UNDP Jobs - 66501- Communications Consultant

Communications Consultant - National

Location :

Dili, Timor Leste

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

24-Jun-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

66 days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

66 days

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 Government of Timor Leste (GoTL) published its Strategic Development Plan (SDP, 2011-2030), which sets out an agenda for action with a focus on promoting Social Capital, Infrastructure Development and Economic Development, underpinned by a further focal area on Institutional Development. ?The Strategy maps very closely to the National Adaptation Plan of Action (2010) and the NAPA objectives are embedded within the SDP, thereby becoming integral with the Government’s vision for the future development of the country. One of the national development targets for 2020 is that “70% of National Adaptation Programmes of Action under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change will have been implemented”.

The GoTL requested UNDP to assist in formulation and implementation of projects to implement NAPA priorities, in its capacity as Implementing Agency accredited to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) that administers the Least Developed Country Fund (LDCF). The GoTL through UNDP has been implementing a Full Scale Project funded by GEF that was approved in April 2013. The FSP “Strengthening the Resilience of Small Scale Rural Infrastructure and Local Government Systems to Climatic Variability and Risk” is being implemented between the period of November 2013 and December 2017 to support the Ministry of State Administration (MSA) and Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Environment (MCIE) to implement climate resilient rural infrastructure projects

The objective of the project is critical small scale rural infrastructure is climate resilient designed and implemented through participatory approaches and strengthened local governance systems, reflecting the needs of communities vulnerable to increasing climate risks. ?UNDP has been providing support to the Country’s Local Governance Support Programme (LGSP) in strengthening the quality of local government planning, budgeting and service delivery, with a specific focus on rural infrastructure development. Small scale infrastructure in Timor-Leste is particularly vulnerable to extreme rainfall events, causing erosion, landslides and flash floods as a result of the physical context and non-climate resilient designs, poor construction, and limited investment in operation and maintenance. Communities frequently become isolated when roads and bridges are damaged by localized extreme events and in the water sector many rural communities are dependent on unprotected wells or springs, as well as other surface water features such as rivers, lakes and streams.

The three focus municipalities selected for pilot, Baucau, Liquica and Ermera represent the diversity of key climate variability risks and vulnerabilities, which the project aims to address. They combine relatively high population densities with relatively poor areas, vulnerable flood-prone coastal conditions and landfall prone vulnerable mountainous terrain and areas with a projected increased drought period with areas of high groundwater vulnerability.?

Duties and Responsibilities

The Communication Consultant will work with the SSRI project team, national counterparts, local administration and project beneficiaries to satisfy the project’s communications requirements. The consultant will provide technical support and inputs to the project for achieving its targets in public awareness, promotion and advocacy, training and information dissemination in respect of climate resilient designs for rural infrastructure.

(i)?? ?SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES/ SCOPE OF SERVICE:

Assess the communication and information needs of counterparts, stakeholders, project beneficiaries and partners engaged in the initiation, planning and implementation of rural infrastructure;
Develop a comprehensive communications strategy for engagement with stakeholders and the public at large and prepare a work plan for implementation based on the project’s communication requirements and objectives;
Strengthen the capacity of project staff and counterparts through appropriate advocacy and communication training events;
Develop and produce appropriate Information, Education, Communication (IEC) materials to promote awareness and advocate for climate resilient infrastructures;
Prepare a Final Report summarizing the activities implemented in relation to the communication strategy and work plan, including the resources used, findings, lessons learnt, conclusions and recommendations.

(ii)?? ?SPECIFIC TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager and close coordination with the National Project Coordinator and other project staff, the Communication Consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

Inception Phase

The Consultant shall review relevant documentation as provided by the project at the start of the assignment and also all previously implemented and planned communication activities by the project;
Prepare an inception report summarizing the objectives, scope and outputs of the assignment, organisation and methodology for achievement of the outputs, including the schedule.

Communication Strategy and Work Plan

Develop, maintain and update an advocacy and communication strategy and associated work plan for the SSRI project. The strategy and work plan shall include but not limited to: objectives, stakeholder assessment, target audiences, messages and media mix, resources required, specific activities and products, implementation schedule, monitoring and evaluation of impact, opportunities for improvement and ongoing review and refinement of the strategy;
Establish communication strategies that will engage and disseminate information to stakeholders and target audiences at the right time by providing the right information through effective media.

Media Relations

Develop, maintain and update media relations contact list/database;
Collaborate with mass media through activities such as organizing project site visits, facilitating photo coverage and TV footage and utilizing both web-based and traditional media as appropriate;
Contribute to media outlets of UNDP, government counterparts and other partners to promote the project activities and communicate lessons learned;
Establish, document, review and refine process of communicating with media contacts, including press conferences and events, issuing of media materials and press releases etc.

Networking and Partnership

The consultant will be required to develop and continually update the contact list of counterparts, partners, stakeholders, individuals, groups, organizations (including Government and other bilateral counterparts), whose support is essential to and can assist in achieving the advocacy and communication objectives of the project as outlined in the communication strategy and work plan;
Foster partnership with media outlets and create networks of partners to promote SSRI project communication strategies;
Ensure rapid and accurate information dissemination to the media, government counterparts, stakeholders, partners, and other appropriate audiences;
Ensure or enhance the quality, consistency and appropriateness of specific project communication materials and messages transmitted to the press and the public and shared with counterparts and partners.

Capacity Development and Support

Identify opportunities to strengthen the capacity (in the area of communication) of project staff and counterparts through appropriate advocacy and communication training events, access to information and knowledge sharing;
In collaboration with UNDP country office media unit, promote and facilitate events, including training sessions and outreach meetings at all levels and manage the contributions of participants at the events;
Information and training materials are prepared on time and at highest quality standards.

Events, Publications and IEC Materials

Liaison and collaborate with UNDP Media Unit staff and media representatives in promoting project activities, disseminating relevant information and ensure media participation and coverage of project events and publication of news item and information;
Lead the development of media products and the use of media channels to promote project achievements and goals and prepare regular updates on project activities for internal and external distribution in print and as electronic media;
Identify, develop, distribute and evaluate variety of media materials in multiple, appropriate formats (press releases, feature stories etc);
Collect information and develop publication and advocacy materials (factsheets, presentations, briefs, brochures, etc.) for dissemination on climate resilient small scale rural infrastructure addressing the needs of different audiences;
Work closely with field-based project staff in the development and preparation of training and IEC materials and publications for dissemination at national, municipality and administrative post levels for public awareness and advocacy for climate resilient infrastructures;
Identify, develop and promote events that enhance the visibility of UNDP's work in respect of activities undertaken by the SSRI project;
Ensure that gender issues and the needs of disadvantaged groups are taken into consideration and reflected in all materials prepared and published;
Monitor and evaluate the use and effectiveness of media materials and share results and findings;
Manage and provide accurate and effective translation of publication materials in both English to Tetum;
Develops promotional activities based on monitoring/evaluation of information, identifying areas requiring higher visibility;
Project activities and lessons learned are well documented and promoted.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Excellent communication skills;
Displays strong cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups.

Functional Competencies:

Ability to draft/edit texts and to articulate ideas in a clear, concise style to a variety of audiences;
Excellent interpersonal and negotiating skills and sensitivity to the local environment;
Self-management, self-motivated, emotional intelligence and conflict management;
Extensive information exchange contacts with national and international agencies involved in local and international studies of climate-induced natural disasters, in general, and reduction, in particular;
Sound policy understanding of global development concerns, climate change and disaster risk reduction, and disaster risk/watershed management;
Analytical and strategic thinking/results oriented.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

Advance university degree (masters or equivalent) in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, International Relations or related fields OR Undergraduate university degree with a relevant combination of professional training, certification and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Years of experience:

Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in the field of journalism, communications, public or international relations, including two years working experience with government agencies and/or international organisations;
Experience in the development and publication of a wide range of materials for information as well as promotion, public awareness and advocacy;
Excellent computer skills with intermediate to advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly Microsoft Publisher. Experience in the area of web management is desirable;
Proven ability to work with a wide range of media, including experience in working with social media tools, such as Facebook and Twitter;
Knowledge and understanding of development issues and relevant work experience in particular familiarity with technical concepts related to the environment and climate change issues is preferred;
Demonstrated ability to translate IEC materials/documents accurately and efficiently;
Previous experience as a consultant with a government agency or development partner with specific experience in writing at least one communication strategies with a monitoring and evaluation framework.

Language Proficiency:

Fluency in English and Tetum;
Knowledge of other local dialects will be an asset.

TOR and application documents are accessible via this link?http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=30081?