UNDP Jobs - 14115- Public Relations Specialist

Public Relations Specialist

Location :

Minsk, BELARUS

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

03-Jan-10 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 month with possibility of further extension based on the results of performance evaluation

Languages Required :

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

Since December 2004 UNDP in Belarus has been implementing Round 3 HIV grant of the Global Fund. The Round 3 grant ends in December 2009. Within Round 8 of proposals, the Global Fund approved another grant for Belarus on HIV for the period of 2010-2014. The CCM selected UNDP as Principal Recipient for Phase 1 of the grant for 2010-2011. The new grant implementation will start in January 2010. The total funding allocated for Phase 1 is € 9,557,068. Within Rolling Continuation Channel another grant was approved for Belarus for HIV amounting to $ 7,5 mln for three years. UNDP in Belarus is also Principal Recipient for Round 6 grant to fight tuberculosis which will continue its implementation in 2010-2012.

The new Round 8 and RCC grants will build on activities initiated and results achieved under the Global Fund Round 3 HIV/AIDS grant in Belarus and will further develop and strengthen the national response to the HIV epidemic. The grants are set to align with the last year of the State HIV Prevention Program 2006-2010 and to underpin the next State HIV Prevention Program 2011 – 2014.

The overall goal of the HIV grants is to maintain the concentrated phase of the epidemic in Belarus and to reduce the AIDS mortality. The grants envisage to expand the coverage of the main vulnerable groups (IDUs, FSWs, MSM, prisoners, women and youth) and to improve the quality of services through capacity building of the non-government organizations (NGOs) servicing the beneficiaries. Prevention work among young people will be extended through schools. Further, the grants aim to expand the coverage of people with anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment, to improve laboratory diagnosis and training of healthcare staff, to enhance the quality of care and support, and to provide TB prophylaxis and treatment to HIV patients.

The overall goal of the Round 6 TB grant is to reduce the burden of tuberculosis in Belarus with specific focus on improvement TB case detection rate, providing treatment with first and second line drugs, improvement of TB diagnostic and recording systems. All activities are targeting civilian and prison population.

The UNDP Grants Manager will head the Grants Management Unit composed of up to 24 or more national staff. The initial assignment is for 12 months subject to further extension based on annual performance evaluation.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Grants Manager the PR Specialist supports the formulation and implementation of the communications and advocacy strategies to increase the public’s awareness of HIV and tuberculosis as infectious diseases and publicise the results of GFATM grants in Belarus with partners, the media and the public. The PR Specialist promotes a client-oriented approach.

Specific Responsibilities

Contributes to the development of the national HIV/AIDS and TB communication strategies
Provides support to subrecipients in implementing their PR campaigns within the grants
Verifies all publications within the grants to ensure their compliance with UNDP/GFATM communication and ethics policy
Drafts GFATM grants monthly electronic bulletin and distributes to CCM members and the public;
Prepares and disseminates information on the grants implementation process at the national and international levels (press-releases, articles in media, trainings for journalists to draw their attention to the problem of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis in Belarus;
Keeps track of the publications about the grants in the mass media;
Coordinates functioning of the web-site www.hiv-aids.by and provides contributions to UNDP country office web-site and publications and other web-sites; and provides contributions to UNDP country office web-site and publications and other web-sites;
Organises events dedicated to international days related to HIV/AIDS and TB
Prepares and submits to Grants Manager reports on a regular basis;
Participates in sharing best practices and lessons learnt;
Performs other duties as required Grants Manager within the scope of expertise.

Competencies

Experience of work with international organisations is an asset;
Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills;
Good computer skills.

Required Skills and Experience

University degree in journalism or humanitarian sciences;
At least 5 years of experience in public relations field, TV, radio or other mass media;
Fluency in English and Russian.

Applications procedures:
APPOINTMENT AGAINST THIS POST IS STRICTLY ON LOCAL BASIS.

UNDP WILL ONLY CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FROM RESIDENTS OF BELARUS.

Applicants are requested to apply on-line.

Applicants have to:

complete the form stating their interest in and qualifications for the position (in English);
Upload completed Personal History Form (PHF) in the required resume field. The PHF form can be downloaded from: http://un.by/vacancy/undp/form/

Responsible applicants will be shortlisted, and at least three applicants will gain a personal, or telephone hearing.

Women are encouraged to apply. UNDP is non-smoking work environment.