Responsibilities
Within assigned authority, the incumbent will be responsible for managing the secretariat functions and supporting the implementation of the mechanism. Associate Media, Communications and Gender Officer will liaise with the national focal points on a daily basis and with internal and external partners to ensure the operationalization and functioning of the mechanism. The Associate Media, Communications and Gender Officer will be responsible for the following specific duties:

• Promote the work of UNODC against trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants in West and Central Africa within the overall framework of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children and the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, both supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.
• Develop, maintain and update the unit’s advocacy and communication strategy and associated workplan at the regional level in consultation with the head of unit and colleagues.
• Serve as the TIP/SOM Unit focal point for all issues pertaining to gender, human rights and disability inclusion in programming on TIP and SOM-related matters.
• Support the implementation of gender and human rights mainstreaming in the implementation of UNODC regional strategy against trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, including through monitoring and analyzing progress in gender mainstreaming development and implementation and preparing relevant documents and reports.
• Promote a better understanding of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants issues as well as the work conducted by the unit to assist states in countering these thematic in West and Central Africa by carrying out media, information and communication campaigns on various platforms.
• Liaise with relevant stakeholders, such as governmental authorities, law enforcement and criminal justice practitioners, civil society organizations and other relevant partners to support the mainstreaming of gender and human rights dimensions into normative and strategic responses against trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants in the region.
• Support the development of tools on gender and human rights mainstreaming into anti-TIP and SOM programmes and activities, including through identification of and liaison with consultants and other internal and external experts, preparation and review of draft material and coordination of expert group meetings or other consultations, as relevant.
• Assist in organizing and delivering regional and national workshops on gender and human rights mainstreaming in efforts to combat TIP and SOM. Support with coordinating activities of the Network of Women in Law and Policy against Organized Crime in West and Central Africa, in collaboration with relevant teams in headquarters. Draft and prepare briefing notes, talking points, speaking notes, speeches and provide support in the coordination of a variety of inputs on gender and human rights mainstreaming in efforts to counter TIP and SOM in the region for senior management and/or target countries.
• Draft and edit key external information material, including brochures, web stories, press releases, briefing points and official discourses.
• Draft articles on unit’s activities in West Africa together with original stories related to trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants (feature stories, photo stories and Press notes).
• Design, launch and support the unit’s website together with its communication and advocacy strategy; Update website and Social Media Management: prepare new material and update daily and weekly content for the unit’s website and Social Media platforms.
• Assist with Media Monitoring and flagging of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants issues reported in the media (online, print and broadcast). Sort, produce and maintain a photo and video gallery with content from unit’s projects in West Africa and Central Africa.
• Assist with designing, production and dissemination of unit’s publications and reports. Participate in key events and conferences as needed.
• Assist with development and implementation of communication and sensitization activities. Support design and implementation of campaigns for the international day for Victims of Trafficking (Blue Heart Campaign) and International Migrant’s Day.
• Establish unit’s database (Media and Stakeholders) for information and media dissemination.
• Maintain close collaboration with Regional Communication Advisers from other agencies and UNODC HQ Communication Officers for effective overall coordination.
• Maintain close collaboration with local media and influencers. Attend UN Communications Group meetings and participate in joint activities as required. Respond to other media and communication related requests as needed.
• Contribute to the collection and analysis of data as well as identification of trends or patterns and provide draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
• Perform other work-related duties as required.


Competencies
• Professionalism: Has knowledge of the full range of communications approaches and tools, strong social media skills and ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Demonstrated skills in monitoring and evaluating project outcomes using qualitative and quantitative indicators, applying MEL methodologies to inform program decisions. Has ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors’ language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.


Education
• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in journalism, communication, media with a strong interest for social science, international relations, political science, law, gender and human rights, public administration or related fields. A first-level university degree in similar field in combination with two additional year of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A first-level university degree and no experience will be accepted for candidates who have passed the United Nations Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP), the United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P).


Work Experience
• Demonstrate a minimum of two years of relevant professional work experience in journalism, communication or media OR the successful completion of the Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP), the United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P) is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of ethical standards in reporting on migration, human rights, crime prevention or criminal justice at national or international level is desirable.
• Demonstrated excellent communication skills and experience in writing and editing articles and conducting interviews is desirable.
• Demonstrated excellent command of photography, writing for the web, filming or editing is desirable.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the work of UNODC or the thematic areas of migration, trafficking in persons or human rights is desirable.
• Demonstrated knowledge of gender and human rights dimensions within normative and policy frameworks addressing TIP and SOM, as well as experience in developing tools or conceptualizing and implementing technical assistance activities on gender-responsive approaches to TIP and SOM, is desirable. Demonstrated experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.


Languages
• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in both English and French is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.