The Position:

The Communications Assistant position is located in the Office of Chief, in the UNFPA Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU). The position reports directly to the Communications Manager. The Communications Assistant will work closely with other SCMU colleagues, other HQ Business Units, the Regional Offices and the Country Offices and with a number of external partners.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA occupies a unique position in the sexual and reproductive health commodity ecosystem as a critical player in supply chain management, a leading public procurer of sexual and reproductive health commodities, a trusted partner to national governments, and one of the few organizations with the scale and partnerships necessary to build accountability for last mile delivery.

The UNFPA Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU) is self-funded and was made operational in January 2022. It is tasked with ensuring that UNFPA is able to effectively and efficiently support the delivery of life-saving reproductive health products and other programme supplies to the end user when and where they are needed. To achieve this, it is important to strengthen the capacity of governments and implementing partners to ensure coordination, end-to-end visibility and accountability on all supply chain and logistics management related activities, in particular for programme supplies, across all UNFPA programmes.

Job Purpose:

In general, the Communications Assistant will provide foundational support and ensure the smooth day-to-day operations of communications activities for the SCMU and SCM Network.

Main Task and Responsibilities

You will be responsible to support the Communications Manager with:

A. Preparation of materials and documentation that are aligned with UNFPA’s global communications goals and the SCMU’s strategies crafting compelling narratives that highlight UNFPA’s impact on the lives of millions worldwide.

• Multimedia content creation: with guidance draft high-quality written and visual content, including videos, speeches, articles, social media posts, employer branding, and multimedia presentations.

• Maintain communication channels within UNFPA and SCMU to support the Unit’s communications needs.

• Collaborate with UNFPA partners and other UNFPA offices to provide communications support consistent with SCMU’s work.

• Support and implement activities related to UNFPA’s Governance, Risk, Compliance and Reporting function.

B.Capacity Strengthening

• Support the implementation of UNFPA’s capacity-strengthening initiatives.

C.Thought Leadership, Knowledge Sharing and Advisory

• Appreciate UNFPA’s supply chain thought leadership through awareness and incorporating such initiatives into the overall approach to day-to-day activities.

• Actively contribute to an environment of knowledge retention and sharing through supporting the community incorporating best practices of supply chain.

• Support improved supply chain execution by incorporating best practices into daily activities.

D.Partnerships and Resource Mobilization

• Support UNFPA’s value proposition and relationships with donors and partners.

• Assist with the preparation of SCMU’s resource mobilization proposals primarily through data collection and analysis.

E.Collaboration and Representation

• Maintain effective collaboration with supply chain partners with the purpose of increasing the efficiency of UNFPA’s supply chain function.

• Maintain relationships with supply chain partners with the purpose of increasing the efficiency of UNFPA’s supply chain function.

• Attend and participate as required in SCMU and UNFPA meetings related to supply chain management functions.

F. Carry out any other duties as may be required by the Chief, SCMU.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

• Completion of secondary education is required.
• A University degree at Bachelor Level in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, Social Sciences, or other relevant subjects is an asset.

Knowledge and Experience:

• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant progressively responsible experience in Communication, multimedia, broadcast, media relations and/or public relations including / The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to 2 years for candidates who possess a relevant first-level or advanced university degree:
  • Experience of internal communications including communication of key corporate messages;
  • Experience of managing the production of printed material, including brochures, leaflets, briefing third party designers/printers to ensure corporate brand and style is met;
  • Experience in managing websites and social media accounts;
  • Experience in planning and managing public events;
  • Proven ability to write and edit engaging news, stories, and feature articles, as well as compelling social media content in English
  • Demonstrated experience in communications, marketing, website management and strategy and social media.
  • Strong advocacy and networking skills with the ability to liaise with and engage government, UN agencies, CSOs, media and other stakeholders in a professional and friendly manner.
  • Strong communication skills and proven experience with the use of social media and other channels for effective advocacy, knowledge sharing and campaigning.
  • Effective at consensus-building and communicating cross-functionally with external and internal audiences.
  • Broad knowledge of best communication practices; experience in crafting plans, work flows and institutional positions;
  • Substantive knowledge on, understanding of, and practical experience in communication and advocacy strategies.
  • Sound editorial judgment, analytical ability, and sensitivity to the issues addressed by UNFPA and similar organizations.
  • At least one (1) year work experience with government, UN or INGOs on issues related to public health or related areas will be an added advantage.
• Professional written and spoken presentation skills, including for the development of reports, presentations, and the ability to synthesize complex supply chain documents for both technical and non-technical audiences is required.
• Strong interpersonal skills and capability to develop and maintain broad diversified partnerships is required.
• Experience using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is required.
• Experience working in a matrix organizational structure is an asset.
• Basic knowledge of the principles and operational aspects of integrated reproductive health care in the global development and humanitarian community, familiarity with UNFPA programmes and policies, knowledge of international development policies and institutions and international politics is an advantage.
• Knowledge of UNFPA mandates, policies, and guidelines is an asset.

Languages:

Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

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
• Client orientation

Functional Competencies:

• Experience in managing the production of printed material, including brochures, leaflets, briefing third party designers/printers
• Experience in writing and editing engaging news, stories, and feature articles, as well as compelling social media content in English
• Strong advocacy and networking skills with the ability to liaise with and engage government, UN agencies, CSOs, media and other stakeholders
• Sound editorial judgement, analytical ability, and sensitivity to the issues addressed by UNFPA and similar organizations
• Strong communication skills and proven experience with the use of social media and other channels for effective advocacy, knowledge sharing and campaigning

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.