UNDP Jobs - 56666- E-Government Communication Strategy and Corporate

E-Government Communication Strategy and Corporate Identity of the E/M Government Programme

Location :

Mbabane, SWAZILAND

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

15-Jun-2015

Application Deadline :

02-Jun-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

20 working days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

20 working days

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

In an endeavour to improve public administration, the Government of Swaziland embarked on an e-Government programme to enhance efficiencies in public service delivery and also transform the country into an information society and knowledge economy. An e-/m-Government Strategy was developed and adopted in 2013 and an Operational Framework to materialize the e/m Government Strategy and enhance coordination was also developed in 2014 which identified key priority actions that have to be instituted to implement the programme. The e- Government strategy acknowledges that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is now globally viewed as a vehicle to promote competitiveness, sustainable development, poverty reduction and good governance. It is therefore imperative that the government establishes a communication plan to increase public knowledge and citizen awareness about the current e-Government programme under implementation.

The roll out of the e-Government programme calls for the development of programmes, policies and legislation aimed at creating an enabling environment for the use of ICT and improving service delivery. To ensure maximum adoption of the programmes, transforming the traditional, and customary ways of doing business, citizens need to be informed and educated on the implications of e-Government. The communication strategy is therefore aimed at increasing the capacity of the government to effectively engage and create awareness levels amongst citizens regarding the services offered by the Government and empowering them on their rights as customers. Strengthened citizen’s participation in service delivery is expected to create a sense of ownership and a culture of higher compliance leading to closer ties between the government and the people.

The e-Government communication strategy will therefore provide a link between the business objectives of the government and its mandate, explain government policy as it relates to e- governance; build a common understanding between the ministries on how to develop awareness programmes for maximum adoption of e-Government platforms; provide a platform for communicating with citizens including developing measures of success or evaluating performance and explore strategies for mitigating communication risks. A consultant is therefore required to assist the e-Government unit with the development of its e/m Government communication strategy and implementation plan aimed at increasing adaptation for e/m Government services and creating demand for public services.

The objectives of the assignment is develop strategies for public and private sector sensitization and awareness creation about e/m-Government programme and the provision of e-services by the Government of Swaziland. Facilitate the development of a marketing strategy and corporate identity for the e/m Government programme.

Duties and Responsibilities

Review available literature on the e-Government Programme (Scoping Report, e-Government Strategy, the Operational Framework, the Swaziland Development Index, National Communication Infrastructure Policy and the National Development Strategy to establish congruence with the national development programme or agenda;
Engage key stakeholders to solicit their inputs and views in relation to the development of the communication strategy, Government Departments, Donor Agencies, civil society, private sector organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, Public Enterprises and Academia and general public;
Benchmark with other communication strategies to ensure that it meets the required international standards and further cover all essential aspects or components of a communication strategy;
Develop and recommend strategies and action plan for marketing and promoting the e/m - Government Programme to private sector and citizens on the use of e/m – services, how they can be accessed and the benefits that will accrue to the nation;
Evaluate and recommend on the use of social media, other communication platforms including the new digital channels in sensitizing and raising awareness on e/m governance, and further explore the use of mobile communications to facilitate a two way communication (feedback mechanism) with citizens;
Assess the local environment to determine how the sensitization and awareness creation exercise could be undertaken by the Government of Swaziland taking into consideration the country’s governance system (Central/National, Regional, Constituency and Chiefdom level);
Design marketing strategies that would ensure that the e-Government programme appeals to both government ministries, departments, agencies and the citizenry in relation to its implementation and support;
Design and develop the corporate identity of the e/m Government brand;
Recommend on the appropriate human and financial resources required to implement the e/m – government communication strategy and action plan.

Expected Deliverables:

Inception report should include the approach/ methodology to be engaged, assumptions, constraints and high level project plan.
Stakeholder’s consultations report - key findings;
Corporate identity/brand of the e/m Government;
Costed e/m-Government Communication Strategy and implementation plan;
Present final draft strategy to various stakeholder for adoption (Technical and Policy level as appropriate).

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Proven analytical and organizational development skills;
Excellent writing and analytical skills;
Sound knowledge of UNDP's work on Democratic Governance and e-governance;
Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to collaborate with subject experts;
Ability to work collaboratively in a team structure in a multicultural environment;
Proven track record on meeting deadlines;
Ability to work on a multi-cultural environment and developing countries;
Excellent oral and effective presentation and report-writing skills;
Express clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in writing and orally;
Ability to manage conflicting ideas and views from diverse groups;
Excellent social and communication skills;
Excellent computers skills required;
In depth knowledge and understanding of transformation and other e-government development issues;
Sound knowledge on e-governance in developing countries and understanding of programme management and strategy development;

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A minimum of Master’s Degree in Communication and ICT; E- Governance strategist; advanced degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Mass Communication, Marketing or areas relevant for the assignment.

Experience:

At least 10 years of senior management experience in institutional organisation and business management in complex environment, strategic process planning and project management;
Have vast experience in the development of communication strategies, including knowledge about the e-Government programme and what it seeks to achieve;
Should also be in possession of good and highly effective marketing skills in order to ensure that the e-Government initiative is embraced by all stakeholders;
Good communications skills are essential as the consultant will be expected to interact with different stakeholders in order to source information that needs to be considered in the development of the Communication strategy and action plan.

Language:

Fluent in English.