Communications Associate

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights, aiming to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and territories, employing thousands of staff dedicated to advancing human rights and improving health outcomes globally. The organization is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and addressing critical issues such as maternal health, family planning, and gender-based violence. UNFPA's strategic plan for 2022-2025 emphasizes transformative results and calls for collaboration among member states and organizations to build a better future, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disproportionately affected women and girls.

Job Overview:
The Communications Associate position is situated within the Philippines Country Office of UNFPA. This role is pivotal in supporting the planning and execution of the country office's advocacy and communication strategies. The Communications Associate will work under the guidance of the Representative and the direct supervision of the Partnerships and Advocacy Specialist. The position involves analyzing the political and communication landscape of the Philippines to identify advocacy needs and opportunities. The Communications Associate will engage in various communication activities, including content creation, media relations, social media management, and event support, all aimed at enhancing the visibility and impact of UNFPA's programs and initiatives. This role is essential for ensuring effective communication of UNFPA's mission and objectives, particularly in the context of the ongoing 9th Country Programme (2024-2028) that aligns with national development goals and the global Agenda 2030.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Communications and Coordination: Support the development and implementation of the Country Office communication and advocacy strategy to enhance visibility and engagement around UNFPA’s mandate. Ensure quality messaging and provide guidance to staff for effective communication. Contribute to planning, resource mobilization, and monitoring of communications activities.
• Media and Public Relations: Monitor and analyze media trends, maintain media contacts, and support the organization of press briefings, interviews, and events to promote UNFPA’s work.
• Content Creation and Digital Engagement: Draft and edit compelling stories, press materials, and digital content for various platforms. Coordinate the production of multimedia materials and manage online engagement, ensuring alignment with UNFPA guidelines.
• Campaigns and Partnerships: Assist in designing and delivering advocacy and communication campaigns, coordinating with partners and media to enhance outreach efforts.
• Data, Research, and Knowledge Management: Analyze communication metrics to assess performance and inform planning. Support knowledge sharing and maintain digital assets.
• security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Information Security and Reporting: Ensure the confidential handling of sensitive information and monitor communication activities, results, and lessons learned.
• Supervision and Capacity Support: Provide guidance and supervision to junior staff or service providers and contribute to team learning and collaboration. Carry out other duties as required by UNFPA leadership.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have completed secondary level education, with a first-level university degree in communications or a related field being desirable. A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in communications and/or advocacy is required, including at least 2 years of relevant experience at the national level in public relations. Experience in media relations, news reporting, editing, and social media management is essential. Familiarity with population issues, sexual and reproductive health, and gender-based violence is an asset. Proficiency in office software applications and web-based management systems is required, along with experience in a multilateral or international organization being a plus.

Educational Background:
The position requires completed secondary level education as a minimum. A first-level university degree in communications or other relevant areas is desirable, indicating a preference for candidates with formal education in fields related to communication, media, or advocacy.

Experience:
Candidates should possess at least 7 years of professional experience in communications and/or advocacy, with a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in communication, advocacy, and partnership at the national level. Experience in media relations, news reporting, and social media management is crucial for this role, as is familiarity with issues related to sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Filipino is required for this position. A working knowledge of other UN languages would be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage in a multilingual environment and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is a full-time, fixed-term role with an initial duration of one year, subject to renewal based on satisfactory performance. UNFPA emphasizes a work environment that reflects equality, diversity, and integrity, and encourages applications from women, individuals from minority groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups. The organization offers a competitive remuneration package, including a net salary and health insurance, and does not charge any fees during the application or recruitment process.