Director, Communications, Family Planning 2030 - United Nations Foundation

Position Overview

The Communications Director is a senior member of the FP2030 North America and Europe Hub leadership at the UN Foundation (UNF). The FP2030 Communications Director will lead in shaping and executing the communications strategy for the global partnership. The Director, Communications reports to FP2030’s Executive Director and works closely with communications counterparts at partner organizations, as well as within the Global Communications and Engagement team at UNF. 

The ideal candidate is an experienced communications professional with a proven track record of building and executing successful, cross-national communications strategies to drive growth and increase engagement.

This role reports to the Executive Director, FP2030, and has a close working relationship with the Managing Directors of each FP2030 Hub and with all FP2030 Directors. The Communications Director will work with a team of individuals in each f the hubs in charge of communications and will bolster the re-organization of the FP2030 comms team to fulfill the urgent need for an accelerated approach towards progress for Family Planning globally. supervises multiple staff members including interns as relevant and works closely with coordinators to ensure collaboration and coordination across the FP2030 team.

The Communications Director will oversee FP2030’s business development strategy and operations. The ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to engage major funder organizations, understand their priorities, and identify new funding opportunities.
 
This position is based in Washington, DC, with consideration for candidates located near one of the FP2030 hubs in Kualar Lumpur, Abuja, Nairobi, and Panama City.

Essential Functions

• Provide strategic counsel to FP2030 leadership on messaging and external positioning, including the executive director, regional managing directors, technical directors and leaders of FP2030’s Centers of Excellence.
• Oversee development of an integrated communications strategy and an annual work plan that positions FP2030 to achieve the partnership’s strategic priorities. 
• Oversee FP2030’s brand, organizational voice, and visual identity. Define organization-wide messaging, develop tailored narratives for specific audiences, and provide guidance and oversight to ensure alignment and consistency with FP2030’s core messaging across a range of outward-facing materials. Work collaboratively with other team leads, as well as regional communications officers, to develop language and messaging that connects FP2030’s core messaging with team specific needs.
• Lead a communication and thought leadership strategy that elevates FP2030’s brand, increases its reach, and further establishes expertise and credibility.

• Manage communications team members, budget, vendors, and a large and wide-ranging project portfolio.
• Represent FP2030 at meetings, conferences, and events focused on family planning issues as needed and oversee FP2030’s visibility through high impact events and leadership visibility. 
• Provide creative direction and oversee production and launch of FP2030’s signature publication, the annual progress report, a compelling report on the progress of contraceptive use, the success of commitments as well as the impact of FP2030’s partnerships.
• Create communications plans as needed to support the work and products of the FP2030 Centers of Excellence: Adolescents & Youth; Advocacy, Accountability & Partnerships; Data and Measurement; Emergency Preparedness and Resilience; and Gender. 
• Develop and manage strong relationships with external partners to facilitate their strategic engagement with FP2030’s platforms, channels, and messaging. 
• Work in close collaboration with partners to proactively identify strategic media relations opportunities and respond to media inquiries. 
• Ensure FP2030 commitments are promoted, and commitment success stories are amplified across FP2030 platforms.
• Oversee internal communications platforms and protocols.
• Work with FP2030’s Regional Hubs communications officers and across portfolios to support communications priorities of country partners and to amplify success stories out of the FP2030 partners. 
• Oversee the development of content for communications materials such as op-eds, press releases, fact sheets, talking points, and event briefings as needed. 
• Coordinate with the UN Foundation Global Communications & Engagement team to ensure incorporation of FP2030 events, materials, and messaging across UN Foundation channels as appropriate. 

Selection Criteria: 

• Masters degree required, in communications, journalism, international affairs, global health, or related field.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience. 
• A demonstrated knowledge of global and reproductive issues and the UN system; an understanding of the UNF mission, programs, strategy, and goals; and an understanding of the global health architecture. 
• Knowledge of and passion for family planning, global health, reproductive health, ideally with networks within sexual and reproductive health community. 
• A keen sense of working in collaborative initiatives/partnerships and with experience soliciting and channeling input from a broad set of stakeholders. 
• Adept at managing processes to successfully incorporate relevant inputs while adhering to product schedule and quality standards. 
• Exceptional managerial skills – demonstrated ability to manage several staff members and consultants is required. 
• Excellent writing, editing, interpersonal, and oral communications skills. 
• Solutions-oriented, highly skilled in workplace diplomacy and conflict resolution. 
• Knowledge of strategy and implementation of new media skills including blogging, social networking and tapping online news outlets. 
• Strong critical thinking, decision-making and project management skills. 
• French and/or Spanish language skills desirable but not required. 
• Ability to work under pressure with multiple and shifting priorities. 
• Ability to travel internationally as needed. 

Benefits & Compensation 

For full-time, U.S. benefit eligible employees, UNF offers an excellent range of benefits, including:

• a choice between two health plans through UnitedHealthcare (PPO or HDHP with HSA)
• dental insurance
• vision insurance
• flexible spending accounts
• 403b retirement savings plan with a generous matching contribution
• group term and supplemental life insurance
• short-term disability
• long-term disability
• health club discounts
• commuter subsidy
• back-up care
• employee assistance program

Additionally, all benefit eligible employees have 12 paid holidays, 20 vacation days, 10 sick days, 3 personal days, and 8 weeks of family leave care.

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