Communications Assistant

National UNV Assignment - Türkiye

Mission and objectives

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025) reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical personnel, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

Context

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA works to advance gender equality, human rights, and inclusive development through evidence- and data-driven programming and partnerships, contributing to the realization of the ICPD Programme of Action and the Sustainable Development Goals. With the financial support of the European Union through the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III), UNFPA Türkiye implements the Women-Friendly Cities (WFC) Programme, in partnership with the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye. The three-year programme works with 25 municipalities and local civil society organizations across Türkiye to strengthen gender equality in local governance and municipal services, promote women's participation in decision-making, and support safer, more accessible and inclusive cities. As programme implementation progresses, effective communication and visibility are essential to document and communicate the programme's activities, results, and impact at both local and national levels, while ensuring compliance with EU and UNFPA visibility requirements. The Communications Assistant, based in Ankara, will support the communication and visibility activities of the Women-Friendly Cities Programme, with a particular focus on graphic design, photography and video production, creative and digital content development, social media and website content, and documentation of programme activities and results. The Communications Assistant will work closely with the WFC Programme Team and the UNFPA Communications Team to strengthen the visibility of programme results, municipal-level achievements, and EU–UNFPA cooperation.

Task description

Under the Women-Friendly Cities (WFC) Programme and direct supervision of Communication Analyst, the UN Volunteer will undertake following tasks:

• Support the implementation of the WFC Programme’s communication and visibility activities, in line with UNFPA Türkiye’s communications strategy, the programme’s communication and visibility plan, and applicable UNFPA and European Union communication and visibility requirements.

• Contribute to coherence and synergies between WFC programme-level communications and UNFPA Türkiye, regional and global communications, ensuring consistent messaging and visibility of programme results and impact.

• Support coordination and liaison between the WFC Programme Team, UNFPA Communications Team, Local Equality Experts, municipalities, civil society organizations, and other programme partners, including during meetings, trainings, events, and field activities.

• Develop and produce high-quality WFC communication and visibility materials, including print, digital, and audiovisual content such as brochures, posters, factsheets, infographics, photography, videography, human interest stories, and short videos, to communicate programme objectives, activities, results, and impact across multiple platforms.

• Support the management and regular updating of the Women-Friendly Cities website and relevant WFC content on UNFPA Türkiye’s web platforms, including content development, branding, multimedia content, and basic technical coordination.

• Support the development of social media content related to WFC activities, results, partnerships, and key messages, including content planning, creative content production, and contribution to monitoring and reporting.

• Support the conceptualization and implementation of WFC communication campaigns, advocacy and visibility activities, including special days, national and local events, and other EU-funded programme activities.

• Support the documentation and dissemination of good practices, programme results, local achievements, and human impact stories from participating municipalities and civil society organizations, contributing to programme monitoring, reporting, and EU visibility requirements.

• Support the organization and communication aspects of WFC events, field missions, press activities, and photo/video assignments, including coordination with municipalities, local partners, and external service providers, as required.

• Participate in field missions to WFC programme provinces to collect stories, photographs, videos, and other audiovisual materials documenting programme implementation, results, and impact at the local level.

• Monitor relevant media coverage and support the preparation of communication and visibility reports and products, including visually engaging materials for programme and donor reporting.

• Maintain and update WFC communication archives and digital assets, including publications, photographs, videos, media coverage, and other communication products, ensuring quality control and accessibility.

• Ensure that all WFC communication and visibility materials are developed in accordance with UNFPA and European Union branding, communication, and visibility guidelines.

• Perform other WFC communication and visibility-related duties as assigned.

Qualification Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, social sciences, or a related discipline
• 5 years of relevant experience in communications field
• Fluency in English; native level Turkish
• Proficiency in current office software applications and corporate IT systems

Desirable:

• Experience in using graphic-design and video editing software (e.g. Canva, Adobe Photoshop-Premiere, InDesign, After Effects etc.)
• Experience in photography, videography, and multimedia content production
• Experience in creating social media content, web content, news articles, and/or human interest stories
• Knowledge of or experience in gender equality, women’s empowerment, and/or local governance
• Experience in content creation for public communication
• Knowledge of gender and/or reproductive health
• Familiarity with UN procedures and working methods
• Familiarity with EU communication and visibility requirements
• Working experience with an international organization

Summary of National UN Volunteer (Specialist) Entitlements: (paid in local currency)

• Current Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) is USD 1,860 (paid in Turkish Lira)

• Private insurance coverage by CIGNA)

• Entry allowance: USD 350

• Exit allowance: USD 120 per month, and upon the satisfactory completion of assignment

• Free access to different learning platforms and UN & UNV network