Main tasks and Responsibilities of the Position:

Reporting to the Deputy Executive Director of PAK, Head of Communications is responsible for the development of media and communications strategies aligned with the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

He / she has the following key responsibilities:

Communications:

• Conceptualizes, designs and executes the overall UNAIDS communication strategy, initiatives and activities, coordinating all channels: traditional media, social media, multimedia, web and emerging channels, ensuring quality, consistency and impact of outputs.
• Coordinates the provision of communication support to - or supports directly, as appropriate - UNAIDS senior leadership and subject matter experts at the global, regional and country level ensuring appropriate media presence. This includes the identification of key moments for media engagement such as launching of important reports and publications.
• Oversees the preparation of key communication products from research to publication. Ensures that these products maintain high-quality standards and are clear, objective and coherent with the organizational and the unit's strategic direction.
• Ensures punctual and ongoing dissemination across communication channels, including via overseeing the creation and maintenance of networks of high-level communications contacts. Maintains personal contact with key external communication stakeholders.
• Proactively builds a strong UNAIDS brand and helps develop key messaging that enhances the global narrative around ending AIDS and pandemics. Works to ensures that the UNAIDS narrative is embraced and used by a wide range of strategic partners.

Management and leadership:

• Provides leadership, guides and supports staff. Nurtures an equal, safe and empowering work environment and team culture. Ensures compliance with all corporate Human Resources processes and frameworks.
• Provides overall direction for its effective functioning and contributions to all corporate-wide processes such as development of the strategic plan, people, resource, time and financial management and performance monitoring.
• Engages senior leaders across the United Nations, including UNAIDS co-sponsors and regional leaders, to build collaborative communications strategies and global initiatives.
• Provides quality assurance to and coordinates the substantive work of the team. Carries out monitoring of the effective performance and use of resources.
• Proactively supports UNAIDS resource mobilization efforts.
• Performs other related functions as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

Education:

Essential: Advanced university degree at Masters' level in communications, international relations, management, political science, public policy, public health or another area related to the duties and responsibilities.
A relevant first university degree and seventeen (17) years of relevant professional experience will be considered as equivalent for internal candidates.

Experience:

Essential: At least 15 years of experience at the international level in the area of communications, public information and/or journalism, a significant part of which dedicated to managing large-scale strategic communications or public relations. Demonstrated experience leading efforts that influence public/political opinion. Managerial experience commensurate with the key responsibilities described.

Desirable: Prior experience in HIV response, global health, international development or a related field. Experience in brand management.

Languages:

Essential: Proficiency in English.

Desirable: Knowledge of additional UN official languages.