The Position:

The post of Communication Specialist is located in the UNFPA Pacific Sub Regional Office in Fiji and will report directly to the International Programme Coordinator. The Communications Specialist position is responsible for leading communication and visibility related undertakings for the Transformative Agenda programme and supporting UNFPA’s broader communications work in close collaboration with national and regional partners; supporting the overall communication, leading knowledge management efforts of the programme and establishing and strengthening strategic partnerships with various stakeholders and actors engaged in communication work.

S/he collaborates with the UNFPA Pacific Communications Team, TA programme Team, Country Teams, Advisers and relevant programme managers. He/she will also liaise with the Regional Communication Advisor (RCA). S/he will be part of UNFPA’s global communications network to promote the Transformative Agenda programme at the regional and global levels. This position will entail travel to Pacific countries.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s global Strategic Plan (2022-2025) focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture UNFPA’s strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action in the last Decade of Action to achieve Agenda 2030 including the SDGs. UNFPA Strategic Plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations, and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of health pandemics and climate crises on women’s and young people’s access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

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 that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

In coordination with the Representative, the Communication Specialist will lead communication, visibility and knowledge management work for the implementation of the Transformative Agenda programme as well as support UNFPA’s broader communications work in the Pacific among national partners, donors, media, and UN agencies.

• Develop a communication strategy.
• Elaborate and implement the publications strategy and plan based on the corporate publications policy
• Supervise the design and maintenance of the TA web page and knowledge management system
• Enhance the capacity of the Subregional Office to build reliable and sustainable partnerships and advocate effectively
• Provide strategic advocacy and communications advice to Senior Management and Programme Managers, especially for the Transformative Agenda Programme

You would be responsible for:

A. Communication strategy:

• Review, design and update the Transformative Agenda Communications and Social Media Strategies;
• Manage the implementation of the TA communications strategy, preparing annual work plans and updating them on a regular basis;
• Lead and oversee the development of all types of methods of communication including print, TV, radio, web, photography, digital, quarterly newsflashes for the TA programme, and speeches to reach the media and the public;
• Organize and facilitate training sessions to improve and increase media/communication skills and capacity of PSRO staff;
• Organize and facilitate field visits for strategic media focal points on the TA programme and UNFPA’s mandate and relevant topics;
• Create a well-catalogued electronic photo and video library;
• Provide guidance and contribute to Transformative Agenda Behavior Change Communication strategy implementation.

B. Publications strategy and plan based on the corporate publications policy.

• Identify and develop story lines for publications and substantive articles contributing to debates on development issues as they affect Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights, Youth and Gender with a particular focus on the Transformative Agenda Programme;
• Oversee daily media scanning and summary in regard to topics related to the TA programme to inform the PSRO staff, operating a functional internal alert system;
• Coordinate and manage all Transformative Agenda publication activities, including content management, norms for publishing, design, liaison with printers and other suppliers to oversee production and supervision of publications dissemination.

C. Web Based Knowledge Management System

• Design and expand the TA webpage, including projects/programmes specific pages and based on corporate requirements in cooperation with the ICT staff;
• Supervise and prepare content for the web site ensuring consistency of the materials;
• Strengthen and maintain the TA knowledge management system working with M&E Specialist to ensure all knowledge products are catalogued and widely disseminated.

D. Sustainable Partnerships and Advocacy

• Participate in the UN Communications Group;
• Assist in evidence-based advocacy efforts for the Transformative Agenda and broader ICPD agenda with national institutions and other UN agencies;
• Pursue innovative ways to maintain and create new partnerships with government, non-government agencies, development partners and donors in communications related areas and maintain a continuous flow of information;
• Create, promote and contribute to campaigns for local, regional and international media that position the Transformative Agenda and influence on-going development work, based on current programme and new initiatives;
• Support advocacy initiatives such as the organization of roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews, launches;
• Develop and maintain media contacts and networks, providing newsworthy information to public and donors to increase coverage and understanding of the Transformative Agena and UNFPA’s work in the region, while ensuring coherence in public information activities and messages;
• Contribute to annual reporting of the Transformative Agenda and formatting and packaging of key materials for the donor in close collaboration with programme staff.

E. Provide strategic advocacy and communications advice to Senior Management

• Liaise with the UNFPA Regional Office to keep PSRO work aligned with UNFPA’s regional and global communications efforts;
• Provide guidance and support to Senior Management and International Programme Coordinator in planning and implementing advocacy and communication activities that project UNFPA’s branding and image accurately and effectively;
• Cooperate with all units within the PSRO to provide support for all advocacy and communication requirements;

• Provide guidance to and liaise with all other personnel so that media and communications are integrated through their respective Transformative Agenda activities.

Any other activities/responsibilities as assigned by UNFPA.

Qualifications and Experience

Education:

• An advanced University degree (Master’s degree or higher) in one or more of the following disciplines: Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, Social Sciences, or other relevant subjects.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Minimum five (5) years of professional experience in communication, media, broadcast, media relations, or public relations, including building and maintaining relationships with journalists; researching stories; organizing press conferences; writing press releases and news for website and social media, including three (3) years at the international level.
• Experience of internal communications including communication of key corporate messages;
• Experience of managing the production of printed material, including brochures, leaflets, briefing third party designers/printers to ensure corporate brand and style is met;
• Experience in managing websites and social media accounts;
• Experience in planning and managing public events;
• Excellent command of written English and proven ability to write and edit engaging news, stories, and feature articles, as well as compelling social media content;
• Sound editorial judgement, analytical ability and sensitivity to the issues UNFPA addresses;
• Good facilitation and coordination skills, demonstrated ability to work in an independent manner and meet tight deadlines;
• High sense of responsibility. Tact, discretion, initiative and good judgment in dealing with staff members, partners and other stakeholders;
• Excellent computer skills and experience with software packages essential to create compelling content (print/visual/online);
• Photography and videography skills are in asset.

Languages:

Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another Pacific language an asset.

Required Competencies

Compensation and Benefits

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus cost of living adjustment, rental subsidy, education grant, home leave, health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

Disclaimer

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Fraudulent notices, letters or offers may be submitted to the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm

In accordance with the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations, persons applying to posts in the international Professional category, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.

Notice:

UNFPA is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNFPA does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next phase of the selection process.