Communication and Advocacy Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945, currently comprising 193 member states. Its mission is to promote peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and cooperation among nations, and to address global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. The UN Development System, which includes the UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO), was reformed in 2019 to enhance its effectiveness in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 203

• The UN RCOs support countries in their development priorities and are led by UN Resident Coordinators, who are the highest-ranking UN officials in the country. The organization operates in numerous countries worldwide, employing thousands of staff members dedicated to various humanitarian and development efforts.

Job Overview:
The Communication and Advocacy Officer plays a crucial role in the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) in Lilongwe, Malawi. This position is designed to enhance the UN's communication strategies and advocacy efforts to effectively engage with target audiences and stakeholders. The officer will be responsible for maintaining relationships with various internal and external partners, including UN agencies, government officials, civil society, and media representatives. The role involves gathering insights from media monitoring, implementing communication strategies, drafting narratives, and producing communication products such as press releases and reports. The officer will also coordinate communication campaigns, develop strategic partnerships, and ensure the integrity of information shared by the UN. This position is vital for raising awareness about the UN's work and driving engagement with the community and stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Gather insights and analyze traditional, social, and digital media to inform communication strategies.
• Implement communication strategies that raise awareness and drive engagement with measurable impact.
• Draft compelling narratives and messaging for various channels.
• Map media outlets and foster relationships with media representatives.
• Develop media lines for crisis situations and sensitive issues.
• Produce communication products, including press releases, web stories, and infographics.
• Develop and implement communication campaigns targeting specific audiences.
• Coordinate strategic communications partnerships with stakeholders.
• Create content for UN and community radio channels and podcasts. 1
• Update policies and training related to strategic communications. 1
• Stay updated on communication trends and emerging technologies. 1
• Maintain confidentiality and integrity in handling sensitive information. 1
• Monitor and report on the effectiveness of communication strategies and activities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess critical thinking skills, creativity in content development, and knowledge of digital design. They should demonstrate professionalism, effective communication skills, teamwork, and a commitment to gender perspectives in their work. The ability to remain calm under pressure and to meet deadlines is essential. Candidates should also be motivated by professional concerns and show persistence in overcoming challenges.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, digital communications, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree combined with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Completion of programs in data analytics or related fields is advantageous.

Experience:
A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in developing and implementing communication strategies is required. Candidates should have demonstrated knowledge of media monitoring tools and risks to information integrity, including misinformation and disinformation. Experience in data analytics or related areas is desirable, as is the ability to communicate complex matters to diverse audiences.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations. Knowledge of another official UN language, such as French, is considered an advantage. Fluency is defined as a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas (reading, writing, speaking, understanding).

Additional Notes:
This is a fixed-term limited position, initially for one year, with the possibility of extension subject to funding availability. The position is open to nationals of Malawi only, and candidates must be recruited within the country or commuting distance of the office. If no suitable local candidates are found, Malawian nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, but they will be responsible for relocation costs. The UN is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. The organization adheres to strict standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity in its recruitment process.