Census Communication and Volunteer Coordination Associate

Mission and objectives

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the United Nations agency for sexual and reproductive health and population and development. UNFPA works with governments and partners to advance the rights and choices of individuals, strengthen national systems, and promote the use of population and demographic data for evidence-based policymaking and development planning. In Jordan, UNFPA provides technical and coordination support to national institutions, including the Department of Statistics (DoS), in strengthening population data systems and promoting the effective use of demographic data. In this context, UNFPA is supporting the implementation of the 2026 General Population and Housing Census, led and implemented by the Department of Statistics as the mandated national institution.

Context

The assignment is part of UNFPA's support to the Government of Jordan and the Department of Statistics for the successful implementation of the 2026 General Population and Housing Census. The census is a major national undertaking and an important source of population and housing information for planning, policymaking, service delivery, and monitoring national development priorities. Effective communication and public engagement are essential to ensure public awareness, understanding, participation, and trust throughout the census process. The census communication effort involves coordination between the Department of Statistics' communications team, UNFPA, and a large network of more than 300 volunteers supporting communication and public outreach activities. The communication campaign aims to ensure that clear, consistent, accurate, and accessible messages about the census reach different population groups through appropriate communication channels. The UN Volunteer will support the coordination and day-to-day implementation of the census communication plan and campaign. The position will serve as a coordination link between the DoS communications team, UNFPA and the network of volunteers, helping to organize activities, disseminate approved communication materials and messages, monitor implementation, and consolidate feedback and reporting. The assignment will contribute to strengthening public understanding of the census, addressing misconceptions, promoting participation, and ensuring consistency in census-related communication across different channels and locations. Additional Information: National UN Associate Volunteers in Jordan are entitled to:

• Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) at the amount of JOD 949.06;
• Annual and learning leaves;
• Free Medical and life insurance; and
• 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 M&E Analyst and Population and Development Portfolio Lead, and in close coordination with the Department of Statistics communications team, the UN Volunteer Associate will: Communication planning and coordination: - Support the coordination and implementation of the census communication plan and campaign in line with the agreed communication strategy and key messages. - Maintain a consolidated activity plan and calendar for census communication and outreach activities. - Coordinate with the DoS communications team to ensure that communication activities are aligned, complementary, and based on officially approved census information. - Support the preparation, organization, and follow-up of communication coordination meetings with DoS and relevant partners. - Assist in ensuring that census communication materials and messages are disseminated to volunteers in a timely and organized manner. Volunteer coordination: - Support the coordination of the network of more than 300 census communication and outreach volunteers. - Maintain updated contact and deployment lists for volunteers and support regular communication with them. - Facilitate the dissemination of approved communication materials, key messages, guidance, schedules, and updates to volunteers. - Support the organization of briefings, orientation sessions, and coordination meetings for volunteers. - Follow up with volunteers on assigned communication and outreach activities and consolidate their progress. - Collect feedback, questions, challenges, and emerging communication issues from volunteers and communicate them to the relevant DoS and UNFPA teams. - Support the identification of communication gaps or areas requiring additional outreach. Campaign implementation and monitoring: - Support the implementation and monitoring of census awareness activities across relevant communication channels and locations. - Track planned versus completed communication and outreach activities and maintain simple monitoring records. - Collect and consolidate information, photographs, activity reports, and other documentation from volunteers, as appropriate. - Support the preparation of regular updates on the implementation of the census communication campaign. - Identify recurring questions, misconceptions, or concerns raised by the public and volunteers and refer them to the appropriate technical or communications focal points. - Support the consistent use of plain-language census messages, particularly in distinguishing the census from administrative registers and other government information systems. Content and knowledge management: - Support the organization and maintenance of a shared repository of approved census communication materials, messages, FAQs, guidance, and other relevant resources. - Assist in adapting approved communication content for different volunteer groups and outreach contexts, without altering the technical substance of official census messages. - Support the collection and documentation of good practices, lessons learned, and examples from the communication campaign. - Assist in preparing presentations, briefing materials, reports, trackers, and other coordination documents as required. Coordination and other duties: - Facilitate effective information flow between UNFPA, DoS, volunteers, and other relevant stakeholders. - Support coordination with relevant UNFPA communication and programme colleagues as required. - Perform other related duties within the scope of the assignment that contribute to the successful implementation of the census communication and public outreach campaign.

Competencies and values

- Accountability - Adaptability and flexibility - Creativity - Judgement and decision-making - Planning and organising - Professionalism - Self-management

Living conditions and remarks

Amman, the capital, is a peaceful city with over four million residents. People are friendly to visitors. Services in terms of banking, transportation, health and communications are easily available. Though Arabic is the official language, English is widely spoken among the majority of the population, especially in Amman. Road network is good both in terms of spread and quality of the roads. Public transportation in Amman is limited. Taxis are relatively cheap and easily available. There are a number of shopping malls, restaurants, gyms, and cinemas. A large variety of accommodation options can be found; however, it is worth noting that prices in Amman have generally increased in the past few years. There are no specific security threats. Amman is a very easy city in which to live; large, many amenities, very modern and serviced by an international airport with direct flights to most capital cities. According to the assessment of the UN Department of Safety & Security (UNDSS) Jordan is a family duty station (category A hardship). 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 insurance plan.