Communications Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and has a mission to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The organization emphasizes the importance of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, and it works to ensure that every individual has access to reproductive health services and information. UNFPA's strategic plan for 2026-2029 aims to end preventable maternal deaths, unmet needs for family planning, and gender-based violence, aligning its goals with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) agenda. UNFPA is committed to addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women's and girls' access to health services and rights, and it seeks principled and ethical staff who embody international norms and standards.

Job Overview:
The Communications Specialist at UNFPA's Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia plays a crucial role in enhancing the visibility and understanding of UNFPA's mission and activities in the region. This position involves conceptualizing and implementing regional communications and advocacy campaigns aimed at raising awareness and generating support for the ICPD agenda and UNFPA's work. The specialist will be responsible for creating compelling content, including human interest stories and social media posts, and managing the Regional Office's website and social media accounts. Additionally, the role includes leading the production of audio-visual content and building the capacity of communications staff across the region. The Communications Specialist will collaborate closely with various stakeholders, including regional thematic teams, Country Offices, and external partners, to ensure effective communication strategies are in place and executed successfully.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Communications Specialist will undertake a variety of duties and responsibilities, including:

• Developing and implementing high-impact communications and advocacy campaigns that resonate with target audiences.
• Crafting user-friendly and concise online communications messages, including drafting new content and editing existing materials for the website and other platforms.
• Coordinating the design and production of quality visual assets for campaigns, ensuring alignment with UNFPA guidelines.
• Monitoring, analyzing, and reporting on the reach and impact of campaigns to assess effectiveness and inform future strategies.
• Researching and writing human interest stories that highlight the impact of UNFPA's work, as well as editing content produced by Country Offices for regional and global use.
• Conceptualizing and overseeing the production of engaging audio-visual content for social media, including videos and infographics.
• Managing and monitoring regional social media accounts, maintaining the public website, and promoting online events.
• Providing advice and support to Country Offices on communication strategies and capacity-building initiatives.
• Carrying out other related tasks as required to support the overall mission of UNFPA.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field. They should have a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in communications at the international level, demonstrating a proven track record of designing effective communication campaigns. Excellent writing and editing skills are essential, along with experience in developing audio-visual content and collaborating with vendors. High levels of organizational and project management skills are required, as well as familiarity with UNFPA's areas of work, which is considered a strong advantage. Candidates should also exhibit excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively in a multicultural and online environment.

Educational Background:
The ideal candidate should hold an advanced degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of communication strategies and the nuances of public relations in an international context.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in communications, particularly at the international level. Candidates should have a demonstrated ability to design and implement effective communication campaigns, showcasing their expertise in this area. Experience in developing audio-visual content and managing projects is also essential, as well as familiarity with the workings of UNFPA and its mission.

Languages:
Native-level fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of the Russian language is considered an asset, as it may enhance communication with stakeholders in the region and broaden the reach of advocacy efforts.

Additional Notes:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package, including a competitive net salary, health insurance, and other benefits as applicable. UNFPA promotes a work environment that reflects values of gender equality, diversity, integrity, and a healthy work-life balance. The organization is committed to ensuring gender parity and encourages applications from women, individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA emphasizes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation, and selection for all candidates, regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity.