Communications and Resource Mobilisation Associate

General

Description of assignment title

Communications and Resource Mobilisation Associate

Assignment country

India

Duty stations

Bhubaneshwar

Work location

On UN premises

Expected start date

12/01/2026

Duration

12 months (with possibility of extension)

Sustainable Development Goal

17. Partnerships for the goals

Host entity

UNFPA

Modality

Onsite

Type

National

Volunteer category

Specialist UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule

Full-time

Number of Assignments

1

Details

Mission and objectives

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan, focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. UNFPA has been operating in India since 1974.

Context

The India Country Office is currently implementing its 10th Country Programme (CP-10). CP-10 envisions an India where every woman and young person, including those from the most vulnerable groups, enjoys gender equality, fully realizes sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, and actively contributes to sustainable development. Guided by the UNFPA Strategic Plan, 2022-2025, the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the new country program will intensify efforts to end preventable maternal deaths, unmet need for family planning, and gender-based violence and harmful practices, including in humanitarian situations. The country program was developed in consultation with national and State governments, civil society, United Nations organizations, and other stakeholders, including women and youth-led organizations, based on the principles of inclusion, human rights, and gender equality. The UNFPA office in Odisha partners with the state government across various sectors (health, education, Disaster Resilience, Social Justice, gender equality, and population dynamics) to achieve UNFPA’s transformative results under the UNFPA Strategic Plan (2026 -2029) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

To enhance the visibility, stakeholder engagement, and resource mobilization efforts supporting UNFPA's work in Odisha, a dedicated Communications and Resource Mobilisation Associate is required.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the UNFPA Head of State Office (Odisha) and in close coordination with the UNFPA India Country Office Communications and RM/Partnership Unit, the Communications and Resource Mobilisation Associate will:

A. Communications

• Support the execution of the state-specific 360 degree communications and media strategy.
• Draft, edit, and design communication materials (e.g., factsheets, presentations, leaflets, infographics) using tools such as Canva (proficiency in Adobe Suite or any other AI tool is an advantage).
• Develop compelling content documenting UNFPA’s work, including success stories, human-interest pieces, and testimonials for reports, newsletters, UNFPA website and external communication as per the template provided by the Country Office Communications Unit
• Provide inputs for finalizing communication materials (toolkits, manuals, BCC materials) developed with implementing partners.
• Develop and maintain a database of media contacts (journalists, media houses) in Odisha.
• Coordinate with the Country Office Communications Unit to amplify programmatic impact and events on social media platforms; draft relevant content.
• Support the organization and coordination of events, campaigns, workshops, press conferences, and media briefings.
• Maintain an organized repository of communication assets (photos, videos, publications) with thematic categorization and proper referencing.
• Support photo and video documentation of program activities (basic/intermediate photography and video editing skills are an asset).

B. Resource Mobilization Support

• Contribute to the implementation of the resource mobilization strategy of UNFPA India.
• Research and map potential donors, foundations, and funding opportunities.
• Assist in drafting concept notes and funding proposals in co-ordination with State and Country office colleagues
• Support the State and Country Office team in engaging with Government departments for potential financing.
• Support the organization of donor meetings and maintain a partner/donor database.
• Assist in preparing donor reports related to fund utilization.
• Contribute to developing communication materials specifically for fundraising.
• Support the preparation of pitch decks, donor profiles, and talking points for senior leadership ahead of partner engagements.
• Support private sector engagement efforts, including due diligence processes and landscape mapping.

C. Other Duties:

• Perform any other relevant duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Eligibility criteria

Age

18 - 80

Required experience

3 years

Nationality

Candidate must be a national, legal resident or hold refugee status in the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience

4 years

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Social Work, Social Sciences or a related field.

Competencies and values

• Strong collaborative spirit and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team, valuing others' input.
• Commitment to continuous learning.
• Ability to deliver quality work under deadlines.

Skills and experience

• Atleast 04 years of relevant professional experience in communications, media relations, or public relations.
• Experience in journalism, the non-profit sector, or communications agencies is desirable.
• Experience developing content for various platforms, including social media.
• Experience supporting photo and video documentation assignments is preferred.
• Experience in Partnership and Resource Mobilization will be preferred.
• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills in English.
• Proficiency in standard office software. Proficiency with design software (e.g., Canva) is required; Adobe Creative Suite proficiency is an advantage.
• Basic/intermediate photography and video editing skills are an asset

Area(s) of expertise

Partnerships, resource mobilisation, Communication, advocacy, public information, Digital and social media

Driving license

Other information

Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.

Living conditions and remarks

Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha State is the largest town and headquarters of Khordha district and Odisha State. Located in the eastern coastal plains, along the axis of the Eastern Ghats mountains, the city has an average altitude of 45 m (148 ft) above sea level. It lies southwest of the Mahanadi River which forms the northern boundary of the Bhubaneswar metropolitan area, within its delta. It has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million people. Bhubaneswar is supposed to have had over one thousand temples, earning the tag of the 'Temple City of India'. An administrative and educational centre of Odisha, it is well connected by railway and road. Bhubaneswar is an ancient city with a rich cultural heritage. Although the modern city of Bhubaneswar was formally established in 1948, the history of the areas in and around the present-day city can be traced to the 7th century BCE and earlier. It is a confluence of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain heritage and includes several Kalingan temples, many of them from the 6th–13th century CE. With Puri and Konark it forms the 'Swarna Tribhuja' ("Golden Triangle"), one of Eastern India's most visited destinations. The living cost in Bhubaneshwar is equal to that in Kolkata or Hyderabad. The weather is moderate. Summer nights tend to get pleasant and not remain hot. It is well connected by flights from major international airports in the country. Medical facilities, banking facilities, communications and infrastructure are good.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. This position is based in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. National UN Volunteers are expected to be culturally sensitive and adjust to the prevailing culture and traditions. Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.

The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.

The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents - except for UN Community Volunteers), as well as final repatriation (if applicable).

You can check full entitlements at https://app.unv.org/calculator .

For information specific to your assignment, please see below:

• Monthly Voluntary Living Allowance (VLA): INR 70,158.41
• Entry lump sum (one-time payment): USD 350 (equivalent in INR)
• Relocation costs: $175 at the beginning and end of the assignment if the duty station is outside of commuting distance (as determined by UNV)
• Exit allowance (paid on successful completion of the assignment): $120 for each month served, paid on completion of contract
• Insurance: Comprehensive coverage for health, life, and malicious acts
• Annual leave: 2.5 days per month
• Learning: Access to UNV's learning and career development resources

The UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

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