job Description
Mission and objectives
UNESCO Harare was initially established in 1986 as a sub-regional office for education in Southern Africa, with a special emphasis on higher education. Since then, it has also played the role of cluster office, covering four countries (Botswana, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe) and since 2014 as UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSA), covering all of UNESCO’s programme sectors in nine countries, namely Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The office serves as UNESCO’s focal point for cooperation with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) as well as for the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
Mission and Vision
Guided by the principles of cultural diversity and human dignity and in collaboration with its partners, governments, and institutions, the regional office seeks to advocate for and build countries’ capacity for: the provision of universal access to quality basic education and expanded access to pre-basic, post-basic and continuing education; the development and application of scientific and technological knowledge for social development; the promotion of cultural diversity and the preservation of the world’s cultural heritage; the expansion of access to information and communication technologies. Through the regional office, UNESCO undertakes these actions in the region by focusing on poverty reduction, HIV/AIDS prevention and the mitigation of its impacts, especially among women and young people.
Context
The UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa (UNESCO-ROSA), established in 1986 and restructured in 2014, is based in Harare, Zimbabwe. It serves nine countries – Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe – supporting the Member States, developing and leading UNESCO’s work in education, natural and social and human sciences, culture, and communication and information in Southern Africa. As a regional office, UNESCO-ROSA supports policy development, capacity building, and regional cooperation, while also acting as a liaison with regional bodies such as SADC and COMESA. Its mandate includes promoting inclusive education, cultural diversity, scientific innovation, freedom of expression, and sustainable development.
UNESCO is looking for an international Development Communication Specialist to enhance public awareness and engagement around UNESCO’s work in Southern Africa. The Development Communications Specialist, based in Harare at the UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa (UNESCO-ROSA), works under the supervision of the Regional Director. The role involves coordinating and evaluating communication strategies that promote UNESCO’s values and impact across seven countries. The incumbent supports stakeholder engagement, knowledge exchange, and resource mobilization through various communication tools, contributing significantly to the visibility and performance of UNESCO-ROSA. No travel is foreseen for this position
Duties and Responsibilities
Development Advocacy and Programme Communications:
• Develop, monitor, and implement a comprehensive Communication Strategy for UNESCO ROSA, in collaboration with the Department of Communications and Public Engagement (CPE) at UNESCO HQ. Communication Strategy developed, implemented, and regularly reviewed.
• Support programme units in designing and executing communication activities around key initiatives, ensuring alignment with the overall strategy. Communication activities co-developed and successfully implemented.
• Coordinate the creation and dissemination of content for web and social media platforms, including articles, press releases, op-eds, and multimedia, in line with the UNESCO Style Guide. High-quality content produced and published across platforms; editorial standards maintained.
• Collect and analyze performance data from communication activities and produce periodic reports (text, infographics, visuals). Reports generated with performance insights and visual summaries.
• Ensure integration and monitoring of communication performance indicators, including gender equality metrics, across all communication outputs. Indicators identified, tracked, and reported.
• Monitor and analyze media coverage relevant to UNESCO’s mandate and presence in Southern Africa to inform communication strategies. Media trends analyzed and insights applied.
• Collaborate with UN Communications Groups in seven countries to enhance public outreach on the 2030 Agenda and UNESCO’s contributions to the UNSDCF and SDGs. Public outreach expanded; UNESCO’s contributions effectively communicated.
Partnership and Media Relations:
• Map the regional media landscape and establish a network of media professionals across Southern Africa to promote UNESCO’s work. Output: Media landscape mapped; media cohort established.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with national and regional media, including editors, journalists, and digital platforms. Maintain an up-to-date media contact database. Output: Media relationships sustained; contact list regularly updated.
• In collaboration with communications staff and Unit Heads, identify and pursue media engagement opportunities (e.g., press conferences, expert panels, launch events). Output: Media opportunities leveraged; UNESCO initiatives publicized.
• Facilitate strategic engagement with key partners – government, civil society, private sector, influencers, and individuals – to promote UNESCO’s role in achieving the SDGs. Output: Key stakeholders engaged; UNESCO’s impact communicated.
• Support the organization of public-facing online (if and when possible, in-person) events and ensure media participation to highlight UNESCO’s development contributions. Output: Events conducted with media presence and public engagement.
• Liaise regularly with partners and contractors to co-develop content, exchange information, and implement innovative communication tools. Output: Collaborative content produced; communication tools enhanced.
• Document and share communication best practices and lessons learned with regional partners and UNESCO HQ. Output: Best practices compiled and disseminated.
• Provide editorial support for briefing materials, speeches, and media content and remote backstopping for National Offices in Mozambique and Namibia, if and when needed. Output: High-quality communication materials delivered.
• Maintain awareness of partner activities and regional developments to align communication efforts with relevant political and social contexts. Output: Communication aligned with current events; partner information updated.
Digital Communications and UNESCO’s Pledge to Cut Carbon Emissions:
• Develop and maintain UNESCO ROSA’s digital platforms (website and social media: Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn) in line with UNESCO guidelines. Output: Platforms updated regularly; content aligned with campaigns and observances.
• Plan and implement a digital content strategy, including the production of multimedia communication products (e.g., human-interest stories, videos, infographics, podcasts). Output: Approved digital content strategy; editorial calendar maintained; multimedia portfolio produced and archived.
• Monitor and report on digital performance using analytics tools and dashboards. Output: Quarterly reports on website traffic, social media engagement, and top-performing content.
• Promote greener communication practices by prioritizing digital formats for newsletters, promotional materials, and visibility products. Output: Reduction in printed materials documented annually; all digital outputs mobile-friendly and environmentally sustainable.
• Ensure compliance with UNESCO’s digital communication standards and coordinate with focal points and extrabudgetary communication personnel. Output: Compliance checklist completed; contributors trained and supported.
• Document and share engagement highlights and campaign outcomes. Output: Digital campaign reports and stakeholder feedback summaries produced.
Communication Capacity and Team Building:
• Establish and maintain the UNESCO ROSA Development Communicators Group, comprising communications staff from extrabudgetary projects, sector focal points, and National Offices. Output: Functional and collaborative team established; regular coordination meetings held; communication outputs documented.
• Provide training and access to digital platforms (website and social media) for communications staff and the Junior Office Assistant, ensuring compliance with UNESCO IT security policies. Output: Staff trained and actively managing content; secure access protocols followed; credentials updated and shared with Director and Senior Operations Officer.
• Plan and implement internal capacity-building initiatives in advocacy and communication through coaching, training, and knowledge sharing. Output: Number of training sessions conducted; participant feedback collected.
• Coordinate the development of an online volunteer programme in partnership with UNV Office to support digital content creation and M&E of digital initiatives. Output: Programme established; number of volunteers engaged and contributing.
Branding and Image:
• Provide editorial and branding support to Programme units and extrabudgetary projects to ensure high-quality publications that comply with UNESCO and UN branding guidelines and the UNESCO Style Guide. Output: Publications meet quality and branding standards; quality reviews and approvals documented.
• Monitor UNCT/RCO and partner websites to ensure accurate and up-to-date representation of UNESCO content, including correct use of logos and images. Output: Websites reviewed regularly; updates tracked and documented.
• Perform administrative and procurement-related tasks such as liaising with service providers, managing correspondence, supporting contract quality, and ensuring timely completion of assigned tasks. Output: Administrative tasks completed efficiently; processes documented and responsive to internal needs.
Qualifications and Experience
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Master degree or equivalent in Development communication, development studies, graphic designing, international relations or related field relevant to UNESCO’s areas of work.
Competencies and values
• Professionalism
• Integrity
• Respect for Diversity
• Accountability
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Innovation
• Result Focus
• Planning and Organizing
• Knowledge-Sharing and Continuous Improvement
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Creativity
• Judgement and Decision-Making
• Self-Management
Skills and experience
• 7 years of experience in development communication or related area.
• Demonstrated command of writing and editing and the development of media and/or communication materials.
• Demonstrated knowledge in using digital media software including Adobe Creative Cloud Bundle such as Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere Pro, InDesign, etc.
• Skills in HTML/CSS, the foundational languages for structuring and styling web pages.
• Well versed in Content Management Systems (CMS), design and UX skills, and familiarity with accessibility standards for people with disabilities (e.g., WCAG compliance).
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills.
• Excellent familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development and ability to innovate and find solutions.
• Problem-solving skills abilities for resolving issues efficiently.
• Ability for paying attention to detail and ensuring consistency and quality in writing, design and outputs.
• Excellent skills in organizing tasks, timelines, and deliverables.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Desirable: Have affinity with or interest in UNESCO’s programmatic and normative work, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system.
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