Communications and Advocacy Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 by the United Nations General Assembly as the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The organization was created as part of the UN reform agenda, aiming to consolidate resources and mandates to enhance impact in the area of gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women merges and builds upon the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender issues. The organization operates globally, with a mission to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. UN Women is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, promoting mutual respect and equality in its workforce.

Job Overview:
The Communications and Advocacy Specialist position at UN Women is designed to provide leadership in communications and advocacy to support regional and national initiatives, programs, and campaigns. The role involves collaborating closely with various offices within UN Women, including Headquarters, Regional, Multi-Country, and Country Offices, to ensure that communications strategies and media relations align with corporate policies. The Specialist will be responsible for developing and implementing communication and outreach strategies, particularly focusing on media engagement. This position is crucial in advancing UN Women’s influence and securing resources through effective communication and advocacy efforts. The Specialist will also play a key role in mobilizing support for intergovernmental processes and organizing special events for UN Women, thereby enhancing the organization's visibility and impact.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and implementation of communication and outreach/advocacy strategies and plans, focusing on media engagement. This includes conducting communication needs assessments, designing and implementing strategies, and monitoring media coverage.
• Develop and disseminate advocacy materials, including briefing materials, press releases, and articles, while coordinating their distribution through effective channels.
• Manage media relations by building relationships with press, responding to inquiries, organizing press events, and facilitating interviews with senior managers.
• Build and maintain partnerships with donors and advocacy partners, ensuring effective communication and outreach to civil society organizations and governments.
• Oversee the regional office's web presence, including website management and social media accounts, ensuring alignment with corporate policies.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and capacity building by identifying best practices and providing training on communication and advocacy.
• Perform other duties as necessary for the efficient functioning of the office and organization, including leading a team of five affiliate personnel.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in communications, public relations, journalism, or a relevant field. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Candidates must possess strong communication, networking, and advocacy skills, as well as the ability to provide strategic advice and analysis. Knowledge of gender and human rights issues is desirable, along with experience in managing web-based knowledge systems and social media outreach.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of communication and advocacy in the context of gender equality and women's empowerment.

Experience:
At least five years of professional work experience at the national or international level in public relations, communications, or advocacy is required. This includes experience in media relations and the use of social media. Experience in international organizations is also necessary, as it provides the context for understanding the global landscape of gender issues and advocacy.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Spanish is required for this position. Knowledge of Portuguese and/or French is considered desirable, as it enhances communication capabilities in diverse contexts and with various stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and involves leading a team of five affiliate personnel. UN Women is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that recruitment and employment practices are free from discrimination. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy regarding conduct that undermines its objectives, including sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, and discrimination. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form are completed to avoid disqualification from the recruitment process.