Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Organization: United Nations Volunteers (UNV)
Deadline: 27 May 2025
Job Description
Details
Mission and objectives
The DCO Regional Office for Africa (DCO-Africa) was established in July 2019 in Addis Ababa to mainly provide strategic support to 53 Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams (UNCTs) in Africa in the integrated implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the African Union vision – Agenda 2063. DCO-Africa provides day-to-day support to 53 resident coordinators and their offices in Africa. Its overall function is focused on overseeing and supporting coherent and effective delivery of operational activities for sustainable development by UN resident coordinators and UNCTs in Africa through integrated policy, programming and operational.
The functions of the Regional Office include providing strategic support to Resident Coordinators and United Nations country teams to ensure quality and timely support to Member States in Africa in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, SDGs and Agenda 2063; Providing strategic support to Resident Coordinators and United Nations country teams in the integrated implementation of the humanitarian, health and socioeconomic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting countries to recover better and effectively implement the 2030 Agenda in the Decade of Action on SDGs; facilitating and overseeing support to RCs and UNCTs on UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework quality assurance, coordinated policy and operational support to UNCTs, among others.
Context
The UNV will be assigned to provide regional communications and advocacy support to the RCO communications officers in Africa, under the guidance and direct supervision of the Deputy Regional Director. The incumbent also advises and coordinates with Resident Coordiantors and UNCTs in strategic and regional communications as needed, potentially providing guidance to communication officers in the RCO and UN agencies, funds and programmes, direct technical support, coaching and training as required, as well as ensuring quality control of editorial content in online and offline channels.
In addition, he/she works in close collaboration with the Resident Coordinators and UNCT members, Resident Coordinator’s Offices and DCO staff at the regional and Headquarters level to ensure successful implementation of communications and advocacy efforts in the region. The position also maintains a close working relationship with the DCO Communications team in New York and the United Nations Department of Global Communications (DGC).
Task description
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the DCO Africa Deputy Regional Director or her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Regional Communications Officer will:
1. Provide operational communications and advocacy support to Resident Coordinator’s Offices (RCOs) and UN Information Centers (UNICs) in 54 African countries to design, implement and monitor communications strategies including in regional settings.
2. Build and maintain regular relationships with communications and advocacy staff from RCOs and UNICs across Africa and provide guidance in communicating Cooperation Framework results while ensuring alignment with regional and global priorities.
3. Coordinate a regional network of communications officers in collaboration with UNIC Directors, foster knowledge sharing, information dissemination, and collaboration through online communities, webinars, and other mechanisms.
4. Identify and develop compelling human-interest stories from the African region that showcase the UN’s impact in advancing the implementation of SDGs, ensuring a broader outreach. Support the amplification of country-level stories to regional and global platforms.
5. In consultation with relevant DCO and DGC partners, provide strategic and technical guidance on digital platforms, social media, and UN Country Team websites in Africa, promoting best practices for utilizing their multilingual capabilities and enhancing visibility.
6. Support the adaptation of global communications priorities by providing feedback to DCO HQ and the Department of Global Communications (DGC) to tailor strategies and initiatives for the African context.
7. Support the establishment and update of UN Communications Group Terms of Reference in African countries and help draft regional communication strategies, guidelines, and best practices.
8. Review and consolidate DCO Africa’s inputs to the DCO Policy Bulletin to ensure visibility of regional results globally.
9. Contribute to data-driven regional reports by assisting with data collection, analysis, visualization, and writing, supporting high-level political discussions and global events.
10. Develop engaging social media content for DCO Africa senior management to enhance visibility and awareness of key regional initiatives, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
11. Draft speeches, background notes, and talking points for senior management, providing strategic support for their interventions at international forums and high-level engagements.
12. Provide regional communications support, including surge capacity during peak periods, by helping RCOs and UNICs develop and implement regional communication strategies. Support media monitoring, social media listening, and engagement in HQ-led crisis cells.
13. Curate and share best practices and lessons learned from regional communications and reputation management campaigns across Africa, ensuring that RCOs and UNICs adopt effective approaches and guidelines for future crises.
14. Support UNCTs to align their messaging during crises, ensuring a unified approach by formulating common messages, including a joint UN statement, and coordinating with senior leadership to enhance communication efforts and maintain consistency.
