Job Description:

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 to accelerating progress toward 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.

The Position:

UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. UNFPA implements activities addressing sexual and reproductive health of the population, especially those related to achieving three UNFPA transformative results. UNFPA expands the possibilities for women and young people to lead healthy and productive lives, aiming at delivering  a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. Within its unique mandate, UNFPA intensifies activities and advocacy efforts related to the needs and capacities of youth and vulnerable populations. UNFPA provides data for evidence-based policy making, and  addresses challenges related to demographic changes, supports youth-oriented policies and programs, and programs promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. Guided by the 1994 Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), UNFPA partners with governments, civil society and other agencies to advance its mission.

In Serbia, UNFPA is actively working, as a member of the UN Country Team, towards advancing the country’s development priorities with specific focus on the 2030 Agenda and the country's EU accession reform processes, through the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. UNFPA’s work is guided by the current Country Programme Document for Serbia 2021-2025. The programme is focused on women and youth, particularly women from vulnerable groups from urban and rural areas, women with disabilities, Roma, and older people. It is implemented at the national and local levels, in order to achieve the greater impact and improve health, well-being, social equity and the human potential of the people. Planned activities require introducing and managing some new partnerships and expanding the existing ones.

Under the overall supervision of the UNFPA Head of Office and in close collaboration with the Communications Analyst , Communications Assistant will assist in work to sustain coverage of the ICPD priority issues in the public domain and to strengthen political will and public’s understanding of UNFPA mission and objectives. Communications Assistant will support the CO in promoting the work under the UNFPA CPD, including the activities under Joint Programmes implemented in the office as well as the Project “Improved health literacy and access to health care services of Roma women and girls in Serbia”.

Job Purpose:

The Communications Assistant maintains collaborative relationships with all programme and operations staff at the CO. Internal contacts include UNFPA Country Director, as required, Head of Office and Communications Analyst.

Major Activities/Expected Results:

• Support in preparation and implementation of the CO communication plan and corresponding reporting;
• Monitoring and evaluating the appropriate and timely dissemination of advocacy and communication materials to target audiences, and participate in the evaluation of their impact;
• Assisting in drafting, editing and proof-reading of all materials, capturing key messages of UNFPA work in the country, collating amendments from colleagues (including, but not limited to concept notes, brochures, lists of participants, press-releases, fliers, biographies, feature articles related to activities/events, human interest stories and any other advocacy materials);
• Preparing background communication and promotional materials for briefing and visits of media, high level UNFPA staff, donors, and other special interest groups.
• Assisting in the planning, logistics and administrative arrangements for them;
• Assisting in the creation, editing and retouching of photographs and videos. Acting as photographer at events. Support in managing the coordination of film and photography shoots /accompanying photographers and videographers;
• Organising and generating support for special events and activities to promote country programme goals. Assisting in developing and maintaining close collaboration with mass media, as well as with groups and organizations whose support is essential to the achievement of advocacy and communication objectives;
• Support in updating social media on a regular basis with relevant material, highlighting key events and achievements. Support in managing and updating UNFPA CO website;
• Assisting in planning and implementing new initiatives. Brainstorming and generating story ideas and creative ideas for campaigns, promotions, and event themes;
• Support in organising and managing media archive. Establishing/maintaining an up-to-date documentation centre for publications, press releases and clippings, as well as photographic and audio-visual materials. Mapping major media outlets and compiling a database of media lists and stakeholder contacts;
• Monitoring mainstream media and informing CO staff  on any development relevant to the work of UNFPA;
• Maintaining media events calendar, ensuring timely preparation of promotional activities;
• Support in negotiating and purchasing communication related series and materials, ensuring most cost effective options are explored. Following up on the production of advocacy and communication materials (e.g., films, videos, audio-visuals, etc.), and overseeing the qualitative aspects of production, (e.g., quality control, translations, reviews of layout, graphic design and printing;
• Assisting with representing CO at press and other events and providing logistical and technical support as required;
• Assisting in conducting of joint events and initiatives in collaboration with the UN Communications Group;
• Assisting and participating in joint RO and cluster initiatives.
• Perform other relevant duties and assist with other communications tasks as required.

Education: 

A first-level university degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Information, Political Science, or related field required. A Masters Degree in a communications related field is considered a strong asset.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Minimum 2 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in communications with proven record in story/communication materials for a variety of media, video productions, website management, or related fields;
• Prior experience in working in communications in thematic areas that are relevant for the subject project and UNFPA mandate - i.e.. women from marginalized groups, good understanding of sexual and reproductive health and rights, youth well being in general will be considered an asset;
• Good understanding and command of new and evolving technologies;
• Proficiency in current office software applications and digital platforms. Usage of software applications (Photoshop, PaintNet, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat, Premier Pro, Scribus, Word, PowerPoint, and other graphics applications) distinct advantage; Strong interpersonal and organizational skills;
• Excellent writing and interpretation skills, as well as strong analytical aptitude and strong communication skills, and attention to detail;
• Previous experience in the UN or other international development organizations, especially in areas related to gender-based violence and sexual and reproductive health, is an asset.

Find out more information and apply via the LINK.