Vacancy No.: UNAIDS/09/FT82
Position title: Regional Communications Officer
Grade: P4
Contract type: Fixed-term appointment
Duration of contract: Two years
Date: 19 October 2009
Deadline for application: 13 November 2009
(7 day(s) until closing deadline)
Currently accepting applications
Organization unit: AI/PRG Programmes (AI/PRG) /
AI/RSC Regional Support Team, Middle East and North Africa (AI/RSC)
Duty station: Cairo Egypt
PURPOSE OF POSITION:
The mandate of the Regional Support Team is to provide leadership and coordinate support for an expanded UN System response to AIDS at regional and country levels. Promote, support and provide guidance to the UN System in the region on Universal Access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support and implementing the Global Task Team recommendations. Coordinate the development of strategic information and document the trends on the epidemic and the response as well as provide intellectual leadership on the status of AIDS response in the region. Provide managerial support and technical advice and guidance to UNAIDS country offices.
Main tasks and Responsibilities of the Position:
Under the overall supervision and the guidance of the RST Director, the incumbent performs the following duties and responsibilities:
- Develops and implements a regional communication strategy to get AIDS epidemic into the public domain taking into consideration regional priorities and issues. This includes advocating for a strengthened political will and mobilising all sectors of society in the response to AIDS moving towards universal access, the key challenges and issues, and supporting as well UNAIDS mandate objectives, and priorities.
- Provides guidance and support to country offices for a communication assessment and analysis leading to development of a national communication strategic plan to promote, mobilize and empower the population on HIV prevention addressing key issues namely stigma and discrimination and gender inequality, drivers of the epidemic.
- Undertakes a range of internal writing assignments including key messages, talking points for national and international press events and interviews and presentations.
- Develops in close collaboration with the media through activities such as press conferences on scaling up towards universal access, progress and key issues, provision information and press materials on the evolution of the AIDS epidemic and trends in national responses, success story etc in view of generating and maintaining public interest in AIDS issues.
- Develops partnerships with individuals, “think tanks groups”, universities and organizations whose support is important to UNAIDS advocacy work to an effective AIDS response scaling up towards universal access, and strengthen their capacity through advocacy, access to appropriate information and experience sharing.
- Engages regionally known personalities in the fight against HIV epidemic, particularly in issues such as adolescence, stigma and discrimination and achievement of universal access, organizing television appearances and special activities to promote regional initiatives and national response.
- Adapts and disseminate advocacy and information materials from Geneva, arranging when necessary translation into local language, identifying needs and preparing additional information materials for communication media (radio, television, press) to promote and advocate UNAIDS objectives and work as well as national AIDS responses.
- Identifies feature stories and materials on good practices to support global and regional advocacy and resources mobilization.
- Assists country offices in the implementation of their communication strategy and plan through training of communication staff, production and sharing of information materials and support for special events and identification and provision of consultant when needed.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Advanced degree in communication, public relations, journalism, public or business administration, social sciences, international relations.
Competencies:
- Knowledge of AIDS programming, current theories and practices in communication research, planning and strategy, coordination and advocacy processes and the role of mass media.
- Working knowledge of HTML and content management systems.
- Proven ability to effectively manage relationship with the media, government officials and other UNAIDS partners.
Experience:
Seven to ten years’ experience in communications, media relations, public relations or development field with governments, the United Nations System or other international bodies, including experience in project management, event management, coordination and/or facilitation of interagency working groups and partners’ meetings at national and international level.
Languages:
Essential: Excellent English and Arabic.
Desirable: Knowledge of another UN official language
For more, visit: https://erecruit.unaids.org/public/hrd-cl-vac-view.asp?o_c=1000&jobinfo_uid_c=21607&vaclng=en
