UN Women, Communication Specialist Consultant

Background:

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. 

The latest national survey on violence published in November 2024 shows that nearly 3 in 10 women have experienced at least one form of violence (physical, psychological, sexual, or economic) in the 12 months preceding the survey, representing a prevalence rate of 31.9%.

The multiple and diverse interventions to combat GBV have not yet resulted in a major change in the situation of women and girls facing GBV across Senegal, despite a legal and political framework that is quite favorable to the elimination of violence against women and girls, through the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women adopted on December 18, 1979 by the United Nations General Assembly, the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol) of July 11, 2003, and the law criminalizing rape and pedophilia of January 10, 2003. 2020 promulgated by the Head of State of Senegal, as well as the efforts made by stakeholders in implementing the national action plan for the eradication of GBV and the promotion of human rights.

The phenomenon persists, with challenges related to social norms that perpetuate violence against women and girls, the limited availability of essential prevention and psychological, medical, security, and judicial services for survivors, and the inability of women to claim their rights and prosecute and punish perpetrators, thus fostering impunity. Resolving conflicts between customary and statutory law in accordance with international and regional frameworks is also a challenge for the protection of women's rights and gender equality.

The project, entitled "Support for the Elimination of Violence, a Perspective on the Empowerment of Women and Girls," will address the needs of women and girls in seven regions with a high prevalence of violence in Senegal by facilitating access to justice and essential care services, increasing their resilience, and strengthening their ability to claim their rights. Its primary objective is to contribute to the reduction of gender-based violence and gender inequality, strengthen the rights of women and girls, and promote their full participation in societal development.

This project will be implemented in seven regions of Senegal with a high prevalence of gender-based violence: Kédougou, Kolda, Ziguinchor, Tambacounda, Matam, Dakar, Kolda, and Sédhiou.

To ensure quality in the operational implementation of the project and ensure the visibility of the various actions related to it, the UN Women Senegal office plans to recruit a consultant for project communication, documentation, and knowledge sharing.

Description of Responsibilities/ Scope of Work

Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Country Representative, the Communication Specialist Consultant is responsible for: 

• Overseeing the implementation of Senegal Country Office communication strategy in collaboration with the global and regional communication and advocacy team and the country program team.
• Designing and implementing country multi-stakeholder campaigns that amplify advocacy priorities for all programme units and maximize the visibility of UN Women Senegal Country Office and its results.
• Developing a strong narrative and engaging communication materials for a variety of channels and target audience. 
• Provide advice and guidance to and coordinate with programme managers and team leads on programme/project-specific communication tools and strategies.
• Lead the engagement and supervision of video producers and other communication specialists to produce audio/ visual materials on UN Women’s work; establish systems for sharing such materials across the region.

Lead the development and implementation of communication and outreach/advocacy strategies and plans:

• Oversee the implementation of UN Women Senegal Country Office communication strategy. 
• Develop an annual communication plan in accordance with the UN Women Senegal Country Office communication strategy and programme unit work plans.
• Integrate communication, advocacy, and outreach strategies into proposals for project/programmes and other initiatives.

Oversee the design and dissemination of outreach and advocacy materials

• Develop and produce communication and advocacy instruments and materials, including briefing materials, press releases, and articles and coordinate its dissemination through effective channels.
• Ensure the visibility of events, campaigns and key activities planned by UN Women Senegal Country Office and field offices (e.g. 16 Days of activism, Beijing+30, etc.)

 Oversee the UN Women Senegal Country Office online presence.

• Oversee and manage UN Women Senegal Country Office social media accounts and web site, including developing design and content in line with corporate social media policy.
• Coordinate COs’ web-presence in line with corporate web policy.
• Develop country social media strategy for country campaigns.
• Analyze social media analytics together with the communications team to support the expansion of UN Women’s reach over social media in the country.

Manage the Communication Team

• Review and ensure the implementation of the communication team’s work plan.
• Monitor and report on the results of communication and advocacy activities.

The Specialist will carry out any other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the effective functioning of the communications department.

key Performance Indicators

• Annual communication plan designed in a participatory manner.
• Increased coverage of UN Women's mandate and achievements in the region.
• Enhanced quality and frequency of content created by programme and CO teams. 

Deliverables

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This is a home-based consultancy. 

As part of this assignment, there will be a maximum of 7 trips to Matam, Tambacounda, Kédougou, Kolda, Ziguinchor, Sédhiiou, Saly  

Competencies :

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework: 

Functional Competencies:

• Ability to communicate sensitively, effectively and creatively across different constituencies 
• Strong knowledge of managing web-based knowledge management systems 
• Strong understanding of production, graphic design and photography standards 
• Strong knowledge of social media platforms and experience in social media outreach 
• Strong oral and written communication and editing skills 
• Strong communication, networking and advocacy skills 
• Ability to provide advice and be strategic and analytical 
• Good knowledge of the local country media landscape 
• Knowledge of gender and human rights issues is desirable

Required Qualifications:

Education

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in communications, public relations, journalism or relevant field is required 
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of professional work experience at national or international level in public relations, communications or advocacy, preferably in West and Central Africa, is required.
• Experience in the use of social media is required.
• Experience in media relations is an asset.

Languages:

• Fluency in English andFrench is required.
• Knowledge of Local languages is an asset.

How to Apply:

• Personal CV or P11 (P11 canbe downloaded from: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form.doc)
• A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page)
• Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns, or other materials.

Statements :

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.