media usage. Experience in managing communication strategies at a national or international level is essential.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree or equivalent in communications, public relations, journalism, or a relevant field is required for this position. A first-level university degree may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree if accompanied by additional qualifying experience.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of professional work experience in public relations, communications, or advocacy, particularly in media relations. Candidates should have a proven track record of using social media effectively and experience in developing communication strategies at both national and international levels.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this role. Knowledge of another official UN language, such as French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, is considered desirable and may enhance a candidate's application.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya, and involves full-time responsibilities. UN Women is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all employment decisions are based on qualifications and organizational needs. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct and expects all personnel to adhere to its standards of conduct. Background checks will be conducted on selected candidates to verify academic credentials and employment history.