Communications Associate, UN Women, N-PPSA6, Almaty, Kazakhstan

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.

The Central Asian Alliance to End Gender-Based Violence (GBV) (hereafter - Alliance) was established in June 2023 under the EUUN Spotlight Initiative as a regional platform uniting state and non-state actors from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The Alliance brings together government institutions, civil society organizations, including youth, gender-based violence (GBV) experts, and media to advance coordinated, gender -transformative action to prevent and respond to GBV. It supports the implementation of national and international commitments, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and global commitments emerging from the Generation Equality Forum, and the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 while addressing persistent gaps in GBV prevention and response across the region.

Building on the achievements of the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative Regional Programme for Central Asia and Afghanistan, which concluded in December 2023, the Alliance consolidates progress made in legal reform, institutional capacity -building, data collection, addressing social norms, and the strengthening of women’s movements. The Alliance serves as an inclusive space for dialogue, shared learning, and accountability, ensuring that the voices of civil society and survivors inform policy and prac tice. Its participatory model reflects a commitment to addressing intersecting forms of discrimination and ensuring that regional cooperation translates into tangible improvements and life free from violence for women and girls in Central Asia. Since 2025, the
Alliance has been under the management of the UN Women Central Asia Liaison Office.

The objectives of the Alliance include the following:
1. Advocate for gender equality and prevention of SGBV in the Central Asian region
2. Mobilize the Civil Society Movement in the region to address GBV
3. Foster inclusive policy dialogue on GBV
4. Raise awareness of all concerned stakeholders on their roles in ending GBV
5. Strengthen capacities of government, legislative bodies, judiciary, and oversight to step up actions to prevent
and address GBV and HP in the region
6. Enhance knowledge management, data, and experience sharing between countries and with other regions
7. Connect regional initiatives to global agendas including the Generation Equality Forum and increase the
visibility of achievements from each country in Central Asia.
Reporting to the Central Asian Alliance EGBV Coordinator, the Communications Associate supports the formulation and implementation of the communications and advocacy strategies to increase the standing and awareness of the Central Asian Alliance to end GBV and UN Women Central Asian Liaison office with partners, the media and the public. The Communications Associate adopts a quality- a client-oriented approach to deliver results.

Scope of work:

1. Provide coordination support in the development of a coherent communications and advocacy strategy for the Central Asian Alliance EGBV and/or UN Women Central Asia Liaison Office:
• Provide inputs and background information for the development of the Central Asian Alliance EGBV and Central Asian Liaison Office’s communication strategy;
• Provide support to advocacy efforts and campaigns by organizing roundtable discussions, press conferences, and other publicity events and providing inputs to briefing materials and press releases;
• Provide support to the Central Asian Alliance EGBV and/or Central Asian Liaison Office’s staff on UN Women corporate communications guidelines and printing norms; and
• Track and monitor print and social media and report relevant information to senior staff to inform strategy development.

2. Provide coordination support to the development of the Central Asian Alliance EGBV and/or Central Asian Liaison Office advocacy materials:
• Identify storylines and achievements within the Central Asian Alliance EGBV and Central Asian Liaison Office for online and print publications;
• Draft press releases, articles, key messages and other advocacy materials;
• Coordinate the translation, adaptation, or rewriting of information received for the local context; disseminate materials to appropriate stakeholders;
• Coordinate the publication of materials for final approval; maintain relationships with printers/ publishers;
• Maintain library/database of reference materials, photos, and digital assets; and
• Follow policies, procedures and guidelines from RO/HQ.

3. Provide support in the management of the Central Asian Alliance EGBV and/or Central Asian Liaison Office’s social media presence:
• Identify stories, and provide input to the development of content for the Central Asian Alliance EGBV and/or Central Asian
UN Women Liaison Office website hosted at the Regional Office and social media channels;
• Update the social media channels, ensure consistency in branding;
• Maintain files, databases, and systems relevant to the Central Asian Alliance EGBV and Central Asian UN Women Liaison Office digital presence; and
• Provide support on special web/digital/media projects undertaken by the Central Asian Alliance EGBV and Central Asian UN Women Liaison Office.

4. Provide media relations support to the Central Asian Alliance EGBV coordinator and/or Central Asian Liaison Office head of
office:
• Maintain and update database of relevant press in country and Central Asian region, if needed;
• Respond to request for information and arrange interviews, as delegated; and
• Provide substantive inputs to talking points.

5. Facilitate knowledge management and sharing:
• Contribute to the identification of best practices and lessons learned;
• Organize trainings and workshops on communication practices; and
• Provide/exchange information with HQ and RO, the Central Asian Alliance EGBV and/or Central Asian Liaison Office.
• Maintain and update the content of GBV knowledge platform

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization

Competencies:

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

Core Competencies:

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

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework:

Functional Competencies:

Ability to create, edit and present information in clear and presentable formats, using appropriate IT functionality
• Strong event planning skills
• Strong knowledge of social media and communication strategies and methods
• Ability to identify relevant events and stories and communicate them to a mass audience
• Strong multimedia skills

Education:

Completion of secondary education is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations or journalism is desirable

Experience:

At least 4 years of progressively responsible experience in communication and advocacy, media relations or public outreach, digital communications and social media management.
• Demonstrated experience in producing content (press releases, articles, social media campaigns) and supporting events, such as roundtables, press conferences, campaigns, etc.
• Experience in the use of computers applications and software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) as well as web-based management systems and/or web platforms is required.
• Experience in the use of social media and digital communications is required.
• Experience with graphic design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Suite) is desirable
• Experience working with:
• International organizations, NGOs, or development projects (strong asset)
• Gender equality, human rights, or SGBV-related issues (highly desirable)

Languages:

Fluency in English is required.
• Fluency in Russian is required.
• Knowledge of Kazakh is a strong asset

Statements :

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

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, color, 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.

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.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.