Communications Specialist, Dhaka, Bangladesh, P-3

The Position:

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Representative, the Communications Specialist in Bangladesh Country Office implements the corporate communications strategy, designs, manages and facilitates the implementation of the Country Office communications and publication strategies with a view to influence the development agenda, to promote public and media outreach and to mobilize political and financial support for UNFPA.
 

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 Communication Specialist leads UNFPA Bangladesh communication management and is responsible for ensuring development and effective implementation of UNFPA’s knowledge and advocacy strategy. You will provide substantive communication support regarding UNFPA Bangladesh focus areas, e.g., sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender, adolescent and youth, humanitarian, population and development. You will be working closely with the UNFPA Representative, and be an integral part of the communications team, and engage closely and consistently with the whole country team to capture and communicate key knowledge from our country-wide work, using communications to accelerate our value and impact for the people we serve. You will manage the feedback loop, harvesting and systematizing UNFPA Bangladesh’s lessons learned, and infuse these back to effective programming and operations, as well as using lessons learned in advocacy to effectively leverage new results. The Communications Specialist supervises and leads communications staff of the country office and has a regular working relationship with the Regional Communications Advisor. The Communications Specialist also works in close collaboration with the Country Office Programme and Operations teams, staff of other UN Agencies, UNFPA HQs staff (Communications Office) and Government officials, international and local media, subject matter experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society, ensuring successful UNFPA communication strategy implementation.

You would be responsible for:

A. Advocacy and Outreach

• Develop and implement communication / advocacy strategies and initiatives based on corporate communications strategy, keeping abreast for new communication opportunities, including digital advocacy, as relevant to UNFPA’s mandate;
• Craft user-friendly and concise online communications and advocacy messages, including drafting new content and editing existing website/Extranet/Intranet content;
• Contribute to the quality production of advocacy and knowledge products;
• Develop a series of ongoing activities to facilitate dialogue, including through webinars with users, and develop tools for increasing active participation of users;
• In close collaboration with programme units, and based on analysis of audiences, create a strategy for effective evidence-based advocacy;
• Contribute to accelerating exponentially UNFPA communication network /users and community to encompass new key audiences;
• Provide communication support to the Representative (OpEds, speeches, media engagement support) and programme teams
• ort to capitalize fully on advocacy opportunities nationally, and also with regional and global perspectives;
• Support the Representative to promote UNFPA’s strategic agenda with national/regional/global partners (including private sector) and building consensus on major initiatives; 
• Provide constructive and timely advice on inclusion of communications components in programme formulations to integrate advocacy and communication strategies into all aspects of UNFPA’s development programme.

B. Knowledge and information management

• Contribute to strengthening communication skills throughout the Bangladesh Country Office, building capacities and providing communication support as required; 
• Advise on and roll-out communication/knowledge and information management strategy;
• Provide substantive advice to the Representative in outreach and knowledge sharing to enhance the Country Office’s strategic interaction with partners;
• Develop new online tools, surveys and other pilot projects as required, exploring engagement in innovative spheres;
• Participate in writing reports and papers as required;
• Follow up, develop and prepare documentation on programme achievements and disseminate the CO best practices using UNFPA information platforms; 
• Liaise with Regional Office and HQs Communication team in promoting UNFPA’s visibility and communicating best practices of the CO.

C. Launches and campaigns

• Create and promote campaigns to local and regional media that position UNFPA and influences the UNFPA agenda based on current programme and new initiatives.
• Manage, promote and disseminate corporate advocacy materials for launching flagship initiatives and publications.

      Carry out any other duties as may be required.

Qualifications and Experience: 
 

Education:  

Advanced university degree in digital communications, educational technology, journalism, public relations, or related fields.
 

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Minimum of 5 (five) years professional experience in the field of advocacy and online communications, web publishing, electronic networks or related fields; 
• Knowledge and expertise in UNFPA mandate areas a distinct advantage.
• Experience working in a multicultural and web-based environment;
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage online applications;
• Demonstrated team player in an international team environment;
• Excellent English language writing and editing skills;
• Excellent communication and advocacy skills.

Languages: 

Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of other official UN language is desirable.

Required Competencies: 

Values:

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

Core Competencies: 

●   Achieving 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 Competencies:

●   Leading global advocacy for organizational priorities,
●   Creating visibility for the organization,
●   Mobilizing resources

Managerial Competencies:

●   Engaging in internal/external partners and stakeholders,
●   Leading, developing and empowering people, creating a culture of performance,
●   Making decisions and exercising judgment

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.