Individual Consultant-Communication Specialist and Content Writer

The Position:

The Communications Specialist – Content Writer contributes to the communications work of the UNFPA Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia by researching and writing human interest stories, social media posts, and other content for UNFPA’s regional channels, and by creating content, and supporting Country Offices, on communications related to humanitarian emergencies.

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 strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and 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 our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health 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.

You would be responsible for:

• Research, draft, and/or edit human interest feature stories and news items on the whole range of topics related to UNFPA’s mandate, including humanitarian emergencies;
• Develop content plans for humanitarian emergencies in the region;
• Develop timely and field-driven content, including social media posts, to promote stories and other content and campaigns on various social media platforms;
• Edit brief public information materials such as factsheets, brochures, and humanitarian situation reports;
• Develop key messages and scripts for infographics, videos and other public information materials;
• Coach and build humanitarian communications capacity among UNFPA Country Offices and implementing partners in emergency settings and as part of preparedness efforts, and provide training to journalists on covering sensitive issues related to the UNFPA mandate;
• Facilitate the implementation of Communication with Communities (CWC) and Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) approaches;
• Liaise with partners in non-programme countries to support the development and design of information, education**,** and communication materials, and risk communication and community engagement materials, as needed.
• Revise existing contentand develop new content for the regional website;
• Support the Regional Publications Committee;
• Compile the regional newsletter**.**
• Other related tasks as required.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

Master’s Degree – 5 year(s) experience OR Bachelor’s Degree – 7 years experience in communications, journalism, or related disciplines

Knowledge and Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of experience as a journalist or writer for English-language media or publications, including in humanitarian contexts
• Demonstrable experience in social media writing and engagement
• Familiarity with the topics of gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and demography are considered strong assets
• Previous experience with the UN or other international organizations is an advantage
• Excellent computer skills and ability to use information technology as a tool and resource
• Initiative, strong conceptual and analytical abilities, sound judgement, and strong interest in development work, especially the mission of the United Nations Population Fund and dedication to the principles of the United Nations
• Initiative and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with staff members from different national and cultural backgrounds

Languages:

Excellent native-speaker-level writing and editing skills in English are a must

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. 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.