UNDP Jobs - 17414- National Millennium Campaign Coordinator (UN Coord

National Millennium Campaign Coordinator (UN Coordination Analyst)

Location :

Abuja, NIGERIA

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Starting Date :

01-Aug-2010

Application Deadline :

09-Jul-10 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

NO-B

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

1 year with possibility of yearly renewal

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 UN Millennium Campaign, an inter-agency initiative hosted by UNDP, encourages and supports citizens’ efforts to hold their governments to account for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The Campaign’s Africa regional team works with citizens in key constituencies – civil society organizations, parliamentarians, local authorities, youth, media and the private sector. The Campaign focuses its work on MDGs 1-7 primarily in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Senegal, Mozambique, Zambia and Malawi.

The National Millennium Campaign Coordinator will have a dual reporting obligation, working under the direct supervision of the RC and with strategic guidance, technical support and backstopping from the UNMC Director for Africa and the West Africa Regional Coordinator. The National Millennium Campaign Coordinator will be located within the Office of the RC and work closely with both the Nigeria United Nations Country Team (UNCT) as well as the United Nations Millennium Campaign Team. The position is located in the office of the UN Resident Coordinator and works under her/his guidance as well as the priories set out in UN Millennium Campaign’s Strategic Plans for 2010-2013.

The principal role of the National MDGs Campaign Officer is to promote the goals of the Millennium Campaign by providing support to both the UN system and civil groups to ensure that there is a vibrant national campaign aimed at holding government to account for the achievement of the MDGs. The Officer will work at multiple levels; within the UN system, with strategic partners including local civic groups, knowledge centres, parliaments and local government bodies as well as liaise with the donor community to ensure the MDGs are achieved. The role includes engaging with and supporting advocacy initiatives of relevant civil society constituencies, driving key policy advocacy initiatives as well as to support the UN inter-agency collaboration and public media outreach with the country on the MDGs. The national Millennium Campaign Coordinator is required to become knowledgeable of the MDG status and national Government’s MDG policies, the UNCT’s work on the MDGs, the UN Millennium Campaign’s work in the country and key partners at the national and local level. More specifically, the successful candidate has to understand the influencing context and the critical socio-political issues facing the MDG progress in the national and local context.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

To support UNCT to align agenda behind the MDGs, strengthening partnerships between UNCT and the UN Millennium Campaign
To support the National Campaign partners capacity support where necessary in the design of national strategies and fundraising.
Communication: to support key UN Millennium Campaign activities including, but not limited to, Stand Up, Kick Out Poverty and marquee events.
To facilitate and support research where it is necessary to fill policy/practice gaps.
To be an active member of the UN Millennium Campaign – Africa regional team

Supports coordinated actions of UNCT and UN Millennium Campaign to achieve the MDGs

Support the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC) at align UNCT’s strategies, UNDAF, and activities including the monitoring and evaluation framework to the MDGs.
Act as an effective liaison between the campaign partners and UN agencies working on MDG related issues and facilitate strategic partnerships.
Support the RC’s office in relation to dialogue with governments on the MDGs

Support national partners in design and implementation of national strategies

Support the development of strategic partnerships at the national and local levels.
Provide appropriate technical and other support to strengthen the capacity of national partners in relation to policy, strategy development, tools for impact monitoring and communication.
Promote and implement the advocacy and campaign strategy in the country

Support planning and design of strategies for communications and media outreach

Support the development and implementation of a communications and outreach strategy based on the collaborative framework of UN Millennium Campaign and UNCT.
Liaise between the communications teams of UN Millennium Campaign and UNCT in the development and implementation of communications strategies and media activities in relation to the MDGs.
Support campaign partners to develop and implement effective communications and media strategies.
Act as a spokesperson on key issues related to MDGs, as and when required under instruction.

Support fundraising efforts of national partners

Support partners to develop innovative and effective national strategies as a basis for fund mobilisation. Support the partners during the funding process.
Facilitate links between UNCT, the donor community and campaign partners.
Support partners to strengthen their capacity to manage and account for resources

Active in the Millennium Campaign’s regional activities

Under the guidance of the Deputy Director – Africa and the Regional Coordinator for West Africa support the coordination of the Campaign’s activities in West Africa.
Engage regional political and economic institutions as may be necessary to advance the MDGs agenda.
Actively participate in the shaping of the strategies and operational plans of the UN Millennium Campaign in Africa and globally.
Lend specific competences to the advancement of the Campaign generally.

Impact of Results

The strategies and work of UN Millennium Campaign, UNCT and the Office of the Resident Coordinator are aligned in areas relating to the MDGs.
National Partners supported in developing and implementing national strategies and fundraising initiatives.
The work and profile of the UN Millennium Campaign and national partners raised in the media.
MDG Campaign Strategy and Joint Plan of Action designed and executed;
Strengthened advocacy campaigns to influence policy environment to support increased action towards addressing the MDGs.
Enhanced multi-sectoral support to the MDG advocacy campaigns at national and local levels

Competencies

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:

Knowledge Management and Learning

Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office.
In-depth knowledge on development issues.
Ability to advocate and provide policy advice.
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting.
Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources.
Good knowledge of the Results Management Guide and Toolkit.
Strong IT skills.
Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change

Management and Leadership

Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills.
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills.
Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors.
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
Ability to advocate for achievement of MDGs and provide technical support on advocacy and communication strategy.
Strong understanding and knowledge of development issues, particularly those related to poverty reduction and the MDGs.
Willingness to work for ambitious advocacy programme and ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders.
Proven ability to (i) take initiative and work independently with limited supervision in a multicultural team environment; (ii) prioritize and multi-task in an organization transcending national boundaries and multiple time zones.

Prince2 training and certification, RMG

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced (Masters) Degree in social sciences, communications, journalism, public relations, political science, humanities or other related field.

Experience:

Minimum 2 years relevant experience in advocacy/campaigns; media; academia, research institution, public relations-related field and/or communications with a reputable organization that has a good networking experience with development organizations and social movements.
Ability to apply in-depth sound technical knowledge and skills in development work, media, current affairs, public relations, and communications to plan and implement MDG campaign and advocacy.
Proven track record to engage and mobilize key constituencies at the national and local level (e.g. civil society and community-based organizations, youth, parliamentarian and legislators, media, private sector and local authorities).
Excellent analytical, writing and communication skills with the ability to conceptualise, articulate and debate issue related to MDGs in English and national/local languages.
Ability to build partnership and manage high-level communications with media, NGOs, government officials, the UN System in the region and others.
Ability to interact with senior UN staff and senior representatives of other organizations.
Good interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills, understanding of African culture and customs are an advantage.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in spoken and written English is essential.
Fluency in one National /Local language.