UNFPA
Mission and objectives
UNFPA is formally named the United Nations Population Fund. The organization was created in 1969, the same year the United Nations General Assembly declared “parents have the exclusive right to determine freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children.” UNFPA calls for the realization of reproductive rights for all and supports access to a wide range of sexual and reproductive health services – including voluntary family planning, maternal health care and comprehensive sexuality education. Since UNFPA started its work, the world has seen progress: The number and rate of women dying from complications of pregnancy or childbirth has been halved. Families are healthier. Young people are more connected and empowered than ever before. But too many are still left behind. More than 760 million people are mired in extreme poverty. Sexual and reproductive health problems are a leading cause of death and disability for women in the developing world. Young people bear the highest risks of HIV infection and unintended pregnancy. Many millions of girls face the prospect of child marriage and other harmful practices, such as female genital mutilation (FGM). Much more needs to be done to ensure a world in which all individuals can exercise their basic human rights, including those that relate to the most intimate and fundamental aspects of life.
Context
To facilitate effective delivery of results under its 9th Country Programme with the Government of Zambia; and in line with the UNFPA global and national Communications and Advocacy Strategies, UNFPA Zambia is scaling-up external and internal communication functions, while also strengthening programmes, strategic partnerships and resource mobilization in line with UNFPA’s mandate areas. In addition, UNFPA Zambia will during its 9th Country Programme aim to define and protect UNFPA’s corporate brand and reputation as the thought leader in sexual reproductive health and rights, with critical focus on women and young people. Under the overall guidance of the Representative and direct supervision of the Communications Analyst, and in collaboration with Deputy Representative and other staff members, the incumbent will manage communications functions for the Gender, Adolescent Pregnancy and Social Norms (GAPS) Programme, as well as support the implementation of the overall UNFPA Zambia Communications Strategy.
Task description
External Communication:
- Lead on the design, implementation and monitoring of the communications and advocacy initiatives for the SIDA funded GAPS project. This will include:
- Promoting the visibility and branding of the GAPS project, including that of SIDA;
- Facilitating the rollout of Social Behavioural Change Communication (SBCC) interventions under the GAPS project;
- Supporting the GAPS project to implement effective community mobilisation and engagement interventions;
- Supporting the GAPS programme team in preparing and packaging various communication, advocacy, and visibility materials in line with UNFPA and SIDA guidelines;
- Ensuring effective documentation of results and good practices under the GAPS project through video and photo documentaries.
- Contribute to the implementation of the overall UNFPA Zambia Communications Strategy (2023-2027) in collaboration with the Communications Analyst. This will include:
- Enhancing UNFPA Zambia’s digital presence, ensuring that corporate social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube) are a dynamic, attractive, and interactive platforms to attract, broaden, and engage audiences;
- Supporting the visibility on UNFPA’s work to external audiences, as well as maintaining close collaboration with media;
- Contributing to the drafting and editing of articles, press releases, human-interest stories, quarterly newsletters, and other advocacy/information materials;
- Supporting the coverage of UNFPA events, including field visits by donors, media, and senior Government officials.
Internal Communication:
- Contribute to the maintenance of an up-to-date documentation centre for publications, press releases and news clippings, as well as photographic and audio-visual materials;
- Support respective programme teams to prepare briefing notes, talking points and speeches for the Representative and other UNFPA senior staff;
- Track UNFPA mentions in the media and report on trends;
- Prepare reports on UNFPA social media performance and presence.