UNDP Jobs - 43199- Strategic Communications Adviser to the Prime Mini

Strategic Communications Adviser to the Prime Minister

Location :

Chisinau, MOLDOVA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

03-Mar-2014

Application Deadline :

31-Jan-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

3 March 2014 – 30 June 2015

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

The EU High Level Policy Advisory Mission (EU HLPAM) is a project financed by the European Union and implemented by the UNDP. The objective of the project is to support the Government to implement its EU-integration related reform Agenda and in particular to assist the government in developing the capacities required for the implementation of the Association Agreement, including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, as well as the Visa Liberalization Action Plan. Specifically, the project aims at strengthening the policy-making, strategic planning and policy management capacities of selected line Ministries and State Agencies involved in the implementation of the Association Agreement and Visa Liberalization and at enhancing stakeholders’ knowledge and awareness of EU policies, legislation and regulations in sectors strategic to the implementation of the Association Agreement including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, and to the implementation of visa liberalization.

The project is seeking to engage the services of a Strategic Communications Adviser.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Adviser on Strategic Communications will provide policy advice to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova and the Prime Minister’s Office on Communication, in order to enhance their ability to design and implement their Europe integration related reform agenda.

The Adviser will report primarily to Prime Minister and the Senior Adviser/Spokesperson of the Prime-Minister, with a reporting line to the EU Delegation to Moldova, UNDP Moldova and the project manager. The Adviser will work closely with the other members of the team of EUHLPAM Advisers.

Key Responsibilities:

Raise stakeholders' awareness of the policy implications of the Government's reform agenda and the signing of AA and transitional implementation;
Provide the beneficiaries with examples of EU best practice in Communicating actions needed for European Integration related reforms;
Strengthen the institutional capacities of the beneficiary institution to design, manage and monitor policy;
Support the beneficiary to design and apply risk management principles and tools;
Support the beneficiary in promoting deliverables of EU assistance programmes, including Budget Support operations.
Liaise with other projects/programmes/instruments in terms of Communication component to ensure synergy, to promote effective downstream implementation of the policies and to avoid overlap and duplication, where appropriate and when requested by the beneficiary;
Support the national authorities to network with EU institutions through the EU Delegation to Moldova;
Provide sectorial advice and report to the EU Delegation whenever requested;
Assist the beneficiary to prepare an exit strategy on how the advice will be mainstreamed and consolidated once this phase has elapsed;
Respect and promote EU visibility at all times.

The above responsibilities will be carried out through but not limited to: development of strategy documents, policy papers, advisory notes, methodologies, draft fiches and other relevant documentation as well as provision of technical on-the-job advice, support to networking to the institutions responsible for Government policies in Strategic Communications.

Competencies

Excellent communication skills;
Proven report writing skills;
Computer literacy;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.·

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A Masters’ Degree in Communications or relevant discipline or equivalent of professional experience relevant to the assignment;
A bachelor degree in the same areas combined with 17 years of experience professional experience relevant to the area of required expertise will serve in lieu of a Master’s Degree.

Experience:

General professional experience:

Preferably 15 years of professional experience.

Specific professional experience:

At least 10 years of professional experience linked to the provision of high level policy advice in Communications;
Preference to 15 years of such experience will be given;
At least 10 years of proven work experience in Communications in EU Member States, current or former EU Candidate States/EaP countries would be an asset;
Previous work experience in Moldova would be an advantage;
A comprehensive knowledge of EU external assistance programmes and policies targeted at EaP countries;
A comprehensive knowledge of the EU acquis and policies in European Integration .

Language:

Fluency in written and spoken English;
A working knowledge of the Romanian language would be an advantage.

The detailed Terms of Reference and Procurement Notice can be found at http://www.undp.md/jobs/current_jobs/