Outreach Strategy Consultant

Result of Service

Institutional Outreach Strategy reviewed, finalized, and validated. Institutional Outreach Strategy implementation plan developed, including priorities, timelines, target audiences, and key engagement actions. Country-specific outreach strategies and/or action plans developed for focal countries and countries of operation. Targeted technical support provided to key sections and country teams on outreach planning and implementation. Training sessions and/or workshops on outreach, stakeholder engagement, and inclusive communication delivered to staff. Practical outreach tools and guidance developed (e.g., stakeholder engagement guidelines, outreach planning templates, consultation checklists, messaging frameworks). Basic outreach monitoring framework and indicators established to measure reach, engagement, participation, and impact. Review of outreach and communication materials conducted, with recommendations provided to ensure accessibility, victim-centeredness, gender sensitivity, and consistency with institutional messaging. Consultation, coordination, and validation sessions conducted with relevant sections, country teams, families of missing persons, victims' representatives, and other key stakeholders, as appropriate.

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic (IIMP) has been mandated by the General Assembly in its resolution 77/301 to clarify the fate and whereabouts of missing persons in Syria and to provide adequate support to victims, survivors, and the families of those missing. The IIMP's founding resolution places emphasis on the full and meaningful representation of victims, survivors, and the families of missing persons. Under the supervision of the Chief of the Participation and Family Support Section and in coordination with other Heads of Sections, the Outreach Consultant will lead the development of a comprehensive institutional outreach strategy to strengthen the visibility, accessibility and impact of the IIMP's work across its areas of operation and support relationship-building with key partners and stakeholders. The consultant will ensure that the institutional outreach strategy is translated into tailored outreach approaches for each country of operation, taking into account local contexts, stakeholder dynamics, communication environments and gender-specific considerations. The outreach strategy and related approaches will recognize the diversity of victims' and families' experiences and promote safe, meaningful and inclusive participation while avoiding further harm or retraumatization. Under the supervision of the Chief of the Participation and Family Support Section and in coordination with relevant Heads of Sections and country focal points, the consultant will undertake the following tasks: The consultant will assess existing outreach practices, stakeholder engagement mechanisms and communication approaches and develop a comprehensive institutional outreach strategy aligned with the IIMP's mandate, strategic priorities and operational objectives. The consultant will develop tailored outreach strategies and implementation approaches for the IIMP's countries of operation, taking into account country-specific political, social, cultural, linguistic and communication contexts, as well as the needs and expectations of families of missing persons, victims, survivors and affected communities. The consultant will develop stakeholder mapping and engagement approaches to strengthen relationships with families of missing persons, victims' associations, civil society organizations, community-based organizations, women's and youth organizations and other relevant national and international actors. The consultant will ensure that outreach approaches are human rights-based, victim-centred, trauma-informed, gender-responsive, inclusive and consistent with the principles of participation, accessibility, non-discrimination, confidentiality and Do No Harm. The consultant will develop practical outreach guidance, tools and templates and provide technical support to relevant sections and country teams on outreach planning, stakeholder engagement, consultations and communication approaches. The consultant will support knowledge-sharing and capacity-building among IIMP staff and relevant stakeholders and provide advice on outreach and communication materials to ensure consistency, accessibility, inclusivity and appropriate representation of victims, survivors and families of missing persons. The consultant will develop a basic monitoring and feedback framework to assess the reach, effectiveness, inclusiveness and impact of outreach activities and will provide periodic observations, lessons learned and recommendations for strengthening institutional and country-level outreach approaches. The consultant will work collaboratively with the IIMP team, country focal points and other relevant stakeholders, participate in coordination and consultation meetings, and provide regular updates to the supervisor on progress and emerging issues.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Communications, International Relations, Political Science, Human Rights, Public Policy, Social Sciences or another relevant 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 degree. A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in outreach, stakeholder engagement, communications, advocacy, partnership development or a related field is required. Demonstrated experience developing and implementing institutional outreach, stakeholder engagement or communication strategies is required. Experience working in conflict or post-conflict settings and applying human rights-based, victim-centred, trauma-informed, gender-responsive and inclusive approaches is required. Strong understanding of transitional justice processes, including truth-seeking, reparations, accountability and memorialization, as well as issues relating to missing persons, enforced disappearances and the rights and needs of victims and families of missing persons, is desirable. Experience engaging with victims' groups, families of missing persons, civil society organizations and affected communities is highly desirable.

Languages

Fluency in English and Arabic is required. Knowledge of additional languages relevant to the Syrian context, including Kurdish, is highly desirable.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.