Communications and Advocacy Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women is an organization grounded in the vision of equality as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. Its mission is 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. Established to address gender equality issues, UN Women has been actively involved in various initiatives and partnerships globally. In Japan, UN Women has a significant presence, having established the Japan Liaison Office (JLO) in 2015 in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo. This office serves as a strategic entry point for liaising with key decision-makers in the government, private sector, media, academic institutions, and civil society organizations. UN Women Japan also collaborates closely with the UN Women Japan National Committee to support national advocacy, public awareness, and resource mobilization efforts. The organization operates in multiple countries and has a diverse workforce dedicated to promoting gender equality.

Job Overview:
The Communications and Advocacy Consultant will play a pivotal role in leading advocacy, outreach, and communications efforts for UN Women in Japan. Reporting to the Director of the Japan Liaison Office, the consultant will work closely with UN Women’s Communications Division at headquarters to enhance the organization's profile in Japan. The consultant will be responsible for developing an advocacy and outreach strategy aligned with UN Women’s Strategic Plan and corporate priorities, particularly focusing on the upcoming thirtieth anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 2024-2

• This role involves managing partnerships with media institutions, leading campaigns with the private sector, and engaging youth groups to promote gender equality and women's empowerment. The consultant will also oversee interns supporting advocacy and communications activities, ensuring that UN Women’s initiatives are effectively communicated and promoted across various platforms.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic guidance on the development and implementation of communication and advocacy/outreach plans, including designing and implementing JLO’s strategic work plan for key advocacy activities. Propose innovative solutions to enhance communication strategies through media analysis. Coordinate with UN Women divisions to enhance advocacy partnerships in Japan. Manage communications risks and develop advocacy materials.
• Establish strategic communications and manage media relations by designing a comprehensive communications strategy that enhances UN Women’s visibility. Prepare strategic communications products, produce content for visibility, facilitate media interviews, and increase media engagement. Manage media relations, maintain a database of journalists, and organize events around key international days.
• Develop and manage partnerships with advocacy partners, including the Unstereotype Alliance and HeForShe Initiative, by creating strategies and expanding outreach to the private sector. Collaborate with the UN Women Japan National Committee to ensure brand consistency.
• Perform other duties as necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization, ensuring timely reporting and implementation of workshops and events.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a master’s degree in communications, media studies, journalism, gender, international relations, international development, marketing, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. Candidates must possess a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in areas such as journalism, public relations, advocacy, or digital communications, with a focus on gender issues. Proven experience in media relations and event planning is essential, along with excellent writing and analytical skills. Familiarity with UN Women’s Strategic Plan and experience with the Japanese private sector are advantageous.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a master’s degree in a relevant field such as communications, media studies, journalism, gender, international relations, international development, or marketing. A first-level university degree may be accepted if combined with additional qualifying experience. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of gender issues and effectively communicating them to diverse stakeholders.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in fields such as journalism, public relations, advocacy, or digital communications, ideally with a focus on gender issues. Candidates should have a proven track record in media relations, event planning, and communications strategy development. Previous experience with UN Women or other UN organizations is a plus, as is familiarity with the Japanese private sector.

Languages:
Fluency in both Japanese and English is required for this position. This bilingual proficiency is essential for effective communication with diverse stakeholders and for producing high-quality advocacy and communications materials. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is office-based, and the position may involve official travel as necessary. The role is expected to be full-time, and the consultant will be responsible for managing interns and collaborating with various stakeholders to achieve the objectives of UN Women in Japan. The position may also involve working on specific campaigns and events aligned with international observances related to gender equality.