UNDP Jobs - 18659- Information and Communications Officer

Information and Communications Officer

Location :

Port Harcourt, NIGERIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

12-Oct-2010

Application Deadline :

01-Sep-10 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

1 year,renewable up to two years

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 Niger Delta Local Development Programme uses local governance and decentralization as an entry point for poverty reduction, conflict prevention and sustainable development. The programme recognizes that to improve in a sustainable way the quality of life of the inhabitants of the Niger Delta it is important to strengthen institutions of local governance and enhance their responsiveness to people’s needs. The key elements of the strategy are:

Support to the creation of a social dialogue framework integrating at institutional level all relevant stakeholders.
Support to the implementation of a local participatory planning and budgeting procedure for achieving transparent use of resources.
Local development fund to support local development investments (in public infrastructure and social services, income generation, livelihood and natural resources management and HIV/AIDS) in an effective, sustainable and participatory manner.
Capacity development programme enhancing the capacity of local governance institutions to respond to local needs as well as plan, finance, implement and maintain public infrastructure and services.
Creation of a system for both institutional and participatory monitoring and evaluation of investments.

There will be a Programme Management Unit (PMU) responsible for coordination and implementation of the programme components and activities in a timely and efficient manner.

Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Programme Manager, the Information and Communications Officer will:

Study and assess initiatives taken by different institutions to increase dialogue and communication, document good practices and lessons learnt to enhance citizens and stakeholders’ participation in development programmes.
Prepare, coordinate and implement an information and communications plan for the Niger Delta Local Development Programme.
Raise awareness and increased understanding of the local governance and development approach and its impact on States, local governments and local communities.
Plan, develop and disseminate complete, clear, well written materials including print and broadcast media; brochures, booklets and audio-visual materials; press packs, newsletter and web-based instruments to the pilot States, local governments, local communities, NGOs, CBOs, the private sector and interested actors.
Design a framework for monitoring and evaluation of information and communication activities spearheaded by the programme including specific mechanisms for receiving and utilizing feedback.
Provide advice to PMU staff on communication strategies and support the production of training materials.
Develop strategic partnerships and good working relations with the programme’s stakeholders in order to maximize its impact.
Assist with the organisation of communication and training events.
Assist with the set up and maintenance of programme (intranet and internet) network.

Competencies

Corporate Responsibility & Direction:

Serves and promotes the vision, mission, values, and strategic goals of the UN
Translates strategic aims into achievable plans, with established priorities; manages to them, making periodic adjustments as required.

People Skills:

Recognizes and responds appropriately to the ideas, interests, and concerns of others; gives credit to the contributions of others
Promotes a learning environment; facilitates the development of individual and team competencies

Managing for Results:

Plans and prioritizes work activities to meet Organizational goals.

Partnering & Networking:

Builds and sustains relationships with key constituents (internal/external/ bilateral/ multilateral/public/private; civil society)
Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP

Innovation & Judgment:

Strong strategic, analytical and research skills, including the ability to analyze audiences, attitudes, media, communications products and messages and to translate them into an effective communications strategy;
Conceptualizes and analyzes problems to identify key issues, underlying problems, and how they relate
Generates creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations.
Devises new systems and processes, and modifies existing ones, to support innovative behaviours

Communication:

Demonstrates excellent written and oral communication skills
Demonstrates excellent presentation skills

Job Knowledge & Expertise:

Applies the required depth and breadth of knowledge and expertise to meet job demands
Uses Information Technology effectively as a tool and resource

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

The Information and Communications Officer should possess at least a Masters degree in communications

Experience:

Minimum of seven years experience.
S/he should have: experience in successfully formulating strategies to increase dialogue and communication with as well as developing and delivering information and communication materials to population groups with limited literacy and numeracy located mostly in remote rural areas.
Knowledge of methods and tools for measuring knowledge, attitudes, practices and behaviour (KAPB) will be an asset.
S/he should also have an appropriate professional background, preferably in social communications and/or marketing, or in journalism, with public or private sector institutions, focused on development and/or corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes; experience of web editing and production of printed and audio-visual materials; and, confidence and ability to present sensitive and complex issues concisely.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in written and spoken English is essential