The Regional Office for the Arab States (ROAS) covers 17 countries in the Arab States region and provides support to UN Women Country Offices in Egypt, Iraq, the State of Palestine, Jordan and the Morocco Multicounty Office (MCO) covering Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria. In addition, UN Women has a programme presence (PP) in Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, Libya, Kuwait, and Bahrain. ROAS works with these field offices to support countries to implement their international commitments to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment.

ROAS operations are guided by the Strategic Note 2018 – 2021, which is itself aligned with the global UN Women Strategic Plan and key international frameworks such as Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, the Beijing Platform for Action, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and other international norms and standards. The ROAS Strategic Note is also informed by and will contribute to, implementation of the UN Women Africa Strategy.

A significant element of the Strategic Note is an enhanced strategic approach to communications, with the aim of increasing the visibility of ROAS and public awareness of both success stories and the specific gaps and challenges to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in the region. Communications methodologies adopted by ROAS are tailored to the regional context and able to attract and support the engagement of diverse stakeholder groups, including youth, civil society, national and regional authorities etc.. ROAS’s communications activities also support effective advocacy and aim to strengthen and expand partnerships with diverse stakeholders in the region and internationally.

Reporting to the Coordination Specialist, the Communications Assistant supports the formulation and implementation of the communications and advocacy strategies to increase the standing and awareness of UN Women with partners, the media and the public. The Communications Assistant will support colleagues in the Regional, Multi-Country Office, Country Offices and Programme Presences (RO/MCO/CO/PP) to ensure effective implementation of communications strategies, media relations and organizational outreach efforts. The Communications Assistant promotes a client-oriented approach in UN Women. Central to this function will be the provision of communications support to the administration of the Bahrain Global ward for the Empowerment of Women, including through the management of the Bahrain Award website, curation of social media posts and drafting and / or editing of communications materials to highlight the aims, outcomes and principles of the Award.

• Provide logistical support to communications and advocacy efforts and campaigns, e.g. by supporting the organisation of roundtable discussions, press conferences, and other publicity events and providing inputs to briefing materials and press releases, as necessary.

2. Provide administrative support to the development of the RO communications and advocacy materials.

• Draft press releases, articles, key messages, and other advocacy materials;
• Review translations, contact with printers and other suppliers to ensure production;
• Maintain library/ database of reference materials and photos;
• Follow guidelines from HQ.

3. Provide support in the management of the RO social media presence and website.

• Gather information for the development of content for the RO website and social media channels;
• Update the website and social media channels, as required;
• Maintain files, databases, and systems relevant to the RO’s digital presence;
• Track and monitor social media and report relevant information to RO staff;
• Research, compile and produce reports on web statistics on a regular basis and electronic surveys;
• Design and create social media content (infographics, videos, GIFs, social media cards etc.).

4. Provide media relations support to the RO.

• Maintain and update the database of the relevant press in the country;
• Respond to requests for information, as delegated;
• Gather and compile inputs for talking points.

5. Facilitate knowledge management and sharing.

• Contribute to the identification of best practices and lessons learned;
• Organize trainings and workshops on communication practices;
• Support regular meetings of regional communications focal points;
• Provide/ exchange information with HQ and RO, MCO, and COs.

6. Other.

• Perform other tasks as assigned by supervisor;
• Provide support on special web/digital/media projects undertaken by the RO.

Key Performance Indicators

• Timely inputs to communication and advocacy materials;
• Timely organization of logistical support to discussions, conferences, briefings, and other events;
• Timely delivery quality administrative support;
• Webpages are well-maintained.