Communications and Advocacy Officer

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 by the United Nations General Assembly as the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The organization is dedicated to the elimination of discrimination against women and girls, the empowerment of women, and the achievement of gender equality. UN Women operates globally, focusing on various priority areas such as increasing women's leadership and participation, ending violence against women, and enhancing women's economic empowerment. The Sri Lanka office aligns with the UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific and works collaboratively with multiple stakeholders, including government officials, civil society, and other UN agencies.

Job Overview:
The Communications and Advocacy Officer plays a crucial role in enhancing the visibility and awareness of UN Women in Sri Lanka. Reporting to the Head of Office, the officer is responsible for planning and implementing communication and advocacy strategies that engage partners, the media, and the public. This position requires close collaboration with various teams within UN Women, including Programme, Operations, and technical teams, as well as external stakeholders. The officer will conduct communication needs assessments, develop advocacy materials, manage media relations, and maintain the organization's online presence. The role also involves facilitating knowledge sharing and building partnerships to promote gender equality and women's empowerment initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plan and design communication and outreach/advocacy strategies and plans, including conducting communication needs assessments and integrating gender perspectives into proposals.
• Coordinate the development and dissemination of advocacy materials, managing the production of communication instruments and ensuring effective dissemination.
• Manage media relations, maintaining relationships with press, organizing press events, and responding to inquiries.
• Build and maintain partnerships with donors and advocacy partners, ensuring effective communication of initiatives.
• Maintain the Programme Presence Office’s online presence, developing content for websites and social media platforms.
• Facilitate knowledge building and sharing through training and workshops.
• Perform other duties as necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in communications, public relations, journalism, or a relevant field. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Candidates should demonstrate strong communication skills, knowledge of web-based knowledge management systems, and experience in graphic design and media relations. Familiarity with gender and human rights issues is desirable.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree with two additional years of relevant experience may be considered.

Experience:
At least one year of professional work experience in public relations, communications, or advocacy at the national or international level is required. Experience in social media, content development, and advocacy campaigns is essential. Familiarity with the UN system and experience in media relations and graphic design are advantageous.

Languages:
Fluency in English and either Sinhala or Tamil is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish) is desirable.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and may involve working with diverse teams and stakeholders. UN Women is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all employment decisions are based on qualifications and organizational needs. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. Applicants must complete all sections of the application form to avoid disqualification.