Vacancy Announcement - Programme Associate on Advocacy and Communications

Official Job Title:

Programme Associate on Advocacy/Communications       

Duty Station: Uzbekistan, Tashkent

Grade (Classified)

GS-7                                        

Post Number:

00012122

Post Type:

Rotational           Non-Rotational

Duration:

One year initially

Organizational Unit:

UNFPA Uzbekistan Country Office

The Programme Associate on Advocacy/Communications position is located in the Uzbekistan country office. Under overall guidance of the Representative and the direct supervision of the Assistant Representative, the Programme Associate on Advocacy/Communications provides significant input into planning and implementing the country office’s advocacy/communication efforts.

The Programme Associate substantively contributes to the development and implementation of the Country Office advocacy and communication strategy.

The Programme Associate applies established systems and procedures and assists in the creation of substantive knowledge by compiling, synthesizing and analyzing information relevant to population dynamics, reproductive health and gender issues in the context of country office’s advocacy/communication efforts. S/he is instrumental in facilitating programme implementation using and developing appropriate mechanisms and systems and ensuring compliance with established procedures.

• Provides input in the development and supports the implementation of the country office’s advocacy and communications strategy, by compiling and analyzing information, receiving inputs from CO’s staff and partners, and drafts the document.
• Maintains relationships with key national partners to strengthen the overall effectiveness of UNFPA public information activities;
• Supports development and execution of UNFPA communication campaigns by liaising with mass media, drafting speeches for Representative and Assistant Representative, preparing press releases, articles and human interest stories for local press and HQ/RO, coordinating production of TV and radio programmes and disseminating information about UNFPA to the requesting parties;
•  Monitors implementation of country office’s advocacy and communications activities, establishing and implementing mechanisms to systematically assess the achievement of results, conducting field visits, participating in review meetings and evaluation missions and preparing regular inputs to status and progress reports. Analyzes basic factors affecting the achievement of results, recommends corrective actions and follows up on recommendations;
• In coordination with national counterparts and country office, guides routine implementation of the country office’s advocacy and communications strategy, coordinating delivery of the strategy inputs, ensuring participation of national counterparts;
• Coordinates development and production of general promotional tools and items as well as information, education and communication materials for the specific country programme components;
• Provides logistical support to projects by coordinating review meetings and other project related workshops and events. Trains and guides project personnel and staff on national execution and programme policies and procedures. Plans and supports all substantive and logistical preparations, including necessary financial arrangements in connection with relevant UN or other International Days, UNFPA events and national, regional and global campaigns; and assists with organizing the visits of journalists and UNFPA Goodwill Ambassadors;
• Maintains/updates the country office’s online communication channels, including the country office’s website as well as social media platforms; Monitors press coverage of UNFPA work and ICPD issues and contributes press clippings to the weekly regional media monitoring report; 
• Acts as a resource person on communication/advocacy, including UNFPA publications and knowledge sharing and related tasks in relation to both HQ/RO and UN sister agencies, represents UNFPA in the country UN Communication Group;
• Contributes to creation and sharing of knowledge by synthesizing and documenting findings and lessons learned, success stories and best practices, strategies and approaches of the CO, and drafting relevant materials for dissemination. In close cooperation with Assistant Representative and Programme Analysts, conducts regular environmental scanning and prepares weekly briefs for the Representative and the staff on the political and socio-economic developments in the country relevant to UNFPA country programme;
• Liaises with regional Advocacy/Communication Adviser and relevant UNFPA headquarters’ units on regional and global advocacy/communication initiatives and relevant information requests;
• Ensures application of the regional publication policy and submission of publication requests to the regional publications committee.

The Programme Associate maintains collaborative relationships with all programme and project staff at the country office. Internal contacts include the Assistant Representative, the Programme Analysts, the country office’s programme/technical team, and the country office’s administrative management team.

Education: 

Bachelor degree in social sciences, preferably in communications.

Knowledge and Experience:

• At least 7 years of professional experience in programme/ project management.  Clear understanding of advocacy and communication concepts. Experience in advocacy and communication is desirable.
• Proficiency in current office software applications and corporate IT systems.

Required Competencies:

Values:

·         Exemplifying integrity

·         Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system

·         Embracing cultural diversity

·         Embracing change

Core Competencies:

·         Achieve 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:

·         Advocacy/ Advancing a policy-oriented agenda

·         Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships

·         Delivering results-oriented programmes

·         Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilization

Languages: Fluency in oral and written English, Russian and Uzbek.

Link for application: Link