The Position:

The Programme Analyst, Communications, Media and Advocacy is in the Liberia Country Office. This position substantively contributes to communications and advocacy as a crosscutting strategy for the Country Office (CO). The position technically supports and guides the office in building strong and trusted relationships with the media community by informing and involving them in the CO’s activities. The position must effectively influence the media to create visibility of UNFPA’s mandate while positioning it on the public agenda.

You will report to the Programme Specialist, Policy and Partnerships under the direction of the Representative and Deputy Representative and work closely with the Country Office Programme and Operations staff with support from the Management Team.

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 Programme Analyst, Communications, Media and Advocacy contributes to building and strengthening UNFPA’s positioning, brand and strategic programme and policy objectives through strong and effective communications. This also involves documenting UNFPA’s work, facilitating media briefings and trainings, preparing Annual Reports and other communication material, fact sheets, donor reports, preparing talking points or key messages for media interviews, sharing press releases or written press materials, and other material based on the audience’s needs, and executing social media campaigns.

The Programme Analyst, Communications, Media and Advocacy is a substantive contributor to the programme team in the Country Office in coordinating development and implementation of the office’s advocacy and communication plans. You will monitor results achieved during implementation, guiding the appropriate application of systems and procedures, developing enhancements as required.

You would be responsible for:

Advocacy and communication

• Provide technical and coordination support to the communication, advocacy and resource mobilization strategy of the CO, by ensuring preparation of relevant documentation, i.e., project summaries, conference papers, speeches, donor profiles, and participating in related meetings and public events.
• Analyze policy papers, strategy documents and national development plans, preparing briefs and inputs for policy dialogue, technical assistance coordination, and development frameworks.
• Edit UNFPA communication products (programme briefs, concept notes, proposals, speeches, Opeds, digital material) to ensure are user-friendly and disseminated to enhance UNFPA visibility.
• Coordinate and provide communication support with donors and partners, preparing compelling presentations, briefing papers.

Media outreach and visibility

• Provide inputs to the development and design of the Liberia response communication and publication strategies, which are geared to promote public and media outreach and mobilize political and financial support for UNFPA.
• Coordinate the CO’s communications work ensuring increased visibility for the country office and establish strong engagement and rapport with media networks and organizations.
• Work with the media to publicize UNFPA’s work and achievements, to disseminate UNFPA’s results in the media while celebrating the value of partnerships in achieving these.

Coordination and programme support

• Coordinate and provide input to design and implementation of the country programme and its component projects, in collaboration with Government counterparts, NGOs and other partners, aligning with Government priorities and UNFPA programme policies and procedures.

Knowledge management and capacity building

• Coordinate the implementation of knowledge management strategies to capture lessons learned and best practices, sharing these with management for future planning supporting training needs of project personnel.

Partnerships and visibility

• Work closely with the Programme Specialist, Policy and Partnerships and other colleagues, establishing collaborative relationships with executing agencies, experts, government counterparts and other UN agencies to facilitate timely and efficient delivery of project inputs.
• Establish and maintain mutually respectful relationships with strategic partners, development partners, UN agencies and implementing partners and other duty bearers in the Region to facilitate timely and efficient delivery of programmes.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

• Master´s degree in Development studies, Journalism, Communications, Public Policies, International Relations, Human Rights/ Gender, or other related advanced degree.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Minimum two years of increasingly responsible relevant professional experience, preferably in Communications, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Gender, Population and Development, Public Health and /or any related fields.
• Experience working in communication or advocacy in the areas related to UNFPA’s mandate (e.g., sexual and reproductive health and rights, prevention of gender-based violence, youth and adolescents, gender equality, intercultural communication, and human rights focusing on the most vulnerable populations)
• Good knowledge management and strong advocacy skills including monitoring media coverage (including social media), developing web production, communicating and multimedia knowledge tools or materials.
• Previous experience with a multilateral or international organization is desirable.
• Previous knowledge of the UN system in general and especially the UNFPA mandate is a strong asset.

Skills:

• Sense of responsibility. Tact and discretion, initiative and good judgment in partnership building and resource mobilization.
• Sound analytical skills related to country context or situation, and stakeholder mapping, build alliances and ability to use the analysis.
• Capacity to develop, implement, and monitor communication and advocacy strategies or plans, including ability to link communication actions with behavioral and social changes, and providing communication materials for specific audiences, such as youth and adolescents.
• Familiarity with designing, implementing, and monitoring communications campaigns and events, including the use of social media and innovative technologies.
• Proficiency in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling web-based management systems.
• Excellent computer/information systems skills, including knowledge on social media and other innovative technologies or communication tools/ methods.

Languages:

Fluency in English is required with excellent oral, written communication, editing and communication skills. Working knowledge of other local languages is desirable.

Other Desirable Skills:

Initiative, sound judgment, strong interest in development work, especially the mission of the United Nations Population Fund and dedication to the principles of the United Nations.

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 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.