Background

The UNDP starts implementation of the USAID’s Local Entrepreneurship and Economic Development Project (USAID/UNDP LEED). The overall Project's goal is to strengthen the role of the private sector in the economies of Brest and Grodno regions and in the thriving tourism sector of the Republic of Belarus through achieving the following specific objectives:

Creating favorable environment for the ecotourism private sector development and introduction of public-private partnership mechanisms into the sustainable local development strategies;

Strengthening capacity of private ecotourism stakeholders and business support organizations;

Establishing sustainable public dialogue, conducting information and education campaigns, promoting the region as an ecotourism destination.

Duties and Responsibilities

The objective of the assignment is to lead the design and implementation of the communications strategy and provide overall direction and support to the Project Team in order to effectively communicate key messages and results to target audiences; ensure quality implementation of the project activities related to information sharing, public outreach, work with mass media, promotion of project pilot territories as tourism destinations

The  PR/Event-coordinatorwill be based in Minsk. The PR-coordinator  works under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager provides execution of communication/PR services for raising public awareness of project activities and results achieved in accordance with UNDP and USAID (marking and branding) requirement. He/she promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP and USAID rules and regulations and works in close collaboration with the national partners, donors and project staff for resolving complex information delivery.  He/she is responsible for all PR activities, adequate information flow, arrangement of visibility and discussion in accordance to the UNDP/USAID requirements under the project (LEED Marking and Branding Plan). The PR-coordinator reports to the Project Manager and works in close cooperation with Local Task Coordinators, Grant manager, Ecotourism Advisor.

Summary of key functions provided in accordance with the UNDP/USAID requirements:

• Provide overall directions, messages, results and guidance in the area of Project communications and event activities;
• Ensure regular coverage of the project activities and successes in the national, regional and local media;
• Assist in coordination of the Project’s component “Establishing sustainable public dialogue, conducting information and education campaigns, promoting the region as an ecotourism destination”;
• Provide PR/event campaigns and information flow for effective realization of local initiatives

• In consultation with the project, CO staff and USAID develop a communications (USAID/UNDP LEED’s promotion) strategy to effectively support  the realization of project activities; ensure full compliance with UNDP and USAID rules, regulations, policies  and
• reporting system;
• Develop  the projects PR activities calendar and update that on regular bases;
• Lead an annual communications/PR/event planning exercise resulting in an annual work plan and budget for this area; monitor progress and adjust throughout the year;
• Supervise communications consultants, including writers, editors, translators, proof readers, designers, and web masters to be sure that their work is done in frames of the UNDP and USAID brand and marking procedures;
   
• Provide logistical and communications support to the Project team in arrangement and conducting the Project events , meetings and other appointments in accordance with the UNDP procedures and USAID branding and marking rules, if required;
• Ensure consistent implementation of the USAID Branding and Marking Plan for the deliverables by the project staff and project partners;
• For each project’s event/meeting prepare a brief information about the project, it’s aims and role of the USAID in its implementation (texts should be coordinated with designated USAID official);
• Organize events dedicated to international/national days related to ecotourism, entrepreneurship, other local events tightly correlated with project activities;
• Keep track of the publications about the Project events and provide filing of hardcopies and electronic copies of unique publications;
• Assist in development of tender requests for publications and any other promotion/information materials within the Project;
• Ensure regular coverage of the project activities and successes in the national, regional and local media:

• Develop a comprehensive package of communication materials, such as success story and press release templates, banners, information package, brochures, videos and project summaries, similar materials to provide broad visibility and knowledge sharing;
• Facilitate the promotion of the project’s Facebook in accordance with the UNDP/USAID procedures; as well provide contributions to UNDP and USAID, if requires, country office and international web-sites and publications and other web-sites;
• Developed dissemination list included all possible interested counterparts/partners/journalists and  update the dissemination list on regular bases;

Coordinate realization of the Project’s component “Establishing sustainable public dialogue, conducting information and education campaigns, promoting the region as an ecotourism destination”:

• Be responsible for arranging and facilitating trainings (preferably with international experts) for media representatives and economic journalists in cooperation with the Ecotourism Advisor;
• Provide support in organization of press and promotional tours  in cooperation with the Ecotourism Advisor;
• Strengthen internal and external public awareness and education campaign  and effective information sharing systems; 
• In cooperation with the Project Team organize networking visits/ study tours/international partnership/promotion conferences  for local stakeholders to the project sites to disseminate best practices and success stories in ecotourism development;Facilitate the development and production of promotion and information materials to promote project regions (Brest and Hrodna oblast) as tourism destinations and market unique regional tourism products;
• Cooperate with Project staff and experts, involved partners in regions for creation of TD promotion Plan, including TDs participation in international exhibitions and of its promotion via full range of resources;
• Be responsible for creation, dissemination and update of information materials (multilingual) to promote 17 project regions as tourism destinations and market unique regional tourism products;

Provide PR/event campaigns and information flow for effective realization of two large initiatives from NGO and at least 30 local initiatives from non-governmental entities and business operating in the area of ecotourism:

• Plan and manage promotional launches of initiatives in accordance with the UNDP and USAID requirements;
• Develop and disseminate success stories, monthly electronic news and other informational publications to support initiatives promotion and distributes to counterparts national and international levels and the public in accordance with the UNDP and USAID requirements;
• Prepare and submit to the Project and Grants Managers reports about local initiatives information flow on a regular basis;
• Perform any other communication duties as requested by the Project manager

Competencies

• Demonstrates corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Self-development, initiative-taking;
• Acts as a team player and facilitating team work;
• Outstanding organizational and administrative skills;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, Internet software, Social Nets, Adobe Illustrator, JPEG, etc.)
• Able to work effectively with a multi-cultural and decentralized team; 
• Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

• A university degree in journalism, social sciences or related field; advanced degree in journalism, social sciences or related field is an asset;
• At least 3 years of relevant work experience in communications, including experience and technical skills in at least two of the following areas: developing publications and other communication materials, media relations, web and graphic design, social media, and knowledge management;
• Experience in event organization and management ;
•  Experience in coordinating communication activities across organizations and with international organizations and partners;
• Experience in conducting awareness raising campaigns is an asset;
• Ability to tailor content and deliver strategic messages in a deadline driven and client-oriented  way;
• Excellent written, verbal and visual communication skills; proven ability to write compelling and effective press releases, articles, and stories;
• Knowledge of media strategy development;
• Working knowledge of UNDP rules and regulations would be considered an asset;
• Previous experience with UNDP projects in the area of communications/PR would be considered as an asset;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of graphic design software, video editing software and photo editing software;
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Russian is mandatory, including the ability to draft, edit and finalize documents in English and in Russian;
•  Fluency in written and spoken Belarusian is a strong asset, including the ability to draft, edit and finalize documents in Belarusian.