Communications Officer (Education for Health and Well-being)
OVERVIEW
Parent Sector : Education Sector
Duty Station: Lilongwe, Malawi
Job Family: Education
Type of contract : Service Contract
Level : SB 9/01
Duration of contract : 1 year
Recruitment open to : Internal and External Candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 11th July, 2025
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
Overview of the functions of the Consultancy
This position falls under the overall authority of the Regional Director and UNESCO Representative to Southern Africa in Harare, Zimbabwe, as well as the Regional Advisor for Education for Health and Wellbeing, and the direct supervision of the Project Officer, EHW in Lilongwe, Malawi. The National Project Officer EHW (Communications) will be responsible for the effective planning, implementation and monitoring of communications related activities at the Malawi Antenna Office, specifically, for the “Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future” (O3) Programme, supported by the Royal Norwegian Embassy and the Government of Sweden. S/he will be responsible for developing and implementing an advocacy and communications strategy and monitoring the impact of communication efforts to enhance the organization’s credibility and brand.
Long Description
Advocacy and communications strategy
-
- In consultation with Regional Communications Officer and the Lilongwe Office, support the development, implementation and monitoring of the Education for Health and Well-being advocacy and communication strategy at country level.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of advocacy campaigns.
- Spearhead the production of campaign materials, including both print, digital and multimedia materials, and the strategic dissemination of these assets.
- Contribute to the production of communication products to support country and regional communication efforts, including liaison with external service providers as required.
- Liaise with journalists from relevant media outlets around key advocacy and communications opportunities.
- Conceptualize, maintain and create updated content for all communication platforms, including newsletters, publications, website and social media.
Report writing and design
-
- In consultation with the Country project team, assist on preparation of publications, including the quarterly and annual reports
- Support the Regional Communications Officer to conduct interviews with relevant stakeholders (students, teachers, parents, government officials etc) and collect/draft human interest stories that tell the story of UNESCO’s impact in-country.
- Support the documentation of best practices and lessons learned for the Education for Health and Well-being programme.
- Contribute to design, content development and revision of donor reports, as required
- Provide support on other office/sectors communication needs, as required.
Website and social media:
-
- In consultation with country project team and the Regional Communication Officer, support country inclusion of country specific stories and articles into the UNESCO Website.
- Develop social media assets with interesting quotes/stories to be disseminated on social media channels
- Manage translation services and validation before uploading new content to the UN country-based website and sharing to the regional responsible officers.
- Leverage relevant UN international days – World AIDS Day, International Women’s Day, International Youth Day, etc. to develop content for engagement. This includes graphic designing and developing the posts.
- Maintain an updated repository of good quality photos with relevant captions and tags, to be used in donor reports, social media posts, the website etc, as required.
- Generate and distribute a monthly project related articles and contribute on generation of UNESCO newsletter.
Partner Relations
- Participate in the Malawi UN Communications Group on behalf of the Malawi EHW Office.
-
- Form linkages with communications personnel from other institutions - within the Malawi UN Communications Group and other partner organizations.
- Guide partner organizations in ensuring brand management and in UNESCO’s overall visibility.
- Prepare country EHW Programme communications materials, as relevant, for different audiences i.e. presentations, newsletter, opinion pieces etc.
- Maintain and update a database of key stakeholders and media contacts list
- Organise press briefings and conferences to raise awareness around specific issues or events
- Any other duties as may be reasonably required by UNESCO.
Long Description
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
-
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field in Social Sciences.
Work Experience
- At least two (2) years of relevant professional experience in the communications field.
- Experience in working with diverse institutions, such as civil society, multilateral agencies, and non-government organizations.
- Experience working with both traditional media (print, radio, television) and social media.
Long Description
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Skills and competencies
- Strong writing skills and ability to produce compelling press statements, position papers and information materials.
- Proven knowledge in communicating around health education (including HIV, gender-based violence, comprehensive sexuality education, sexual reproductive health and rights), and/or public health in general.
- Computer literacy (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, website management software)
- Experience in gender-sensitive communication – including in graphic designing and story-writing.
- Credibility and confidence to work with high level representational partners including relevant Ministries, UNAIDS Co-sponsors, donors and civil society.
- Experience working with diverse institutions, such as civil society, multi-lateral agencies, and non-government organizations, to strengthen their capacity and opportunities to engage in dialogue/advocacy with policymakers.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, tact and diplomacy, ability to multi-task, prioritize and deliver to deadline, as well as work under pressure.
- Experience in supporting the conceptualization and roll out of campaigns will be an added advantage.
Languages
- Fluency (oral and written) in English
- Proficiency in Chichewa is an added advantage.
Long Description
BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS
Rename the “BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS” title to “APPLICATION PROCESS”, and use additional sections if required to add other relevant information.
Otherwise you can delete this section.
SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.
The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as an interview.
UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.
Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.
Footer
UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.
UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
Please note that UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization.