Communication and Media Adviser - WCARO, Dakar, Senegal, P5

The Position: 

The Regional Communications and Media Adviser covers West and Central Africa and performs a strategic role in the regional team. As a member of the West and Central Africa Regional Office (WCARO) team, the adviser develops the regional communications strategy and implements the work plan. The adviser works in close collaboration with management, technical and operations colleagues in the WCARO team, and as a member of the global communication network, works closely with the Division for Communication and Strategic Partnership (DCS). The adviser ensures efficient and timely delivery of results in line with the regional work plan. In addition, the adviser delivers strategic communications support to country offices in the region and provides guidance and capacity advice to communications focal points in country offices.

The adviser works under the overall guidance and supervision of the Regional Director and in close collaboration with the other units of the Regional Office, which operates along broad thematic areas designed to stimulate and strengthen UNFPA programmes and results in the West and Central Africa region.

How you can make a difference: 

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender- based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies. 

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction. 

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact and sustained results and ensure effective external relations, communications, and partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.

We seek agile, collaborative and innovative professionals who can communicate with impact, engage diverse audiences, build strategic partnerships and leverage digital platforms to strengthen UNFPA’s visibility, influence and reach. Successful candidates will bring an audience-first, results-oriented mindset, turning evidence, knowledge and programme results into compelling communication and advocacy that advances UNFPA’s mandate and drives lasting change.

Job Purpose:

The primary roles of the Regional Communication and Media Adviser are:

• To sustain and increase public awareness of ICPD core issues and UNFPA’s work in
  the region by promoting and protecting the UNFPA brand and reputation through media and other channels at national, regional, and global levels;
• To provide policy guidance and strategic advice to country offices in the region on effective and innovative strategies to build UNFPA’s visibility and reputation among the media, UN agencies, partners and public, and to build the communication capacity of staff;
• To ensure that UNFPA’s branding and public messaging about its mandate and programmes is consistent across the region and reflects the Fund’s global communication priorities, adapted appropriately to the regional context;
• To provide strategic communication support, guidance and advocacy in emergency and humanitarian contexts;

You would be responsible for: 

Based on the global communication framework and regional priorities, inter alia:

A. Establish Regional Communication and Public Advocacy Strategy

• In close consultation with the WCARO management and country offices, develop, implement, and manage a regional communication strategy to place ICPD issues into the public domain and strengthen political will in support of UNFPA’s mission and regional priorities;
• Coordinate media activities around events with a regional impact, such as visits by UNFPA senior managers, celebrity advocates, regional launches of The State of World Population report and the UNFPA response to conflicts and natural disasters;
• Undertake a range of internal writing assignments including key messages, statements, talking points and preparatory documents for international press events, interviews, and presentations;
• Prepare for and handle potential reputational crises and support the implementation of the crisis management framework in the region;
• Identify the need for communication materials for regional use and manage their production and distribution to target audiences to advocate and promote organizational goals;
• Oversee UNFPA’s regional website, ensuring timely, accurate and comprehensive content based on information provided by regional and country offices;
• Promote UNFPA publications/reports to position UNFPA as a regional knowledge leader for our core issues;
• Identify feature stories and materials on good practices to support global and regional advocacy and resource mobilization;
• Regularly meet with the Regional Director to assess the state of regional communication: strategy implementation, emerging needs, progress and challenges, etc.;

B. Support to Country Offices

• Provide overall strategic and technical guidance and support to country offices in planning and implementing country-level public relations and visibility activities that project UNFPA’s branding and image accurately and effectively, including:
  • communication assessment and analysis to support the development of a Country Office communication strategy;
  • advising on media outreach opportunities;
  • organizing training sessions to improve and increase media/communication skills and capacity of country office communication focal points;
  • reviewing the content of press releases and other media products;
  • offering strategic guidance on key media events;
  • facilitating information sharing among communications focal points;
• Identify and maintain a network of external technical resources to assist country offices in the development and implementation of communication activities;

C. Support to Global Communications Strategy and Media Outreach

• Maintain up-to-date understanding of the communication, public advocacy, and the media environment including innovations and developments in digital communications;
• Monitor relevant global, regional, and national news media to identify trends in coverage priorities and perspectives to effectively position UNFPA media outreach and respond to misinformation;
• Under the regional communication strategy, design a media relations plan and maintain and update media relations contact list/database;
• Establish process of communicating with media contacts, including press conferences, events, site visits; issuing of media materials, etc.;
• Develop and design media materials in multiple, appropriate formats and ensure quality of communications materials; coordinate photo and video footage for digital platforms and distribution to media;
• Establish and maintain close working relationships with senior representatives of the media, including editors and regional correspondents of influential news organizations with a global or regional impact, as well as editors and reporters of key programme country news organizations, to generate positive reporting on UNFPA’s work;
• Expose media to UNFPA’s work in the region;
• Report and disseminate news and feature stories related to UNFPA’s mandate and programme in countries of the region, using various media (e.g., print, the web, radio, video, news releases and documentaries) with DER/HQ assistance to reach regional and global audiences, including constituencies in donor countries;
• Promote ICPD issues in regional networks and contribute to developing new partnerships with individuals and organizations, including in the private sector, whose support is important to UNFPA advocacy work and build their capacity through access to information;
• Maintain and develop collegial relationships with media and communication counterparts from UN agencies, NGOs, and other partners to enhance cooperation and ensure coherence in public information activities and messages;
• With DER/HQ, work to create synergies between regional communication activities and HQ-led efforts such as fundraising and global campaigns;
• Develop an annual workplan for regional communication activities, monitor compliance and provide support and guidance to ensure objectives are met;
   

D. Knowledge Management Capacity Development

• Lead the identification of opportunities or lessons learned/best practices in communication and ensure that these are shared across the region;
• Contribute to promotion of technical knowledge, innovative approaches, lessons learned and success stories for use in improving communications programmes; maintaining accessible data bases on best practices;
• Contribute evidence-based best practices and lessons learned from the region to inform and shape global practice and vice versa, including the South-South sharing of knowledge and best practices;
• Contribute to the development and adaptation of existing and new tools and guidance as well as training materials and manuals in communication and support their use for capacity development of partner institutions and UNFPA staff in the region;

E. Carry out any other duties as may be required by the Regional Director or the Deputy Regional Director

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education: Advanced university degree in the field of Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, or equivalent professional experience in the communication areas, combined with an advanced university degree in a relevant discipline required.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• A minimum of ten years’ professional experience with demonstrated ability to achieve powerful media coverage and drive brand reputation and recognition for international organizations;
• Proven ability to prepare for and manage reputational crises within an international context;
• Solid active network of journalist and editor contacts;
• Superior writing skills;
• Strong verbal, listening and presentation skills;
• A keen understanding and working knowledge of issues related to the ICPD Programme of Action;
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships at all levels in a multi-cultural, matrixed environment;
• Proven ability to lead and inspire, exhibit integrity and empathy, be a team player with initiative;
• Experience working in an international PR agency and/ or managing a PR vendor is desirable;
   

Languages: 

• Fluency in English and French is required to enable effective communication with English speaking and French speaking country coordination groups and local organizations (West and Central Africa region).

Required Competencies: 

• Values: 
  • Exemplifying integrity, 
  • Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
  • Embracing cultural diversity, 
  • Embracing change
     
• Core Competencies:
  • Achieving result and ensuring programme quality and impact
  • Being accountable
  • Developing and applying professional expertise
  • Thinking analytically and strategically
  • Working in teams / managing ourselves and relationships
  • Communicating for impact
     
• Functional Competencies:
  • External and internal communication and advocacy for results mobilization
  • Internal and external communication and resource mobilization
  • Creating visibility for the organization
  • Generating, managing and promoting the use of knowledge and Information
  • Building strategic alliances and partnerships
  • Advocacy/ Advancing a policy-oriented agenda
     
• Managerial Competencies (if applicable):
  • Providing strategic vision and focus
  • Engaging internal / external partners and stakeholders
  • Leading, developing and empowering people / creating a culture of performance
  • Making decisions and exercising judgment

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.