The Position:
The Communications & Advocacy Officer will support the UNFPA Sri Lanka communications team in planning and designing of all internal and external communications initiatives of the organization.
You will support the UNFPA Strategic Communications & Advocacy Analyst in facilitation and delivering of communications initiatives to support the programmatic work of UNFPA Sri Lanka in advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights for all. This will include managing social media platforms, media management, as well as coordination with printing, designing, event management providers, and other suppliers.
You will report directly to the UNFPA Strategic Communications & Advocacy Analyst.
How you can make a difference:
UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s current strategic plan (2018-2021), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices.
In the face of current challenges in communicating our mandate in Sri Lanka, UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results. We seek principled and ethical staff, who embody human rights norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction. We seek staff who are transparent and exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to deliver impactful, meaningful, and innovative communications work.
Job Purpose:
In a complex operating environment, you will contribute to the effective communication of UNFPA activities in the areas of sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender-based violence and women’s empowerment, youth engagement, and population dynamics and data.
You will support in ensuring that substantial programme events and initiatives are communicated cohesively in a meaningful manner through innovative and impactful means. This includes contributing towards concepts and planning of campaigns and other communications engagements through online and offline mechanisms.
You will support in the establishing and maintaining of collaborative relationships with the media, counterparts in government, multilateral and bilateral donor agencies, sister UN agencies, and civil society in support of UNFPA’s programme.
You would be responsible for:
A. Supporting in planning, designing, and execution of internal and external communications initiatives:
- Assist UNFPA Strategic Communications & Advocacy Analyst in planning, designing, and execution of communications initiatives and information products that are creative, meaningful, and impactful and deliver results that contribute towards UNFPA’s Country Programme
- Ensure that key UNFPA programme events, success stories and good practices highlighting the value-added roles of UNFPA and its partners, are communicated meaningfully with internal and external audiences
- Support in organizing public information and promotional campaigns on UNFPA activities to position UNFPA as a leader within the development sector through supporting the development, designing, and implementation of innovative and engaging communications ideas and initiatives
- Develop and maintain relationships with TV, Radio, Press, Digital, media contacts from English, Sinhala, and Tamil media institutions. Work closely with the Communications Analyst to deliver a series of impactful media engagement events contributing to the UNFPA Sri Lanka’s mandate.
B. Contributing towards development of high-quality communications campaigns, products, and material:
- Draft high-quality talking points, opinion editorials, press releases, human-interest stories, key messages, and in designing and developing other communications material such as brochures, videos, policy briefs, booklets, publications, etc. as required to support programmatic interventions
- Have the capacity to work closely with suppliers providing communications services (event management companies, printers, designers, videographers, etc.) and with counterparts in the Regional Office and HQ, as well as media, UN Agencies, and other partners
- Capacity to evaluate results and impact of communication activities, reports on socio-economic development, trends and attitudes in the media to deliver campaigns accordingly
C. Support to manage and enhance the Country Office social media platforms, website, and web-based knowledge management system (iDocs)
- Support to digital communications officer on managing all UNFPA Sri Lanka social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram) by providing relevant, engaging, and interesting content.
- Support Communications Team to deliver media and advocacy initiatives on new media platforms to engage young people and youth networks.
- Engage with social impact creators and new media personalities to support in developing campaigns to creatively advocate for UNFPA communications and advocacy campaigns to target new demographics.
D. Supporting Partnerships, Advocacy and Resource Mobilization
- Work closely with UNFPA Strategic Communications & Advocacy Analyst and UNFPA Programme Staff to develop and maintain close contacts with national counterparts, donors, civil society, private sector, academia, and media for implementation of communication strategies and campaigns
- Assist in preparing presentations, donor briefing documents, reports, issue papers, etc. required for advocacy and resource mobilization
Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership.
Qualifications and Experience
- Advanced university degree in communications, media relations, journalism, international development, or other relevant discipline
- A first university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications in any of the above disciplines with 2 additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree
Knowledge and Experience:
- At least 2 years (4 years with first university degree) of increasingly responsible professional experience at the national or international level in communications, advocacy, public relations, or directly relevant field of work is essential.
- Substantive knowledge and practical experience in planning, designing, and implementing communications and advocacy campaigns and initiatives;
- Excellence in research and writing skills, with experience in drafting talking points, opinion editorials, press releases, social media content, issue papers etc. which communicate key messages in a simplified, and easy-to-understand manner
- Experience in photography and basic videography editing skills is an advantage;
- Ability to engage closely with all colleagues, suppliers, implementing partners, to ensure work is carried out accordingly;
- Results-oriented and ability to deliver high-quality work within short timeframes;
- Strong team working skills and ability to take initiative and be self-driven;
- Creativity and ability to brainstorm out-of-the box ideas;
- Proficiency in current MS office software applications and basic web-based systems, with at least a basic knowledge of design and creative software;
- Positive attitude towards work and true belief and understanding of UNFPA’s sensitive yet important mandate is a must.
Languages:
Fluency in English is required. Fluency in Sinhala or Tamil is required.
Required Competencies
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Values:
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Functional Competencies:
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Core Competencies:
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Compensation and Benefits
This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary, health insurance and other benefits as applicable.
Disclaimer
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Fraudulent notices, letters or offers may be submitted to the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm
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DEADLINE - 24 JULY MIDNIGHT (Sri Lanka time)