UNDP Jobs

The wave of public protests against the incumbent regime in Yemen during 2011 culminated in the signing of an agreement on transfer of power brokered by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and facilitated by the United Nations. In accordance with the transition agreement, a Government of National Unity was sworn in on 10 December 2011 and the presidential election took place on 21 February 2012. The transition agreement puts the entire responsibility for implementation of the transition agreement on the Government. The agreement calls on the United Nations Secretary General, in cooperation with other agencies, to provide on-going assistance for the implementation of the agreement and to coordinate the assistance from the international community to implement the initiative and its mechanism.

The transition agreement identified a number of priority tasks and related benchmarks varying from the national dialogue and constitutional reform to socio-economic reforms, transitional justice, reform of the electoral system and parliamentary elections. Whereas the government as a whole will play an indispensable role in the transition process, with different government agencies contributing to various stages of the transition, the following core institutions (CI) stand out 1) the Presidency’s Office (PO); 2) Prime Minister’s Office (PMO),3) the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MoPIC), 4) the Ministry of Finance (MoF) and 5) the recently established National Committee for National Dialogue, as well as Ministry of Human Rights and Ministry of Industry and Trade. These institutions are particularly important for designing and maintaining a strategic focus on the transition by all national and international actors as well as for coordination of the delivery of basic services and immediate rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Therefore, UNDP in cooperation with other development partners and the Government of Yemen (GoY) set up an Emergency Capacity Development Facility (ECDF) to provide to the national leadership for the transition with immediate and catalytic support from a multi-partners perspective. The 2-year project aims at reinforcing the leadership capacities of the Core Institutions (CI) to successfully orient, lead and coordinate the achievement of key benchmarks stated in the GCC agenda as well in as the Government¡¦s Transitional Plan. The project is composed of four interrelated modules: 1. Organizational leadership. 2. Aid coordination and partnership. 3. Socioeconomic reforms. 4. National dialogue process.

In this context, ECDF facilitated the establishment and staffing of a Transition Policy Unit (TPU) in the Prime Minister Office. At the request of the Prime Minister, the Unit will led by Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad, ex-prime Minister of Malaysia, with the title of Chief Economic Advisor & Visionary (CEAV) for the Yemen Prime Minister. Within this support effort, UNDP Yemen looks to hire a Strategic Communication Expert to support the Institutional and Strategic Communication function of the Government. This function aims at generating a coherent and unified presentation of government policy and positions by producing and/or coordinating public announcements, ensuring that they reflect the government’s overall programme and message.

Under the guidance of the CEAV and the direct supervision of the ECDF Chief Technical Advisor, the Strategic Communication Expert will be based in the Policy Unit of the Prime Minister Office and work in tandem with the Ministry of Information, and other communication units of relevant Ministries, UNDP, donors and other international and national partners.

Summary of key functions:

The Strategic Communication Expert will deliver results in the following areas:

• Planning and design of internal and external strategies for communications and outreach in support of the transition
• Effective running of communication-related activities in support of the transition
• Capacity development in strategic communication
• Reporting and implementing requirements of the ECDF

Planning and design of internal and external strategies for communications and outreach in support of the transition. The Strategic Communication Expert will:

• Plan and elaborate communications needs assessments for the CI;
• Assist in the development of a comprehensive integrated transition communication strategy linked to the transition benchmarks;
• Support the design of the CI communications and outreach strategies based on the government programme for the transition and CI working plans, including costing and budgeting;
• Provide constructive and timely advice on inclusion of advocacy and communication strategies into all aspects of the CI transition programs.
  

Effective running of communication related activities in support of the transition. The Strategic Communication Expert will:

• Support the management of the Communication Departments/Units in relevant CI in the preparation of their work plans and budgets, focusing initially on the creation of an effective communication system for the National Dialogue;
• Contribute to the analysis of information needs of specific target groups and assist in the development of tools and strategies to ensure genuine participation of the stakeholders (government, civil society, private sector and general population) in the transition in the centre and in governorates;
• Assist in the development of key messages which can be easily understood by various stakeholders;
• Assist in the preparation and facilitation of national and subnational communication, outreach and PR events related to the tasks and benchmarks of the transition, focusing specifically on the National Dialogue and constitutional reform process;
• Coordinate and assist in the preparation and dissemination of briefing materials in Arabic for the Parliament, the Ministries, the NGOs, Civil Society, the Media and the general population (booklets, brochures) related to the main issues of the National Dialogue and transition;
• Support the preparation of media briefings, updates, press releases for the CI, particularly the Conference for National Dialogue, and web stories on key policy initiatives and deliver to international and national and local Yemeni media outlets;
• Assist the CI in establishing and maintaining close relationships with national and local Yemeni media outlets, as well as international news services when required to provide timely and accurate information upon request.
  

Capacity development in strategic communication. The Strategic Communication Expert will:

• Based on the analysis of the strategic gaps in the CI, design a capacity development programme to enhance strategic communication;
• Suggest short-term and long-term external capacity development support in strategic communication and develop the TOR for such support;
• Design and deliver focused capacity development as necessary through formal training, coaching and on-the-job training as appropriate;
• Analyse the opportunities for knowledge sharing on strategic communication in post-crisis and transitional environments in the framework of South-South cooperation and design relevant mechanisms and events.
  

Project implementation. The Strategic Communication Expert will:

• Finalize a consolidated Results Resources Framework (RRF) and detailed annual work plans for the Institutional and Strategic Communication function of the Policy Unit in the Prime Minister's Office;
• Provide technical direction to and build capacity of international and national technical staff of the Policy Unit a with regard to their work in the Prime Minister Office;
• Support UNDP efforts of resources mobilization, including planning and costing project inputs; briefing donors, and preparing donor progress reports as required by UNDP reporting rules and as requested by specific donors;
• Draft regular activity reports, as well as other documents as requested by the CTA.

• Strategic vision: high level understanding of global communication and trends and the opportunities and challenges they present for effective institutional communications;
• Leadership: proven intellectual leadership and demonstrated understanding of the use  traditional and emerging media in support of transitional processes;
• Communication: clear and convincing communicator of ideas in writing and in person, and ability to defend and explain difficult and complex issues with respect to key decisions and positions;
• Sound management: ability to develop the potential of individuals and teams through inspired, fair and respectful management;
• Integrity: Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN's values and ethical standards;
• Expert knowledge of strategic communication issues in post-conflict and transitional societies;
• Ability to work in a team, also across the UN agencies;
• Strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills;
• Effectively builds and maintains strategic networks and partnerships;
• Knowledgeable on culture context in Yemen.

Education: 

• Masters in a relevant discipline, such as in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations or any other related field.
  

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible professional work experience in media relations, public information or communications field;
• Prior experience in the media at the international level an asset;
• Strong technical knowledge of the field of strategic communication, particularly the requirements and methods of communication in the context of reforms in post-conflict and transitional societies;
• Experience in multi-stakeholder analysis and engagement;
• Knowledge and experience from working with countries in transition. Previous work experience in the Arab Region is an asset.

Language Requirements: 

• Native Arabic speaker; fluency in both written and spoken English is required.