UBRAF 2024-2025 in the Philippines is placing a strong emphasis on addressing the rising rates of new HIV infections among young people, particularly those within key populations. The youth account for a substantial proportion of overall HIV cases, with 34,415 reported cases from January 1984 to June 2023 among those aged 15-24 years. Alarmingly, 98% of these cases (33,629) were acquired through sexual contact. According to UNAIDS (2022), almost all new HIV infections among young people in Asia and the Pacific occur among individuals from key populations and their sexual partners. This trend underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions that not only address the specific risks faced by young people but also involve them in the design and implementation of strategies to combat HIV. By focusing on youth, UBRAF aims to curb the spread of HIV in this vulnerable demographic and ensure that the next generation is equipped with the knowledge, tools, and resources to protect their health and contribute to the broader goal of ending the HIV epidemic.

The services of a HIV Communication Assistant are therefore being sought out to support the project team in developing strategies and communications projects and opportunities to increase the HIV advocacy among the young key population and ensure development of youth-targeted knowledge products, specifically in the Philippines.

1. Develop and implement the UBRAF’s communications and advocacy strategies focusing on the achievement of the following results: 

• Preparation and conduct of communications need assessments.
• Develop UBRAF’s Strategic Communications and Advocacy Plan for 2025 focusing on HIV advocacy, awareness, and engagement of youth and young key populations (YKPs)
• Provision of information for elaboration of project communication and outreach strategy based on corporate strategic priorities and the UNDP Philippines Communications Action Plan
• Creation of information, education, and communication (IEC) and visibility materials like flyers, brochures, pamphlets.
• Development of communication materials for informational or awareness-raising campaigns, including briefings and media materials, fact sheets, and case stories in coordination with the Project Manager and UNDP Communications Team.
• Provision of inputs and researched information in project formulations to integrate advocacy and communications strategies into all aspects of UBRAF implementation.
• Maintenance of information database and photo library.
• Standardization of documents and contribution to reporting tools.

2. Support to the elaboration and implementation of knowledge products quality assurance process and publication strategy and plan:

• Quality assurance of knowledge products according to UNDP County Office policy
• Provision of inputs and information for development, review and updating of publication strategy and plan based on UNDP’s publications policy.
• Manage and/or produce communications pieces (including but not limited to, written articles/blogs, videos, podcasts, social media content, etc.) to highlight HIV response across UNDP internally and externally.
• Identification of storylines for publications and articles contributing to debates on key development issues.
• Technical supervision of translation/adaptation/rewriting of information received, printing and dissemination of publications and audio-visual materials, as necessary.
• Distribution and dissemination of knowledge products, publications, articles, case stories, and press releases to key media outlets.
• Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and management.
• Work and consult with the UNDP Communications Team on all communications-related write-ups, press releases, and others to ensure alignment with the CO communications standards.
• Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories.
• Organization and conduct of training and workshops on communications for development, as appropriate.
• Provide advice and guidance on best practices and new and innovative creative ideas to increase engagement and reach with existing and potential new audiences;
• Support to developing content for the CO website and social media channels and platforms.
• Consolidate all communications materials for project documentation.

3.  Act as the alternate Communication focal person for the Institutions and Partnerships Programme Team:

• Represent the team in the UNDP Country Office communications groups meetings and other UN Communication committees.
• Contribute materials to the UNDP Communications Team joint communications initiatives as needed.
• Liaise between UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub (BRH), Country Office (CO), and relevant partners on all communications and correspondence related to youth and young key population initiatives.

4. Provide administrative, logistical and operational support:

• Provide necessary administrative, logistical, and operational support for UBRAF and other UN HIV initiatives, ensuring smooth project execution and alignment with strategic goals.

Institutional Arrangement

Overall direction and guidance shall be provided by the UNDP Team Leader for Institutions and Partnerships while day-to-day supervision shall be performed by the UBRAF HIV Response Analyst.

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

CROSS-FUNCTIONAL & TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES 

Business Management: Operations Management

Ability to effectively plan, organize and oversee the operation’s business processes in order to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner.

Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms

Business Management: Client Management 

Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfill and understand the real customers’ needs.

Business Development: Knowledge Generation

Ability to research and turn information into usual knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.

External Relations and Advocacy: Communications

Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change.

Secondary education is required OR

First level university degree (Bachelors’ degree) in communications, community development, development studies, or any related field will be given due consideration.

Min. years of relevant work experience

At least five (5) years (with secondary education) or two (2) years with (Bachelor’s degree) work experience in communications and advocacy is required.

Required skills:

Communications and social marketing/promotional advocacy skills is essential.

Desired skills: 

• Previous experience on community engagement particularly working with the youth and the young key population is an asset.
• Previous assignment in a similar position would be desirable.
• Experience in multimedia (i.e. graphic design, video editing, multimedia software, and others) and knowledge of digital media, visual communications and interactive storytelling methods would be desirable.
•  Experience working with international non-government organizations or the UN is an advantage;

Required Language: Fluency in English and Filipino languages.

Travel       

The HIV Communications Assistant is expected to travel in various areas within the Philippines as needed.

The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

• Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.
• A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.
• At least five (5) sample works related to development and production of communication and advocacy materials.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements