Humanitarian Communications Consultant

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Position Title: Humanitarian Communications Consultant
Location: New York City
Country: United States
Deadline Date: 20 February 2025

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is a leading organization in the field of reproductive health and rights, established in 196

• With a mission to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries. The organization focuses on improving reproductive health, gender equality, and population dynamics, employing approximately 4,000 staff members worldwide. UNFPA is committed to advocating for the rights of women and girls, particularly in humanitarian crises, and mobilizing resources to support its initiatives.

Job Overview:
The Humanitarian Communications Consultant will play a crucial role in supporting the implementation of UNFPA's humanitarian communications strategy. This position aims to enhance UNFPA's reputation as a key emergency responder, particularly in advocating for the rights of women and girls affected by crises. The consultant will coordinate with various UNFPA offices, including the Division for External Relations (DER), Humanitarian Response Division (HRD), and regional and country offices, to produce impactful humanitarian content. The consultant will report to the Media and Humanitarian Advisor in the Media and Communications Branch (MCB) and will be responsible for developing and executing communications strategies, drafting key messages, and managing media outreach.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's duties will include initiating regular contact with country offices and regional humanitarian communications teams to develop and implement effective communications strategies. They will draft key messages, press releases, and UNFPA statements in collaboration with local, regional, and technical experts. The consultant will support the development of humanitarian communications campaigns, gather data from various reports and assessments, and ensure visibility for donor governments on global digital channels. They will represent UNFPA at UN-wide crisis communications group meetings and support reputational crisis management efforts, including drafting strategies and messaging. The consultant will work closely with team members in the Media and Communications Branch and will be responsible for ongoing communications work delivered through various digital platforms.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of 7 years of experience at both national and international levels, with significant experience in coordinating compelling communications during humanitarian crises. They should have a proven ability to create engaging humanitarian content for diverse audiences across social media and web platforms. A strong understanding of traditional media, experience in pitching stories, and handling journalists is essential. Candidates should demonstrate maturity and experience in dealing with senior management and humanitarian partners, as well as the ability to develop effective communications strategies to promote UNFPA's work and advocate for women's and girls' needs. Superior writing and editing skills, along with a proactive and organized approach, are crucial for success in this role.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree in the humanities, communications, or a related field is required for this position. This educational background will provide the necessary foundation for understanding the complexities of humanitarian communications and the UN's operational framework.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 7 years of relevant experience, with a strong focus on communications in humanitarian contexts. This experience should include coordinating communications efforts, developing strategies, and engaging with various stakeholders in the humanitarian sector. Familiarity with UNFPA's operations and the broader UN humanitarian communications structure will be advantageous.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, and knowledge of another UN language is considered an asset. This linguistic capability will enhance the consultant's ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to involve occasional travel as needed. The consultant will work closely with other team members and will be required to deliver communications work through video conferencing, MS Teams, Google Suite, and other electronic means. The application deadline is set for 20 February 2025, and interested candidates should submit their applications via email to Jefferys@unfpa.org with the specified subject line.