Background

PLEASE READ THE INFORMATION BELOW:

•  To apply for the vacancy kindly upload your CV or a filled in UNDP PERSONAL HISTORY FORM ;
• This is a local position, therefore only citizens of the Republic of Belarus, Common Economic  Space  and others legally authorized to work in the country are eligible to apply;
• The information about the Service Contract modality and the salary scale can be found at: TYPES OF UNDP CONTRACTS AND THEIR CONDITIONS, OFFERED BY THE UNDP OFFICE IN BELARUS

Basic information about the project:

The aim of the project “Improving Energy Efficiency in Residential Buildings in the Republic of Belarus” No. 00077154, planned for 4 years, is to reduce energy consumption during the construction and operation of residential buildings and a corresponding reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The focus of the project will be devoted to develop and ensure effective implementation of new methods of designing of residential buildings and construction standards with related energy certification schemes to improve energy efficiency in multi-family residential buildings.

In particular, the project will help achieve the following objectives:

•   Provide support to strengthen the legal and regulatory framework, as well as mechanisms to enforce the legislation for improving the energy efficiency in the building sector;

•   Facilitate the development of enhanced capacity of the Belarusian specialists to implement and effectively enforce the new energy efficiency building standards and construction norms;

•   Implement pilot projects to demonstrate the energy and cost-saving potential of new energy efficiency measures on the example of three residential buildings in two Belarusian cities;

•   Ensure awareness of industry experts and the general public on energy efficiency in the residential sector;

•   Establish monitoring mechanisms and replication to ensure the reproduction of the results of the project in Belarus and abroad.

Objectives of the assignment and organizational context:

This assignment has an objective to advise and provide a proper projects communication strategy, organize key project PR initiatives and awareness raising actions and ensure a comprehensive and systematic informational support to the Project Implementation Unit (PIU), national experts, energy efficient building developers and other stakeholders including general public about interventions and results of the projects activities.

Within the given project, the Specialist shall work under overall guidance of the UNDP Programme Analyst and direct supervision of the Project Manager.  He/she shall work in close collaboration with project personnel according to the project structure as well as with the UNDP Communication Associate, the National Implementing Agency and other national partners.

Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities:

1. Communication strategy:
   • Design and ensure successful implementation of information and communication strategies to publicize and visualize messages, findings and events resulting from project activities at the local, national, and international levels.
   • Plan, organize, manage and evaluate public communication campaigns at the local, national and international levels that promote public understanding of the project activities, events and views.
   • Provide respective logistics and procurement and organize result dissemination, capacity building and public activities, such as workshops, round-tables, seminars, conferences, festivals, exhibitions, contests, trainings and other relevant events carried out in the framework of the project.
   • Provide screening of forthcoming international, regional and local events relevant to the project thematic fields worth being attended by the project personnel, local experts and project national partners and brief the PIU accordingly.
   • Contribute to the narrative reports to the UNDP and GEF, as well as participate in reporting on the projects achievements and findings to the National Implementing Agency and other stakeholders.
   • Act as a focal point on the project communication issues to ensure timely and accurate monitoring and reporting on major developments.
   • Provide support for the project staff and experts in their interaction with media, as well as inform and consult them on communication and media issues related to the project promotion and public visibility.
   • Ensure that the project information and communication activities and products fully comply with the UNDP and GEF communication policies and procedures.
2. Communication with mass media:
   • Prepare information materials (brochures, booklets, reports, backgrounders, various audio-visual advertising and promotion materials, press releases, briefs, media alerts, leaflets, articles, interviews, reviews, etc., as necessary) about the project implementation progress and disseminate them through printed and online media at the local, national and international levels.
   • Prepare, organize and manage informational and media coverage on project priority areas and major project activities, such as workshops, round-tables, seminars, conferences, festivals, exhibitions, contests, trainings, media tours and other relevant activities carried out in the framework of the project.
   • Identify, collect and file project "good stories" and pictures for internal and external use.
   • Organize field trips on project activities, as required, with respective notification of local and national mass-media.
   • Keep up to date media contacts, monitor media requests and draft responses, follow up relevant media coverage and report to the PIU on the impact of coverage.
3. Development of communication products and publications:
   • Help develop content and design for brochures and leaflets and other materials, which are to be printed as per the project detailed work plan, and provide financial assessments, procurement plans, manage and oversee their production.
   • Conduct maintenance and ensure regular update of the project web site in the Russian and English languages.
   • Provide translation of project materials intended to be disseminated from/to English when necessary.
4. Perform any other duties and actions related to the project implementation as may be assigned by Project Manager.

The expected results are as follows:

• It has been ensured that the UNDP/GEF project has a clear communication strategy and associated work plan to support the project objectives.
• The project have delivered the issues on energy efficiency in the residential sector into the public domain enhancing thereby UNDP and GEF credibility and brand in the focus areas.
• Implementation of information and communications strategies has been successfully conducted that should positively highlight the project activities and increase knowledge and understanding of issues of energy efficiency in the residential sector among experts, general public and media.
• It has been ensured that the project maintains and continually develops a contact list of journalists and media outlets covering all media formats (print, TV, radio, online, etc.) in order to communicate the project progress and achievements to a wider audience.
• The project key achievement and findings have been widely covered by local, national and global mass media (printed, radio, TV web-based), increasing public awareness in Belarus and abroad on the major issues the project is focused on.
• Refined process has been established with regard to communicating with governmental and public sector, media contacts, including public and media events as well as issuing of a wide range of information and advocacy materials and products.
• Rapid and accurate information dissemination on the project activities to the participating UN agencies, National governmental bodies, media, public sector and other appropriate agencies have been ensured.

The project representatives and stakeholders have been provided with professional expertise and advice on all aspects of communication.

Competencies

• University degree at least in one of the following fields: international relations, communication, journalism, PR, sociology, art, pedagogy or related area.
• Master degree or equivalent in the relevant field would be an asset.
• At least 2 years of progressively responsible experience in communication, PR or related field.
• Experience in close collaboration with media, government officials, NGOs and civil society in Belarus would be an asset.
• Working experience and familiarity with the issues of energy efficiency in Belarus is desirable.
• Previous work in at least one international technical assistance project is an asset.
• Excellent command of the Russian language and fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of Belarusian is an asset.
• Working knowledge of UNDP and GEF communication policies and procedures, UNDP graphic standards, requirements to logo and brand using, UNDP information policy is an asset.
• Advanced PC user (good knowledge of MS Office software package, Photoshop, CorelDraw applications, web tools); good knowledge of office equipment.

Required Skills and Experience

• Ability to communicate clearly and precisely at all levels both orally and in writing.
• Proven ability to perform tasks involving multiple and diverse clients.
• Acts as team-player facilitating team work.
• Excellent organizational ability to work under pressure and to keep tight deadlines, and respond to changes in a rapidly evolving work environment.
• Initiative taking and self-development skills.