National Post: Programme Associate, Communications, Eswatini, G-7

The Position:

Reporting to the Head of Office and in collaboration with the programme team, the Programme Associate Communications supports planning and implementing the country office’s advocacy and communication strategy in line with the Country Programme and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).

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.

Job Purpose:

The Programme Associate Communications applies established policies and procedures and assists in the planning and implementation of the advocacy and communication strategy of the UNFPA country programme in Eswatini for the realization of three transformative results of UNFPA and the SDGs. S/he supports the promotion of UNFPA visibility, assists the programme team to implement social norm change strategy and collaborates in partnership building and resource mobilization. 

You would be responsible for:

A. Communication and Visibility

Ensures the application of UNFPA branding guidelines and communication policies in conducting communication and visibility activities.
Monitors press coverage of UNFPA work and ICPD issues in Eswatini and contributes to country and regional media monitoring reports.
Maintains and updates the country office’s online communication channels such as the country office’s website and social media platforms.
Maintains media relations and organizes media engagements such as media field visit, media coverage of UNFPA events, and drafting press briefings, etc. 
Participates in the joint UN Communications Group (UNCG) and contributes to the implementation of the Joint UN communication strategy. 
Liaises with the regional communication team and relevant UNFPA country offices on regional and global advocacy and communication initiatives.
 

B. Advocacy and Social Norms Change    

Assists in the development and implementation of the UNFPA advocacy and communication strategy and action plan, including social behavioral change communication (SBCC) interventions, in coordination with national counterparts and the country office. 
Supports the programme team to produce advocacy and communication materials, including but not limited to UNFPA publications, photographic and audio-visual materials, human interesting stories, info-graphs, factsheets, programme briefs, etc. 
Provides logistical and administrative support to implement advocacy, communication and SBCC activities, including the commemoration of UNFPA and other UN International Days.
 

C. Partnership and Resource Mobilization

Assists in regular environmental scanning, partners profiling and media monitoring and prepares relevant reports for the country office.  
Assist the Head of Office and programme team in the development of resource mobilization strategy. 
Liaises with UNFPA regional resource mobilization and partnership advisor for the application of UNFPA resource mobilization policy and procedures, including regional review and clearance of donor agreements and financial and narrative reports.    
Performs the role as DARTs focal point and ensures timely monitoring of earmarked projects in collaboration with the programme team. 
 

D. Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

• Completed Secondary Level Education/ High School education is required. 
• First level university degree preferably in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or related fields is highly desirable. 
   

Knowledge and Experience:

• At least  7 years of professional experience in programme/ project management;  increasingly responsible experience in communications, such as print and broadcast media, interactive digital media and external relations.
• Clear understanding of advocacy and communication concepts. Experience in advocacy and communication is desirable.
• Strong communication skills and proven experience with the use of social media and other channels for effective advocacy, knowledge sharing, and campaigning
• Proficiency in current office software applications and corporate IT systems.
   

Languages:

Fluency in English is required. Fluency in Siswati is desirable.

Required Competencies:

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system
• Embracing cultural diversity
• Embracing change

Core Competencies:

• Achieve results
• Being accountable
• Developing and applying professional expertise/ business acumen
• Thinking analytically and strategically
• Working in teams/ managing ourselves and our relationships
• Communicating for impact

Functional Skill Set:

• Advocacy/ Advancing a policy-oriented agenda
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships
• Delivering results-oriented programmes
• Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilization 
• Technical Understanding of the areas of work
• Project Management 
• Managing financial processes
• Proficiency in current office software applications

Compensation and Benefits: 

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

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.