UNDP Jobs - 50295- Project Specialist, Public Relations, "Joint Progr

Project Specialist, Public Relations, "Joint Programmes in Kyzyl Orda and Mangystau oblasts", UNDP (only for Kazakhstan citizens)

Location :

Astana, KAZAKHSTAN

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

29-Oct-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

Initial 6 months with possible extension

Languages Required :

English Russian

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

UNDP Kazakhstan implements Joint Programmes in Kyzylorda and Mangystau oblasts. In order to assist the team in the area of effective communication, ensuring recognition and enrichment of the UNDP activities within the Programmes, a Communication Specialist is hired.

The specialist will support work of the corresponding project staff ensuring visibility of their results and will coordinate activities with national and local mass media increasing awareness of population on goals, objectives and outcomes of the UNDP activities within the Joint Programmes. In order to ensure visibility of the outcomes of the Joint Programmes and awareness among communities the production of the following PR materials needs to be organized: TV programmes, articles, interviews, thematic publications, awareness raising campaigns and education materials. These should demonstrate achievements resulted from UNDP assistance and best practices applied within the JPs. The awareness raising campaign activities should involve local population, government bodies, civic society, media and international community.

The specialist is also expected to provide advice and support to the projects of GLD Unit’s Government Portfolio in relation to their outreach activities. The Specialist will work under direct supervision of the Head of the GLD Unit. The Specialist should coordinate his/her activities, when needed, with the UNDP Communications Associate for being coherent with the UNDP CO communications rules and policies.

Duties and Responsibilities

Functions / Key Results Expected

The Specialist has overall responsibility for management of UNDP outreach activities within UN Joint Programmes and support of PR activities of the GLD’s Government Portfolio projects.
Summary of key functions:
1. Formalize and manage the Programmes communication strategy, media/press relations;
2. Produce information materials, print and audio-visual for media, web sites, and other public outreach;
3. Provide advice and support to the Programme’s special events and campaigns;
4. Manage the website content (if applicable) and create and manage Programme’s pages on social media, including uploading of media materials;
5. Provide PR support to the projects of GLD Unit’s Government Portfolio.

1. Manage UNDP part of the Joint Programme communications:

• Media strategies conceived, planned and implemented to enhance the positioning of the Programmes with the media, with a special focus on priority areas of concern.
• Opportunities for press conferences identified; press conferences organized; and interviews with senior managers facilitated.
• Clear, consistent and timely responses to media inquiries; issuance of statements and corporate positions to media and other external audiences.
• Corporate contacts maintained and expanded with: broadcast and print journalists; media groups, organizations and outlets (audio, visual, electronic); and topics, background information, news-related developments and coverage of interest to each sector identified.

2. Produce information materials (print and audio-visual) for media, web sites, and other public outreach:

• Draft and produce press releases, advisories, background information, brochures, media kits, success stories to inform media and the general public.
• Identify and draft storylines for publications and articles within JPs for UNDP publications
• Draft material for corporate web site to provide up-to-date information on the Porgramme’s work in Kyzylorda and Mangystau Oblasts.
• Supervise the production of relevant video material on the Programme’s work, as required.
• Identify and use effective channels for dissemination of all information products to relevant target audiences and supervise distribution.

3. Provide advice and support to the Programme’s special events and campaigns:

• Conceptualize and organize special events, to prepare inputs to special events, with a view to reaching wider audiences using social media; and develop and compile relevant materials.
• Other duties as assigned.

4. Manage the website content, and create and manage Programme’s pages on social media, including uploading of media materials:
• Liaise with journalists and counterparts in the development and regular update of the website.
• Run Facebook- and Twitter-Accounts as well as possible other networking platforms.
• Liaise with UNDP CO Communications Specialist to ensure that the news related to JPs are timely presented on the corporate social media sources and website

5. Provide outreach support to the projects of GLD Unit’s Government Portfolio (not more than 20% of working time):
• Support preparation of PR materials of the Projects;
• Support dissemination of information on the Projects events;
• Liaison with media ensuring its participation at the events organised by UNDP projects and corresponding coverage.

Impact of Results

The results have a substantial impact on the effectiveness of UN Joint Programmes’ communications and outreach efforts, enhancing the visibility, raising awareness and understanding of UN Joint Programmes, their mission with the media and among the general public as well as enhancing publicity of other GLD Unit’s projects

Competencies

Core values:
-Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modelling UN values and ethical standards;
-Demonstrates professional competence and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
-Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Core competencies:
-Communication: Excellent communication skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts and recommendations, both orally and in writing, in a clear and persuasive style tailored to match different audiences;
-Team work: Ability to interact, establish and maintain effective working relations with a culturally diverse team, as a team member, to build trust, and to manage in a deliberate, transparent and predictable way;
-Client orientation: Ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with national partners and stakeholders and pro-activeness in identifying of beneficiaries and partners’ needs, and matching them to appropriate solutions.
Managerial competencies:
- Ability to develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; to identify priority activities and tasks and allocate appropriate time and resources for effective and efficient work completion;
- Ability to monitor progress against milestones and deadlines; Ability to handle effectively multiple tasks without compromising quality, team spirit and positive working relationships; Ability to foresee risks and develop mitigation strategies.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
University degree in communications, journalism, public relations, social sciences, international relations, or a related field.

Experience:
Minimum of 5 years of experience in communications at the national or international level, including experience in media relations.

Language Requirements:
Fluency in Russian, Kazakh and English with proven drafting and translating skills.

!IMPORTANT INFORMATION

How to apply: Interested and qualified candidates should apply on-line through this site by clicking "APPLY NOW" button. Please ensure that you upload your UN Personal History Form-P11 (on the 2nd page of the application by selecting "UPLOAD RESUME" option).

Incomplete applications will not be given consideration. Please note that only short-listed applications will be contacted.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.