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. 

UN WOMEN West & Central Africa Regional Office has been supporting multi-initiatives through programming, global advocacy and building strategic partners with national governments, civil society, UN agencies, and other bilateral and multilateral development organizations. In this process, UN WOMEN WCARO has contributed to building interest, capacity, and commitment to integrating gender issues processes in the West and Central Region. UN WOMEN Regional and country offices are supporting several other initiatives at regional and country levels and there is a need for visibility.

Reporting to the Regional Communication Specialist, the Regional Communication Analyst will support the development and implementation of the communication and advocacy strategies to enhance the visibility of UN Women’s work within the west and Central African region. S/he will be in charge of supporting the WCARO Communication Unit in developing key messages and managing its various digital platforms including the Regional Office website and social media accounts in order to reach out to _various audiences, including media and program implementing partners and civil society organizations. S/he is responsible for timely, support to the regional commutation team in liaising with country offices and with other units within the regional office.

Reporting to the Regional Communication Specialist, the Regional Communications Analyst is responsible for assisting in the planning and implementation of the Office communications and advocacy strategies to increase the standing and awareness of UN Women with partners, the media and the public. 

The Regional Communications Analyst works in close collaboration with the Programme, Operations and technical teams in the RO and COs and staff of other UN Agencies, Government officials, media, multilateral and bilateral donors and civil society.

Key Functions and Accountabilities:

Plan and design communication and outreach/advocacy strategies and plans

• Prepare and conduct communication needs assessments for the RO, including projects, programmes and corporate change initiatives;
• Analyze requirements and synthesize proposals for elaboration of communication strategies; ensure gender perspective;
• Integrate communication, advocacy and outreach strategies into proposals for project/programmes and other initiatives;
• Monitor and analyze print and social media and draft reports;
• Coordinate in-country UN Women/ UN system corporate and local campaigns and special events;
• Provide advice and guidance to COs in the region.

Coordinate and implement the development and dissemination of advocacy materials in the country/region

• Develop and produce communication instruments and materials, including briefing materials, press releases, and drafts of articles, and manage its dissemination;
• Identify and propose information opportunities, activities, approaches and platforms and partners;
• Promote and disseminate corporate advocacy materials for launching flagship initiatives, publications, and campaigns;
• Manage the translation/adaption/rewriting of information received, printing and dissemination of publications and audio-visual materials;
• Follow guidelines from HQ and RO.

Coordinate media relations for the RO

• Manage relationships with press in country; maintain and update database of relevant press;
• Respond to a variety of inquiries and information requests; prepare related correspondence;
• Organize roundtable discussions, press conferences, and briefing sessions for press, as required;
• Draft talking points.

Build and maintain partnerships and maintain relations with donors

• Identify and develop new communication partnerships and alliances to enhance visibility;
• Liaise with advocacy partners and undertake outreach to civil society organizations, governments, and other groups to ensure that newsworthy information reaches the public and donors;
• Provide inputs to packages for programme initiatives for donor review.

Maintain the RO’s web/ online presence 

• Manage RO’s websites’ content and maintenance based on corporate requirements; 
• Manage the CO/MCO’s social media accounts in line with corporate social media policy;
• Upload information to knowledge management system on a regular basis, including news, updates, and resources.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.

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 communicate sensitively, effectively and creatively across different constituencies
• Good knowledge of web-based knowledge management systems
• Good understanding of production, graphic design and photography standards
• Good knowledge of social media platforms and experience in social media outreach
• Good knowledge of local country media landscape
• Good communication, presentation, networking and advocacy skills
• Ability to be strategic and analytical
• Knowledge of gender and human rights issues desirable

Recruitment Qualifications:

Education and certification:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in communications, public relations, journalism or relevant field is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• At least 2 years of professional work experience at national or international level in public relations, communications or advocacy is required.
• Experience in media relations is desirable.
• Experience in the use of social media is required.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems is required.
• Experience in the use of a modern web-based ERP System, preferably Oracle Cloud, is desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and French is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).

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.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.