Mission and objectives

In Afghanistan, UN Women works in four thematic areas i.e., Governance and Participation, Ending Violence Against Women, Women Economic Empowerment, and Women Peace and Security (WPS). On Women Peace and Security, UN Women is catalysing the UN system and supporting Afghanistan to deliver on the women, peace and security agenda and enhanced capacities and opportunities for gender equality advocates to participate in peace processes at all levels. UN Women ACO assists the Government of Afghanistan to implement their commitments on women, peace and security and more women and civil society organizations and those actors with gender equality agendas, influence peace, and security processes. UN Women’s priority outcomes for WPS in Afghanistan are the following: (i) supporting an enabling environment for the implementation of WPS commitments; (ii) ensuring that women are represented and meaningfully participate in all peace and security, peacebuilding and recovery processes, including formal and informal peace negotiations processes; and (iii) supporting gender-responsive security sector and justice reforms. Under the overall guidance from the Country Representative and Deputy Representative, the WPS Analyst will report directly to the Head of WPS Thematic Area and will support engagement with civil society, as well as with government counterparts and support coordinating, and monitoring of UN Women interventions implemented through civil society organizations and selected government institutions.

Context

Afghanistan is one of the world’s most complex emergencies, and the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. Afghan people are grappling with the impact of conflict, poverty, economic decline, and natural disasters. In this context, Afghan women and girls face unique vulnerabilities and require urgent support as gender inequality is interwoven with conflict dynamics and humanitarian needs. Since the takeover by Taliban in August 2021, Afghanistan has witnessed a progressive erasure of women’s rights and freedoms, through both formal and informal edicts, messages and practices. It is essential that Afghan women and girls continue to shape the development of their country, and that their gains are protected. UN Women remains fully committed to supporting Afghan women and girls and to putting them at the center of the global response to the crisis in Afghanistan. In the evolving context UN Women continues to reconfigure and adapt its programming to be responsive to ensure the full spectrum of rights of Afghan women and girls are met; and to ensure that approaches evolve in line with a dynamic and uncertain context and to ensure close coordination with its partners who are supporting the implementation of UN Women’s Strategic Note in Afghanistan.

Task Description

The International UN Volunteer will work under the direct supervision of the P-4 communications and advocacy specialist and in close coordination with programme and partnerships teams. a) Support the development and implementation of communications and advocacy strategies. • Support communications needs assessments for the Country Office, including for projects and programmes, identifying key moments, launches, milestones and emerging issues; • Contribute to the analysis and development of communications and advocacy strategies to increase the credibility and visibility of UN Women’s work in Afghanistan, strengthen political will in support of UN Women’s mandate; and amplify the voices and needs of Afghan women and girls; • Support the development of associated workplans, timelines and indicative budgets in line with approved strategies; • Support the integration of communications, advocacy and visibility approaches into project and programme proposals and other initiatives; • Monitor and analyse media coverage, public discourse and social media trends relevant to Afghanistan and gender equality, and provide regular summaries to inform strategic decision-making through traditional monitoring and AI-enhanced facilities provided by UN Women. b) Develop communications and advocacy content and assets • Draft, edit and package timely, high-quality advocacy materials factsheets and briefs that elevate the voices and experiences of Afghan women and girls; • Support the planning, coordination and quality control of communications products, including web articles, videos and social media assets; ensuring alignment with UN Women’s protection, branding and editorial guidelines; • Coordinate with and provide day-to-day oversight of contracted service providers (ie.g. video editors, graphic designers, photographers) to ensure timely delivery and quality outputs. c) Support media relations for the Country Office • Support responses to media inquiries and information requests; including drafting background notes, talking points or briefing packages for designated spokespersons; • Support proactive media engagement activities, including media mapping, tracking coverage and reporting; • Liaise with the Regional Office Communications and Advocacy Unit on service delivery, using corporate tools. d) Support reporting, knowledge management, learning and risk awareness • Support delivery against regular reporting requirements, collating inputs, data and examples of results for corporate, donor, regional or headquarters reporting, as required; • Work across programmes, sub offices and the partnerships team to collect, synthesize and document communications and advocacy impact stories, good practices and lessons learned; • Maintain and update communications knowledge management tools and shared repositories; • Support the delivery of communications and advocacy orientations, briefings or workshops for staff and partners, as appropriate; • Monitor emerging political, operational or reputational issues that may affect communications and advocacy work, and flag potential risks. e) Support donor visibility and partner engagement • Support the development and implementation of donor visibility approaches, including the production of timely content and assets in line with donor agreements and corporate guidelines; • Identify potential communications partnerships and alliances that could enhance reach and credibility, and support the maintenance of existing partnerships. f) Perform other duties as required for communications and advocacy outputs of the Office and the Organisation.

Competencies and values

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Awareness and sensitivity regarding gender issues • Creative problem solving • Effective communication • Inclusive collaboration • Integrity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Respect for diversity • Self-management • Stakeholder engagement

Living conditions and remarks

Afghanistan is a unique country and UN Women is a unique (humanitarian) operation. It provides an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as stamina and commitment. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential. You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.”