General
Description of assignment title: Programme Specialist, Communication
Assignment country: Nigeria
Expected start date: 04/18/2025
Sustainable Development Goal: 3. Good health and well-being
Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist
Host entity: UNFPA
Type: Onsite
Duration: 12 months
(with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Abuja
Details
Mission and objectives
Established in 1973, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Nigeria is located in the Federal Capital territory of Abuja, with four sub-offices, to respond to population issues throughout the six geo-political zones of the country: The North-West, North- East, North-Central, South-West, South-East and South-South. Currently in its 8th Country Programme (2018-2022), UNFPA Nigeria operations prioritize the humanitarian-peace-development nexus approach, particularly in addressing the subsisting crisis in the Northeast region of the country. In addition to the humanitarian support provided to the three worst affected states of Yobe, Borno and Adamawa in the Northeast, UNFPA Nigeria supports implementation of the country’s development plans in 15 focal states: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Cross Rivers, Ebonyi, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Sokoto, Kebbi, Bauchi, and Oyo as well as at the Federal level. However, it is pertinent to note that the Reproductive Health Commodities supply programme of UNFPA covers all the 36 States as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Consistent with the three organization-wide objectives to end preventable maternal mortality, end unmet need for family planning and end gender-based violence and harmful practices, UNFPA Nigeria also partners with non-government organizations including faith based, women and youth organizations, other UN agencies and major donors to meet the needs of the most vulnerable groups in the country including women, adolescents, and youths, as well as internally displaced persons (IDPs). The organizational goals call on holistic programming centered on building the capacity of national health systems and social structures in order to administer quality services around sexual reproductive health (SRH), family planning and Gender Based Violence (GBV) prevention, mitigation and response.
Context
Government, the International UN Volunteer (IUNV) will work at developing and supporting the implementation of UNFPA Nigeria’s Communication Strategy, ensuring its proper implementation and alignment with the UNFPA Global Communications Strategic Plan. The IUNV will support ongoing work and opportunities for advocacy, media engagement, communications and partnerships including how to
enhance core objectives, capacity in storytelling and proficiency with social media and humanitarian communication for positioning UNFPA Nigeria as the frontline health agency of the United Nations. The IUNV will work closely with UNFPA colleagues and partners to ensure optimum visibility of UNFPA activities and accurate information about the Country Office action to accelerate achievement of the 3 transformative results to eliminate maternal deaths, unmet need for family planning and gender based
violence and other harmful practices in Nigeria.
Further, the IUNV will provide on-the-job capacity building for UNFPA Communications staff. The IUNV will report directly to the Representative or delegate.
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 strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.
In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results. To find out more, click
here
Task description
- Informed by UNFPA’s Promote, Protect, Evolve Communications Strategy, the Nigeria CO 9th Country Programme Document and the 9th CP Communication Strategy, develop and implement annual Communication Plans and budgets as they relate to the thematic area annual workplans and projects within UNFPA, UN interagency groups, UNCG, HCWG and other specified teams.
- Collaborate with colleagues and partners to ensure consistent and effective communication of the UNFPA 3 transformative results.
- Lead the integration of advocacy and communication strategies into all aspects of UNFPA programmes.
- Manage UNFPA social media platforms including timely and accurate content creation, posting and engagement with followers.
- Prepare and disseminate timely information, press releases, newsletters, articles, donor reports and other communications products targeting strategic partners in support of the CO partnership building and resource mobilization.
- Identify, articulate and communicate success stories in close collaboration with the Programme Teams in the Country Office and in Sub-offices
- Build and maintain relationships with key media stakeholders for optimal media relations and positioning of UNFPA.
- Undertake media & news monitoring including social listening to reinforce program planning, implementation and identification of opportunities for UNFPA to engage with current and prospective stakeholders.
- Coordinate and support the organization of high level missions, media events, media interviews, advocacy campaigns and commemorative days.
- Provide technical leadership in the creation and production of multimedia content, such as videos, infographics and other strategic designs
- Support the development and maintenance of up to date content for the CO website.
- Track and analyze communication and media performance using (evidence-based metrics) to boost the reputation and positioning of the UNFPA in Nigeria within the social media space.
- Ensure that communications remain neutral with regard to the geo-political/political and security related sensitivities of the beneficiary States; and content is aligned with the respective rules and regulations of UNFPA and the UN system at large.
- Develop and disseminate multimedia content targeted at youth communities.
- Capacitate the CO Team in effective communication and advocacy.
- Perform any other task that may be assigned by the Communication Analyst from time to time
Supervision
As part of the UNFPA programme overall framework, the IUNV will benefit from the following supervision modalities: ● Structured guidance provided by the supervisor, especially in the beginning of the assignment, with the purpose of gradually increasing the responsibilities of the IUNV
- Establishment of a work plan, with clear key results
- Effective supervision through knowledge sharing and performance/development feedback throughout the assignment
- Easy access to the supervisor
- Participation in Unit/Team/Office meetings to ensure integration and operational effectiveness
- Guidance and advice in relation to learning and training opportunities within the field of expertise
- If more than one supervisor; clear agreement of the roles and responsibilities between the relevant parties
- Annual performance appraisal and development with the supervisor (CPM)
Eligibility criteria
Age: 18 – 80
Required experience
3 years
Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
Assignment requirements
Relevant experience
3 years
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in communications with specialized knowledge in the field of journalism, public relations (an additional qualification in the field of health communication, sustainable development, youth advocacy would be an advantage).
Competencies and values
Values: Exemplifying integrity, demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN System, Embracing cultural diversity, Embracing change.
Core Competencies: Achieving results, being accountable, Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen, Thinking analytically and strategically, Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships, Communicating for impact
Functional Skill Set: Good interpersonal and diplomatic skills Integrity, tact and discretion, previous engagement with national and international media, Knowledge and proficiency with modern media tools and methods of advocacy, Good oral and written communication skills, Good level of judgment and initiative, Excellent time management, Attention to details and service oriented, Willingness to creatively solve problems
Skills and experience
- At least 2 years of progressively responsible experience in communications, media or public relations in humanitarian/ developing contexts is an asset.
- Fluency in English. Knowledge of other working languages of the UN is an asset
- Ability to write clearly and concisely
- At least 2 years of professional experience in developing a wide array of online content (story, blogs, photo, video etc.), social media management and planning, graphic design, campaign building & execution, and online campaigns
- Excellent writing and editing skills.
- Initiative, sound judgment and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with staff members from different national and cultural backgrounds
Area(s) of expertise
Communication, Information technology, Community development
Driving license
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Abuja is a family duty station. The city is a cosmopolitan city, and it is in security phase B. Abuja has an average cost of living.
Conditions of Service
The Conditions of Service form the basis of the policies and rules that regulate the UN Volunteer assignment. A summary on the Conditions of Service for UN Youth Volunteers can be found here. The Unified Volunteer Platform (UVP) offers an entitlement calculator and a brief course on benefits and allowances.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy
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More Information
- Job City Nigeria
