The Position:
The Advocacy, Communications and Knowledge Management Specialist ย position is located in the UNFPA Country Office (CO) in Addis Ababa. Under the direct supervision of the SIARP 2.0 Programme Coordinator and in close collaboration with the assigned Focal Persons from the RUNOs involved in the Programme, the Advocacy, Communications and Knowledge Management Officer will support and guide the development in implementation of the SIARP 2.0 advocacy, communications, knowledge management and visibility strategy. She/He will work closely with RUNOs focal points and the Civil Society Regional Reference Group (CSRRG)..ย Violence against women and girls is a global human rights violation. The 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063 prioritize gender equality and eliminating this violence. The Spotlight Initiative, funded by the EU, combats this issue. SIARP 1.0 strengthened legal frameworks, supported reforms, and empowered civil society. SIARP 2.0 builds on this, aiming to address violence and improve sexual and reproductive health outcomes. It utilizes a rights-based approach, targeting root causes and promoting systemic change. The program focuses on legal reforms, prevention, service delivery, and empowering women's rights organizations, hence, the Specialist is needed toย coordinate communication capacities, resources and activities to promote Spotlight Programme results, contribute to awareness raising campaigns, visibility, information sharing and Programme compliance with the related AUC, EU and UN communication and visibility guidelines.
ย 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. UNFPAโs new strategic plan (2022-2025), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; end gender-based violence and harmful practices including ESA regional priority: to prevent Sexual Transmission of HIV.ย
The transformational journey mapped out in the Strategic Plan leads to 2030 and the achievement of universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights. Emerging trends inform the plan, new and expanded priorities add to longstanding commitments, and โhow we workโ is changing.ย
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 Advocacy, Communications, and Knowledge Management Specialist for the Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Programme 2.0 (SIARP 2.0) is tasked with leading and implementing advocacy, communications, knowledge management, and visibility activities. Reporting to the Programme Coordinator, this role involves developing and implementing comprehensive strategies to promote the programme's objectives. A core responsibility is coordinating communication capacities, resources, and activities to ensure effective promotion of SIARP 2.0 results.
This includes contributing to awareness-raising campaigns, enhancing visibility efforts, and facilitating information sharing. The Specialist will ensure programme compliance with communication and visibility guidelines from the African Union Commission (AUC), European Union (EU), and the United Nations (UN). They will also work closely with RUNO subject focal points and the Civil Society Regional Reference Group (CSRRG).
Key duties include supporting the design and implementation of communication, visibility, and knowledge management strategies, creating high-impact products, disseminating information, and identifying success stories. Additionally, the Specialist will manage digital presence, produce content, and coordinate the collection of good practices and lessons learned. The ultimate aim is to enhance programme communication, strengthen visibility, and ensure strategic alignment with regional priorities and global communication guidelines.
Responsibilities:
The Advocacy, Communication and Knowledge Management Officer will work under the overall authority and guidance of the Spotlight Programme Coordinator and in close collaboration with the assigned Focal Persons from the RUNOs involved in SIARP 2.0. S/He will ensure quality and timely advocacy, communications, visibility and knowledge management activities, efficient utilisation of resources and capacity with all stakeholders of the joint programme.
Her/His duties and responsibilities are as follows:
Support design, planning, and implementation of Spotlight Initiative programmeโs Communication, Visibility and Knowledge Management strategies and plans
Support the development of comprehensive and realistic advocacy, communication, knowledge management and visibility plans and strategies, ensuring a gender perspective.ย ย Support SIARP 2.0 Advocacy, Communications and Knowledge Management for implementation of high impact advocacy and communicationsโ products (e.g. web, electronic, etc.), and knowledge management outcomes. Coordinate the implementation of visibility, communications, and outreach activities with recipient UN agencies. Ensure wide and regular dissemination and visibility of programme activities, developments and achievements. Identify and compile success and human-interest stories and programme achievements and manage knowledge sharing among recipient UN agencies.ย ย In collaboration with the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, monitor and evaluate advocacy, communication, knowledge management and visibility campaigns. Track progress against established work plans and outputs. Write and/or disseminate press releases, policy briefs, pamphlets, talking points, speeches, editorials, branded materials, and other written communications materials as required in the programme. Manage contracts with consultancies and vendors in support of any advocacy, communication and knowledge management function and or product development. Develop, support management of relationships and maintain contact with members of the media. Design and maintain a digital presence, including robust social media footprint for SIARP 2.0, in close consultation with the Spotlight Initiative global secretariat communication lead. Contribute regularly to the Spotlight Initiative website, updates, articles, human-interest stories (a minimum of 5 annually) in accordance with the Spotlight Initiative web-writing guidelines. Produce quality photographs and video content to be used in web stories on SIARP 2.0 and other communications products.Coordinate the collection of good practices and lessons-learned for scale up and replication of the regional SI activities:
Utilise tested, existing frameworks and training resources to support continental and regional teams in identifying and documenting good practices and lessons learned from SIARP 2.0 interventions. Collate information and guidance and share centralized databases and digital knowledge-sharing platforms to systematically collect, analyse, and disseminate best practices and insights on EVAWG, harmful practices and SRHR as relevant to the programme. Develop and implement a structured strategy for sharing key findings beyond SIARP 2.0, ensuring that lessons learned inform broader regional and national EVAWG programming and policymaking. Create a Technical Guide that synthesizes insights from national and regional initiatives, providing practical recommendations for scaling up and replicating successful interventions. Support SIARP 2.0 civil society partners to document and share their practices and lessons in key knowledge-sharing platforms and for a.Undertake other duties as assigned by the supervisor to support the effective implementation of SIARP 2.0โs knowledge management and learning objectives.
Qualifications and Experience:ย
Education:ย
Master's degree (or equivalent) in communications, public relations, journalism, or any other related field.Knowledge and Experience:ย
At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in communication, print, broadcast, and/or media. At least 3 yearsโ experience in communication and/or advocacy on gender equality, human rights especially in the area of the elimination of violence against women and girls. Proficiency in design, photography, videography, social media campaigns, and other related skills. Computer literate, with proficiency with office and at least one (1) conventional design software package, experience handling web-based management and knowledge management systems. Knowledge of the UN system would be an advantage.Languages:ย
Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of other official UN languages is desirable.Required Competencies:
Values:
Exemplifying integrity. Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system. Embracing cultural diversity. Embracing change.Core Competencies:
Achieve results Being accountable Developing and applying professional expertise/ business acumen Thinking analytically and strategically Working in teams/ managing ourselves and our relationships Communicating for impactFunctional Skill Set:
Excellent oral and written expression Excellent analytical and organizational skills Stakeholder Engagementย Teamwork and Inclusive Collaboration Managing Performance Feminist and human-rights based principles Creative Problem-SolvingCompensation and Benefits:ย
This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary, health insurance and other benefits as applicable.
UNFPA Work Environment:
UNFPA is dedicated to fostering a work environment that upholds the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity, and a healthy work-life balance. We are committed to equitable representation within our workforce and encourage applications from women, persons with disabilities, and individuals from diverse backgrounds. UNFPA promotes equal opportunity in all aspects of employment, including appointment, training, compensation, and selection. Our inclusive approach is central to our mission, and we welcome talent from varied cultural and professional backgrounds.
Disclaimer:
Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.ย
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.