UNDP Jobs - 10365- Community Liaison Assistant (4) Positions (NATION

Community Liaison Assistant (4) Positions (NATIONAL POST)

Location :

Ogoni Land, Rivers State, NIGERIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

18-Jun-09 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB3

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 months, renewable up to 15 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

12 months, renewable up to 15 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 United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Environment Programme are jointly undertaking a project to assess, clean-up and remediate the environmental impacts associated with the oil field operations in Ogoniland, Nigeria.

The objective of the project is to conduct a comprehensive environmental assessment covering all possible areas of impacts (soil/water contamination, impacts on public health, agriculture and fisheries) as well as identify and implement appropriate clean-up and remediation practices.

The project will be executed in a manner to maximize returns to the local community by way of generating environmental baseline for better resource management, capacity building in local administration for better environmental management, and finally improving environmental awareness in the area.

Inorder to act as the interface between the technical team and the local community, the project is seeking a number of Community Liaison Staff.

Note that this is a re-advertisement; applicants that previously applied for this position are strongly encouraged to re-apply.

Duties and Responsibilities

Environmental Awareness Campaigns: Plan and co-ordinate environmental awareness campaigns in the local community, including through schools and local NGOs.
Environmental Capacity Building: Plan and co-ordinate provision for environmental capacity building opportunities to local experts.
Fieldwork: Accompany the field teams to the assessment sites and be available at all times to assist the field team.
Establishment of Community Liaison Offices: Establish a community liaison office in the Local Government Area.
Engaging Local Government Agencies: Ensure that the project objectives and plans are communicated to all relevant agencies of the Government.
Production of Communications Products/Services: Contribute to the development and production of communications products/services with minimal supervision.
Arrange for Community Consultations: Ensure that the project objectives and plans are communicated to all sectors of the community (Women, Youth, Religious, Academia, Traditional Rulers, etc).
Pre-visit to the areas surrounding the assessment areas: Pre-visit to all communities which will be visited by the assessment team and communicate to them objectives and detailed plans of the assessment.
Establishing Feedback Systems: Establish a formal system of feedback from the community to the UNEP Project regarding their concerns and priorities.
Monitoring of local Events and Developments: Research, compile and present information, reviewing current events and identifying items of interest to the Project Management.
Security Concerns: Ensure that all information/concerns from the community which may have a relation to the security aspects of the project are brought up to the Field Implementation Manager.

Competencies

The successful candidate will need to display the following competencies:

Professionalism: Good knowledge in the field of communications and public information. Proven ability to conceptualize, design and implement information campaigns. In-depth knowledge of the local society, its political trends, public attitudes and procedures, and local working conditions and protocols; Thorough understanding of the objects and organizational structure of the project; Strong communications research and analytical skills, and ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources.
Judgment: Discretion and sound judgment in applying expertise to complex and/or sensitive issues.
Planning and organizing - Demonstrated planning and organizational skills (to plan own work), ability to work with tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent activities.
Technology Awareness - Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications.
Communication - Highly developed communication (spoken, written, public speaking and presentation) skills, including ability to present sensitive issues/positions.
Teamwork - Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with respect for diversity and gender awareness.
Creativity: Ability to assist in the design, creation and delivery of new and effective communications products and services.

Required Skills and Experience

· Education: Graduate with advanced qualifications in Social Sciences, Journalism, Public Relations or other related field.

· Experience: Minimum of 5 years of progressive responsible professional experience, including in community communication and relations.

· Language Requirements: Ability to communicate clearly, orally, and in writing, in English and the local languages of Ogoniland and Rivers state.