Communication and Advocacy Advisor

Background Information – Job-specific

Since 2010, the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement has inspired a new way of working collaboratively to end malnutrition, in all its forms. With the governments of SUN Countries in the lead, it unites people—from civil society, the United Nations, donors, businesses and researchers—in a collective effort to improve nutrition. The SUN Strategy 2021–2025 (SUN 3.0) prioritises country leadership and focuses on supporting systemic change at the country level. It seeks to capture the ambition of SUN countries and guide the work of all actors at all levels aligning concerted action behind and responding to commonly agreed national priorities set out by governments in SUN countries.

SUN 3.0 is committed to fundamental, non-negotiable aspects of effective nutrition action, including equity and the principle of leaving no one behind. For its third phase, the SUN Movement will drive forward gender equality and enshrine youth leadership across the Movement. SUN 3.0 will strengthen partnerships to achieve greater impact on nutrition through food systems, health systems, social protection systems, actions by the private sector and humanitarian and development actors, and through education, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and climate change adaptation.

The SUN Movement Secretariat plays a central role in enabling the multiple members and structures of the Movement to work together to advance progress on country-level priorities and the global positioning of nutrition.

The SUN Movement Secretariat comprises approximately 35 personnel, based in Geneva and in various regions globally. All parts of the Movement – member governments, the four SUN networks (Civil Society, United Nations, Business, Donors), the SUN Movement Coordinator and the SUN Movement Secretariat work together to align and focus efforts on priorities within countries.

The Communication and Advocacy Advisor is part of the Country Action team of the SUN Movement Secretariat. The purpose of this team is to support SUN Countries in advocacy, positioning, planning, multi-sector/stakeholder collaboration, resource mobilisation, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of their National Nutrition Plans.

The Communication and Advocacy Advisor reports to the Head of Country Action. The purpose of the role is to facilitate the SUN Movement’s global communication strategies at a regional and country level. The position maintains a close working relationship with the global technical advisory team and includes a second reporting line to the Communication and External Relations Advisor, who sets the global communication and advocacy priorities of the SUN Movement Secretariat.

The role is responsible for developing strategic communications and media initiatives and oversees the production of a range of communications materials for online and offline audiences. S/he is responsible for timely, accurate and high-quality informational materials, such as press releases, media advisories, news briefs, fact sheets, stories from the field etc. for media outreach, the SUN Movement website, and inclusion in informational kits for further public outreach.

S/he also manages a geographically dispersed team to support outreach campaigns, resource mobilization and donor relations initiatives and supports the activities and special events organised by the SUN Movement.

Functional Responsibilities

1. Regional and country communication

• Provide substantive support to SUN Countries through the Country Action Team, fostering the adaptation and localisation of global communications and advocacy priorities promoting the work of the SUN Movement.

• Guide the Country Action Teams to support SUN Countries to identify risks and opportunities related to communication, and to suggest mitigation measures as relevant.

• Identify and assess potential issues, concerns and risks related to communication and advocacy at the regional and country level and suggest corrective actions.

• Working as one Global Support System (GSS) liaise with the SUN Networks (Civil Society, Business, United Nations, Donor), providing communication advice as needed in support of SUN Countries, and promoting opportunities to showcase GSS impact in SUN Countries

• Advise Country Action Teams on the use of the SUN Movement brand at country level across content and products, both offline and online.

2. Advocacy

• In collaboration with colleagues in the global technical advisory team, design, implement and monitor advocacy and communications strategies, promoting the SUN Movement to a broad range of stakeholders.

• Research, analyse and present inputs on strategic advocacy for the SUN Movement including liaising with SUN Lead Group Members on their commitments.

• Plan and facilitate engagements with external stakeholders on communications and advocacy for the SUN Movement.

• Monitor and analyse the media in the areas related to the SUN Movement’s priorities, as well as other issues relevant to the UN brand and positioning.

• Advise the Head of Country Action on possible sources of funding and in-kind support and partnerships that could be leveraged for promoting the SUN Movement, galvanizing local, regional and global support as relevant.

• Oversee and also take a role in production of Joint Annual Assessments.

• Evaluate results and impact of communication and advocacy initiatives promoting the work of the SUN Movement, reporting the outcome to Secretariat leadership as required.

3. Global communication

• Provide substantive support to the Communication and External Relations Advisor, on publications, communication and advocacy products, ensuring high quality standards and the correct application of the SUN Movement branding guidelines and publishing standards.

• Develop and maintain external and internal digital communications platforms such as the SUN Movement website, social media accounts, Intranet and on-line collaboration platforms, etc.

• Conduct exercises exploring the applicability of new and emerging tools and techniques to digital communications and advocacy activities to reach a wider audience.

• In collaboration with colleagues across the SUN Movement Secretariat, lead the preparation of the annual report.

• Contribute to official briefing materials, talking points, speeches, statements, op-eds and presentations as necessary.

4. Matrix management of communication function

• In collaboration with the Head of Country Action and the Communication and External Relations Advisor, establish annual objectives and targets, performance measurements, standards and results expected for the team.

• Monitor implementation, oversee progress toward annual objectives and take decisions to ensure the delivery of results as planned.

• Guide, monitor and evaluate results/outcomes in enhancing the skills and competencies of communication practitioners across the Secretariat.

• Foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

5. Innovation and knowledge management

• Compile and analyse communication experiences and share findings with country, regional and global colleagues to facilitate best practices.

• Work in close collaboration with leaders across the Secretariat to implement communication improvements and provide communication capacity support that reinforces regional/country level strategic priorities.

Impact of Results

The effective and successful achievement of results will support the SUN Movement and its Secretariat to achieve in-country nutrition impact and its vision of a world free from malnutrition in all its forms by 2030.

Education

• Advanced University Degree (Masters Degree or equivalent) in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, International Development or other relevant discipline is required.
• A bachelor’s degree with a combination of two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the master’s degree.

Work experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in communication and advocacy in the context of international development is required.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing communication and/or advocacy plans in support of overall global objectives is desirable.
• Experience in conceptualising, producing, and managing the production of communication materials, including (not limited to) press releases, media advisories, blogs, talking points, photos, videos, podcasts, infographics, virtual events, videos, animations, social media and related software and web-based platforms is desirable.
• Experience with managing websites and developing social media strategy is desirable.
• Experience managing launch events and conferences – including planning, operations, and logistics is desirable.

Language

• Fluency in English Language ( Writing, Reading and Speaking) is required.
• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language, particularly French is an asset.

Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.