Senior Media Consultant

Background

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.

 

Following CSW69/Beijing+30, we will reach the ten-year milestone toward achieving the 2030 Agenda, emphasizing the imperative for gender equality to be positioned as both a prerequisite and an accelerator for all the SDGs. SDG 5, along with SDGs 3, 8, 14, and 17, will also be under review at the High-level Political Forum on SDGs (HLPF) in 2025, under the theme “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs, leaving no one behind.” It is only by delivering on gender equality, rights, and the empowerment of women and girls that we have the best chance to succeed in addressing our current and pressing global challenges.

 

Reporting to the Senior Communications and Advocacy advisor for Beijing+30, the Senior Media Consultant will be responsible for supporting UN Women’s senior leadership on media strategy and key messaging for institutional priorities, including UNGA 2024 and the kickoff for Beijing+30.

Duties and Responsibilities

Description of Responsibilities /Scope of Work

Provide technical support to UN Women Senior Leadership on Media Strategy and Key Messaging:

• To provide technical support to the development and execution of media strategies and key messaging for critical institutional priority moments, including the UN General Assembly (UNGA) 2024 and the kickoff of the Beijing+30 campaign.
• Analyze that all messaging aligns with the organization’s broader strategic goals, reinforces UN Women’s commitment to gender equality and the global empowerment of women and girls.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to craft and deliver messages that resonate with diverse global audiences, including media, policymakers, and the general public.

Collaborate with the Executive Director’s Office (EDO) and HQ Media Team:

• Collaborate with the EDO and the HQ Media team to shape and develop comprehensive media plans, press releases, key messages, Q&A documents, and other communication materials for the media moments.
• Navigate efforts across different departments to ensure consistent messaging and a unified communication strategy that amplifies the impact of UN Women’s work during these pivotal events.

 Prepare for Public Media Opportunities Involving the Executive Director:

• Prepare for every public media engagement by organizing media training, rehearsals, and the creation of soundbites.
• Provide technical advice and guidance on effective media interactions, ensuring that those giving interviews are well-prepared to deliver impactful and coherent messages across various media platforms.
• Analyze potential media challenges and opportunities, preparing colleagues to address them effectively during interviews, press conferences, and public appearances.

Advance a Top-Tier Media Strategy for the Organization:

• Develop and implement a high-level media strategy that elevates UN Women’s profile in top-tier global media outlets, ensuring strong involvement from senior leadership.
• Analyze and identify strategic media opportunities that enhance the visibility of UN Women’s mission and amplify its influence on key global issues related to gender equality.
• collaborate and maintain strong relationships with key media contacts, ensuring that UN Women’s perspectives are prominently featured in relevant global conversations.

Monitor and Evaluate Media Impact:

• Regularly assess the effectiveness of media strategies and key messaging, using analytics and media monitoring tools to gauge impact and adjust tactics as necessary.
• Provide detailed reports to senior leadership on media coverage, highlighting successes, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
• Navigate and use insights gained from media engagements to refine future strategies and enhance the organization’s media presence.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies

Core 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

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies:

Functional Competencies

• Substantive knowledge in gender equality and women’s empowerment
• Excellent programme management skills
• Excellent at leading communication teams around complex issues, major initiatives, and institutional crises in HQ and the field. Ability to analyze and interpret large amounts of complex information and translate them into simple messages and concise briefs.
• Excellent negotiation, cultural sensitivity and diplomatic skills
• Strong people management skills
• Ability to go beyond established procedures and practices, introduce new approaches and strategic innovations.
• Ability to leverage information technology, executive information systems, management techniques and tools for optimal office performance.
• Excellent team building skills.
• Excellent writer.

Required Skills and Experience

Education and Certification:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in economics, business management, social sciences, public administration, international relations, communications, women’s studies, or a related field is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in communications or advocacy, and/or business development is required, preferably in an international organization.
• Extensive experience in the UN system on Media and Crisis Communication
• Extensive experience working with UN Senior leadership (ED/RD/ASG level)
• Experience leading Communication teams around complex issues, major initiatives and institutional crisis in HQ and the field.
• Strategic thinker, oriented to results and great communicator.
• Excellent writer

Languages:

• Fluency in English
• Knowledge of the other UN official working language is an asset

 

Application:

All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from: . Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.

Note:

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.