UNDP Jobs - 63665- Information, Education, Communications and Advocac

Information, Education, Communications and Advocacy Expert

Location :

Manila, PHILIPPINES

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

22-Feb-2016

Application Deadline :

14-Feb-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

11 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

11 months

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

The Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is currently implementing several UNDP Projects on biodiversity conservation namely: Biodiversity Financing Initiative (BIOFIN), the Small Grants Programme (SGP), and the Strengthening Marine Protected Areas to Conserve Marine Key Biodiversity Areas (MKBA). Common to these projects is the plan to effectively communicate the importance of biodiversity conservation, including its economic benefits to different stakeholders, both duty-bearers and claim holders.

Similarly, the DENR-BMB’s Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, the government’s road map to biodiversity conservation, has identified the lack of and low awareness as an underlying cause of biodiversity loss, hence, communicating biodiversity and its benefits to humans is essential in order to stem its further degradation. Unfortunately it is not sufficient to simply tell people about biodiversity and what is happening so that they can correct what they do. The changes required of people will not come about by rational individual choice alone. Biodiversity planners need to think differently about using communication, education and public awareness rather than just as a way to make scientific information available to the public. (IUCN, 2007) A strategy needs to be developed and for it to be successful, inputs from various stakeholders will be needed and a baseline needs to be established. A tight and formidable case on the concrete benefits that we derive from biodiversity needs to be formulated and communicated effectively to all sectors of society to gain support for biodiversity conservation in the form of increased investments and behavioral change.

Duties and Responsibilities

The IECA Expert/Specialist will carry out the following tasks:

Communication Strategy:

Assist the different projects in formulating cross-cutting key messages which the individual project will carry out throughout their project implementation;
Formulate a 3- year integrated IEC Plan of all UNDP Projects implemented by the DENR-BMB which should be contributing to or complementing the BMB’s communication plan; the plan should include the budget and how the projects will share the costs. The strategy and work plan should include an environmental and stakeholder assessment; objectives; target audiences; messages and media mix; resources; specific actions, activities and products; monitoring and evaluation of impact; success and opportunity for improvement; ongoing refinement of the strategy, as necessary;
Spearhead the implementation of at least 5 key IEC activities covering key/major environmental events (eg. Earth Day, International Day of Biodiversity, Month of the Ocean, Environment Day, etc.) with which the projects can jointly implement.
Ensure project’s visibility and clarity of communication messaging to public.

Media Relations:

Ensure that the Project has a well maintained and continually developed contact list of journalists and media outlets covering all media – print, TV, radio, web etc. – and a successful process of communicating and maintaining regular contact and close collaboration with the media to communicate the stories of the different projects to a wider audience. This includes the preparation of press releases and the documentation of the Project’s selected activities;
Ensure coordination with the DENR-BMB and UNDP Philippines for all releases to media.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

Ensure that communication baselines are established against which the achievement of objectives of the IEC strategy are regularly evaluated; analysis is undertaken to continuously improve the effectiveness of communication strategy, approach and activities; results and reports are prepared and shared on a timely basis.

Expected Outputs:

Inception Report;
Integrated IEC Plan and Strategy;
At least 5 press releases covering major environment-related events (eg. Earth Day, Oceans Day, Intl Day of Biodiversity, Environment Day, Intl Day of DRR, etc.);
At least 4 IEC materials (carrying the agreed major key messages) developed and disseminated to stakeholders.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Functional / Technical Competencies:

Strong knowledge of the latest theories and concepts in urban development and sustainable cities in the Philippines and broader region;
Strong analytical and research skills;
Familiarity with current actors working on urban development challenges in the Philippines;
Strong communication skills and ability to communicate with different stakeholders;
Excellent in oral and written communication; have skills to write independent reports, documents, maintain systems and procedures in administering programs.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in communication arts, journalism, advertising, public relations or related fields or an undergraduate degree plus.

Experience:

At least 5 years of demonstrated professional experience in the field of journalism, communications, external relations, public affairs, public relations or corporate communications;
With extensive knowledge and experience in communicating advocacies preferably biodiversity and its conservation;
Familiar and up-to-date with national and local programs, projects and initiatives on biodiversity conservation and related areas
Experience in organizing special events and the like;
With experience in working with media outfits and networks.

Skills:

Good communications and interpersonal skills;
Good analytical and organizational skills.

Language:

Very good command of oral and written English.

For the complete TOR and list of application requirements, pls. visit http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=27973