UNDP Jobs - 53190- Re-advertisement - Communication Specialist

Re-advertisement - Communication Specialist - (Open to Rwandan Nationals Only)

Location :

Kigali, RWANDA

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

14-Nov-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

NO-C

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

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

Candidates who previously applied need not re-apply.

The ‘One UN’ in Rwanda – a team of 22 United Nations agencies working throughout Rwanda -- is seeking a qualified Communications Specialist to help us spread the word about what we are doing to support human development, economic transformation, accountable governance and humanitarian response in Rwanda.

Rwanda is in a unique position among UN member states. It is one of the original 8 pilot countries of the ‘Delivering as One’ (DaO) process of UN reform to improve coherence and effectiveness of our work at country level. The main thrust of DaO is to increase the UN’s impact in support of Rwanda’s national priorities and development goals and objectives. The One UN agencies in Rwanda work and plan together in a coordinated manner to reduce duplication of efforts, increase efficiency, and encourage donors to pool their funds for better results and impact.

To further strengthen the DaO agenda the One UN team adopted the policy of “Communicating as One.” The success and impact of the United Nations programmes are dependent on its ability to engage actively, involve all stakeholders strategically and build stronger synergies to deliver concrete development results through a well-orchestrated policy and programme communications and advocacy.

If you are interested in joining our team, please read below and submit your application by 31 October 2015.

The role of the communications specialist is, therefore, to promote the One UN in Rwanda through:

Communicating the UN’s strategic direction with internal and external stakeholders.

Advance the principles of Communicating as One pillar.

Demonstrate and showcase results and impact the of the UN’s work in Rwanda;
Raise awareness and intensifying advocating towards achieving global development objectives and campaigns;
Support the One UN Partnership and Resource Mobilization strategy.

The 2013-2018 One UN Rwanda Communication Strategy focuses on enhancing internal and external communication to create a better understanding of and support for ‘Delivering as One’ and the work of the One UN among staff and our stake holders. It also ensures that there is adequate information being shared within the UN system in Rwanda as well as among all partners so that they better understand and support the Delivering as One process.

The communications strategy is managed by the UN Communications Group and is based on the principles of a shared vision, common objective, coordinated effort and an empowered team. The areas of focus are internal communication, external communication (with government, development partners, implementing partners, development stakeholders and the media) and advocacy for development and community mobilization.

Duties and Responsibilities

The main responsibility of the Communications Specialist is to support the process of ensuring effective advocacy of the ONE UN activities in close consultation with the UN Communication Group, which brings together all communications officers of the UN system.

Under the overall guidance of the UN Resident Coordinator, the Communications Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the Policy Specialist at the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) to carry out the following tasks.

Summary of Key Functions:

Lead the planning and design of internal and external communications, advocacy and outreach strategy;
Elaboration and implementation of the publications strategy and plans;
Supervision of the content management of the One UN Website, social media and enhance media relation;
Advocating and campaigning for the achievement of global development goals and issues for effective resource mobilization;
Effective management of the RCO Communications Office and supervision of RCO Communications staff and interns.

Lead the implementation of the One UN internal and external communications strategy and ensure yearly work plans are timely elaborated and implemented. focusing on achievement of the following results:

Planning and elaboration of communications needs assessments for One UN (projects, country programme and corporate change initiatives, etc);
Coordinate the UN Communication Group (UNCG) supporting the work of communication officers in the different UN agencies, including ensuring coherence and coordination of communication activities and events organized by the UN System in Rwanda;
Elaboration of the One UN communications, advocacy and outreach strategy based on the corporate communications strategy;
Constructive and timely advice on inclusion of communications components in programme formulation processes to integrate advocacy and communication strategies into all aspects of One UN’s flagship development programmes.

Ensures elaboration and implementation of the One UN publications strategy and plan focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Elaboration and implementation of the One UN publications strategy and plan based on the One UN Communications Strategy and the One UN branding guidelines;
Identification and development of storylines for publications and substantive articles contributing to debates on key development issues;
Coordination and management of all One UN publication activities, including content management, norms for publishing, design, liaison with printers and other suppliers to oversee production and supervision of publications dissemination;
Support the management of system wide media relations including writing speeches for the Resident Coordinator (RC), producing press releases, media alerts, organizing press conferences and arranging media coverage of events, in coordination with all members of UNCG.

Supervises content management of the One UN web site and social media focusing on achievement of the following results:

Supervision and preparation of the content for the One UN web site ensuring consistency of the materials;
Monitors the effectiveness the One UN social media;
Supervision of the RCO communication analyst - social media.

Advocacy and global campaigns for effective resource mobilization focusing on achievement of the following results:

Launches and campaigns

Facilitating and promotion of campaigns to local and regional media to position the One Rwanda as a key development partners as well as to influence public opinion and the development agenda to adhere to international norms and standards;
Management, promotion and dissemination of corporate advocacy materials for flagship programmes, initiatives and publications;
Creation, promotion and maintenance of public information campaigns on the One UN activities, results of MDGs, UN Reform, etc.

Outreach

Promotional activities to position One UN as a key player within the national development space;
Increased coverage and understanding of the One UN’s work in the country or practice area through development and maintenance of media contacts and providing newsworthy information to national public and donors;
Development and maintenance of close contacts with government officials, multilateral and bilateral donors, civil society and private sector for implementation of the communications strategy, organization of roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews, launches, etc.
Organization and implementation of joint UN information campaigns (along international days such as UN Day, World AIDS Day, etc.);
Ensured access for journalists to subject matter experts.

Resource mobilization

Active contribution to the development of a UN Resource Mobilization Strategy and its successful implementation in close collaboration with the Resource Mobilization Task Force and the UN Communications Group.

Ensures effective management of the One UN Communication Office and supervision of the Communications team focusing on achieving the following results:

Effective management of the Communications Office, including preparation of the workplan, and contractual matters;
Ensure coordination with the RCO Online Communication Analyst in terms of content management of website and social media related to the One UN;
Recruit and supervise communication interns for the UNCG.

Impact of results

The key results have an impact on creation of effective communications, advocacy and dissemination of information on the One UN in Rwanda. In particular, the key results have an impact on implementation of One UN communications and publication strategies, as well as reaching resource mobilization targets. Overall, the key results have an impact on the success of the UN Country Team activities and implementation of the ONE UN Communication Strategy in support of the UNDAP 2013/2018.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy/Advancing a Policy-Oriented Agenda

Analysis and creation of success messages and strategies

Creates effective advocacy strategies;
Contributes to the elaboration of advocacy strategies by identifying and prioritizing audiences and communication mean;
Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for advocacy work;
Building Strategic Partnerships.

Identifying and building partnerships

Sensitizes UN Partners, donors and other international organizations to the One UN’s strategic agenda, identifying areas for joint efforts;
Promotes One UN’s agenda in inter-agency meetings.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Developing tools and mechanisms

Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

In-depth knowledge of the subject-matter

Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines;
Continues to seeks new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the unit;
Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.

Creating Visibility for the One UN/Supporting One UN’s Capacity to Advocate

Developing promotional projects and organizational messages

Develops promotional activities based on monitoring/evaluation information identifying areas requiring higher visibility;
Develops messages for use by UN staff when working with partners, internationally and nationally;
Reviews documents and materials intended for use within and outside the organization in order to ensure consistency and validity of messages.

Global Leadership and Advocacy for the ON UN’s Goals

Analysis and creation of messages and strategies

Contributes to effective global advocacy messages/strategies in coordination with UNHQ and inter-agency bodies[EC1] ;
Contributes to the elaboration of a global advocacy strategy by identifying and prioritizing audiences and messages in the Rwandan context.

Conceptual Innovation in the Provision of Technical Expertise

Developing innovative and creative approaches

Leverages different experiences and expertise of team members to achieve better and more innovative outcomes

Client Orientation

Contributing to positive outcomes for the client

Anticipates client needs;
Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider;
Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective.

Core Competencies:

Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents;
Building support and political acumen;
Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
Building and promoting effective team;
Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
Leveraging conflict in the interests of the One UN & setting standards;
Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning;
Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Master's degree in media relations, public relations, journalism and/or publishing, or Masters degree in International Relations, Development or Public Policy with demonstrated coursework in communications-related activities.

Experience

5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in public relations, communications or advocacy.
Previous experience with a multilateral or international organization desirable;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, good knowledge and experience in handling of web-based management systems;
Experience in website management, social media use and management;
Experience in the development and implementation of complex and multi media campaign and advocacy;
Experience in the UN system and knowledge of the UN reform and its operational mandate would be an asset.

Language requirements:

Fluency in English and Kinyarwanda required;
Fluency in French an asset.