General
Description of assignment title: International Communication Specialist
Assignment country: Türkiye
Expected start date: 06/12/2023
Sustainable Development Goal: 17. Partnerships for the goals
Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist
DoA reserved for persons with disabilities: No
Host entity: UNFPA
Type: Onsite
Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Gaziantep
Details
Mission and objectives
UNFPA’s global mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is healthy and wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA expands the possibilities for women and young people to lead healthy and productive lives. UNFPA has been operating in Turkey since 1971, currently running its 6th Country Programme in more than 20 provinces. Delivery of accessible and rights-based reproductive health and youth-friendly services particularly targeting vulnerable groups, prevention of child, early and forced marriage, promotion of gender equality, prevention of gender-based violence, in-depth analysis of population dynamics are the main aims of UNFPA 6th Country Programme (2016-2020) and 7th Country Programme (2021-2025). UNFPA works with governments, universities, CSOs and the private sector to support data collection, service delivery, capacity enhancement-trainings, and policy/legislation design. Under the UNFPA Development Programme, two projects regarding prevention of child, early and forced marriage (CEFM) have been implemented.
Context
UNFPA’s mandate includes the delivery of accessible and rights-based reproductive health and youth-friendly services particularly targeting vulnerable groups, promotion of gender equality, prevention of gender-based violence, in-depth analysis of population dynamics are the main aims of UNFPA 7th Country Programme (20216-2025). Since April 2011 over 3 million Syrians have entered Turkey due to crisis in Syria and joined the vulnerable population groups in Turkiye. 75% of refugees are women and children. They are under high risk of sexual violence, early and forced marriage, trafficking, high-risk pregnancies, unsafe deliveries, abortions and sexually transmitted infections. They have very limited access to sexual and reproductive health services and gender-based violence services. Given the complexity of programmes for vulnerable groups mainly Syrian refugees, up-scaling of partnerships with government, NGOs, host communities require quality and timely advocacy and communication activities.
Task description
To achieve the results of managing a large humanitarian assistance programme, the services of an International Communication Specialist is needed to develop communication products, media relations including managing social media and support advocacy efforts. A. Communication strategy & products (Ensure that the production of communication materials is timely executed and followed up to support country communication strategy, regional and global campaigns and priorities and to support resource mobilization as set out in the work plan)
- Develop the Türkiye Cross Border (TXB) Communication Strategy and implement the work-plan.
- Gather content and coverage of relevant efforts/best practices to identify effective relevant programme activities and results. Develop complementary, specific and local community materials and activities.
- Produce communication materials (e.g., briefing notes, brochures, images, video, web pages) that meet the UNFPA standards.
- Draft and edit articles, press releases, human interest stories and other advocacy/information materials for both web-based and traditional media.
- Follow up on the production of advocacy and communication materials (e.g., films, videos, audio-visuals, etc.), and oversee the qualitative aspects of production, (e.g., quality control, translations, reviews of layout and graphic design etc.) to meet standards as set out in the UNFPA Communication guidelines.
- Lead on the process of Sitreps and other period and ad hoc products issued by the TXB office
- Maintain an up-to-date documentation center for communication materials including publications, press releases and clippings, photographs, audio-visual materials, web resources etc.
- Recommend appropriate information and communication materials for use in media, and other advocacy and communication activities.
- Establish contacts, networks, resources and processes to support communication activities.
- Ensure compliance with donor visibility standards/requirements. B. Media relations (Effective and timely professional assistance and support are provided in developing, drafting and maintaining contact information, materials and relationships with journalists and media outlets covering all media – print, TV, radio, web etc. – in the country, to communicate the story of UNFPA to a wider audience)
- Maintain and update media relations contact list/database. Ensure rapid and accurate information dissemination to the media.
- Maintain close collaboration with mass media, as well as with groups and organizations whose support is essential to the achievement of advocacy and communication objectives.
- Drafting and editing articles, press releases, human interest stories and other advocacy/information materials in all media formats, as appropriate.
- Prepare background communication and promotional materials for briefing and visits of media and other special interest groups. Assist in the planning, logistic and administrative arrangements for them.
- Collaborating with the media through activities such as organizing project site visits, facilitating photo coverage and TV footage and utilizing both web-based and traditional media as appropriate.
- Monitor and evaluate the use and effectiveness of media materials. Maintain a library of coverage (clippings, coverage etc.) C. Advocacy (Directed at policy makers and private sector representatives as well as those whose opinions and actions influence public such as community leaders, journalists and the media and prominent civil society organizations to influence policies, laws, regulations and distribution of resources, and to ensure that such decisions lead to benefits to the people who are disadvantaged)
- Developing a comprehensive advocacy plan.
- Conducting environmental scanning, identification of partners.
- Monitor the public perception of UNFPA in the country and recommend appropriate action to maintain a positive image for the organization.
- Ensure that the Country Office’s contact list of Government, UN, and bilateral counterparts, individuals, groups and organizations are maintained and further developed, whose support is essential to/can assist in achieving the advocacy and communication objectives and who support and are able to actively participate in special events and activities that further the country programme goals)
- Help organize and generate public support for special events and activities to promote country programme goals. Assist in developing and maintaining close collaboration with mass media, as well as with groups and organizations whose support is essential to the achievement of advocacy and communication objectives.
- Maintain and update celebrity and partner contact lists/database for Türkiye Cross-border office.
- Monitor/document process and effectiveness of working with these individuals/organizations.
- Prepare background communication and promotional materials for briefings and visits of media, donors and other special interest groups. The task includes preparing information materials (e.g., press releases, programme summaries, country fact sheets and media kits), and assisting in the planning, logistics and administrative arrangements. D. Events management Conducting events management as necessary in coordination with the team E. Work Relations: Under the supervision of the Head of Office/Humanitarian Coordinator, works closely with the rest of the UNFPA/Humanitarian Team and CO Team.
Eligibility criteria
Age: 27 – 80
Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in advocacy (with governments, parliamentarians, CSOs, donors, etc.), communications, public information, journalism.
- Fluency in written and spoken English (Arabic is a strong asset)
- Microsoft Office, Windows-based applications
- Experience in program/project implementation is an asset
- Experience in working on development or humanitarian issues is an asset
- Experience in working with international organizations is an asset
Area(s) of expertise
Communication, Crisis and emergency response, Development programmes
Driving license
–
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required Arabic, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in communications, Journalism, Public Relations or related field
Competencies and values
Core Competencies:
- Values
- Being accountable
- Achieving Results
- Developing & Applying Professional Expertise
- Thinking Analytically & Strategically
- Working in Teams/Managing our-selves and relationships
- Communicating for Impact Functional competencies:
- Advocacy/advancing a policy-oriented agenda
- External and internal communication and advocacy for RM
- Leading country advocacy for organizational priorities
- Creating visibility for the organization
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Gaziantep is a city located in south-eastern Turkiye, near the border with Syria. It has a population of around 2 million people and is known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and culinary traditions. Please note that, Gaziantep’s hardship classification is temporarily updated as “E” due to the earthquake in Türkiye. The UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging her/his own housing and other living essentials. Host Entity’s support might be limited. UNV Entitlements in a Nutshell – International Specialist UN Volunteers:
- Receive approx. USD 2000 USD for Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA). Family allowance is also provided based on dependency status (USD 250 for 1 dependent, USD 450 for 2 or more dependents, monthly)
- Due to the recent earthquake, there is an additional “Well-Being Differential” payment, 1000 USD per month until August 2023 (with a possibility of extension).
- Entitled for 100% health coverage by CIGNA (including family members in the duty station).
- Accrue an entitlement to annual leave at the rate of 2.5 working days per completed month of volunteer assignment.
- Receive entry allowance (4000 USD) at the beginning of the assignment and exit lumpsum (225 USD per month) at the end of their assignment. For further information, kindly review “UN Volunteers Unified Conditions of Service” document.
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
