Result of Service

ESCAP is seeking a consultant to lead the communication activities for the Third Ministerial Conference on CRVS in Asia and the Pacific. These activities will focus on delivering the following assignments. 1. Conduct and film interviews with participants during the 9th session of the Committee on Statistics on 10-11 December 2024 2. Liaise with co-organising partners of the Third Ministerial Conference on CRVS to coordinate and synchronize regional and global CRVS communication work to develop a joint Advocacy toolkit (by 31 December 2024) 3. Create inventory of relevant coms resources which could be utilised (by 31 December 2024) 4. Develop and implement joint communication strategy for the conference (by 31 January 2025) 5. Overview of key messages for partners (By 28 February 2025) 6. Social media package for dissemination by ESCAP and partners (By 31 March 2025) 7. Support the young people and CSO Forum 2-4 March 2024 by conducting interviews with participants (by 31 March 2025) 8. Branding identity and templates (work with graphic designer to adapt existing materials) (by 31 March 2025) 9. Editing of the CRVS Decade report (app 75 pages) (by 30 April 2025) 10. CRVS fact sheet for media (By 30 April 2025) 11. 2 joint op eds with key partners – (By 31 May 2025) 12. 3 Short videos – (By 30 June 2025)

Work Location

ESCAP

Expected duration

1 Nov 24 -30 Jun 25

Duties and Responsibilities

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development emphasizes the inclusive and sustainable future for all with a focus on leaving no one behind. A well-functioning civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) system helps ensure that every person has a legal identity which facilitates access to the benefits and protections of the State. Further, robust CRVS systems are necessary to inform policy makers about the health and well-being of different populations, and to adequately allocate resources to serve populations for services such as education, health care, infrastructure and to provide social protection and other services administered at a local level. Without reliable vital statistics derived from civil registration, it is difficult to understand how fast a population is growing (or shrinking) and to anticipate its future needs, as well as monitor the health and well-being of different populations and gender differences if any, so that health interventions can be put in place accordingly. Death registration is critical to inform mortality patterns – who is dying where, at what age, and from what cause. Without this information, it is not possible to improve the health and longevity of a population. This is particularly important in humanitarian and emergency settings when conflict or natural disasters can increase mortality, and prevent delivery of interventions needed for good health such as clean water, nutrition, skilled birth attendants, vaccinations, etc. Death registration is also important to inform policies related to social security and inheritance. In this way, registering, recording, and providing documentation of life events enhances good government and sustainable development. However, despite continuous efforts, an estimated 64 million children under the age of five within Asia and the Pacific have not had their birth registered, and millions of other vital events, including deaths, have not been registered. As a result, countries in the region lack the data necessary to make informed policy decisions to improve health, education planning and other well-being outcomes of their populations. Against this backdrop, ESCAP and Bloomberg Philanthropies Data 4 Health initiative have collaborated and implemented the project entitled “Getting everyone in the picture: strengthening civil registration and vital statistics systems in Asia and the Pacific”. The work supports implementation of the Regional Action Framework on CRVS in Asia and the Pacific and the further commitments made in the Ministerial Declaration on Building a More Resilient Future with Inclusive Civil Registration and Vital Statistic. The Third Ministerial Conference on CRVS in Asia and the Pacific will be an opportunity for governments and development partners to come together and celebrate the success of the Asia Pacific CRVS Decade. More importantly, they will be able to appreciate the challenges ahead and identify common solutions to address them during the expected extension of the Asia Pacific CRVS Decade until 2030. The recommendations from the Conference will be key for the region to achieve its shared vision that all people in Asia and the Pacific will benefit from universal and responsive civil registration and vital statistics systems that facilitate the realization of their rights and support good governance, health, and development. A consultant is required to assist ESCAP to elevate the profile of the ministerial conference and to attract attention and resources to the issue of CRVS. This includes developing a communications and advocacy strategic plan and producing advocacy tools that can be employed by ESCAP and development partners leading up to the ministerial meeting planned for 24-26 June 2025. Materials should be in line with the existing graphical identity and messages of the “Get Every One in the Picture” initiative and ESCAP Communication Guidelines. Close collaboration with the ESCAP’s Communications and Knowledge Management Section and the CRVS Team within the Statistics Division as well as the other co-organizers of the Ministerial Conference is expected.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree in journalism, communication, or a relevant academic qualification. At least 7 years of progressively advanced experience in strategic communications, including developing communications and advocacy strategies at the global, regional or national level. Experience in visual design and use of Adobe Creative Cloud software is desirable. Demonstrated familiarity with the work of the United Nations and Asia-Pacific development issues Ability to build trust and engage key stakeholders with diverse views and opinions.

Languages

Excellent knowledge of English is required – strong communication skills (written and oral) in English are a necessity

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.