UNDP Jobs - 49384- Communication Analyst

Communication Analyst

Location :

Nairobi, KENYA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Oct-2014

Application Deadline :

12-Sep-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

9 months (part-time from October 2014 to June 2015)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

9 months (part-time from October 2014 to June 2015)

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 Joint Programme on Local Governance and Decentralised Service Delivery (JPLG) for Somalia is a joint UN program comprising of ILO, UNCDF, UNDP, UN-HABITAT and UNICEF which commenced in April 2008 and is now in its second phase (2013-2017).

The UN JPLG is implemented in partnership with the Federal Government of Somalia, the Government of the Puntland State of Somalia and the Government of Somaliland with average annual budgets of USD 25-35M. The JPLG two specific objectives are :

Communities have equitable access to basic services through local government;
Local governments are accountable and transparent.

The JPLG works to ensure transparent, accountable and efficient local service delivery by working at the following different enabling levels:

Improving the legislative and regulatory framework for decentralized service delivery in all three zones of Somalia;
Improving the capacity of existing and upcoming district councils;
Providing funding for service delivery through districts councils; and
Developing the capacity of communities to generate the demand side governance at the local level.

For more info please visit: www.jplg.org

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the assignment

As recommended by JPLG external evaluations, 5 UN participating Agencies and JPLG donors, this assignment has two key objectives. The first is to enhance JPLG’s efficiency by providing to the JPLG Programme Management Unit (PMU) and the wider management team, regular political and conflict sensitivity analysis on Somalia, focusing on issues that impact on JPLG’s programme and operations. The second objective is to increase JPLG’s visibility and help the Joint Programme better communicate its results and demonstrate how the programme impacts on the Somali population (human stories) and how it contributes to governance reforms.

Scope of work

The Communication Analyst (Consultant), will be contracted against a clear set of deliverables (listed under Section V) that s/he will deliver over a period of nine months (October 2014 to June 2015). The consultant’s work will include: frequent travels to Somalia (incl. at district level) to interview local beneficiaries, meet with local and central governments, UN partner Agencies, development partners, the media and other stakeholders; Research and conduct in-depth analysis on political and security developments that impacted (or may impact) on JPLG. The consultant will also help JPLG produce/edit notes and reports, create/maintain an information flow on key social media and support the JPLG/PMU’s work in Nairobi on ad hoc basis.

This consultancy is estimated at 15 working days/month over a period of 9 months.

Monitoring and Progress controls

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the JPLG Senior Programme Manager and in coordination with the PMU team and the 5 Project Managers (ILO, UNCDF, UNDP, UN Habitat and UNICEF).

Final product/Deliverables

Deliverables in the first 9 months (Sep 2014 – May 2015):

Monthly and quarterly political and conflict sensitivity analysis for each of the States where JPLG is operating, highlighting major facts, trends, challenges and opportunities for JPLG (approx. 2-4 pages/month and 3-7 pages/quarter);
9 written human stories (approx. 1,000-1,500 words), highlighting how local governance/decentralization has impacted on the life of ordinary Somali citizens (in SLD, PLD and SC) with, when possible, a specific focus on women and youth. The stories should be accompanied by high quality photographs;
A special article (followed by stories) on the implementation of the Local Governance Barometer (in SLD and possibly in PLD from 2015);
Create and maintain information flow about JPLG on key social media (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc.);
Support the drafting, editing and formatting of JPLG Quarterly Reports and its 2014 Annual Report (approx. 50-60 pages);
Take a series of pictures (max. 200) (JPLG beneficiaries, projects, etc.) and establish a database for the use of JPLG;
Support JPLG/PMU produce/outsource 2 HD video spots (SLD, PLD, possibly SC) of approx. 15-20m highlighting a human story related to local governance/decentralization of services. The video should include interviews with programme primary beneficiaries, government counterparts and other implementing partners and have dynamic graphs, etc. The video should be re-edited for possible online video streaming on the JPLG website, YouTube and other possible online sources;
Support and advice JPLG/PMU on specific issues related to political and security developments and communication.

Review/approval time

Based on the deliverables mention under Section V, the Consultant will submit a work-plan highlighting key deliverables every 3 months.

Payment will be authorized on a monthly basis subject to the approval by the JPLG Senior Programme Manager of the following ‘Monthly key deliverables’:

Political and conflict sensitivity analysis (for each of the States where JPLG is operating);
One Human story related to JPLG’s work;
Regular updates about JPLG on social media and recommendations related to communication;
Support for drafting, editing and reviewing JPLG documents, reports, notes.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Proven expertise to conduct political and conflict sensitivity analysis, particularly in a post conflict setting;
Proven records in producing high quality reports, briefing notes, human stories;
Good knowledge of social media and working relations with journalists.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Post-graduate degree in international relations, political science, international development, or a subject related to local governance and decentralized service delivery.

Experience:

Minimum 3 years’ experience in governance and/or state building, including in fragile states/conflict settings with a Government agency or development partner.

Language:

Excellent communication, analytical skills and drafting in English;
Working experience in Somalia and knowledge of Somali language is a strong asset.

Other Information

Willingness to travel to Somalia, including to Mogadishu and districts in Puntland and Somaliland (incl. security trainings)
Air tickets to/from Nairobi /Somalia and transports within Somalia will be covered by JPLG

Terms of Service

This is a non-staff contract under the Individual Contractor (IC) modality of hiring in UNDP. Individuals engaged under an IC serve in their individual capacity and not as representative of a government institutions, corporate body or other authority external to UNDP. A contractor shall not be considered as staff of UNDP, the UN common system or the government and are therefore not entitled to any diplomatic privileges or any other special status or conditions. No living allowance shall be paid during stay in Nairobi, Kenya. Travel and Living allowance will be borne by UNDP while on missions to Somalia. A contractor shall provide own laptop, medical/evacuation insurance and be requested to undertake the Basic Security in the Field (BSIF) training, Advanced Security in the Field (ASIF) and Safe & Secure Approaches in Field (SSAFE), which are UN mandatory courses for Somalia.