UNDP Jobs - 34972- Communications Specialist (Capacity Development fo

Communications Specialist (Capacity Development for Nation-Building in Curacao)

Location :

Willemstad, Curacao

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

06-Mar-13 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SC-9

Duration of Initial Contract :

one year (renewable)

Languages Required :

Expected Duration of Assignment :

three years

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

On 10 October 2010, the Federation of the Netherland Antilles comprising the five Dutch Caribbean countries of Curaçao, Bonaire, Saba, St. Eustatius and Sint Maarten was dissolved. Two of the five islands, Curaçao and Sint Maarten became autonomous countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and now have responsibility for their overall development with only the defense, external security and immigration portfolios falling outside of their remit. Among the challenges that the new country faces is the need to articulate a national development plan that gives cognizance to the environmental, economic, social and political realities of a new SIDS country within the current global environment. Many countries in similar situations have used dialogue processes linked to development issues to prepare medium to long term strategies in a consultative participatory way. The fundamental objective in this process of organizing a Democratic Dialogue around the structuring of the national development agenda would be to reach agreement and bring about the highest possible level of consensus within the national stakeholder community and the general public as an essential pre-requisite for the building of institutional capacity.

Furthermore, the project seeks to create a national socio-economic database (DevInfo) including the training of public servants and ministerial staff in the use of data management. The project also has a strong focus on achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Curacao. To that end, it provides for the implementation of a pilot project in the area of agricultural development and skills development for young people and also seeks to develop Curacao’s second MDG Report. Finally, the preparation of an aid co-ordination and resource mobilization plan aims at supporting efforts to secure at least 40% of the funding required by the end of the second year.

Objective:

The objective of this consultancy is to raise awareness about the project ‘Capacity Development for Nation Building in Curacao’ within the general population as well as on the part of political decision-makers through the dissemination of targeted information in a timely fashion. Communicating key messages regarding project objectives, providing information about the progress of project implementation and facilitating a national platform for dialogue enhances buy-in for the project’s rationale by citizens, increases a sense of ownership on the part of the general public and helps to highlight the political advantages to be derived from project success.

Results and Expected Outputs

Efficient and timely delivery on the four outputs of the project.
Ability to meet deadlines with accuracy and attention to detail

Duty Station

The Communications Specialist will be stationed at the Ministry of Economic Development in Molenplein, Willemstad, Curacao for the duration of the project.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Communications Specialist Under the supervision of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Economic Development (MED) and the UNDP Program Officer (Democratic Governance) will undertake the following tasks to raise awareness about context, objectives, stakeholders, outputs etc. of the project as well as about the Government of Curacao’s (GOCU) approach towards national development:

Develops a Communications Strategy. This strategy should focus on all four major project outputs and should include a detailed inventory of communication tools used such as social media, press kits, press conferences and interviews, photography and video etc.
Develops a communication platform (website, web blog) for the ‘showcasing’ of project progress, best practices, case studies, events etc.
Develops and maintains contacts with key print and electronic media to supply them with newsworthy material about UNDP/GOCU/MED’s work in the country.
Ensures that all outreach information material to be used by the media is written in a way that concepts and issues can be readily understood by the public.
Pro-actively reaches out to national media to raise awareness and understanding among key stakeholders about UNDP and GOCU/MED’s role in the country.
Communicates information about the Democratic Dialogue process and informs the public as well as government stakeholders about the outcomes of the neighborhood consultations.
Communicates content and structure of the National Development Plan to a national audience including relevant government stakeholders.
Communicate the concept and function of the DevInfo database to key stakeholders.
Assist MED and Central Bureau for Statistics (CBS) in the development of a protocol for information sharing.
Develops communications plan for the MDG1 Pilot Project on Youth and Agricultural Development in close interaction with NGO partner and Project Manager.
Provides regularly updated information on the implementation of the youth agricultural training program.
Communicates the findings of the participatory process for the 2^nd MDG Report to the national public.
Communicate the findings of the 2^nd MDG Report across national and regional media outlets.
Provides communication services to the donor round table conference.

Competencies

Professionalism: Thorough knowledge of a full rante of communications approaches tools and methodologies essential to planning and executing advocacy strategies and programs. Media savvy and an aptitude for and understanding of outreach and advocacy. Ability to rapidly integrate diverse information from varied sources.
Communication: Clear concise written and verbal communications skills. Ability to understand media needs and to synthesize information and communicate complex issues in a coherent compelling and speedy manner. Ability to network and leverage resources.
Teamwork: Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with counterparts across both inter office and organizational boundaries. Ability to work in support of and in cooperation with others.
Planning and organizing: Proven ability to prioritize and organize own work.
Cultural sensitivity and capacity to adapt to challenging living conditions and to work in a post-conflict environment.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

Postgraduate university degree in Journalism, Mass Communications, Public Relations or related field. Equivalent professional experience will be considered for first-degree holders.

Experience:

At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in journalism or corporate communications.
Demonstrated ability to clearly communicate development ideas and outputs.
Experience in conceptualizing and managing the production of printed material including reports.
Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing communication and media outreach plans.
Demonstrated experience in developing content for and managing social media platforms .
Experience in project and/or development communication is highly desirable; Solid understanding of development issues is essential.
Relevant experience in working with stakeholders (especially civil society organizations) and international organizations will be considered an asset.

Languages:

Proficiency in Dutch and/or Papiamentu would be an asset.