Communications Officer

DUE: 11 SEP 2023

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the UNPFA Innovation, Communication and Visibility Specialist, the UNV Communications Officer will support and carry out the following: – Contribute to the development and implementation of the Country Office Communications and Visibility Strategy and Plan – Contribute to the preparation of various communication products including newsletters, briefing kits, and programme information packages – Support planning and organizing campaign activities and visibility and advocacy events including drafting speeches, talking points – Engage media for UNFPA visibility, including supporting capacity building for the media on population and development reporting; drafting Press Releases etc – Provide communication support at advocacy and visibility events – event set up ensuring branding for UNFPA and funding partners’ visibility; photography and filming, editing and packaging of videos of events, – Support documentation of UNFPA work in the field through photography, video production and writing human interest stories – Generate and upload content on a regular basis on the UNFPA digital media platforms such as social media cards, human interest stories, photographs, videos visual stories etc – Reviewing of documents and assisting in visualizing data and other information materials to profile UNFPA work – Designing of knowledge products such as annual reports, pictorial and human-interest booklets, factsheets, flyers to support UNFPA advocacy, visibility and resource mobilization – Supporting the development of a web-based newsletters to raise awareness of various UNFPA priorities. – Track UNFPA mention in the digital media and report on trends and look for innovative ways to drive traffic to our social media and web pages – Prepare periodic reports on UNFPA digital performance and presence – Support capacity building of staff to engage and support the visibility of UNFPA Zimbabwe on social media; build staff capacity on basic videography and photography – Assist in the updating of the UNFPA photo and video library – Support the Country Office Partnership Outreach activities as relevant

Eligibility criteria

Age

27 – 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Requirements
Required experience

• 3 years of experience in communications, media, journalism or related field
• Strong and demonstrable writing skills.
• Strong organizational skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact with multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong skills in Photography and videography including knowledge on use of relevant software for some basic design and editing.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.
• Have affinity with or interest in UNFPA’s work or related technical area, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System

Area(s) of expertise

Communication, Development programmes
Driving license

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required Shona, Level: Working knowledge,

Desirable

Sindebele, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Required education level

• Bachelor degree or equivalent in
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, and or Media Studies, and or Multi-media and or Mass Communication, and or Social Studies, or any other related field.

Competencies and values

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNFPA; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNFPA procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;

• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNFPA in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;

• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;

• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.

• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;

• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;

• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNFPA’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Other information
Living conditions and remarks

Zimbabwe is located in Southern Africa and has three seasons, cool and dry from May-Aug, hot and dry from Sep-Nov, warm and wet from Dec-Apr. The capital Harare is situated in the North East of the country in Mashonaland. The middle plateau of the country is Malaria free and prophylaxis is highly recommended in low lying and hot areas. The currency in use is USD and all basic food and accessories are available. There are public and private health facilities as well as social amenities available in Harare. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

TO APPLY

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