Communication and Advocacy Advisor

 Since 2010, the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement has inspired a new way of working collaboratively to end malnutrition, in all its forms. With the governments of SUN Countries in the lead, it unites people—from civil society, the United Nations, donors, businesses and researchers—in a collective effort to improve nutrition. The SUN Strategy 2021–2025 (SUN 3.0) prioritises country leadership and focuses on supporting systemic change at the country level. It seeks to capture the ambition of SUN countries and guide the work of all actors at all levels aligning concerted action behind and responding to commonly agreed national priorities set out by governments in SUN countries. 

SUN 3.0 is committed to fundamental, non-negotiable aspects of effective nutrition action, including equity and the principle of leaving no one behind. For its third phase, the SUN Movement will drive forward gender equality and enshrine youth leadership across the Movement.  SUN 3.0 will strengthen partnerships to achieve greater impact on nutrition through food systems, health systems, social protection systems, actions by the private sector and humanitarian and development actors, and through education, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and climate change adaptation.

The SUN Movement Secretariat plays a central role in enabling the multiple members and structures of the Movement to work together to advance progress on country-level priorities and the global positioning of nutrition.  

The SUN Movement Secretariat comprises approximately 35 personnel, based in Geneva and in various regions globally.  All parts of the Movement – member governments, the four SUN networks (Civil Society, United Nations, Business, Donors), the SUN Movement Coordinator and the SUN Movement Secretariat work together to align and focus efforts on priorities within countries.

The SUN Movement Secretariat is hosted by UNOPS.

Role of the Communication and Advocacy Advisor

The Communication and Advocacy Advisor is part of the Country Action team of the SUN Movement Secretariat.  The purpose of this team is to support SUN Countries in advocacy, positioning, planning, multi-sector/stakeholder collaboration, resource mobilisation, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of their National Nutrition Plans.  

The Communication and Advocacy Advisor reports to the Head of Country Action.  The purpose of the role is to facilitate the SUN Movement’s global communication strategies at a regional and country level.  The position maintains a close working relationship with the global technical advisory team and includes a second reporting line to the Communication and External Relations Advisor, who sets the global communication and advocacy priorities of the SUN Movement Secretariat.

The role is responsible for developing strategic communications and media initiatives and oversees the production of a range of communications materials for online and offline audiences. S/he is responsible for timely, accurate and high-quality informational materials, such as press releases, media advisories, news briefs, fact sheets, stories from the field etc. for media outreach, the SUN Movement website, and inclusion in informational kits for further public outreach.

S/he also manages a geographically dispersed team to support outreach campaigns, resource mobilization and donor relations initiatives and supports the activities and special events organised by the SUN Movement.

• Provide substantive support to SUN Countries through the Country Action Team, fostering the adaptation and localisation of global communications and advocacy priorities promoting the work of the SUN Movement.

• Guide the Country Action Teams to support SUN Countries to identify risks and opportunities related to communication, and to suggest mitigation measures as relevant.

• Identify and assess potential issues, concerns and risks related to communication and advocacy at the regional and country level and suggest corrective actions.

• Working as one Global Support System (GSS) liaise with the SUN Networks (Civil Society, Business, United Nations, Donor), providing communication advice as needed in support of SUN Countries, and promoting opportunities to showcase GSS  impact in SUN Countries

• Advise Country Action Teams on the use of the SUN Movement brand at country level across content and products, both offline and online.

• Advanced University Degree (Masters Degree or equivalent) in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, International Development or other relevant discipline is required.
• A bachelor's degree with a combination of two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted  in lieu of the master's degree.

• A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in communication and advocacy in the context of international development is required.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing communication and/or advocacy plans in support of overall global objectives is desirable.
• Experience in conceptualising, producing, and managing the production of communication materials, including (not limited to) press releases, media advisories, blogs, talking points, photos, videos, podcasts, infographics, virtual events, videos, animations, social media and related software and web-based platforms is desirable.
• Experience with managing websites and developing social media strategy is desirable.
• Experience managing launch events and conferences – including planning, operations, and logistics is desirable.

•  Fluency in English Language ( Writing, Reading and Speaking) is required.
• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language, particularly French is an asset.

Contract type: Fixed-term Staff Contract
Contract level: ICS 11/ P4
Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT APPLICANTS INCLUDE  A SHORT COVER LETTER INDICATING THEIR MOTIVATION AND FIT FOR THE POSITION.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.