Communications and Advocacy Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda to enhance the impact of gender equality and women's empowerment initiatives. The organization merges the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender issues. UN Women operates globally, with a mission to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men. The organization has a significant presence in Japan, where it has been actively engaged in promoting gender equality since the establishment of the UN Women Japan Liaison Office (JLO) in 201

• The JLO serves as a strategic entry point for partnerships with key stakeholders in Japan, including government entities, civil society, and the private sector, to advance gender equality initiatives.

Job Overview:
The Communications and Advocacy Consultant will play a pivotal role in enhancing the visibility and impact of UN Women’s work in Japan. This position involves developing and implementing advocacy and outreach strategies aligned with UN Women’s Strategic Plan. The consultant will lead efforts to engage diverse stakeholders, including media institutions, to promote gender equality and women's empowerment. The role requires a strong understanding of communication strategies, media relations, and advocacy initiatives, particularly in the context of significant events such as the thirtieth anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. The consultant will also manage partnerships with various organizations and coordinate advocacy campaigns, ensuring that UN Women’s messaging is effectively communicated to target audiences.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic guidance on the development and implementation of communication and advocacy/outreach plans, including designing JLO’s strategic work plan for advocacy activities.
• Establish effective media relations and manage communications strategies to enhance UN Women’s visibility in Japan.
• Develop and manage partnerships with advocacy partners, including the media and private sector, to promote initiatives like the Unstereotype Alliance and HeForShe.
• Coordinate with UN Women’s HQ and other regional offices to align advocacy efforts and share best practices.
• Produce high-quality communications materials, including reports, social media content, and press releases, to engage stakeholders and the public.
• Organize events and workshops to promote gender equality initiatives and ensure timely reporting to partners.
• Manage interns and support advocacy and communications-related activities.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate should possess a first-level university degree in communications, media studies, journalism, gender, international relations, or a related field. A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in areas such as journalism, public relations, advocacy, or digital communications is required. Proven experience in media relations and organizing events is essential. Familiarity with UN Women’s Strategic Plan and gender issues is advantageous. Excellent writing and analytical skills, particularly in English and Japanese, are necessary for this role. Knowledge of social media platforms and proficiency in design software like Adobe Photoshop and InDesign are also beneficial.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have at least a Bachelor’s degree in communications, media studies, journalism, gender, international relations, international development, marketing, or a related field. Advanced degrees may be preferred but are not mandatory.

Experience:
A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience is required, with a focus on journalism, public relations, advocacy, or digital communications. Experience with UN Women or other UN organizations is an advantage, as is familiarity with the Japanese private sector. The candidate should have a proven track record in media relations and event planning.

Languages:
Fluency in both Japanese and English is required for this position. Knowledge of another UN language, such as French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian, is considered an advantage.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is local office-based, and candidates should be prepared for potential travel within Japan as part of their duties. The position is full-time, and UN Women is committed to diversity and inclusion in its hiring practices. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct and expects all personnel to adhere to its standards of conduct. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history.