CONSULTANCY - TERMS OF REFERENCE

UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance. UNRWA is the largest UN operation in the Middle East with more than 30,000 staff. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions.

Consultancy – Communications and Advocacy Consultant (International)

BACKGROUND

UNRWA is the largest United Nations agency operating in the Middle East and provides education, health, social services, and humanitarian aid to some 5.7 million Palestine refugees living in West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

UNRWA Representative Office to the EU strengthens the Agency’s visibility and interaction with key partners, mainly the European Union institutions, EU Member States, the UN System present in Brussels, research, policy and university institutes, and NGOs.

We are currently seeking to recruit a full-time engaged and motivated communications and advocacy Consultant to join our dynamic team in Brussels for a challenging but exciting full-time position in an international environment. The position offers multiple opportunities for creativity in promoting a noble cause.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• General: Under supervision of the Office Director, the incumbent will support the work of the UNRWA Representative Office to the EU (ROEU) through the necessary communication activities vis-à-vis EU institutions, Member States, Europe-based media and the wider public, working closely with relevant UNRWA HQ departments such as External Relations, Communication, Spokespersons, other Representative and Field offices;
• Proactively contribute to the development of communication materials, tools and advocacy messages to promote UNRWA’s work and increase its visibility through traditional and social media channels;
• Conceptualize, design and implement strategic communication/advocacy campaigns to raise public awareness of UNRWA’s partnership with the EU and its accomplishments;
• Drafting of press releases and regular newsletters for wide Brussels audience, ensuring rapid and timely dissemination of information to all UNRWA European partners;
• Manage ROEU’s social media and online presence, coordinating digital advocacy and outreach to EU and Belgian donors as well as the media, UN partners, NGOs and relevant influencers, aiming to effectively convey UNRWA’s key messages through digital platforms;
• Assist in expanding and maintaining strong relationship and contact with key Brussels-based and European media, engaging with journalists, influencers and public audiences to raise the profile of UNRWA and enhance public support for the organization in Brussels and Europe;
• Track and analyse EU media, monitoring news and identifying trends and timely issues which could improve the effectiveness of ROEU’s media strategy and activities;
• Advise on reputational issues, proactively informing relevant journalists about key UNRWA developments and sharing relevant UNRWA and donor visibility content with them;
• Organisation of communication/visibility events including preparing and organising press briefings and interviews for UNRWA senior staff, handling interviews request and plan communication activities around them in collaboration with donors, UN, NGO and other partners;
• Represent UNRWA at the UN Communication Group meetings and other joint UN events and initiatives of the UN Team in Brussels;
• Perform other related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• A university degree from an accredited educational institution in journalism and/or communications or related discipline;
• Minimum 6 years of experience in communications, public relations, media relations and/or public affairs, including experience in a multi-cultural environment, working on projects geared towards EU institutional and Member States audiences and combined with a good understanding of EU media, institutional and policy context;
• Experience in social media outreach in the EU/Brussels digital environment;
• Excellent command of spoken and written English and French with a demonstrated ability to write clearly, concisely, accurately, and quickly. Knowledge of other EU languages is an asset;
• Experience in drafting concise communication project proposals and campaigns;
• Analytical ability and skills in developing sources for data collection;
• Eligibility to reside and work in Belgium.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of Dutch or German;
• Media experience gained as a journalist working for a major national/international news organization in Brussels/Europe or communications and media relations gained in a major international PR agency;
• Familiarity with the UN system and Middle East and the Palestine refugee issue;
• Public speaking experience and skills;
• Good presentation and interpersonal skills.

COMPETENCIES

• An energetic individual with the ability to organize and manage multiple demands with diplomacy and conscientiousness;
• Attention to detail and deadlines;
• Ability to work under pressure, professionalism, sound judgment and foresight;
• Integrity and cultural sensitivity and support of the Organization's corporate goals;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to work within a team and provide guidance and support to others;
• Solid administrative and organizational skills and willingness to practice job flexibility;
• Proficiency in operating personal computers and standard software applications used by the Agency such as Office 365 and other tools.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

• The duration of the consultancy is 11 months with an expected start date of 1 June 2021.

Remuneration: $6,428 monthly, gross.

The incumbent will be based in Brussels.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• The incumbent reports to the Director of the UNRWA Representative Office to the EU.
• The incumbent will occasionally travel to the Agency Headquarters and to its area of operations in the Middle East.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants should submit a cover letter and CV or UN Personal History Form demonstrating clearly the knowledge and experience required to meet the consultancy requirements via consultancy@unrwa.org indicating the title of this consultancy “BRUSSELS Communications and Advocacy Consultant” in the subject line of the message. The deadline for the submission of applications is 11 April 2021.

UNRWA is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from both women and men. UNRWA encourages applications from qualified women. Only those applicants shortlisted for interview will be contacted. UNRWA is a non-smoking environment.

Job Email id: consultancy(at)unrwa.org