Communication Specialist (P-3)

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Organization: UNFPA

Grade: P3

Deadline: June 17, 2026, 05:55 AM

Job Description

The Position:

Under the overall supervision and guidance of the UNFPA Representative, the Communication Specialist will design and implement the Country Office communication strategy both for development and humanitarian based on UNFPA’s Global Communication Strategy, Strategic Plan transformative results, the priorities of the Country Programme and UN Sustainable Cooperation Framework and the political context in Ethiopia.

The Communication Specialist will report directly to the UNFPA Representative and will work across both for humanitarian and development programmes.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact and sustained results and ensure effective external relations, communications, and partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

Communication is critical to accelerating the achievement of the three strategic plan transformative results. The Country office will (a) scale up its advocacy and communications initiatives; (b) promote a multi-sectoral approach towards achievement of the three transformative results; (c) innovate partnerships and resource mobilization strategies; and (d) expand and mainstream resilience, preparedness and early action in programmes, communications and operations.

During emergencies, timely, accurate and appropriate communication is vital to ensure effective programme delivery. The internal and external communication helps to ensure that the programme is well-coordinated and visible. Internal communication helps keep UNFPA management informed of the programme implementation progress and impact. External communication increases recognition of UNFPA as a leader in the mandated areas of ensuring access and provision of sexual and reproductive health and addressing gender-based violence.

The Communication Specialist will assist in ensuring and increasing UNFPA and its programme visibility among national partners, UN agencies, donors and media. On a regular basis, the CO collaborates with the Regional Communication Advisor (RCA) on all strategic information in the context of country programmes, major events, political and social trends, breaking news, newly established policies, etc. The Communication Specialist will be part of UNFPA’s global communications network, working closely with the RCA, to promote UNFPA at the regional and global levels.

You would be responsible for:

A. Planning, design and execution of internal and external strategies for communications

Plan and elaborate communication needs assessments for the country programme.
Facilitate planning, implementation and reviews of the Country Office’s communication strategies based on the overarching UNFPA communication strategy that serves as a key pillar of the new Strategic Plan and the East and South Africa Regional Programme.
Provide constructive advice on incorporation of advocacy and communication components into all aspects of UNFPA’s programme.

B. Maintenance of the Country Office website, web-based knowledge management system and social media platforms

Maintain the office web site based on corporate requirements in cooperation with the ICT staff.
Oversee and prepare the content for the office website ensuring consistency of the materials.
Guide and facilitate elaboration and implementation of a social media strategy leading to the development and implementation of UNFPA Ethiopia Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

C. Partnership, Advocacy and Resource Mobilization

Develop and maintain close contacts with national counterparts, donors, civil society and private sector for the implementation of the communication and publication strategies.
Engage with the UN partners on forging a “One UN” image as feasible, through publicizing the significance of the local UN endeavours, joint programmes, common services and value-added role of UNFPA.
Provide tangible contributions to donor meetings and related public information events.
Prepare relevant documentation, including project summaries, conference papers, speeches and donor profiles.
Format package and submit newsletters and programme updates for development partners and donors in close collaboration with programme staff.

D. Programme and Media Campaigns

Organize public information and promotional campaigns on UNFPA activities to position UNFPA as a leader within the development space and social media; Guide and facilitate campaigns in the local and social media that position UNFPA’s programme and new endeavours.
Facilitate promotion and dissemination of corporate advocacy materials for launching flagship programme initiatives and publications.
Ensure that key office and programme events, success stores and good practices highlighting the value-added roles of partners and attribution are communicated through local and social media.

E. Knowledge Building and Management

Ensure strategic documentation of good practices and innovative programme endeavors in close collaboration with the programme team;
Provide substantial contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories.
Organize training for and provide constructive advice to programme and operations staff on communications issues.

Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

Advanced university degree in communications, public relations, journalism, advertising or a related field.

Knowledge and Experience:

At least 5 years of increasingly responsible professional experience at the national or international level in public relations, communications or advocacy;
Substantive knowledge and practical experience in communication strategy development;
Strong media contacts and proven success pitching stories to media outlets;
Excellent research and writing skills, with experience writing reports, newsletters and programme updates, video production and developing web content;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, good knowledge and experience in handling of web-based management systems;
Client oriented and strong team work;
Proficiency in current office software applications;
Knowledge of the UN system would be an advantage.

Languages:

Fluency in English; knowledge of other official UN languages is desirable.

Required Competencies:

Values:

Exemplifying integrity,
Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,
Embracing cultural diversity,
Embracing change

Core Competencies:

Communicating for impact
Achieving results,
Being accountable,
Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
Thinking analytically and strategically,
Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy/ Advancing a policy-oriented agenda,
Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilization,
Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary, health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA’s workforce – click here to learn more: https://www.unfpa.org/diversity-equity-inclusion

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.