Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. UN Women also coordinates and promotes the UN system’s work in advancing gender equality, and in all deliberations and agreements linked to the 2030 Agenda. The entity works to position gender equality as fundamental to the Sustainable Development Goals, and a more inclusive world.

By placing the rights of women at the center of all its efforts, UN Women leads and coordinates the efforts of the United Nations system to ensure that commitments to gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into actions around the world. It provides strong and consistent leadership in support of member states’ priorities and efforts, by establishing effective partnerships with civil society and other stakeholders.

UN Women Burundi’s Strategic Note 2024-2027 aligns with UN Women’s Global Strategic Plan 2022-2025, the National Development Plan 2018-2027 reinforced by the National Program for the Capitalization of Peace, Social Stability and the Promotion of Economic Growth (PNCP 2021-2027), the National Gender Policy (NGP) 2012-2025 and UNSC Resolution 1325, UNSDCF (2023-2027) and the United Nations Resilience Framework. It captures the triple mandate of UN WOMEN (Normative, Coordination and Programmatic) aimed at supporting government and partners to achieve lasting results for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, building on its comparative advantages.

The strategic note focuses on four (4) thematic priorities:

1. Governance and Participation in Public Life
2. Women’s Economic Empowerment
3. Ending Violence against Women and Girls
4. Women Peace & Security and Humanitarian Action

Reporting to the Country Representative, the Partnership, Advocacy and Communication Analyst is responsible for assisting in the design, planning and implementation of the Office Partnership, communications, and advocacy strategies to increase the standing and awareness of UN Women with Partners, the media and the public.  He/She promotes a client-oriented approach in UN Women.

The Partnership, Advocacy and Communication Analyst works in close collaboration with the Programme, Operations and technical teams in the Burundi Country Office, staff of other UN Agencies, Government officials, media, multilateral and bilateral donors and civil society.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Advocacy, networking and partnership building

• Identify, build and maintain partnerships through networking and proactive collaboration with strategic partners, e.g. academia; social networks; celebrities, journalist, media, all sectors/levels of society and critical audience to reinforce cooperation and/or pursue opportunities for advocacy to promote UN Women’s mission and goals
• Collaborate with internal global/regional communication partners to harmonize, link and/or coordinate messaging and use of multiple media and communication platforms to enhance outreach on GEWE including in humanitarian contexts.

• Participate in organizational and/or inter-agency discussions and planning to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues enhance advocacy for Gender mainstreaming in the UNSCDF planning, preparation and for resource mobilization initiatives

2. Provide substantive support to the planning and design of external communication and outreach/advocacy strategies and plans

• Provide analysis for elaboration of communication strategies; ensure gender perspective;
• Integrate communication, advocacy and outreach strategies into proposals for project/programmes and other initiatives, as necessary;
• Monitor and analyze print and social media and provide analysis to RO/HQ;
• Provide inputs and support to the launch of in-country UN Women/ UN system corporate and local campaigns and special events.

3. Coordinate and contribute substantively to the development and dissemination of advocacy materials in Burundi Country Office

• Draft briefing materials, and press releases and coordinate its dissemination through effective channels;
• Identify storylines for publication and articles;
• Promote and disseminate corporate advocacy materials for launching flagship initiatives, publications, and campaigns;
• Coordinate the translation/adaption/rewriting of information received, printing and dissemination of publications and audio-visual materials;
• Follow guidelines from HQ and RO.

4. Coordinate media relations for the Burundi Country Office

• Coordinate the establishment of relevant relationships;
• Maintain list of relevant media in country;
• Respond to inquiries for public and UN system information materials;
• Organize roundtable discussions, press conferences and briefing session for press, as required;
• Draft talking points.

5. Build and maintain partnerships and maintain relations with donors

• Maintain relationships with partners and alliances to enhance visibility;
• Liaise with advocacy partners and undertake outreach to civil society organizations, governments, and other groups to ensure that newsworthy information reaches the public and donors, as delegated.

6. Coordinate the Burundi Country Office’s web/ online presence

• Coordinate Burundi Country Office’s websites’ content and maintenance based on corporate requirements;
• Coordinate Burundi Country Office’s social media accounts in line with corporate social media policy;
• Upload information to knowledge management system on a regular basis, including news, updates, resources.

7. Facilitate knowledge building and sharing

• Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme goals and activities;
• Organize and conduct training and workshops on communication and advocacy, as appropriate.

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
• Accountability
• Creative Problem Solving
• Effective Communication
• Inclusive Collaboration
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Leading by Example

Functional Competencies

• Ability to communicate sensitively, effectively and creatively across different constituencies
• Knowledge of web-based management systems
• Knowledge of production, graphic design and photography standards
• Knowledge of social media platforms and experience in social media outreach
• Knowledge of local country media landscape
• Communication, networking and advocacy skills
• Ability to be strategic and analytical
• Knowledge of gender and human rights issues desirable

Required Skills and Experience

Education and certification

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Communications, Public relations, Journalism or relevant field is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience

• At least 3 years of professional work experience at national or international level in public relations, communications or advocacy;
• Experience in the use of social media and digital communications
• Experience in the use of computers applications and software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) as well as web-based management systems;
• Experience in UN Systems would be an asset

Language Requirements

• Fluency in French is required.
• Working Knowledge of the English is required.

Reservation:

UN Women reserves the right to discontinue the recruitment due to any unforeseen circumstances. The output of this assignment shall belong to UN Women and Partners.

Note:

Please note that applications without a completed and signed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.

UN Women Personal History form (P-11) can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need. 

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application. At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)