Jobs - 50769- Communications Officer - (Open to Filipino Nationa

Communications Officer - (Open to Filipino Nationals Only)

Location :

Applicants must be prepared to be stationed in one or several of the project areas which include, but not limited to Tacloban City, Ormoc City and Guiuan Municipality, PHILIPPINES

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

SC-8

Duration of Initial Contract :

Twelve (12) months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Possible extension depending on performance and funding availability

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

Typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan), one of the strongest typhoons in recorded history, hit the Visayas (Central Philippines) on 08 November 2013 with a force equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane. Rainfall rates reached 30 mm per hour, wind speeds clocked upwards of 315 km/h and massive storm surges went up to 5-6 meters high along the coastal areas. Over a 16 hour period, the “super typhoon,” swept through six provinces in the central Philippines, knocking out power, telecommunications, and water supplies. Along the eastern coast of Samar, Eastern Samar and Leyte, extensive damage was caused by powerful storm surges that were akin to a tsunami. Entire villages were swept away by the sea, claiming thousands of lives and causing heavy infrastructure damage in highly populated areas. On the western coast and mainland areas of Samar and Leyte, severe winds flattened vast areas of farmlands planted with coconut and banana trees. Strong winds also caused damage, although to a lesser extent, along the coasts of Cebu, Panay and Coron.

Hardest hit were the islands of Leyte and Samar, particularly Tacloban City where 90 percent of the infrastructure was destroyed. The latest official figures from government indicate that 1.1 million homes were destroyed, 16.1 million people were affected, and 4.1 million were displaced. At least 6,300 people have been confirmed dead across all areas hit by the typhoon.

Since November 2013, UNDP has provided assistance to the affected LGUs and communities particularly in the fields of debris clearing and management, livelihood, and disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM). In line with the government strategy advancing from humanitarian assistance to recovery and rehabilitation, UNDP’s programme of support has also moved from early recovery efforts to longer-term recovery interventions. With funding support from the European Union (EU), UNDP is currently implementing a comprehensive recovery and rehabilitation project in selected Yolanda-affected communities in the Visayas, focusing on the following components: 1) disaster-resilient public infrastructure; 2) sustainable livelihoods; 3) resettlement of displaced populations; and 4) support to recovery coordination and local capacities for disaster risk reduction and management.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance of the UNDP Team Leader for Crisis Prevention and Recovery and the direct supervision of the Project Manager of the UNDP Yolanda Recovery Programme, the Communications Officer will support the formulation and implementation of communications, knowledge management and advocacy strategies to enhance the profile and promote awareness of programme interventions and results among partners, media and the public.

S/he will perform the following functions:

Formulate a Communications Strategy and Plan that will convey Programme information, updates and accomplishments to various audiences and stakeholders in an effective and timely manner;
Ensure the effective implementation of the approved Communications Strategy and Plan;
Develop communication materials for marketing and awareness-raising campaigns, including briefing materials, brochures and press releases;
Facilitate knowledge building, management and sharing through identification and synthesis of good practices and lessons learned in programme implementation, and through effective dissemination of these to various publics;
Establish and maintain information database, including photo and video library and reference materials for retention;
Organize roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews;
Prepare and regularly update project presentation materials;
Coordinate the production of content for the UNDP website;
Establish and maintain strong links with communications and media organizations for information-sharing and conduct of visibility activities.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Has excellent communication skills (verbal and written);
Builds strategic partnerships;
Promotes organizational learning and knowledge-sharing;
Promotes visibility of UNDP as a key development player;
Demonstrates client orientation.

Core Competencies:

Demonstrates/safeguards ethics and integrity;
Demonstrates corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
Takes initiatives;
Acts as a team player and facilitates teamwork.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

University degree (master’s degree an advantage) in Journalism, Public Relations, Communications or other related fields.

Experience:

5 years of relevant experience in communications, knowledge management, media relations or project management;
Experience in the use of computers and office software (MS Word, Excel, etc.);
Experience in handling web-based management systems and familiarity with latest trends and technologies in communications, an advantage;
UN/UNDP experience an advantage.

Language:

English and Filipino;
Knowledge of regional languages in the Visayas an advantage.

Note:

The selected candidate will receive a salary that is commensurate with his/her background and work experience. Interested applicants are requested submit their application ONLINE and complete the UN Personal History Form (P.11), available in our website http://www.ph.undp.org/content/philippines/en/home/operations/jobs/ on or before 31 October 2014. Kindly note that only completed P.11 forms will be reviewed. UNDP is an equal opportunity employer.

Please note that we will contact only the short-listed candidates.