Communication and Advocacy Assistant

Details

Mission and objectives

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers.
In most cultures volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UN Volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities.
In all assignments, UN Volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive.

Context

The UNV Programme in Uganda was launched in the mid-1970s with the overall objective to contribute to peace and development through volunteerism, by advocating for recognition of volunteers; integrate volunteerism into development programming by working with partners; and mobilizing an increasing number and diversity of volunteers.
The UNV programme in Uganda is the third largest in terms of providing the number of UN Volunteers who serve outside their home country. The Programme is making distinctive contributions through volunteering in the areas of promoting governance, refugees and IDP’s, youth development, conflict reduction, gender equity, human rights, poverty reduction, information communication technology development, decentralization, energy and environmental conservation, UN Coordination, governance, crisis prevention and recovery, reproductive health and population, protection affairs, human rights, gender mainstreaming, youth and community services. UNV in Uganda is also contributing to localizing of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to contribute to the realization of government’s Vision 2040, which aims to transform the country from a predominantly peasant and low- income economy to a competitive upper middle-income status over a 30- year period.
UN Volunteers in Uganda are hosted by UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNRCO, UN WOMEN, UNFPA, WHO, FAO, UNGPL and UNFCCC. 50% of UN volunteers work in districts including Mbarara, Rwanwanja, Yumbe, Moyo, Arua and Moroto among others in response to expressed needs. The rest are based in the capital city-Kampala.
The UNV Field Unit is composed of the UNV Country Coordinator and Programme Assistant. The incumbent will support the Field Unit team in the areas of communication and advocacy.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the UNV Country Coordinator, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
• Support the implementation of the Communications and Advocacy strategy of the United Nations in Uganda and ensure volunteerism is integrated in joint UN initiatives.
• Support the UNV Field Unit in the development/production of communication and advocacy instruments and materials including for awareness-rising campaigns, including briefing materials in coordination with the supervisor.
• Participate in UN Communications Group and contribute to identifying new and creative ways to show how volunteerism can be integrated and mainstreamed in the UN programmes, promote a coherent image of the UNV and participate in developing a common UN Communications and Advocacy Action Plan and Workplans.
• Assist the Country Coordinator in collection of stories and articles from the serving UN Volunteers for inclusion in the UNV Newsletter, and maintenance of regular contact with publishers and other suppliers to ensure production.
• Regular update of the UNV media forums including Facebook page and Twitter account.
• Support the identification and synthesis of lessons learnt from UNV Assignments directly linked to UNV Strategic Framework outcomes.
• Assist the UNV Field Unit in organizing monthly advocacy workshops/briefings for partners and community to sensitize and create awareness on UNV’s mandates and work in Uganda.