Mission and objectives

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers. In most cultures volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UN Volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities. In all assignments, UN Volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive.

Context

The UNV Field Units (FU) are mainly accountable for the mobilization and placement of UN Volunteers in UN Agencies, Funds, and Programmes focused on peace, development and humanitarian needs. The UNV Field Units represent and position UNV in the respective countries and bring UNV’s services and solutions closer to its partners from governments, UN entities, civil society and private sector. For further information about the work of the UNV Programme, kindly visit https://www.unv.org/ Supervision, induction and duty of care of UN Volunteers UN Volunteers should be provided equal duty of care as extended to all host entity personnel. Host entity support to the UN Volunteer includes, but is not limited to: • Introductory briefings about the organisation and office-related context including security, emergency procedures, good cultural practice and orientation to the local environment; • Support with arrival administration including setting-up of bank accounts, residence permit applications and completion of other official processes as required by the host government or host entity; • Structured guidance, mentoring and coaching by a supervisor including a clear workplan and performance appraisal; • Access to office space, equipment, IT support and any other systems and tools required to complete the objectives of the assignment including a host entity email address; • Access to shared host entity corporate knowledge, training and learning; • Inclusion of the volunteer in emergency procedures such as evacuations; • Leave management; • DSA for official travel, when applicable; • All changes in the Description of Assignment occurring between recruitment and arrival or during the assignment need to be formalized with the United Nations Volunteer Programme.

Task Description

The Communications Assistant will play a pivotal role in supporting UNV's communication efforts in Central Africa, acting as a focal point to coordinate activities across Cameroon, CAR, Congo Brazzaville, Gabon, and DRC. Under the daily supervision of the UNV Country Coordinator in DRC and the overall coordination of the Regional Communication Analyst based in Dakar, the UNV Communication assistant will undertake the following tasks:  Communication Coordination: Serve as the primary communication focal point for the assigned countries to support the regional communications plan, in line with UNV communications strategy • In consultation with UNV Field Units, coordinate and implement the regional communication plan and activities across the portfolio • Facilitate information sharing and collaboration among UNV Field Units (Programme Managers/ UNV Support Officers, Country Coordinators/Programme Assistants,) and the regional communications team • Ensure that communications activities are co-branded with UN Partners based on their mandates and UNV support • Support, monitor and report on international days celebrations in the portfolio, including International Volunteer Day (IVD) • Undertake communications-targeted in-country monitoring missions in consultation with the Country Coordinator and Regional Office Communications Analyst • Support targeted talent outreach activities through communications/advocacy, in consultation with the RO Talent Acquisition Analyst  Content Creation and Storytelling: • In close consultation with the Regional Communications Analyst, support the development, disseminate engaging storytelling content, including articles, success stories, and case studies among UNV stakeholders (UN partners, UNV Field Units, UN Volunteers) in the portfolio countries. • Collect and document testimonials from targeted UN Volunteers and UN partners of the portfolio, highlighting their experiences and the impact of UNV contributions. • Create compelling narrative that showcase the contributions and achievements of UN Volunteers and the communities they serve for country specific newsletters, webpages, etc. • Ensure all content aligns with UNV guidelines and effectively communicate the organization's mission and values.  Social Media Management: • Manage and update active social media accounts relevant to the portfolio. • In close consultation with the Regional Communications team, create engaging content (posts, stories, short videos, reels, etc.) to increase visibility of the UNV Programme and audience engagement. • Analyze social media trends and provide recommendations for enhanced online presence. • Gather field stories and visuals to produce creative content for different platforms. • Conduct monthly social media performance analysis and propose recommendations to enhance reach and impact. • • Prepare social media cards and tailored emails for application calls  Reporting and Analysis: • On a quarterly basis, report, provide a report on communication activities of the portfolio • Provide inputs and recommendations for regional communication reports and analyses. 12. Results/Expected Outputs: • Enhance Coordinated Communication in Key Regions: Achieve a 25% increase in the visibility of the UNV Programme across Cameroon, CAR, Congo Brazzaville, Gabon, and DRC through well-coordinated communication efforts. • Produce Quantifiable Storytelling Content: Create and distribute at least one impactful storytelling content per country in the portfolio monthly, including articles and videos, demonstrating the effects of UN Volunteers with a target of 30% increase in audience engagement and reach. • Elevate Social Media Engagement to Measurable Levels: Generate social media content leading to a 20% increase in audience engagement metrics, focusing on showcasing the mission and impact of UNV. • Implement and Monitor Targeted Communication Plans: Develop and execute communication plans for key events and International Days, with a target of 15% improved audience interaction and feedback, emphasizing regional nuances and ensuring monitoring for effectiveness. • Achieve Strategic Collaboration and Alignment: Establish a collaboration framework with UNV Field Units and Regional Office Dakar that enhances the effectiveness of communication strategies by 20% through increased alignment and shared objectives. • Document and Amplify Volunteer Success with Clear Indicators: Collect and share at least one testimonials or success stories from UN Volunteers and partners per month across various media, aiming for a 25% increase in positive public feedback and media coverage. • Promote Measurably Inclusive and Diverse Communication: Implement communication practices that increase content inclusivity and diversity by 30%, ensuring a more representative portrayal in all communications, with specific attention to gender inclusivity. • Incorporating these specific targets and percentages provides clear, measurable goals that can be tracked and assessed, making the outputs more result-driven and quantifiable.

Competencies and values

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client oriented. • Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations. • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values

Living conditions and remarks

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan. 19. Conditions of Service for national Specialist UN Volunteers The contract is for the period indicated above with the possibility to extend subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. A UN Volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) per month at the rate of 1218 usd and is paid at the end of each month to cover housing, utilities, transportation, communications and other basic needs.