• Country: Kinshasa, Congo
• No of vacancies: N/A
  
• Salary: N/A 
• Organization: UNDP
• Gender: Both 
• Deadline: 2023-12-27

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the responsibility of the Resident Representative, the Communications Specialist will collaborate closely with colleagues from UN Women DRC, the Regional Office, Headquarters to ensure that communications strategies, media relations and awareness-raising efforts of the organization are aligned with the organization’s communications policies and initiatives.

He/she will perform the following specific tasks:

1. Lead the development and implementation of communications and awareness/advocacy strategies and plans, with a focus on digitalization

• Lead and supervise the development of all types of communications methods, including print, television, radio, web, photography, digital, one-off informational publications as well as speeches intended to reach the public;
• Carry out the assessment and analysis of communication needs for projects, programs (pillars and coordination) and change initiatives of the UN Women DRC office;
• Design, support the development and implementation of communication and awareness/advocacy strategies, including digitalization strategies in line with UN Women communications guidelines and policies, ensuring that gender equality is taken into account into account;
• Ensure the integration of communication, advocacy and awareness strategies in project/program proposals and other initiatives;
• Support the coordination of digitalization strategies for data collection and information sharing for projects, programs and change initiatives of the UN Women DRC office
• In accordance with the mandate of UN Women, support the launch of campaigns and special events in the DRC and the United Nations system;
• Participate in meetings of United Nations System and Partner communications groups, and support the implementation of united communications plans;
• Provide advice and support to management and program managers in planning and implementing advocacy and communications activities that project the brand and image of UN Women accurately and effectively;
• Cooperate with all UN Women DRC units, to provide support for all advocacy and communications requirements;
• Develop and implement tracking metrics and evaluation systems to measure the reach of communications and analyze the success and impact of specific communications campaigns.

        2. Direct the development and dissemination of documents and other communication and advocacy materials

• Identify and develop scenarios for publications and feature articles contributing to debates on gender equality issues, with a focus on programs implemented by UN Women;
• Coordinate and manage all publishing activities, including content management, publishing standards, design, liaison with printers and other suppliers and communications specialists to oversee the production and distribution of audio/video products /animation/print;
• Support projects and programs within UN Women in the development (formatting) of quarterly reports, annual reports, the mid-term report and the final report intended for publication or dissemination;
• Identify and launch information opportunities, activities, approaches, platforms and partners;
• Provide advice on advocacy materials and coordinate the launch of UN Women office flagship initiatives and publications;
• Coordinate the translation, adaptation or rewriting of information received for the local context; disseminate documents to appropriate stakeholders;
• Maintain library or database of reference materials, photos and digital resources
• Support the updating of digital media platforms;
• Follow and report on headquarters directives.

       3. Manage media relations

• Oversee daily media analysis and summaries of topics related to UN Women programs in order to inform Bureau staff of news, establishing a functional internal alert system;
• Lead the establishment of press relations in the country; maintain and update the relevant press database;
• Respond quickly and clearly to media inquiries and various requests for information and inquiries; prepare related correspondence; identify topics, background information, news developments and coverage of interest;
• Organize press briefings, field visits for strategic media focal points on the mandate of UN Women, as well as relevant issues;
• Handle media inquiries and interviews, facilitate interviews with senior management; connect the media with UN Women experts;
• Maintain and update the relevant press database in collaboration with colleagues from the communications unit.

        4. Establish and maintain partnerships and nurture relationships with donors

• Supervise the identification and development of new communications partnerships and alliances in order to improve visibility; manage and maintain existing partnerships;
• Support the Advocacy Unit in liaising with advocacy partners and implementing outreach activities to civil society organizations, governments and other groups to ensure that newsworthy information reach the public and donors;
• Guide and collaborate closely with communications colleagues from other offices and technical structures to ensure consistency with company policies, messages and initiatives;
• Contribute to the preparation of annual reports on UN Women DRC programs as well as the formatting and packaging of key documents for the donor, in close collaboration with program staff and the advocacy unit.

      5. Oversee the web and online presence of the Country office

• Coordinate the presence of UN Women DRC on the Web in line with the company’s Web policy;
• Support updating digital media platforms.

       6. Facilitate the acquisition and sharing of knowledge

• Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned from the work of UN Women in the DRC, and ensure the exchange of information;
• Strengthen and maintain the knowledge management system, in collaboration with colleagues from the communications unit, program managers, partners, and the monitoring and evaluation specialist, to ensure that all knowledge products are cataloged and widely disseminated;
• Provide training and workshops on communication, awareness and advocacy, as appropriate.

Competencies

Fundamental values:

• Respect for diversity;
• Integrity;
• Professionalism.

Basic skills:

• Awareness and sensitivity to issues of equality between men and women;
• Responsibility;
• Creative problem solving;
• Effective communication;
• Inclusive collaboration;
• Stakeholder engagement;
• Lead by example.

Functional skills:

• Ability to communicate sensitively, effectively and creatively with different interest groups;
• Strong knowledge of managing web-based knowledge management systems;
• Strong understanding of production, graphic design and photography standards;
• Strong knowledge of social media platforms and experience in social media outreach;
• Strong oral and written communication and writing skills;
• Strong communication, networking and advocacy skills;
• Ability to provide advice and demonstrate strategy and analysis;
• Good knowledge of the country’s local media landscape;
• Knowledge of gender and human rights issues is desirable.

Required Skills and Experience

Training and certification:

• University degree at master’s level or its equivalent in one or more of the following disciplines: communications, journalism, public relations, social sciences or other relevant disciplines.

Experience:

• 7 years of progressively responsible experience supporting the formulation and implementation of internal and external communications and outreach strategies and related plans;
• At least ten 7 years of professional experience in the field of communications, media, broadcasting, media relations or public relations, including establishing and maintaining relationships with journalists, seeking information articles, organizing press conferences, writing press releases and news for the website and social media, including four (4) with international organizations;
• Experience in internal communications, including communicating key company messages;
• Experience managing the production of printed materials including brochures, flyers, briefings with third party designers/printers to ensure company branding and style are respected;
• Experience in planning and managing public events;
• Excellent command of French and proven ability to write and edit engaging news, stories and feature articles, as well as compelling content in French and English, knowledge of national languages ​​in the DRC is an asset;
• Editorial discernment, analytical skills and sensitivity to issues addressed by UN Women;
• Good leadership and coordination skills, proven ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines;
• Experience using computer applications and software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) as well as web-based management systems;
• Experience in implementing digitalization strategies, managing social media and digital communications;
• Experience in graphic design, photography and photo editing and/or web design is an asset;
• Previous professional experience in Sub-Saharan Africa and/or DRC at national and/or regional level is an asset;
• High sense of responsibility. Demonstrate tact, discretion, initiative and judgment in relationships with staff members, partners and other stakeholders;
• Experience in promoting gender equality;

Language requirements:

• Fluency in English and French is required.

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