Senior Communication/Advocacy Officer: UNFPA Kenya Country Office Job Vacancy

Vacancy No.: VA/FPA/KEN/01/2010
Position Title: Senior Communication/Advocacy Officer

Duration: 1 Year (SB4)
Reports To: UNFPA Representative

Background and Objectives

UNFPA Kenya Country Office recognises the need for a Communication Officer to assist in the development and implementation of a comprehensive communication strategy for the programme.

The Officer will help in raising awareness, increase the effectiveness and visibility of UNFPA work to stakeholders and the public.

The strategy developed will help in developing better media plans and in integrating all communications work on a particular issue.

The Communication Officer will therefore:

• Support UNFPA Country Office (CO) to develop and coordinate internal communication systems so as to empower and keep staff up to date on priorities;
• Contribute to improving the understanding and visibility of UNFPA vision, mandate and priorities, among key stakeholders and the public;
• Consolidate and strengthen strategic partnerships and networks;
• Support advancing the implementation of the ICPD agenda within the context of CPAP and UNDAF;
• Produce user-friendly materials on key thematic areas and disseminate to the media, key stakeholders and the public; and
• Maintain and update the website on regular basis with input from programme staff.

Responsibilities of the Communication Officer:

• Contribute to development and implementation of communications strategies focusing on UNFPA’s priorities in Kenya;
• Provide critical analysis and communication support to the Country Office through scanning and reporting of the internal and external environment;
• Contribute to enhanced production and dissemination of communication and advocacy materials, including brochures, posters, pamphlets, and press releases as and when needed;
• Organize events and help raise national awareness on the issues that UNFPA advocates (including photo exhibitions drama, festivals, song/poetry competitions, concerts, etc.);
• Draft statements, speeches and press releases for the UNFPA Representative;
• Prepare media arrangements for the UNFPA Representative at events and during missions (involving local and national radio, television and news papers);
• Assist in producing promotional materials together with program staff and others;
• Contribute to development of press and communication materials for media events such as World Population Day, launch of The State of World Population Report, International Women’s Day, World AIDS Day among others, as well as key national events such as dissemination of studies/research/assessments;
• Develop and produce UNFPA news bulletins on a regular basis;
• Produce photo and information materials on the implementation of projects;
• Edit various reports/proposals/studies, press releases, speeches to ensure quality, including its gender sensitivity and social inclusion issues for advocacy and fund-raising purposes;
• Draft responses to the queries of the media;
• Develop strategic partnerships and network with Communication Officers of the UN system, key development partners, civil society organizations (including faith-based organizations) and national and international media;
• Participate in the UN Communication Group and contribute to identifying new and creative ways to show how UN programs are delivering results and promoting a coherent image of the UN;
• Organize and undertake field trips for donors and international and/or national media to UNFPA program sites and report on the events and progress;
• Organize training workshops for implementing partners and journalists to sensitize and create awareness on UNFPA’s mandates and work in Kenya; and
• Any other tasks assigned by the UNFPA Representative.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• A Masters degree in any of the following: Strategic Communications, Mass Communication, Press and Media, Social Sciences, Communication Sciences or other relevant discipline;
• Possess at least five (05) years of increasingly responsible experience in public relations and communications in social sector;
• Proven track record of developing internal and external communication strategies;
• Good knowledge of Kenyan Media networks;
• Proven professional standing and reputation (e.g. membership in professional media or Public Relations associations);
• Good knowledge of information systems, software such as MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.); and
• A thorough understanding of the UN system in general, and especially UNFPA mandate, its policies and operations and understanding of Kenya’s culture, history and political contexts.

Applications with a current CV, quoting the vacancy number, should be addressed to:

The UNFPA Representative
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
UN Complex Gigiri,
P.O. Box 30218, 00100,
Nairobi;

(Please drop your application in the Box provided at the Pavilion)

Or Email: recruit.unfpa @ gmail.com; to be received on or before Friday, 12 February 2010

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, respect for diversity, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life.

We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply.

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