Background

The economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan (RK) is one of the major sources of carbon pollution, emitting over 1,000 tons of CO2 per one million dollars of produced product which is twice the value of the world indicator. The main consumer of energy is the industrial sector, including power and heat energy generation (36.9% of the consumption of total volume of primary energy resources), the population (to 30% of consumption – mainly heat and power). The energy sector of the country is a source of 80% of total emissions, of which 90% account for heat and power generation sector.
 
In 2010 Kazakhstan declared about its voluntary commitments to reduce GHG emissions for 15% by 2020 in comparison with value of 1990 and for 25% by 2050. As a priority trend for mitigation of climate change impact  is a urban sector (district heating, buildings, wastes and transport) with possible reduction of annual GHG emissions for 20-30MtCO2\years what is about 30% from potential total of  GHG emissions in Kazakhstan.

Realization of activities on energy saving in the sectors of housing and utilities will considerably reduce fuel consumption for electricity and heat energy.  Modernization and reconstruction of the sources of heat and electricity energy, heat networks, engineering services will be done using new energy saving technologies which lead to reduction of GHG emissions; reduction of heat losses in existing buildings – is one of the most effective activities for reduction of energy consumption.

The UNDP with the financial assistance of various donors (GEF), supports the efforts of the Government of RK on the improving the energy efficiency. The projects are aimed to build capacity on comprehensive planning of measures on GHG emissions reduction in urban infrastructure, approbate the investment engagement, lay out institutional frameworks, and disseminate the positive experience.

Distinct direction of projects activities is accounted for outreach to promote energy efficient, applying world best practices and technology. Therefore, every project’s component provides information outreach of project’s activities, renewal of web-site, preparation and issue of information materials in mass media, publishing industries, etc.

Actual attention is paid to demonstration of economic, environmental and social reasonability for reduction of urban GHG emissions through implementation of pilot initiatives in urban infrastructure. This requires a preparation of essential informational and educational information to increase awareness, to improve knowledge, experience and skills by different target groups. Arrangement of training, workshops, conferences in pilot cities of Kazakhstan, which have been selected to implement low carbon projects in urban infrastructure, is  one of necessary requirements to successfully promote energy efficiency.

Considering the above mentioned it is necessary the employment of PR Expert, who under the guidance and supervision of Projects Manager will be responsible for effective, timely and quality day-to-day projects support and determined project’s framework results works in close collaboration with the projects staff to ensure consistent service delivery.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of Project Manager (PM) and in coordination with other Project Experts, PR-expert shall be responsible for successful implementation of activities set forth in the plans of implemented projects, namely:
• Provision of informational outreach campaign support,
• Development and updating Internet based information outreach
• Preparation and development of information and distribution  materials,
• Provision of administrative and organizational support in projects implementation related to PR-issues.

1. Provision of informational outreach campaign support, focusing on achievement of the following results:
• In cooperation with project experts to draft and publish promo materials, containing
of comprehensive information about urban low carbon planning, energy efficiency in urban sector for municipal stakeholders and other potential promoters and target groups,
• Drafting and dissemination of informational summaries about initiatives to be implemented in pilot cities with application of up-to-date methods for information submission (infographics, etc.),
• In cooperation with project experts, drafting and execution of Stakeholders
 Involvement Strategy (for each Akimat and Initiative) with aim to ensure the participation of main stakeholders both supporting and non-supporting ones – process inclusiveness,
• Arrangement of proper awareness of banking sector (briefings for banks) to establish
the liaisons with municipal authorities and developers of low carbon projects, 
• Drafting the information reviews on international practices for low carbon planning
and financing to identify the models to be effective in Kazakhstan, 
• Informational support by implementation of pilot low carbon initiatives,
• Arrangement and conducting PR-campaigns aimed at popularization if low carbon
and energy effective projects for national and regional mass media, 
• Arrangement and conducting the events for different target groups with focusing on
awareness-raising about climate change, concept and processes of low carbon planning and financing,
• Drafting the awareness matrix for cities-participants, assessment of initial projects data
and monitoring of middle and final projects values, summarization of lessons learnt

2.  Development and updating Internet based information outreach, focusing on achievement of the following results:
• Participation in creation and admin support of project web-site containing of project
info, concept of low carbon projects (initiatives), projects events and results (in 3 languages), 
• Creation of inter-municipal portal at web-site for sharing the information between the
cities-participants,
• Updating of created portal with resources about low carbon urban projects and events
for local administration on periodic basis, 
• Publication and dissemination of news bulletin (online and in printed) with events,
leading practice and know-hows on improvement of municipal energy efficiency and climate changes management, incl. opinions of different municipal authorities  for national policy developers;

3. Drafting and development of training printouts focusing on achievement of the following results:
• In cooperation with project experts, drafting and dissemination of communication
packages. Arrangement and conducting the trainings for Akimats – project participants to remove urban barriers related to low carbon or energy efficiency planning,
• Arrangement and conducting the trainings, drafting and publishing the training
materials with aim to improve Akimats capacity by drafting the financial documents to proposed low carbon  projects,
• Arrangement and conducting target workshops with aim to promote the concept of
low carbon urban development, to share the experience by pilot initiatives, incl. annual or biannual national thematic workshops on leading practice in urban and municipal planning,
• Arrangement and conducting the study tours as experience sharing between the
cities, incl. drafting and holding presentations for project promoters, successful investment involvement, initiating the discussions on wide replication of low carbon initiatives,

4. Provision of administrative and organizational support in Project implementation related to PR-issues, focusing on achievement of the following results:
• Participation in organization and execution of different seminars/round
tables/meetings (in particular, development of press-releases, work with mass media, preparation of information reports on events, etc.);
• Organization of interviews, TV-programmes, radio, etc.;
• Trips within Kazakhstan based on necessity for the participation in project’s events
under agreement with Project Manager and UNDP standard operating procedures;
• Preparation of required reports and accomplishment of other tasks based on Project
Manager requests aimed for delivery of the project’s targets and activities together with UNDP head office requests

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on realization of awareness strategy amongst target groups, and organization and execution of the required information and analytical campaigns, PR-campaigns, etc. High quality and timely provision of information outreach of projects activities, administration and update of information about the projects and EE issues in buildings on partners’ web-site, development and issue of information materials about the projects and their activities in mass media, participation in preparation and publishing of printed materials with regard to projects activities in accordance with the Work Plan

Competencies

Competencies and Critical Success Factors

• Corporate Competencies:
• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism

• Functional Competencies:
• Development and Operational Effectiveness
• Skills of planning and management, aimed for achievement of results
• Skills on formulation, implementation and monitoring of project documentation
• Excellent PC commands
• Learning capability

• Leadership and Self-Management
• Focus on  results for the project
• Demonstration of oral and written communications skills
• Establishment of stable relations with project partners
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
• Agreement of actions with and reporting before PM
• Timely and quality execution of requirements of the ToR
•  Timely and quality execution of requirements of the SC

• MANAGING CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTS
• Edits, formats and provides inputs to correspondence, reports, documents and/or
• presentations using work processing, spreadsheets and databases meeting quality standards and requiring minimal correction,
• Shows sound grasp of grammar, spelling and structure in the required language
• Ensures correspondence, reports and documents comply with established UN standards
• Ability to produce accurate and well documented records conforming to the required
• standard

• OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS, PLANNING, ORGANIZING AND MULTI-TASKING
• Ability to handle a large volume of work possibly under time constraints
• Good knowledge of administrative rules and regulations
• Ability to operate and maintain a variety of computerized business machines and office
• equipment in order to provide efficient delivery of service
• Ability to organize and complete multiple tasks by establishing priorities
• Plans, coordinates and organises workload while remaining aware of changing priorities
• and competing deadlines
• Demonstrates ability to quickly shift from one task to another to meet multiple support
• needs
• Establishes, builds and maintains effective working relationships with staff and clients to
• facilitate the provision of support

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• University degree (Master’s Degree would be considered an advantage) in the field of journalism, PR- management and/or Social Science

Experience:

• As minimum 5 years of relevant work experience in the sphere of journalism, PR and communications in government or commercial structures;
• Experience in preparation of analytical reviews within formats for international organizations; 
• Experience in organisation and execution of conferences, seminars, trainings. Preparation of learning materials, articles, interviews, events in connection to PR activities;
• Excellent computer skills, including MS Office applications (Word, Power Point, Outlook Express), Internet explorer as well as other software required for the work delivery, including excellent skills within web-sites development;
• Ability to work effectively in a team, good communication skills
 

Language requirements:

• Fluent Russian, working level of English language
• Knowledge of Kazakh is a strong asset

IMPORTANT INFORMATION!

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 applicatoin by selecting "UPLOAD RESUME" option)

Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date 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.