Communication Analyst

The Position:

The Communications Analyst position is located in the Country Office of UNFPA in Juba and works primarily with the Partnerships, Communications and Resource Mobilization team in the office of the representative in achieving its mandate and that of the work of the country office as a whole.

S/he is responsible for translating and contributing to the delivery of the Country Office programme targets related to communications and partnerships development. The post holder will undertake internal and external advocacy, communication and external relations for UNFPA and will provide support to in generating relevant materials to showcase the Country Office in various fora, including UN Communications Group.

The post holder will be based in Juba, reports to the Advocacy & Communications Specialist.

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 incumbent will ensure linkages with and will work in close cooperation with the Country Office and Field Office program staff, the UN system, government counterparts, development partners and civil society organizations (including cultural and faith-based organizations). She/he establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with counterparts in governments, development partners, CSOs, networks/coalitions and the media to ensure consistent and quality flow of internal and external information and communication, and strengthened partnerships for safe guarding, promoting and advancing the ICPD agenda. The analyst is proactive in supporting provide the Representative with media reports/updates and regularly monitors and analyses content and trends in media communication on ICPD related issues within existing policy and social contexts in South Sudan, and advises the representatives on such matters.

You would be responsible for:

A. Communications and Programme Support

Substantially contribute to the conceptualization and development of a communication strategy for UNFPA South Sudan as a whole and for the various programmes/projects/initiatives.
Implement a communication strategy focusing on UNFPA’s global priorities in South Sudan. She/he ensures visibility of UNFPA mandate in South Sudan, showing how UNFPA program is delivering results and contributing to the UN coherent image and programming;
Provide analysis and communications guidance to the Country Office through scanning and reporting of the internal and external environment, and oversees regular production of policy and programme updates in South Sudan within UNFPA, particularly to Africa Regional and Sub-Regional Offices, as well as media counterparts at Headquarters;
Production and dissemination of communication and advocacy materials, including brochures, posters, pamphlets, programme publications, fact sheets, donor information packs and press releases;
Keep abreast with programme developments, UN global events and national development and organizes advocacy events to raise national awareness and champion support on the issues that UNFPA advocates through diverse, innovative and creative approaches in response to the South Sudan context (including photo exhibitions, drama festivals, song/poetry competitions, concerts, outreach events, use of social media, etc.);
Build and maintain strong media and advocacy networks and relationships, ensuring regular media events, meetings of the Representative with key media persons, timely drafting and dissemination of media statements, speeches and press releases;
Establish and maintain a system for constant scanning of UNFPA-produced research, surveys, assessments, notes to the file, field-visit reports and other such internal information sources to identify, capture and make optimal communications capital/material of these for advocacy, media and capacity building purposes of the UNFPA staff, the UN system and UNFPA partners;
Support timely preparation and response to global, regional and national media and advocacy events linked to UNFPA’s mandate, including World Population Day, State of the World Population Report, International Women’s Day, World AIDS Day, etc. She/he coordinates with government and civil society counterparts to ensure South Sudan’s strong participation in national, regional and global events, and advises on preparations, including criteria for selection of delegates, briefings and messages for national statements and follow-up accordingly;
Develops and produces a strong resources base for communications, including UNFPA Annual Report and UNFPA Quarterly bulletin on a regular basis; a library of UNFPA programming areas and issue-based photo and information materials that also reflect projects funded by donors;
Edit various reports/proposals/studies, press releases, speeches to ensure quality and user-friendliness, as well as political, cultural and gender sensitivity and social inclusion, for use as resources for advocacy and fundraising purposes;
Liaises with regional and sub-regional communication officers, as well as program staff in advocacy efforts, including advocacy activities in ongoing projects;
Ensure well-coordinated flow of information during Humanitarian response; maximize visibility for UNFPA mandate and regular updates to ESARO/HQ (Sitreps).
Support the UNFPA Humanitarian team and collaborate with other implementing partners working in emergencies in providing a coordinated response in humanitarian/emergency settings.
Prepare timely response to queries from the media, liaising as necessary with supervisor, HQs Media Branch when sensitive situations arise, in particular for responding to misinformation;

B. Partnerships Development

Develops and maintains strategic partnerships and network with Communication Officers of UN system, key development partners, civil society organizations (including cultural and faith-based organization) and national and international media;
Support UNFPA’s representative in UN Communication Group and contributes to identifying new and creative ways to show how UN programs are delivering results and promoting a coherent image of the UN and participate in developing a common UN Communication Strategy; ensuring UNFPA’s active and substantive contribution to joint UN statements/press releases, events and materials production;
Organizes and undertakes field trips for donors and international and/or national media to UNFPA program sites and report on the events and progress;
Organize training workshops for implementing partners and journalists to sensitize and create awareness on UNFPA mandates and work in South Sudan;

C. Resource Mobilization

Support Country Office initiatives to build new and strengthen existing partnerships with bilateral donors (including emerging markets), multilateral institutions (including UN agencies), International Financial Institutions and the private sector.
Support the development and implementation of the Resource Mobilization Roadmap and update the Resource Mobilization Strategy annually, including providing guidance to Program Staff to draft donor proposals.
Contribute to the maintenance of an updated list of all programs funded by donors including in-kind donations and non-monetary partnerships, summarizing all main donor requirements and deadlines for reports submission.

D. General Support

Stand-in for other Programme team members on selected functions as may be required.
Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

Masters Degree in social sciences, journalism, communications and other related fields.
Professional membership of a journalism/media communications association, etc. will be desirable

Knowledge and Experience:

At least 2 years of increasingly responsible experience in public relations and communications
Experience working with the Ministry of Health and Local Governments is desirable.
Good knowledge of media and public relations;
Strong advocacy skills
Excellent oral and written communications and editing skills in English
A thorough understanding of the UN system in general, and especially UNFPA mandate, its policies and operations and current development topics and political issues in South Sudan will be an added advantage
Knowledge of policies and program in post crisis situations;
Familiarity with communications approaches for planning, executing, and monitoring communications strategies;
Familiarity or experience of UNFPA communication guides is desirable
Work experience in the field of Sexual and Reproductive Health is preferred.
Excellent computer/information systems skills.
Demonstrated ability to work in a team

Languages:

Fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is an added advantage. Working knowledge of another UN Official Language, an asset.

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:

Media Communications, Journalism, New Media Skills, etc.
Advocacy/Advancing a policy-oriented agenda
Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships
Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilisation
Delivering results-based programmes
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.