NATIONAL POST: Communications Associate, G-6, Dili, Timor-Leste

The Position:

The Communication Associate position is located in the UNFPA Timor-Leste Country Office. Under the overall guidance of the Representative and direct supervision of the Partnerships, Resource Mobilization and Advocacy Analyst, the Communication Associate provides support for planning and implementing the country office’s advocacy and communications efforts.
The role provides dedicated support for external and internal communications and visibility efforts. It involves supporting the production and dissemination of various communications materials , including articles, press releases, social media content, and multimedia products (videos, graphic designs) and to share knowledge, document best practices, and ensure stakeholders are informed of UNFPA’s results and priorities in Timor-Leste.

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 who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact, sustained results, and who ensure effective external relations, communications, and partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

The Communications Associate applies corporate strategies and policies, systems and procedures, and supports the Country Office’s communication and visibility efforts by helping design, produce, and disseminate multimedia content, and contributes to enhancing media partnerships l for the achievements of the Country Programme.

You would be responsible for:

A. Communications and Coordination

• Support the development, updating, and implementation of the CO’s communications and advocacy strategy/plan under the guidance of the Partnerships, RM and Advocacy Analyst, with inputs from the CO team;
• Contribute to organization of UNFPA advocacy and communications activities ; ensure quality, consistency, and adherence to UNFPA brand standards.
• Coordinate communications inputs to the Partnerships, RM and Advocacy Analyst and Representative for high-level visits, stakeholder engagements, and advocacy events; provide guidance and support to the programme team on messaging and communications standards.

B. Content Creation and Multimedia Production

• Draft, edit, and coordinate production of communications materials across formats e.g press releases, articles, brochures, success stories, donor-facing reports, and multimedia products (videos, infographics, graphic designs) in line with UNFPA guidelines and CP5 visibility requirements.
• Work closely with the programme team for production of human interest stories showcasing programme impact through beneficiary experiences for use in communications and advocacy products.
• Document programme results, best practices, communication materials; maintain properly archived knowledge products accessible to staff, partners, and stakeholders.

C. Digital Platforms, Social Media and Media Relations

• Manage and update the CO’s social media channels and web presence; monitor performance analytics and media coverage; compile summaries to inform advocacy planning; Maintain the CO’s media contact network; support press briefings, interviews, and public events; prepare briefing notes; respond to media inquiries in coordination with the supervisor; flag sensitive coverage for management attention.

D. Campaigns and Partnership Visibility

• Support the design and delivery of advocacy campaigns aligned with CP5 priorities and UN observance days; coordinate joint visibility with UN agencies, government partners, and civil society; produce visibility and donor-facing materials that strengthen UNFPA’s positioning and resource mobilization efforts.
• Under the guidance of the supervisor, liaise with UNFPA’s regional communications team on corporate requests and global campaigns; maintain documentation of communications activities and lessons learned; provide day-to-day guidance to service providers (designers, photographers, translators).
• Participate in the UN Communications Group activities and contributes to various UN joint communication activities

Carrying out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

• Completed secondary level education required. A first level University degree in communications or other related fields is desirable.

Knowledge and Experience:

• At least six years of relevant professional experience in communication, advocacy and partnership at the national level, including in public relations required;
• Experience in handling media relations required.
• Experience in news reporting and editing and capability of drafting success stories and in social media management and/or promotion required;
• Familiarity with population issues, sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and young people (including adolescents) and gender based violence would be an asset;
• Proficiency in current office software applications and corporate IT systems. Good knowledge and experience in handling of web-based management systems required;
• Previous experience with a multilateral or international organization is an asset.

Languages:

• Fluency in English and Tetum is required. Working knowledge of Portuguese would be an advantage.

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:

• Advocacy/ Advancing a policy-oriented agenda
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships
• Delivering results-based programmes
• Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilization

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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. 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.