Partnership and Strategic Communication Consultant

UN Women Partnership and Strategic Communication Consultant, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Job Requisition ID: 37658

Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Requisition Type: International Consultancy (IC/SSA)

Job Schedule: Full time

Posted Date: 2026-10-21T18:10:58+00:00

Closing Date: 2026-11-05T04:59:00+00:00

Agency: UN Women

Grade: Not Applicable

Vacancy Type: Individual Consultancy

Job Function: Communications and Advocacy

Initial Contract Duration: six months

Education & Work Experience: Master's Degree - 5 year(s) experience

Required Languages: English

Desired Languages: Arabic

Vacancy Category: Consultancies

Vacancy Timeline: 2 Weeks

Consultancy Assignment

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

The Liaison Office (LO) for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), UAE was inaugurated in 2016 to focus on 3 areas in terms of its mandate. These include advocacy for UN Women to drive its global mandate, resource mobilization for UN Women programs globally, and coordination of partnerships to drive the work and strategic priorities of UN Women in the GCC region. The office acts as a liaison between UN Women globally and stakeholders in the GCC from private sector, government, academia, and non-profits.

In line with the UAE’s recent adoption of the SPF with UN Women, this consultancy aims to:

• Support the UN Women Liaison Office for the GCC in strengthening its visibility, strategic positioning, partnerships, and engagement with key stakeholders across the UAE and the GCC
• Development and management of UN Women’s strategic partnerships and relationships

The consultant will be reporting to the Head of office, GCC, and will be supported by the operation associate, who will be the point of contact on the contract and payment issues.

Description of Responsibilities / Scope of Work

1. To lead and manage the strategic communications and branding for the GCC

• Contribute to and oversee all communication activities to increase UN Women visibility in the GCC region in relevant UN Women online platforms in adherence with UN Women Communications policies, and in collaboration with HQ Communications Section.
• Manage and monitor social media accounts by producing and uploading content for multiple UN WOMEN GCC LO events, workflow that covers pre-event planning, live execution, and post-event recap.
• Strengthen visibility of the Office's programmes, initiatives, partnerships, events, and achievements.
• Manage and develop high-quality content for social media and digital communication channels.
• Produce social media content, press releases, media briefs, talking points, success stories, newsletters, and event coverage.
• Identify compelling stories and results that demonstrate the impact of the Office's work.
• Coordinate photography, video production, interviews, and digital content when required.

2. Build and maintain Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement for the GCC

• Identify and develop new strategic partnerships that can contribute technical expertise, visibility, resources, or funding to the Office's priorities.
• Strengthen engagement with government entities, private-sector companies, foundations, business councils,
• academic institutions, civil society, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Maintain an updated stakeholder and partnership database.
• Develop partnership concepts, proposals, presentations, briefing notes, and engagement materials.
• Follow up with existing and prospective partners and identify opportunities for joint initiatives.
• Support senior management in high-level meetings and strategic stakeholder engagement.

3. Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs)

• Contribute to the Launching and execution of the WEPs in Action campaign in collaboration with the General Women’s Union (GWU), a call-to-action for private sector.
• Serve as a focal point supporting the Office's engagement on the Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs).
• Promote WEPs among UAE and GCC private-sector companies and business networks.
• Identify and engage prospective companies interested in joining or supporting WEPs.
• Develop outreach campaigns, workshops, roundtables, and engagement activities related to WEPs.
• Build relationships with CEOs, HR leaders, sustainability/ESG teams, CSR departments, and corporate communications teams.
• Support initiatives highlighting private-sector leadership and good practices in women's economic empowerment.
• Track engagement, partnerships, activities, and results related to WEPs.

4. Coordinate and organize Events & Campaigns for the GCC

• Support the planning and delivery of high-level events, conferences, roundtables, campaigns, and partnership launches.
• Develop communications plans before, during, and after major events.
• Coordinate media coverage and digital storytelling around key events.
• Work with partners and stakeholders to maximize the visibility and impact of joint initiatives.

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel: This is an office-based consultancy. No travel is required

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
• Accountability
• Creative Problem Solving
• Effective Communication
• Inclusive Collaboration
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Leading by Example

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: https://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment/application-process#_Values

Functional Competencies:

• Strong knowledge of gender equality and women's rights issues;
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with government representatives of Member States (donor and programme);
• Strong oral and written communications and editing skills;
• Proven networking skills, and ability to mobilize support on behalf of UN Women;
• Strong negotiating skills;
• Knowledge and understanding of UN system and familiarity with inter-governmental processes;
• Strong IT skills, including databases, extranet and office software packages;
• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills.

Required Qualifications

Education and Certification:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in economics, business management, social sciences, public administration, international relations, communications, women's studies, or a related field is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in resource mobilization, communications/ advocacy, and/or business development;
• Experience in gender equality and women's empowerment;
• Experience working with civil society organizations, international institutions and donors;
• Experience working in the UN system is an asset;
• Experience in the use of social media and digital communcations is a strong asset.

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of Arabic is an asset.