Antecedentes

The primary government response to protect this important biodiversity has been the establishment of marine protected areas or fish sanctuaries as mandated by the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) and Fisheries Code. At present, there are only 33 MPAs under NIPAS, which are government managed and 1,620 under Fisheries Code, which are Local Government Unit (LGU) -managed.  However, pressures, drivers and environmental threats such as overfishing and illegal fishing, pollution from coastal and commercial development, conversion, extractive industries and many others continue to threaten the country’s fragile coastal ecosystem.  The current number of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) established around the country is not sufficient to arrest the decline of conditions of resources because the current spatial coverage of the MPAs are limited and ineffective in improving species habitat dynamics to enhance fishery productivity and biodiversity.  Moreover, effective MPA management is still hindered by inadequate bio-geographic representation and spatial coverage, insufficient and unpredictable funding levels for the long-term sustainability of MPAs and an MPA system including the weak institutional framework for the identification, establishment and management of a national marine PA system and incoherent policy frameworks, mandates and strategies amongst central and local actors that inhibit the sustainable management of marine resources on a seascape basis.

The Biodiversity Management Bureau of Department of Environment and Natural Resources, in partnership with Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and several Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), is implementing a 5-year project entitled “Strengthening the Marine Protected Areas to Conserve Marine Key Biodiversity Areas” which aims to strengthen the conservation, protection and management of key marine biodiversity areas in the Philippines.

The project is implemented in the following sites by the respective responsible partners:

  • Verde Island Passage covering the provinces of Batangas, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental and Marinduque (BATANGAS) – Conservation International Philippines Foundation Inc. (CIPFI);
  • Southern Palawan (PALAWAN) – BFAR-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute;
  • Lanuza Bay (SURIGAO)- HARIBON Foundation;
  • Davao Gulf (DAVAO) – Kabang Kalikasan ng Pilipinas Foundation Inc. (KKPFI);
  • Tanon Strait Protected Seascape covering (CEBU) including, Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental – RARE Philippines.

The need to develop communication strategies to positively influence target audiences towards the conservation of marine key biodiversity areas is an important part of the project.  In order to deliver appropriate messages to and effectively enlist the support of national and local stakeholders and target audiences , the MKBA Project will engage the services of a Communications Assistant.

Deberes y responsabilidades

The Communications Assistant will be supervised by the Project Manager and will work closely with the Planning, M&E Officer, Technical Officers and designated focal person of each Project area of the MKBA Project. The Communications Assistant will also closely coordinate with the Consultant for Information, Education, Communication (IEC) and Advocacy. The Project Manager will provide the overall supervision of project implementation and delivery of targets. 

Specific Function

The Communications Assistant will have the following duties and responsibilities:

  • Prepare and spearhead the implementation of the communication plan designed for the MKBA Project;
  • Coordinate with the responsible partners in each of the project sites and provide guidance on implementing the MKBA Project communication plan;
  • Develop knowledge products/publications and IEC materials (including photos and broadcast quality videos) about the project sites in close coordination with the Project Manager,technical officers and consultants;
  • Write scripts for the Project’s audio-visual and video productions;
  • Edit and consolidate manuscripts of the Manual on MPAN establishment and Management, and Best Practices in MPAN establishment and Management, each into one whole publishable material;
  • Establish and manage the Project’s social network accounts and website;
  • Edit and write relevant portions of Project publications, e.g., preface, acknowledgments, introduction, synthesis, table of contents and figures, list of acronyms;
  • Coordinate closely with UNDP Philippines Communications Unit to ensure that Project milestones, key events and change stories are promoted more broadly through the media and UNDP’s global and regional corporate communications platforms;

Expected Outputs/ Deliverables:

  • Planning and elaboration of communications needs assessments for the MKBA Project;
  • Communications and outreach strategy based on UNDP’s corporate communications strategy;
  • Develop and maintain close working relations with the UNDP Country Office Communication Team, media outlets and identify at opportunities for MKBA Project for media placement;
  • Support in drafting and editing communications materials, including press kits, fact sheets, infographics and multimedia products;
  • Provide communication support to MKBA Project Sites as needed.

Competencias

Functional / 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.

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;
  • 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.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education: 

  • Bachelor’s degree in Communication or allied field (i.e, Design, Media, Developmental Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, Digital Communications Marketing); advanced degree will be an advantage.

Experience:    

  • Minimum of three years of relevant experience at the national or international level in digital media, journalism, communications or related field;
  • Has at least 3 years of experience in writing, editing and publishing technical documents and popular papers;
  • Demonstrated experience in speedy quality writing and creating compelling online content;
  • Demonstrated experience in building and maintaining online communities;
  • Experience in using web content management systems;
  • Has knowledge in video/audio-visual production;
  • Skilled in popularizing technical concepts;
  • Working experience with government agencies, NGOs and private sector in the Philippines in designing and implementing advocacy campaigns
  • Working experience with projects that deal with biodiversity especially on the marine biodiversity, fisheries and local governance
  • Experience in handling stakeholder consultations
  • Advanced skills on publishing and video editing softwares

Language:

  • Excellent written and oral skills in English and Filipino (working knowledge of other Philippine languages an advantage). 

Note:

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 Personal 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 5 February 2016.  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.