Jobs - 58364- Communications Associate (Only Filipino Nationals)

Communications Associate (Only Filipino Nationals)

Location :

Manila, PHILIPPINES

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

31-Jul-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SC-6

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

UNDP in partnership with the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) is implementing the project, “Scaling Up Risk Transfer Mechanisms for Climate Vulnerable Agriculture-Based Communities in Mindanao”. The project aims to reduce poverty by strengthening the resilience of vulnerable agriculture-based rural communities in Mindanao through climate risk transfer mechanisms and productivity enhancement measures. The project was designed to address two types of climate risk: (1) increasing variability in climate and (2) climate-changed induced natural disasters. Weather index-based insurance (WIBI) which has been pilot tested by PCIC on a small scale in the last 3 years will be expanded to at least 2,000 households. Disaster Risk Management will also be introduced, disseminated and strengthened at a community level in the same locations where WIBI will be delivered. The provision of climate change adaptation options for the abovementioned types of climate risks in a synchronized manner will increase the adaptive value of such options and reduces vulnerability of small-holder farmers.

The Communication Associate will provide assistance to the PCIC and its Project Management Office, Department of Agriculture, UNDP and its collaborators in ensuring the results and impacts of the approved activities of the project are well coordinated and reported in a timely manner.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Communication Associate will be a core member of the Project Management Office (PMO), operating under the supervision of the National Project Coordinator. She or he will be responsible for the implementation of WIBI Mindanao Project communications and for collaborating on outreach activities. Specifically, the Officer will be expected to:

Provides support to the planning and design of internal and external strategies for communications and outreach focusing on achievement of the following results:

Support conduct of communications needs assessments for the Project Management Office (PMO);
Analysis of requirements and synthesis of proposals for elaboration of the PMO communications and outreach strategy;
Support the development/production of communication and advocacy instruments and materials for marketing and awareness-raising campaigns, including briefing materials and press releases;
Support management of web site, social medias including other online communication tools;
Synthesis of proposals for project formulations to integrate advocacy and communication strategies into all aspects of the project implementation.

Supports the implementation of PMO communications and advocacy strategies and PMO publications policy focusing on achievement of the following results:

Logistical support to the organization of publicity/outreach for the PMO, knowledge-sharing events and promotional opportunities;
Dissemination of information and publications; assistance at public events such as roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews;
Maintenance of information database and photo library;
Collection of information, preparation of content for the web sites;
Extraction of data from various sources;
Research and retrieval of statistical data from internal and external sources;
Arrangement of briefings and regular meetings with DA agencies and other government agencies, private sector and Financial Service Providers;
Administrative and logistical support to the communications team, including for initiatives such as media workshops, press briefings, report launches, etc.

Supports the business development focusing on achievement of the following results:

Launches and campaigns:

Promotion and dissemination of advocacy materials for launching flagship initiatives and publications;
Promotion and maintenance of public information campaigns on DA, PCIC, UNDP activities

Outreach:

Preparation and dissemination of newsletter to donors, donor reports, civic education and community awareness, where appropriate, to support projects.

Public information:

Timely and effective responses to inquiries for public information materials.

In addition, the Communications Associate is expected to:

Become familiar with relevant project (PCIC, DA, UNDP) documentation;
Produce a digital file with all project outputs (Training Modules, Conferences, Publications and Bibliography, Project Documentation, and others);
Create a communication and visibility database with all documents produced, relevant publications, training modules, and others;
Ensure adequate communication of the project’s products, deliverables, objectives and results to its key stakeholders and beneficiaries;
Develop/maintain project social networks’ communication platform (website, facebook) and propose sustainable long term solution;
Ensure that the project’s social networks provide updated information on project activities, best practices, translated documents, training activities and conferences, impact assessment studies, etc.;
Entertain contacts and provide relevant information to media;
Draft and/or edit and disseminate press releases, advisories, fact-sheets, press/media kits and updated information and stories to inform media, key partners and the general public of WIBI Mindanao programming initiatives, results and successes, and other achievements; post stories on project website;
Produce a final report capturing all deliverables and achievements of the assignment highlighting the recommendations. The report will have as annex a backup database of the deliverables and products of the assignment - including a detailed inventory of communication tools used such as social media, press releases, press conferences and interviews, photography and video, etc.

Perform other duties and related functions.

Competencies

Functional and Technical Competencies

Advocacy

Identifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating the project objectives.

Building Strategic Partnerships (Maintaining a network of contacts):

Analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders;
Establishes and nurtures positive communication with partners.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing (Basic research and analysis):

Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise:

Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the position;
Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks;
Analyzes the requirements and synthesizes proposals;
Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning;
Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.

Core Competencies:

Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
Self-development, initiative-taking;
Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
Creating synergies through self-control;
Managing conflict;
Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others;
Informed and transparent decision making.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication, Creative Writing, Journalism, English, Social Sciences or other related discipline.

Experience:

At minimum of 4 years relevant professional experience in public relations, communications or advocacy;
Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications especially Microsoft Excel, Word and Powerpoint; Knowledge on other computer applications is a plus;
Demonstrated experience working with a variety of stakeholders, such as senior government officials and professionals, journalists, policy- and decision-makers;
Effective communication of relevant project information to the project team;
An established track record in communications and media outreach. In particular, familiarity with content-management-based websites.

Language:

Fluency in the English and national language;
Excellent communication skills, oral and written communication in English, Filipino and Visayan.

The selected candidate will receive a salary that is commensurate with his/her background and work experience.
Interested applicants are encouraged to apply ONLINE and attach the UN Pfersonal History Form (P.11), available in our website http://www.ph.undp.org/content/philippines/en/home/operations/jobs/ and send to us on or before 31 July 2015. Kindly note that only completed P.11 forms will be reviewed. Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document. UNDP is an equal opportunity employer. Please note that we will contact only the short-listed candidates.

UNDP is an equal opportunity employer. Please note that we will contact only the short-listed candidates.