Purpose of Consultancy

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) works to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. As part of its mission, UNFPA actively engages in advocacy, outreach, and awareness campaigns through various communication channels, including social media. To enhance visibility, engage stakeholders, and strengthen public awareness, the UNFPA is seeking a dynamic and skilled Communications Consultant to support the work of our Cotabato Sub Office in BARMM and Mindanao.

The Communications consultant at UNFPA will be supporting the organization’s mission by crafting and sharing impactful messages that raise awareness and drive action around issues on sexual, reproductive, and health rights in the context of support to peace dividends in the Bangsamoro region and Mindanao-wide support to humanitarian emergencies. In coordination with the Communication and Partnerships Unit in Manila, this role involves content creation and management, including managing social media platforms, producing engaging content, and ensuring that UNFPA’s advocacy efforts reach and resonate with a global audience. Additionally, the consultant will be providing support in campaigns and advocacy projects by drafting press materials, event promotion, and coordinating campaign activities. Through strategic communications, the consultant will help amplify UNFPA’s result areas, work and advocacies.

Scope of Work

Under the direct supervision of the Cotabato Sub-Office Head, and in coordination with the Country Office Communications and Partnerships Unit, will be responsible for supporting UNFPA’s communication efforts, with a particular focus on social media management, content creation, and communication collateral development. Specific duties include:

1. Multimedia Content Creation and Documentation

• Sub-office and BARMM/Mindanao-based projects visibility: Coordinate with the Country Office Communications and Partnerships Unit to produce and support the delivery of all required communication and visibility materials, in line with UNFPA and donor standards as well as leading production of urgently arising humanitarian visibility products (photos, videos, testimonies) for both general narration as well as donor specific responses, specifically for Mindanao.
• Support the development of compelling multimedia content from Mindanao (graphics, videos, infographics, photos) for UNFPA’s social media platforms.
• Contribute to drafting human-interest stories, testimonies and features that highlight the impact of UNFPA’s programmes in Mindanao.
• Support documentation of UNFPA activities through photography, videography, and written reports, including travel to project sites for interviews and coverage.
• Support media engagement by organizing press conferences, drafting media briefs, maintaining media contacts, and monitoring media coverage related to UNFPA’s work in Mindanao.
• Collaborate with the Partnerships Unit, external designers and content creators to produce high-quality communication materials.

2. Operations & Brand Management (Day-to-Day Office Work)

• Communications Focal Point: Serve as the primary communications focal point for daily office communications work in the sub-office, including design and layout support for public-facing materials
  • Format, proofread, and assist in editing internal and external communications and knowledge products
  • Assist in developing and knowledge sharing of communication materials, including project manuals, press releases, newsletters, reports, brochures, knowledge products, and other communication materials.
  •  Manage a digital archive of communication materials (photos, videos, publications) at the sub-office level
• Partner Material Review: Conduct regular reviews, editing, and approval of all communication materials received from implementing partners to ensure compliance to UNFPA and donor branding guidelines and donor specific preferences streamlined through the Communications and Partnerships Unit.Aid in creating UNFPA BARMM narration of humanitarian profile for the UNFPA CO capturing unique challenges related to UNFPA work in Mindanao.
• Provide logistical support for communications-related procurement and coordination with suppliers

3. Event Coordination & Preparation

• The Consultant will lead early communications preparation by developing digital assets and comprehensive media kits. This role requires close coordination with the Sub-Office and Country office teams to manage the technical editing and professional formatting of conference documents, as well as handling critical correspondence with both internal and external partners.
• Some key events for the consultancy period which will require intensive social media and digital engagement work, but not an exhaustive list:

a. Field visits by the UNFPA Country Representative and UN Resident Coordinator

b. Project Steering Committee meetings and ceremonial handovers,involving donor participation (e.g. Australia, Japan etc)

c. Peace month and BARMM election period (September; may include support to crisis communications messaging)

d. 21 days campaign against Violence against Women/VAW (25 November to 12 December)

4. Development and Implementation of the Communication Plan

The consultant has to coordinate with the Communications and Partnerships Unit to integrate the planned communication activities in the communication plan and lead its implementation in BARMM. The consultant will support other national activities when requested.

Expected outputs:

As an active UNFPA team member, efficient, timely, responsive, and high-quality support rendered to UNFPA and its stakeholders in the accomplishment of her/his functions,
including:

● Social media monitoring reports (including analytics)

● Media graphics and other visual communications materials, including design strategy
● Photos and videos for media use and documentation
● Written communication materials such as posts, report drafts, and articles
● Human Interest Stories
● Accountability to Affected Population (AAP) narratives
● Visual Campaign Assets for UNFPA visibility
● Accomplishment Report: A detailed report detailing target deliverables achieved, to be submitted every end of the month.

Duration and working schedule:

The Communication Consultant will be engaged until 31 December 2026.

Place where the services are to be delivered:

Cotabato City, Philippines

Monitoring and Reporting

The Cotabato Sub-office Head will monitor the progress of all deliverables and the entire consultancy, but will coordinate the quality assurance with the Communications and
Partnerships Unit in Manila.

Monthly Accomplishment Report to be submitted every end of each month detailing:

● Target Deliverables;
● Deliverables Achieved; and
● Additional Inputs if necessary.

The accomplishment report shall be prepared by the Communications Consultant, endorsed by the Country Office Communications lead, reviewed, verified and approved by the Cotabato Sub-office Head.

Supervisory Arrangements

The Communications Consultant will report directly to the Cotabato Sub-office Head. The consultant will work closely with the Sub-office and Country office teams to support ongoing campaigns, content creation, and advocacy projects. Regular guidance and feedback will be provided to ensure alignment with UNFPA's strategic objectives and goals.

Expected Travel

As the need arises (in support of communications work).

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

Job requirements:

• Completed secondary level education required. First level university degree, related to Communications, Public Policy, International Studies, Gender Studies, and other Social Sciences is preferred.
• At least four (4) years of relevant experience in communications.
• Proven experience in social media management and content creation.
• Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills in both English and Filipino.
• Knowledge of digital tools, social media platforms, and analytics.
• Proficiency in editing and design platforms (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva).
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• A passion for gender equality, reproductive health, and human rights.
• Fluency in English and Filipino; knowledge of BARMM language/s is an advantage.
• Experience in media and communications work in the BARMM or Mindanao region is an advantage.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.

Inputs/services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g support services, office space, equipment), if applicable:

UNFPA will provide:

• Office space and computer

• Travel authorization and Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) for approved official travel outside the duty station