Communications Officer (Opened for Moldova Nationals Only).

Vacancy Number: Pr21/02164

Location:Chisinau, Moldova
Application Deadline: 21 Feb 2021, 23:59 (GMT+2:00)
Application Extended deadline:
09 Mar 2021, 23:59 (GMT+2:00)
Application Extended deadline:
09 Mar 2021, 23:59 (GMT+2:00)
Starting date: 01 Mar 2021
Reference to the project: UN Women
Expected Duration of Assignment:
Submission Instructions:

The United Nations in Moldova is committed to workforce diversity. Women, persons with disabilities, Roma and other ethnic or religious minorities, persons living with HIV, as well as refugees and other non-citizens legally entitled to work in the Republic of Moldova, are particularly encouraged to apply

Application Process

This is a local position; therefore only citizens of the Republic of Moldova are eligible to apply. Applications should be submitted on line following the link https://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=96770 and include fully completed UN Women Personal History Form as attachment instead of CV/resume.

Failure to disclose prior employment or making false representations on this form will be grounds for withdrawal of further consideration of his/her application or termination, where the appointment or contract has been issued.

Note:

The system will only allow one attachment, hence all supporting document e.g. P11, CV and Cover letter must be scanned as one attachment.  Only qualified, shortlisted candidates will be contacted for test and interview.

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.

Supporting Documents:
TOR Communications Officer SB4.2.docx
Personal History Form (P11) UN Women
UN Women Conditions of Service Consultants



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’s presence in the Republic of Moldova has evolved from being a project-based office in 2007 to a Country Office with full delegated authority as of 2015. Currently, UN Women Moldova Country Office is  implementing its Strategic Note (SN) for 2018-2022, which is aligned with the Republic of Moldova-United Nations Partnership Framework for Sustainable Development 2018-2022 and the Global Strategic Plan of UN Women.  The SN 2018-2022 aims at advancing progress under the following three Impact Areas (IA): IA1: More women from diverse groups fully participate and lead in governance processes and institutions, IA2: Women have income security, decent work and economic autonomy, IA3: Public authorities, institutions and communities prevent violence against women and girls and deliver quality essential services.

Reporting to the Programme Specialist, the Communications Officer is responsible to ensure the timely and quality planning and implementation of the Office communications strategy and will support advocacy efforts, maintenance of media relations, and organizational outreach efforts, in order to increase the standing and awareness of UN Women with partners, the media and the public. The Communications Officer collaborates closely with other Country Office colleagues as well as the Headquarters and Regional Office counterparts, to ensure communications strategies, media relations and organizational outreach efforts are aligned with corporate communications policies and initiatives, and follow good practices. The Communication Officer applies and promotes the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach consistent with UN Women rules and regulations. 

 

Scope of work

1.Plan and design communications and outreach/advocacy strategies and plans and ensure their efficient implementation

  • Prepare and conduct communications needs assessments for the Country Office (CO), including for projects, programmes and corporate change initiatives;
  • Analyze requirements and synthesize proposals for elaboration of communications strategies; ensuring gender perspective is fully mainstreamed;
  • Elaborate, implement and continuously monitor the communication and awareness strategy and plan of CO, including appropriate feedback mechanisms and monitoring tools;
  • Contributes to identification of appropriate suppliers for the provision of goods and services for activities under the communication plan; Develops relevant Terms of References and technical specifications;
  • Coordinate and evaluate all project service providers related to communication & visibility products and service delivered to the project;Oversee the organization and realization of events, campaigns, workshops, coordinate the project teams on all communication and visibility aspects;
  • Integrate communications, advocacy and outreach strategies into proposals for project/programmes and other initiatives; Advise CO management and Project Managers on daily implementation of the strategies;
  • Monitor and analyze print and social media and draft reports; Provide inputs to the quarterly and annual Office work plan and progress/annual reports;
  • Coordinate in-country UN Women/ UN system corporate and local campaigns and special events, and ensure UN Women’s active participation and visibility in UN Joint Communications Group and ensuing joint communications activities;

2.Coordinate and implement the development and dissemination of advocacy materials in the country

  • Develop and produce communications materials, including brochures, publications, briefing materials, press releases, and articles, and manage their dissemination;
  • Identify and propose information-sharing 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 global or regional communications materials, coordinate printing and dissemination of publications and audio-visual materials;
  • Follow guidelines from HQ and Regional Office.

3.Coordinate media relations for the CO

  • Develop a tailored strategy on working with media in the country and manage relationships with the media; maintain and update a media database;
  • Respond to media inquiries and information requests; prepare related correspondence;
  • Respond to queries from the Government, other UN Agencies, and other external parties with respect to communication and visibility aspects of the project;
  • Organize roundtable discussions, press conferences, and briefing sessions for the media, as required;
  • Design concepts of various communication products such as TV and radio programmes, websites, publications and other promotional or information materials in cooperation with staff and partners;
  • Ensures timely preparation of talking points, their relevance to the event and compliance with organization’s mandate and priorities.

4.Build and maintain partnerships and maintain relations with donors

  • Identify and develop new communications 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 donor reports and information packages for donor review.

5.Maintain the CO’s web/ online presence

  • Manage CO’s website content and maintenance based on corporate requirements;
  • Manage the CO’s social media accounts in line with corporate social media policy;
  • Ensure visibility and presentation of results of Country Office activities; ensure increased hits on the website and reach of the social media accounts, as well as evidence of visual content;
  • Upload information to knowledge management system on a regular basis, including news, updates, and resources.
  • Contribute to UN Women social media and web presence.

6.Facilitate knowledge building and sharing

  • Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country goals and activities;
  • Prepare and provide training and workshops on communication and advocacy to staff and partners, as appropriate.

Key Performance Indicators:

  • Quality communications strategy and timely implementation which leads to greater exposure and understanding of UN Women’s work
  • Timely monitoring of current events and trends
  • Quality and relevant advocacy materials and content
  • Timely updating of website and social media
  • Timely dissemination of materials as shown by knowledge of UN Women’s activities in country
  • Regular interactions with mass media, as shown by coverage

Core Values / Guiding Principles:

  1. Demonstrates ethics and integrity;
  2. Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN Women;
  3. Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds;
  4. Accepts responsibility and accountability for the quality of the outcome of his/her decisions;

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

  1. Take charge of self-development and take initiative;
  2. Actively works towards continuing personal learning, encourage learning and sharing of knowledge;
  3. Promotes a supportive environment to enhance partnerships, leverages resources and build support for UN Women initiatives;

Job knowledge/Technical expertise/In-depth knowledge of the subject-matter

  1. Ability to communicate sensitively, effectively and creatively across different constituencies
  2. Knowledge of web-based management systems
  3. Knowledge of production, graphic design and photography standards
  4. Knowledge of social media platforms and experience in social media outreach
  5. Knowledge of local country media landscape. Ability to establish and maintain contacts with media at national and local levels, with senior-level officials of the host government required
  6. Ability to be strategic and analytical
  7. Knowledge of gender and human rights issues Outstanding oral and written communications and editing skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness

  1. Proven ability to problem-solving and thinking creatively;
  2. Ability to facilitate and encourage open communication and communicate sensitively, effectively and creatively across different constituencies
  3. Proven performance in organizing and coordinating major initiatives, events or challenging inter-organizational activities;
  4. Demonstrate informed and transparent decision making

Leadership and self-management

  1. Ability to establish priorities for self and others, achieve results and meet strict deadlines in an effective manner, maintaining a high quality standard throughout;
  2. Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
  3. Identifies opportunities and builds strong relationships with clients and partners
  4. Interacts effectively with all levels of the organization, including senior management
  5. Stay composed and positive even in difficult moments, handle tense situations with diplomacy and tact, and have a consistent behaviour towards others

Requirements for experience

Education:

  • Master’s degree or equivalent in corporate communications, public relations, media communications, social sciences, international relations, journalism and/or other relevant.
  • Additional training and certification in communication and related areas is a strong advantage.

Experience:

  • A minimum of 5 years’ experience in communications at the national or international level, including   experience in media relations.
  • Experience in developing and implementing media/communications strategies and plans, including organizing awareness campaigns.
  • Experience in active/advanced  use of social media, multi-media and digital platforms;
  • Experience in writing reports, researches, articles and/or blogs;
  • Experience working in a large development agency is an asset.
  • Previous experience with gender issues, with UN Women and UN system is an asset.

Language Requirements:

  • Fluency in oral and written Romanian and English. Good knowledge of Russian is an asset.
  • Working knowledge of one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova, including Bulgarian, Gagauzian, Romani, Ukrainian or sign language is an asset.