Organization Mission

UN Women is the UN organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide.

Context

This United Nations Volunteers (UNV) assignment is part of UN Women’s project the Central Asian Alliance to End Gender Based Violence (GBV), hereinafter referred to as the Alliance, is a regional multi-stakeholder mechanism based on political and voluntary commitment, providing safe space for deliberations among civil society, state agencies and other relevant stakeholders. The Central Asian Alliance to End Gender-Based Violence (GBV) was established in the framework of the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative Regional Programme for Central Asia and Afghanistan by UN Women Country Office (CO) in Kazakhstan. The Alliance is aimed at gathering on one open platform both state and non-state parties from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan to bring about transformative change in the lives of women and girls in the region and eliminate GBV in the region. As a participatory endeavour where civil society organizations join forces with state institutions, it also aims at addressing gaps in ending GBV while, at the same time, devising regional cooperation.

Established in 2023 the Alliance aims at contributing to elimination of gender-based violence and promoting women”s empowerment. At present, the Alliance”s operations are funded by the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan. However, the Alliance is seeking broader regional support and is focused on developing and presenting well-crafted strategic plans and project/programme documents that adhere to stringent international norms and UN Women’s corporate standards. This approach is designed to facilitate engagement with potential benefactors at both the regional and international levels, ensuring the Alliance”s sustainable future.

The objectives of the Alliance include:
1. Advocate for gender equality and prevention of SGBV in the Central Asian region
2. Mobilize the Civil Society Movement in the region to address GBV
3. Foster inclusive policy dialogue on GBV
4. Raise awareness of all concerned stakeholders on their roles in ending GBV
5. Strengthen capacities of government, legislative bodies, judiciary, and oversight to step up actions to prevent and address GBV and HP in the region
6. Enhance knowledge management, data, and experience sharing between countries and with other regions
7. Connect regional initiatives to global agendas including the Generation Equality Forum and increase the visibility of achievements from each country in Central Asia.

The Alliance’s outcome areas are:
• Gender social norms and behavioral change in Central Asia
• Civil society in Central Asia as a driving force of transformative changes in the elimination of gender-based violence.

Key Responsibilities

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Central Asian Alliance EGBV Coordinator (hereinafter – Coordinator) and the UN Women Kazakhstan Programme Specialist, in collaboration with the Alliance Communication specialist and UN Women colleagues or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer will:

1. Design and coordinate communications campaigns
· In collaboration with the Alliance Communication specialist assist in development of a targeted communication and outreach strategy for digital campaigns, including the 16 Days of Activism;
· Conduct a rapid assessment of communication needs specific to the campaigns;
· Ensure campaigns messaging reflects a strong gender perspective and aligns with the Alliance’s regional strategies;
· Drafting content, obtaining clearances, editing, overseeing translation processes, and managing distribution.

1.1 Develop and disseminate campaigns’ materials
· Draft engaging multimedia content (key messages, social media posts, press releases, articles, visuals, human stories) using digital communications tools;
· Support the localization of global campaign materials by tailoring them to fit the cultural and linguistic context of Central Asia.
· Contribute to the creation and distribution of promotional digital content for social media and email campaigns to enhance outreach and engagement.
· Ensure all materials meet Alliance logo book and UN Women corporate branding and communication guidelines;
· Prepare a list of influencers, community leaders, and partners to amplify campaigns’ reach;

2. Provide support in improving online presence and campaigns’ visibility
· Provide assistance to update UN Women Kazakhstan’s social media accounts and contribute to the regional website during the campaign(s);
· Assist in collecting and producing digital content, including designing videos/infographics/visual materials;
· Support to promote campaigns’ events and messages across digital platforms;
· Assist in ensuring consistent and visible branding of UN Women and its initiatives throughout the campaigns;
· Provide support in coordinating media and stakeholder engagement;
· Support the monitoring of social media performance by analyzing engagement data and using insights to refine communication strategies. This includes contributing to the design of posters, visuals, and other content tailored for social media platforms to enhance the visibility of the Central Asian Alliance EGBV.
· Support the coordination of media coverage to ensure effective promotion and visibility of communication campaigns.
· Assist in building and maintaining relationships with media, civil society organizations, and campaign partners.

3. Document, monitor and report on campaign impact
· Capture and document campaign activities (e.g., photos, videos, stories)
· Track media coverage and social media analytics
· Contribute to a short final report summarizing communication efforts, reach, and engagement results.

Key performance indicators:
· Support with design and timely and pro-active development of the communications strategy for the Alliance and monitoring and analysing the results and recommend relevant actions (if needed);
· Timely monitoring of current events and trends;
· Initiation and timely production of quality advocacy multimedia materials and content and their timely dissemination to the right audiences;
· Support in timely updating of social media;
· Assist in regular and ad-hoc pro-active outreach and interactions with media, and other relevant partners, resulting in increased visibility and positive image of Alliance, Un Women during 16 Days of Activism.

The Alliance plans to launch a thematic group, conduct the annual forum and also run the 16 days of Activism campaign by the end of 2025, as well as to support HeForShe Central Asia UN Women’s initiative. The 16 Days of Activism is a global campaign against Gender-Based Violence. It runs every year from 25 November (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10 December (Human Rights Day). During the 16 Days of Activism, communities around the world join the call to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls.

Purpose: The purpose of this assignment is to deliver professional, high-quality, and timely support and assistance in the planning and development of the Alliance communications and advocacy strategies (included, but not limited to the activities of the 16 Days of activism against gender-based violence) to increase visibility of Alliance and UN Women in the media and the public, to engage with local audiences on major events, including coordination of the activities and taking appropriate follow-up actions, as well as raising awareness on and advocating for elimination of gender-based violence at the Central Asian region.

Required Skills and Experience

• Knowledge and experience in managing social media pages is highly desirable.
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Sound security awareness;
• Have affinity with or interest in gender equality, UN Women’s work, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system.

Core Competencies

• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Creativity
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management

Living Conditions

Almaty is the largest city in Kazakhstan, with a population of 2,2 mln people, about 11% of the country”s total population. Almaty is the major commercial and cultural center of Kazakhstan. The city is in the mountainous area of southern Kazakhstan in the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau at an elevation of 700–900 m (2,300–3,000 feet), where the Large and Small Almatinka rivers run into the plain. Almaty is a safe city, but the usual precautions should still exercise.

Medical services: No special vaccination is required to travel to Almaty, Kazakhstan. Medical services (including dental care) are provided at European standards. Clinics working 24 hours are available in the city. There are both private and state clinics and hospitals. Pharmacies (Kazakh: darikhana, Russian: apteka) all over Almaty sell many Western medicines.
Emergency numbers: In case of emergency, please call “101” (Fire services), “102” (Police), “103” (Ambulance), “104” (Gas Service), “112” (Rescue service in emergency situations).

As of February 2025 National UN Community Volunteers receive USD 469/month as their Volunteer Living Allowance in Kazakhstan.

Other benefits include:
• Pre-assignment Entry lump sum – USD 50 (one time payment)
• Volunteer living allowance (as mentioned above) – USD 469/month
• Learning – Access to UNV”s learning and career development resources
• Annual leave – 2.5 days per month
• Insurance – Private insurance: Health, dental, life and dismemberment (100%) coverage by CIGNA

The above summary is provided as information only and is subject to change. For further information on the full range of entitlements and eligibility criteria, please read the UN Volunteer Conditions of Service at https://explore.unv.org/cos

You can also check full entitlements at the duty station FYI at https://app.unv.org/calculator