Mission and objectives

Guided by the Programme of Action adopted at the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), and the Sustainable Development Goals, UNFPA partners with governments, civil society, academia and other agencies to advance its mission. The UNFPA GCC Sub-regional Office provides technical expertise and coordinates the efforts of GCC governments in the areas of population and development, youth, reproductive health, gender equality & equity, youth, data & statistics, and other related issues to development. UNFPA advocates and assists GCC partners in using population data to assess and anticipate needs and to monitor progress and gaps in delivering development programmes and services. The GCC office also provides technical guidance, training, and support to partners and ensures that the reproductive health and rights of women and young people remain at the very centre of development.

Context

The Communication and Social Behavior Change Officer supports the UNFPA GCC Office in all communications (institutional and programme) towards a higher visibility of UNFPA interventions within and outside UNFPA and the sub region. Moreover, The Communication and Social Behavior Change Officer supports the UNFPA GCC Office in all communications (institutional and programme) towards a higher visibility of UNFPA interventions within and outside UNFPA and the sub region. The role is critical to the UNFPA’s efforts to position itself as a partner of choice and to implement impactful interventions towards 3 Transformative Results: Zero Preventable Maternal deaths; Zero unmet Need for Family Planning; and Zero gender-based Violence. Additional information: International UN Specialist Volunteers in Oman are entitled to: • Volunteer living allowance $2,570.97 • Entry Lumpsum $4,000 • Annual and learning leaves; • Free Medical and life insurance; • Free access to different learning platforms. For more information on UN Volunteer benefits, entitlements and support, please visit: https://www.unv.org/volunteer-your-country-conditions-service

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of the UNFPA Representative, and working in close consultation with the Assistant Representative, and programme leads the volunteer shall ensure effective visibility of UNFPA activities (institutional communication), support programme through social and behavior change communication (programme communication). S/He leads the development and implementation of the Communication Plan for the office. S/He works with programme staff to ensure that communication is fully integrated into annual work plans. S/He contributes to identify partnership opportunities in support of an effective Communication Plan. The Communication and Social Behavior Change Officer is responsible for the design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Communications Plan of the Office. The objective of the position is to promote and enhance the visibility, credibility and brand of UNFPA in the areas of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), and Gender Equality and Equity, as well as other areas of support to policy maker opinion leaders and the general public. The volunteer may be accountable for all or assigned areas of the following major duties and end results: 1. Communication materials Ensure that the production of communication products and materials is timely executed and followed up to support office’s communication plans, regional and global campaigns and priorities and to support partnerships in the GCC region. • Manages the visibility and public information for the Office including design and maintenance of website, newsletter, informational materials (brochures, flyers etc) and social media platforms; • Review documents that aim to be disseminated outside of UNFPA before they reach the Representative for validation, ensuring quality design and professional look&feel that contributes to the image of the institution; • Assist in drafting and editing articles, press releases, human interest stories and other advocacy/information materials for both web-based as well as social media and traditional media, as appropriate; • Produce advocacy and communication materials (e.g. briefing notes, images, video. Web pages etc.) that meet the expected UNFPA standards of quality; • Follow up on the production of advocacy and communication materials (e.g., films, videos, audio-visuals, etc.), and oversee the qualitative aspects of production, (e.g., quality control, translations, reviews of layout and graphic design etc.) to meet standards of quality; • Establish or maintain an up-to-date database of communication materials including publications, press releases and clippings, photographs, audio-visual materials, web resources etc; • Recommend appropriate information and communication materials for use in media, and other advocacy and communication activities; recommend the appropriateness, quality and dissemination of printed and audio-visual materials; 2. Advocacy, networking and partnership building Deliver effective and timely professional assistance and support are provided in developing, drafting and maintaining contact information, materials and relationships with journalists and media outlets covering all types of media with a focus on social media in the GCC region to communicate the story of cooperation with the GCC countries to a wider audience • Keep an updated and active range of social media channels on key aspects of UNFPA interventions in the region; • Maintain and update media relations contact list/database so as to ensure rapid and accurate information dissemination to the media; • Assist in developing and maintaining close collaboration with media, as well as with groups and organizations whose support is essential to the achievement of advocacy and communication objectives; • Assist in drafting and editing articles, press releases, human interest stories and other advocacy/information materials in all media formats, as appropriate; • Prepare background communication and promotional materials for briefing and visits of media and other special interest groups. Assist in the planning, logistic and administrative arrangements for them; • Assist in collaborating with the media through activities such as organizing project site visits, facilitating photo coverage and TV footage and utilizing both web-based and traditional media as appropriate; • Monitor and evaluate the use and effectiveness of media materials. Maintain a library of coverage (clippings, coverage etc); • Build and maintain partnerships through networking and proactive collaboration with civil society organisations, community groups, leaders and other critical partners in the community and civil society to reinforce cooperation through engagement, empowerment and self-determination and to pursue opportunities for greater advocacy to promote UNFPA 3 Transformative Results; • Collaborate with internal global/regional communication partners to harmonize, link and/or coordinate messaging to enhance S&BC outreach and contribution to programmatic outcomes. 3. Monitoring and evaluation Regular monitoring and evaluation of communication activities are undertaken according to the work plan to ensure maximum impact and continuous improvement of country communication efforts. Ensure results and reports are prepared and shared on a timely basis. • Contribute to developing/reviewing/updating advocacy and communication plans by coordinating appropriate audience research and compiling and analyzing relevant data; • Monitor and evaluate the appropriate and timely dissemination of advocacy and communication materials to target audiences, and participate in the evaluation of their impact. Monitor and evaluate the use and effectiveness of media materials. Maintain a library of coverage (clippings, coverage etc.; • Scan the media environment on a regular basis and advise senior UNFPA Management on potential impact for UNFPA presence and programme delivery; • Collect feedback from partners and the press, analyze and use to make the necessary corrections; • Collate outreach data contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reports, support communications activities that enable informed decision making and ensures consistency of information presented to the media and other stakeholders; • Undertake lessons learned review of successful and unsuccessful communication experiences; • In cooperation with and with the support of the Assistant Representative, produce the office annual report no later than the end of the first quarter following years’, as well as relevant policy briefs and fact sheets in support of high-level advocacy. 4. Design, development and implementation of SBCC activities • Collect, synthesize, draft and/or organize materials and related documentations for evidence-based S&BC strategies and plans to ensure impact, scale and sustainability of achievements/results; • Assess, select and/or recommend appropriate information and materials for S&BC initiatives verifying accuracy and quality for dissemination; • Participate in the monitoring of the production of S&BC materials to ensure technical quality, consistency and relevancy of communications materials that are developed, produced and disseminated to target audience (e.g. individuals, communities, government officials, partners, media etc); • Monitor and assess the impact of S&BC strategies and activities to achieve measureable change of social norms resulting in the achievement of the 3 Transformative Results. Submit qualitative report/synthesis of results for development planning and improvement; • Assess and recommend potential contacts, networks, resources and tools to support maximum impact and outreach of S&BC initiatives; • Develop a strategic partnership with networks, groups, NGOs, organizations, associations and institutions that will help accelerate the change of social norms. 5. Other assignments • Serves as focal point to the UN Communications Groups in the GCC countries; • Carry out other relevant activity/responsibility as assigned by the Representative in relation with the purpose of the job.

Competencies and values

General knowledge of: • Communication practice, methodology and practical application. Knowledge of current theories and practices in communication research planning and strategy. • Fundamentals of working in various media formats – print, audio, video, web etc. • Computer systems, including internet navigation, office applications, and specifically, interactive digital media. • United Nations or other international organizations; good understanding of world affairs, current events and international development issues • Gender equality and diversity awareness Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced (for the Job) • Knowledge and expertise in management, communication strategy and networking. • Technical competence in producing content for various media formats – print, audio, video, web etc. • UN policies and strategy to address international humanitarian issues and the responses. • UN common approaches to programmatic • UN security operations and guidelines. Values: • Exemplifying integrity, • Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, • Embracing cultural diversity, • Embracing change

Living conditions and remarks

Oman’s status as one of the most prosperous nations in the region contributes to its reputation for stability and a notably low incidence of crime. Living conditions in Oman are often regarded as comfortable and favorable. With its strong economy and relatively high income levels, the country offers residents access to modern amenities, quality healthcare, and a well-developed infrastructure. The blend of traditional Omani culture and modernity creates a unique atmosphere where expatriates and locals alike can experience a harmonious way of life. Additionally, the country’s low crime rate contributes to a sense of safety and security, making it an attractive destination for those seeking a balanced and enriching living environment. Conditions of Service for International UN Volunteers The initial contract is issued upon arrival for the period indicated above. The contract can be extended depending on continuation of mandate, availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectancy of renewal of the assignment. A UN Volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA), which is composed of a Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a Family Allowance (FA) for those with dependents (maximum three). The Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is paid at the end of each month to cover housing, utilities, transportation, communications and other basic needs. The VLA can be calculated using by applying the Post-Adjustment Multiplier (PAM) to the VLA base rate. The VLA base rate is a global rate across the world, while the PAM is duty station/country-specific and fluctuates monthly according to cost of living. This method ensures that international UN Volunteers have comparable purchasing power at all duty stations irrespective of varying costs of living. The PAM is established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) and is published at the beginning of every month on the ICSC website – http://icsc.un.org. In non-family duty stations that belong to hardship categories D or E, as classified by the ICSC, international UN Volunteers receive a Well-Being Differential (WBD) on a monthly basis. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are provided a settling-in-grant (SIG) at the start of the assignment (if the volunteer did not reside in the duty station for at least 6 months prior to taking up the assignment) and in the event of a permanent reassignment to another duty station. UNV provides life, health, permanent disability insurances as well as assignment travel, annual leave, full integration in the UN security framework (including residential security reimbursements). UN Volunteers receive flight tickets for periodic home visit and for the final repatriation travel (if applicable). Resettlement allowance is paid for satisfactory service at the end of the assignment. UNV will provide, together with the offer of assignment, a copy of the Conditions of Service, including Code of conduct, to the successful candidate

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements