The UCO Brazil provides leadership and coordinates the expanded UN system response in Brazil towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Using an equity and equality lens as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the UCO Brazil scales up HIV services focused on key and vulnerable populations and locations most at risk. The UCO Brazil promotes effective use of strategic information to better understand and track the epidemic and its trends, and to measure progress and sustainable impact of the response in Brazil. It supports efforts to strengthen the capacities of communities and their meaningful engagement in health, social protection, and human rights mechanisms, and provides intellectual support and technical guidance as necessary to national partners and policymakers.

The Policy, Advocacy and Knowledge Branch has the overarching goal of enabling policy, law and fiscal environments to support the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. It focuses on influencing, partnerships, advocacy and communications centered on human rights, gender, communities, legal and policy reform and equitable financing.

Main tasks and Responsibilities of the Position:

Within the matrix management reporting structure of the UCO Brazil and the RST LAC, the Officer for Advocacy and Communication implements the global advocacy and communication strategy at country level in Brazil.

The Officer is responsible for contributing to the practice area objectives set and with UNAIDS partners and counterparts, coordinating specialist expertise and contributing to the overall coordination of the UNAIDS response in the functional areas described below.

He / she has the following key responsibilities:

Advocacy:

• In accordance with strategy and guidance from the regional advocacy and communication team, develops country-specific advocacy strategies around significant national policy events and other circumstances, aiming to support country level AIDS response.
• Act as a primary focal point in the planning and facilitation of advocacy and communication activities.
• Manages the implementation of country advocacy activities, including the development of related communication and advocacy materials that effectively support UNAIDS' work.
• Works with internal and external key organizational stakeholders to identify and develop areas of common interest with potential strategic advocacy partners to promote the goals and work of UNAIDS at the country level.
• Cultivates and nurtures the engagement in the work of UNAIDS of high-level personalities in the country, which include Goodwill Ambassadors.
• Works with the regional and global team on showcasing UNAIDS work at country level with global audiences. Provides inputs into regional and global advocacy and communications strategies, initiatives and activities, as required.

Communication:

• Manages, organizes and coordinates press conferences, media briefings, line up interviews and alike with UNAIDS officials, advising them on key issues.
• Per global guidelines, develops and pitches different news stories in media - mainstream and social - on UNAIDS work in the country (UNAIDS does not pay for stories or story placement.)
• Under guidance from the Regional Office, develops media partnerships and trainings (where appropriate) with media to ensure accurate reporting.
• Provides media management and crisis communications, when needed.

Content development and management:

• Drafts briefing packages and undertakes a wide range of other writing assignments including talking points and key messages related to UNAIDS communication and advocacy campaigns and high-profile country - and occasionally regional - events.
• Produces content for the social and digital media assets of the country office, including website and social media with support, if required from the Regional Office.
• Ensures the update of all country, regional and global communications libraries with appropriate contributions from the regional and global team.
• Performs other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:

Education:

Essential:

• Advanced university degree in communications, journalism, public relations, public or business administration, social sciences or another area related to the duties and responsibilities. A relevant first university degree and 4 years of relevant work experience will be considered as equivalent for internal candidates only.

Experience:

Essential:

• At least 2 years of experience working with media, civil society organizations, governments, the United Nations system or others in the development and implementation of advocacy and communication strategies.
• Extensive experience in advocating, campaigning, networking, public relations, including dealing with media.

Desirable:

• Experience in facilitation, advocacy and/or project management, especially on social justice, global health issues, HIV or similar issues.
• Facilitation experience.

Languages:

• Proficiency in English and Portuguese.