Background:

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

The vision of UN Women’s Regional Office for the Arab States (ROAS) is to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls and the full enjoyment of their human rights in the Arab States, propelling economic prosperity and sustainable development for all. Our goal is to accelerate achievements for the largest possible numbers of women and girls in the region, including the most vulnerable, in the next four years. To accomplish this, we work with our partners and offices across 17 countries in the region to implement targeted programmes that support women’s economic empowerment, women’s leadership and participation, women, peace and security, and humanitarian issues, as well as ending violence against women. Communication is a critical component of our regional strategy. We are looking to sustain and scale up our reach, communications and visibility results by building capacities across the region. We will be replicating successful partnership models with media powerhouses and increasingly be guided by real-time insights into how communications efforts influence the advancement of women. It is critical to produce compelling materials and assets for UN Women’s websites and social media channels, in English and Arabic, with an emphasis on common priorities in the region, and global/regional and national campaigns. We implement communications methodologies that are suited to the regional context and able to attract and support the engagement of diverse stakeholder groups, including youth, civil society, the private sector, and national and regional authorities.

Reporting to the Regional Communication Specialist, the Communications Associate supports the formulation and implementation of the communication strategies and material to increase the standing and awareness of UN Women with partners, the media, and the public. The Communications Associate promotes a client-oriented approach in UN Women.

Key Functions and Accountabilities

Provide support for the development and implementation of a coherent communication strategy for UN Women in the Arab States:

• Provide inputs and background information for the development of the ROAS communication strategy;
• Provide support to advocacy efforts, and campaigns by organizing roundtable discussions, press conferences, and other publicity events and providing inputs to briefing materials and press releases;
• Provide support to programme and other ROAS staff on UN Women corporate communications guidelines and printing norms;
• Track and monitor print and social media and report relevant information to senior staff to inform strategy development and implementation;
• Provide support UN Women’s media partnerships in the region.

Provide coordination support to the development of ROAS communication materials:

• Identify storylines and achievements within the ROAS for online and print publications;
• Draft press releases, articles, key messages, social media content, and other advocacy materials;
• Coordinate the translation, adaptation, or rewriting of information received for the local contexts; disseminate materials to appropriate stakeholders;
• Coordinate the publication of materials for final approval; maintain relationships with printers/ publishers;
• Maintain library/ database of reference materials, photos, and digital assets;
• Follow guidelines from  RO/HQ.

Provide support in the management of the ROAS social media presence and website:

• Identify stories, and provide input to the development of content for the ROAS website and social media channels in English and Arabic;
• Update the website and social media channels, and ensure consistency in branding;
• Research, compile, and produce reports on web statistics on a regular basis and electronic surveys, as required;
• Maintain files, databases, and systems relevant to the ROAS digital presence.

Provide media relations support to ROAS:

• Serve as a focal point on UN Women activities open to the press, as necessary;
• Maintain and update database of relevant press in the region and in countries where UN Women is not present;
• Respond to requests for information and arrange interviews, as delegated;
• Provide substantive inputs to talking points; Provide support on special web/digital/media projects undertaken by the RO.

Facilitate knowledge management and sharing:

• Contribute to the identification of best practices and lessons learned;
• Support in providing technical assistance and backstopping to COs, and Cluster Offices as necessary;
• Organize trainings and workshops on communication practices;
• Provide/ exchange information with HQ, RO, and COs.

Provide administrative support:

• Provide administrative support to the communication team including the coordinating of budget, preparation of purchase orders, process of invoices, payments, etc.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: N/A 

Competencies :

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework:

Functional Competencies:

• Ability to create, edit and present information in clear and presentable formats, using appropriate IT functionality;
• Strong event planning skills;
• Strong knowledge of social media and communication strategies and methods;
• Ability to identify relevant events and stories and communicate them to a mass audience;
• Strong multimedia skills.

Recruitment Qualifications

Education and Certification:

• Completion of secondary education is required;
• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations or Journalism is an asset.

Experience:

• At least 6 years of progressively responsible experience in providing support to the formulation and implementation of internal and external communication strategies and related plans is required;
• Experience in the use of computers applications and software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) as well as web based management systems;
• Experience in the use of social media and digital communications, including analytical tools to measure engagement;
• Experience in writing and editing articles, reports, social media content and press releases;
• Previous experience working in the UN is desirable.

Languages:

• Fluency in English and Arabic is required;
• Knowledge of French is desirable.

Statements:

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)