Advocacy Specialist

Mission and objectivesThe United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (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. Placing women’s rights at the center of all its efforts, the UN Women leads and coordinates United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender main-streaming translate into action throughout the world. It provides strong and coherent leader-ship in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

ContextUnder the overall guidance of the UN Women Country Representative and Resident Coordinator’s Office in PNG and direct supervision of the Soim Wokabout Technical Coordinator, UN Volunteer Specialist will support and guide the implementation of the Soim Wokabout Communications Strategy. S/he will collaborate closely with the Soim Wokabout Program in country, UN Communications Group, UN Implementing agencies to ensure communications strategies, media relations and organizational outreach efforts are aligned with corporate communications policies and initiatives. S/he will also collaborate with colleagues to support outreach campaigns and donor relations initiatives; s/he will mobilize support in conjunction with intergovernmental processes, and support the activities and special events organized. S/he will liaise closely with media, government, civil society and other partners on visibility and outreach activities. Building on the gains of the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative to Eliminate Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in Papua New Guinea (PNG), UN Women, UNFPA and UNOPS (Agencies) have commenced a joint initiative entitled “Soim Wokabout: Gender-Based Violence Referral Pathways Programme”, financed under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI Global Europe). The joint programme aims to reduce the incidence of GBV in communities in target provinces, including in and out of schools (Eastern Highlands and the National Capital District). This will capitalize on existing programmes addressing specific forms of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHRs) while supporting prevention and protection efforts for GBV survivors, strengthening access to justice, and ending violence against women and girls at national, provincial, district, and community levels. It seeks to scale up effective integrated approaches to deliver quality coordinated services, strengthen referral pathways, mobilize communities and networks to address harmful gender and social norms fueling GBV and SARV and promote implementation of laws and policies to reduce GBV and SARV while mobilizing national, provincial and community leadership on the programme’s investments to enhance sustainability. The joint programme’s specific objectives are: 1. To increase access of women, men, girls and boys in all their diversity, experiencing gender-based violence, to essential quality services, protection and justice. 2. To improve advocacy and agency of civil society organisations, women’s rights organisations, social movements and communities to end gender-based violence (GBV). 3. To make more effective the engagement of community leaders, male advocates and influential groups and actors in society in changing discriminatory social norms, gender stereotypes, GBV and harmful practices

Task DescriptionUnder the direct supervision of the Soim Wokabout Technical Coordinator 1. Lead the development and implementation of communication, visibility and outreach strategies and plans, with a specific focus on media • Review and implement communication and outreach/advocacy plans, including media strategies in line with overall Communications and visibility strategy; • Conduct regular surveys and information gathering exercises to support data collection for the Spotlight communications and visibility Indicators; • Plan and manage the implementation of visibility to a greater audience across the Asia-Pacific region and globally through completion of high impact communications’ products; • Work closely and coordinate with the Communications Specialists from implementing agencies to support interventions across the Soim Wokabout programme. • Work closely and coordinate with implementing agencies, communities and service providers on mechanisms to create awareness and demand for services under Objective 1 of Soim Wokabout. 2. Lead the development and dissemination of 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; • Identify information opportunities (e.g., key UN observance days), activities, approaches and platforms and partners; • Lead video production of audio/ visual material on Soim Wokabout’s work; • Develop brochures, factsheets, stories from the field to inform media and general public at the national, regional and global level. 3. Manage media relations • Lead relationship building with press in country; maintain and update database of relevant press; • Respond timely and clearly to media inquiries and to a variety of inquiries and information requests; prepare related correspondence; identify topics, background information, newsrelated development and coverage of interest; • Organize roundtable discussions, press conferences, and briefing sessions with press;• Finalize talking points for programme coordinator, heads of implementing agencies, and RC on Soim Wokabout activities and events; • Maintain media monitor of reporting on violence against women and girls. 4. Maintain relations with donors • Maintain communication partnerships and alliances to enhance visibility; • Liaise with advocacy partners and undertake outreach to civil society organizations; governments, and other groups to ensure that newsworthy information reaches the public and donors; • Submit packages on Soim Wokabout achievements for donor review. 5. Provide substantive input to the Soim Wokabout online presence • Provide substantive input to websites’ content and maintenance based on corporate requirements; • Provide substantive input to social media accounts in line with corporate social media policies; 6. Facilitate knowledge building and sharing • Upload information to knowledge management system on a regular basis, including news, updates, and resources; • Provide training and workshops on communication and advocacy as appropriate; • Participate in the UN Communications Group.

Competencies and valuesCore Values: • Respect for Diversity • Integrity • Professionalism Core Competencies: • Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues • Accountability • Creative Problem Solving • Effective Communication • Inclusive Collaboration • Stakeholder Engagement • Leading by Example

Living conditions and remarksPapua New Guinea (PNG) is a multi-cultural unique country with over 800 languages and 8 million inhabitants. Over 80 percent of the population live in rural areas, with limited access to basic health, education and agricultural services. Despite claims of economic gain /growth over the past few years, almost 40 percent of the country’s population still live in poverty. Gender inequality, violence against women and other forms of, crime rates and corruption are rife at all levels. Rates of family and sexual violence are among the highest in the world. The overall security situation in PNG is assessed as generally calm and unpredictable. Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a unique country and ‘the land of the Unexpected’. It provides an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. As per the UN Security Management System (UNSMS), the Security Level System (SLS) in Port Moresby is categorized as Level 3 – Moderate. Accommodation prices are some of the most expensive in the world. There are a number of supermarkets and grocery shops stocking a well diverse range of products but mainly influenced by the city’s trade with East Asian countries, America, India, Australia and New Zealand. They also have provision for people with special dietary requirements. All foreign visitors to PNG require a visa to enter. PNG’s currency is the Kina there are a good number of international banks which include Kina Bank, Bank South Pacific, Westpac, Credit Bank, Tisa Bank which have ATMs throughout most parts of the country. There are various local companies that provide mobile roaming, fast-speed internet services and wireless via a USB modem. The electricity current in PNG is 240V AC 50Hz using Australian-style plugs. PNG only offers basic medical facilities and you should ensure you discuss all possible vaccinations and other preventative measures recommended for Papua New Guinea with your primary care physician prior to leaving your home country. You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.”