Communication Analyst, NOB, Suva, Fiji

The Position:

Under the supervision of Director/ Representative and guidance of Deputy Director and working closely with Communication Specialist of UNFPA Pacific, the Communication Analyst is accountable for coordinating, networking, implementing and monitoring communication and advocacy strategies and associated products and activities on on-going basis, with the objective of promoting awareness, understanding, support and respect for UNFPA’s mission. 

The Communication Analyst is the focal point for communications and media strategies for UNFPA Pacific Sub-Regional Office (PSRO) and its Multi-Country Programme for the 14 Pacific small island countries and territories. S/He works collaboratively with the Technical Advisers and Programme Officers at PSRO as well as Country Offices across the Pacific and provides substantive inputs to external communications and advocacy aspects of project formulation, implementation and reporting.

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.

You would be responsible for:

Communication and advocacy strategy:  

• Develop and maintain UNFPA Pacific Sub Regional Office’s clear communication and advocacy strategy and associated work plan to position UNFPA as the lead agency on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender-based violence (GBV) in the Pacific, as well as strengthen and expand supporter engagement in support of UNFPA’s mission and objectives, and enhance the organization's credibility and brand.
• Design communication and advocacy strategy and associated work plan. Maintain close collaboration with senior management, and technical/programme team and country offices for effective overall coordination and to ensure communication and advocacy strategy contributes to office-wide communication and advocacy objectives.

Media relations: 

• Develop and maintain PSRO’s media strategy and engagement plan aligned with communication and advocacy objectives, with success indicators and targets clearly defined to maximize partnership opportunities with national and international media. 
• Ensure that PSRO has a well maintained and regularly updated contact list of journalists and media outlets covering all media – print, TV, radio, digital, etc. – and a successful process of communicating and maintaining regular contact and close collaboration with the online and traditional media.
• Provide expertise on effective media strategies and implement proactive communications with media, building long-term relationships in close coordination with PSRO senior management. 
• Coordinate media events, information briefings, training and site visits for journalists, and other related events.
• Advise senior management of issues of concern and flag issues requiring communications preparation and response, as well as respond to media queries.

Development and dissemination of communication assets 

• Drafting and development of key communication products including key messages, media talking points, press releases, position statements, audio-visual, photographic and printed materials and facilitate distribution and dissemination to the public and other key stakeholders.
• Provide editorial guidance (i.e. copy editing and proofreading) to the technical team and information management officers to ensure quality control on communication products including reports.

Networking and partnerships:

•  
• Represent UNFPA in the Pacific UN Communication Group, assisting UNFPA in contributing to One UN-One Voice aspects of the joined-up advocacy efforts.
• Accountable for initiating, maintaining, and strengthening relationships with celebrities and influencers.
• Update partners and stakeholders mapping and engagement plan as part of the UNFPA Pacific Communications and Advocacy Strategy.

Global priorities and campaigns:

• PSRO has an effective process in place for integrating UNFPA’s regional and global communications priorities into the PSRO level initiatives and campaigns, and disseminating these in a locally appropriate way. 
• Lead the development of PSRO-level campaigns, materials and activities, and where appropriate, in alignment with regional and global priorities.

Partnership building and resource mobilization support: 

• Support UNFPA Pacific senior management with quality inputs to funding proposals, donor reporting, annual reports and other materials.

Resource management and monitoring: 

• Ensure human resources (communication team under the communication section) and financial resources (budget planning, management and monitoring) are both effectively managed and optimally used.
• Provide technical support to ensure that a set of communication performance indicators is identified and adjusted as necessary, and these communication indicators are incorporated in all the Annual Work Plans. 
• Conduct timely and accurate monitoring and evaluation activities to ensure the communications objectives are met and the strategy is effective.
• Map equipment and material related needs for UNFPA offices across the Pacific for effective communications and assist with their procurement.

Capacity development: 

• As part of the office annual work plan, plan and lead communication training for UNFPA Pacific staff both at PSRO and Country Offices.

Qualifications and Experience: 
 

Education:  

• An Advanced (Master’s) degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, Social Sciences or related discipline.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Minimum of two (2) years progressive professional experience at a middle level in a national/international development, health and/or gender programme related to UNFPA mandate.
• Demonstrated experience of working in the area of communication and advocacy.
• Proven knowledge of communication, information management and public relations.
• Demonstrated writing and editing skills, with an ability to communicate effectively.
• Excellent understanding of the use of social media and traditional media.
• Ability to think and plan strategically.
• Knowledge or skills in visual design, website development.

Languages: 

Expert knowledge of English. Working knowledge of the local language.

Required Competencies: 

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 Competencies:

• Advocacy/Advancing a policy-oriented agenda,
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/building strategic alliances and partnerships,
• Delivering results-based programmes; Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilization.

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.

Notice: 

UNFPA is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. 

UNFPA does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next phase of the selection process.