National Communications Consultant

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Position Title: National Communications Consultant
Location: Kathmandu
Country: Nepal
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) 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, employing thousands of staff dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls globally. The organization emphasizes the importance of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, particularly in the context of humanitarian crises and natural disasters, which disproportionately affect these populations. UNFPA's strategic plan for 2022-2025 aims to end preventable maternal deaths, fulfill unmet needs for family planning, and eliminate gender-based violence and harmful practices. The organization is committed to building forward better in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, ensuring that the rights and health of women and girls are prioritized in recovery efforts.

Job Overview:
The National Communications Consultant will play a crucial role in developing culturally sensitive and actionable Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials that address the needs related to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) in emergency contexts. This position is vital in the context of Nepal, a country that faces significant vulnerabilities to natural disasters and humanitarian crises, which exacerbate existing challenges for women and girls. The consultant will collaborate closely with the Ministry of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens and the GBV Sub-Cluster to ensure that the IEC materials are contextually relevant and effective. The role involves conducting stakeholder consultations, leading focus group discussions, and facilitating validation workshops to gather feedback and ensure that the materials developed are practical and aligned with the needs of diverse communities. The consultant will report to the Humanitarian Specialist and work within the Humanitarian Response team, contributing to UNFPA's mission of safeguarding health, safety, and dignity during emergencies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for conducting consultations and stakeholder meetings at both federal and provincial levels, engaging with the Ministry of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens, GBV Sub-Cluster members, and implementing partners to gather inputs and define priorities for the IEC materials. They will design and develop IEC materials for GBV and SRH in emergencies, ensuring that the content is culturally appropriate, actionable, and aligns with national policies and guidelines. The consultant will organize and facilitate focus group discussions with women and girls in high-risk provinces, including both hill and Terai areas, to collect feedback and ensure that the materials are contextually relevant. Additionally, they will lead provincial-level validation workshops to finalize the IEC materials, engaging UNFPA provincial focal points and gathering inputs from stakeholders, including local authorities and community representatives. The consultant will revise and finalize the IEC materials based on feedback from focus group discussions and validation workshops, ensuring that the materials incorporate elements of risk communication and are accessible, inclusive, and practical for use by diverse stakeholders, including communities and service providers.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in journalism, mass communication, public health, gender studies, or a related field. They should have at least 2-5 years of experience in developing and designing communication materials, particularly IEC materials, for humanitarian or development contexts. A proven ability to create culturally sensitive, high-quality communication materials tailored to diverse audiences is essential. Candidates must demonstrate a strong understanding of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), and their significance in emergency settings. Experience working with diverse teams, including government stakeholders, civil society, and community representatives, particularly in Nepal, is required. Strong knowledge of SRHR and GBV issues within the Nepalese context, including familiarity with national policies and frameworks, is crucial. Excellent writing, storytelling, and design skills for producing impactful communication materials are necessary, along with strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively engage with stakeholders and facilitate participatory processes. Candidates should also have a proven ability to manage multiple tasks, work under pressure, and meet tight deadlines, as well as proficiency in tools for communication material development, including Microsoft Office Suite and design tools like Adobe Creative Suite.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree in journalism, mass communication, public health, gender studies, or a related field. This advanced education is essential to ensure that the consultant has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to develop effective communication materials that address complex issues related to GBV and SRH in emergency contexts.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a minimum of 2-5 years of relevant experience in developing and designing communication materials, particularly in humanitarian or development contexts. This level of experience is crucial for understanding the nuances of creating culturally sensitive materials that resonate with diverse audiences and effectively address the needs of women and girls in emergencies. Candidates should have a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders, including government entities, civil society organizations, and community representatives, particularly within the Nepalese context.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken Nepali and English is mandatory for this position. Additionally, knowledge of other local languages spoken in high-risk provinces will be considered an advantage, as it will enhance the consultant's ability to engage with diverse communities and ensure that the IEC materials are accessible to all stakeholders involved.

Additional Notes:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package, including a competitive net salary, health insurance, and other benefits as applicable. UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity, and a healthy work-life balance. The organization is committed to ensuring gender parity and encourages women to apply, as well as individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation, and selection for all, regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. The selection and appointment process may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance, and other administrative requirements. UNFPA does not charge any fees in connection with the application or recruitment process.