Job Details

The Position:

The Communications Analyst post is located in the UNFPA Zambia Country Office. The Communications Analyst reports directly to the Representative who provides overall strategic direction, and collaborates with the Deputy Representative and technical staff. S/He coordinates all media and communications activities for UNFPA in Zambia, and provides strategic support towards knowledge management, advocacy and resource mobilization efforts in support of UNFPA’s programme of cooperation with the Government of Zambia.

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 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.

Job Purpose:

The Communications Analyst will play a critical role in positioning UNFPA as a bold, vocal and visible thought and action-oriented leader in both development and humanitarian contexts of Zambia. S/He will further contribute to securing national, regional and global political and financial support for achieving UNFPA’s mandate and to build the UNFPA brand.
The purpose of this position is therefore to lead internal and external communications initiatives of the Country Office, including providing strategic contribution to advocacy and resource mobilization efforts.

In all activities, s/he fosters collaboration with UNFPA programme staff, UN Zambia communication group and other thematic groups, and ensures the timeliness, adequacy, relevance and quality of substantive outputs.

Major Activities/Expected Results

You would be responsible for:

External Communications

A. Strategic Media Engagement

Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with electronic and print media to amplify the voice, results, leadership and messages of UNFPA among target audiences. This includes systematically identifying UNFPA stories/data of interest and proactively pitching them to national, regional and global press corps; and
Regularly scan the substantive multi-media environment and maintain feedback loops on potential opportunities as well as reputational risks to the UNFPA mission and mandate.

B. Digital Communication
Provide timely and field-driven digital content, such as video stories and images, for use on UNFPA’s country, regional and global websites, social media platforms and intranet (MyUNFPA);
Manage and regularly update UNFPA Zambia social media platforms with and work closely with regional and headquarters social media teams to enhance the quality of UNFPA’s social media content and its outreach;
Manage UNFPA Zambia’s social media presence, including regularly updating with relevant content, as well as undertaking campaigns to grow audiences and community engagement; and
Design visual assets such as illustrations and info-graphics.

C. Advocacy and Resource Mobilization
Providing substantive support towards advocacy, resource mobilization and strategic partnerships by ensuring that messages on key issues are effectively packed and disseminated. This includes drafting press releases, annual reports, newsletters, policy briefs, fact sheets and other materials; and
Provide strategic support to high-level and public events, visits of senior UN officials, field visits and other donor and UNFPA initiatives.

D. Crisis Communication
Serve as the UNFPA focal point for risk communication activities by the Government and UN Zambia during emergency contexts.

E. Social Behavioral Change Communication
Providing strategic support and focus on social behavioral change communication and the use of social media strategies and other digital solutions to deliver integrated SRHR/GBV information linked to service delivery.

Internal Communications

F. Strategic Support to the Office of the Representative
Assist the UNFPA Representative, Deputy Representative and other UNFPA senior leaders in preparing written materials, including talking points, speeches, OPEDs and responses to media interviews.

G. UN Delivering as One
Establish close working relationships with the UN Communications Group, UN staff and Agency communication officers to identify communication synergies and ‘one UN’ opportunities.

H. Capacity Building
Build communications capacity of staff members and staff of implementing partners in communicating for impact, including responding to emergency/humanitarian crises, as needed.

I. Knowledge Management
Ensure that evidence, technical knowledge and analysis of lessons learned are collected, managed, disseminated and available for use by UNFPA staff.

J. Other
Carry out any other duties as may be required by the Representative and UNFPA Management.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master degree) with a minimum of 2 years work experience in communications, journalism, public relations or other related field from reputable institutions.

Knowledge and Experience:

• At least 2 years of progressively professional experience and a proven track record in developing and implementing communications strategies;
• Knowledge and experience in advocacy and resource mobilization as it links to strategic communications;
• Knowledge of substantive areas of UNFPA’s work;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• In-depth knowledge of social media platforms and how each platform can be deployed in different scenarios;
• Knowledge of graphic design and production of info-graphics using Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop);
• Considerable skills in photography, video editing and production are an asset;
• Familiarity with working in humanitarian settings is an asset;
• Previous proven experience in documenting promising or best practices; and
• Ability to work independently and in teams, in a multicultural environment.

Required Competencies:

1. Values:

• Exemplifying integrity
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,
• Embracing cultural diversity,
• Embracing change

2. 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

3 . Functional competencies

• Conceptual innovation in the provision of technical expertise;
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners;
• Building strategic alliances and partnerships;
• Adaptation/application of knowledge in different contexts;
• Job knowledge/technical expertise; and
• Integration in a multidisciplinary environment.

Languages: Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.

Other Desirable Skills: Initiative, strong conceptual abilities, sound judgment, strong interest in development work, especially the mission of the United Nations Population Fund and dedication to the principles of the United Nations

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. 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.