Local Post: Strategic Communications & Media Specialist, Johannesburg, South Africa, NOC

The Position:

Under the guidance of the Director of the East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) and the Regional Communications Adviser, as direct supervisor, the Strategic Communications and Media Specialist ensures the effective functioning of the Communications Unit in ESARO.  This position plays an important role in advancing UNFPA's mission by enhancing the visibility and impact of its work through strategic media engagement, external relations, donor communications, and humanitarian communications.

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.

Job Purpose:

The Strategic Communications and Media Specialist will develop and implement comprehensive media and communications strategies that effectively communicate UNFPA's work, priorities, and impacts to diverse audiences. This role involves close collaboration with internal teams, media outlets, donors, and other stakeholders to ensure coherent and compelling narratives.

• Develop and implement comprehensive media and communications strategies to effectively communicate UNFPA's work, priorities, and impacts to diverse audiences.
• Enhance the credibility and thought leadership of UNFPA through strategic media engagement, digital communications, external and donor relations, and humanitarian communications.
• Cultivate and maintain effective relationships with media representatives, stakeholders, donors, and key partners to promote and support UNFPA's mission and initiatives.
• Produce and disseminate high-quality communication materials that convey compelling narratives about UNFPA’s impact and achievements.
• Monitor media landscapes and use insights to inform and adjust communication strategies for maximum effectiveness.

Support the coordination and alignment of media strategies with broader organizational communication goals and objectives.

Strategic Media Engagement

1. Develop and implement a strategic media plan to enhance UNFPA’s credibility and thought leadership. 
2. Consolidate and strengthen strategic partnerships and networks with media.
3. Identify key media opportunities and create an annual media calendar.
4. Monitor global and regional media landscapes to inform media strategies.
5. Develop creative and innovative ways to market and pitch UNFPA.

Content Development and Dissemination

1. Produce user-friendly materials on key thematic areas for dissemination to the media, key stakeholders, donors, the private sector, and other audience groups.
2. Maintain and update the website and media platforms regularly with input from program staff.
3. Draft press releases, feature stories, briefing notes, news reports, talking points, opinion pieces, and other information material on UNFPA and its work.
4. Write and edit stories to ensure quality and conformity to UNFPA’s information standards and United Nations editorial and professional journalistic style, accuracy, and objectivity, as well as political/cultural balance.

Media Relations and Networking

1. Cultivate and maintain effective working relationships with representatives of all types of media, including national, regional traditional and digital media, news networks, services, and agencies.
2. Develop relationships with regional traditional and digital media, advertising agencies, and other private sector partners (including freelance writers, photographers, videographers, journalists, and influencers) to explore opportunities for in-kind support to visibility campaigns and resource mobilization.
3. Organize press conferences, media briefings, and interviews with UNFPA spokespeople.
4. Monitor information and services provided to traditional and digital media representatives to ensure their cooperation in promoting an accurate image of the organization and its programs among policymakers and the public.
5. Prepare UNFPA staff for media engagements, including providing media training and developing key messages and talking points.
6. Coordinate with regional and country offices to support localized media efforts and share best practices.
7. Use media monitoring tools to assess the effectiveness of media strategies and adjust as necessary.

Digital Communications

1. Manage the strategic content of the regional website and other social media platforms, developing key messages and ensuring the regular updating of content.
2. Assist in coordinating the production of advocacy booklets, brochures, and other publications, ensuring quality of content and design.

External and Public Relations

1. Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including government officials, NGOs, and community leaders.
2. Plan and execute public relations campaigns to enhance the organization’s image and outreach.
3. Ensure representation of UNFPA at public events, conferences, and forums to promote its mission and initiatives.

Donor Communications

1. Create compelling communication materials tailored for donors to highlight the impact of their contributions.
2. Develop and maintain regular communication with donors to keep them informed about UNFPA’s work and achievements.
3. Collaborate with the fundraising team to develop strategies for donor engagement and retention.

Humanitarian Communications

1. Develop communication strategies and materials for humanitarian responses to effectively convey UNFPA's role and impact in crisis situations.
2. Coordinate with humanitarian partners to ensure consistent and accurate messaging.
3. Provide timely and accurate information to the media and the public during emergencies.

Collaboration and Coordination

1. Collaborate and coordinate with communication and program teams in regional and country offices to identify and develop compelling stories that highlight UNFPA's impact.
2. Provide guidance and training to country office communications staff on media relations, content creation, and digital communications.
3. Develop and share best practices, success stories, toolkits, and guidelines.
4. Facilitate communication between the regional and country offices.
5. Offer immediate technical support during crises or emergencies.
6. Help develop crisis communication plans and manage media relations effectively.

Other Duties

1. Plan and oversee editorial production, reviewing publications and written content for the organization’s public information adherence to objectives and standards.
2. Use media monitoring tools to assess the effectiveness of media strategies and adjust as necessary. Track and analyze media coverage of UNFPA and related issues. Prepare regular reports on media activities, coverage, and impact.

Carry out any other duties assigned by the Regional Communications Adviser or any other assigned supervisor.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

Advanced university degree in mass communications, public relations or journalism. 

Knowledge and Experience: 

• 5 years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience in communications;
• Proven track record in developing and implementing successful media strategies.
• Ability to translate technical guidelines and data into powerful communications and advocacy messaging across different contexts;
• Demonstrated experience implementing visibility communications or media projects;
• Demonstrated experience working with spokespersons and building strategic partnerships with the media and the private sector;
• Excellent writing and editing skills, with strong analytical and research skills required;
• Thorough knowledge of web production, social media and multimedia tools; 
• Proficiency in current office software applications such as In-Design, Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Word and corporate IT systems;
• Excellent interpersonal communication and project implementation; 
• Ability to identify and select newsworthy materials, write journalistically and conduct or give radio and television interviews;
• Knowledge of public relations and advocacy skills; familiarity with approaches for planning, executing and monitoring internal and/or external communications strategies and campaigns. Experience in working with UN agencies and development work preferred;
• Ability to work independently, under pressure, and manage multiple tasks within tight deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, negotiation, and managerial skills required. Self-starter, proactive, passion for the issues. Team leader and team builder. Demonstrated willingness to work as part of a team;
• Detail oriented, sound judgment, ability to protect UNFPA’s image and interests;

Languages: 

• Fluency in English required and knowledge of other UN languages is an asset. 

Required Competencies: 

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system
• Knowledge sharing 
• Continuous learning

Core Competencies: 

• Managing Relationships
• Working in teams
• Communicating information and ideas
• Conflict and self-management
• Empowerment / Developing people / Performance management
  
   

Functional Competencies:

• Personal Leadership and Effectiveness
• Analytical and strategic thinking
• Results orientation / Commitment to excellence
• Appropriate and transparent decision making

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.