Background

The deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation in Syria has forced thousands of Syrians to flee and seek refuge in neighboring countries, including Jordan. This large influx of population is placing a considerable burden on local Jordanian host communities that are already poor and their basic social and economic services. Crowding effects in the local market, in particular with regards to housing and labour, are widely reported in the Northern governorates. The present crisis comes at difficult time for Jordan. Despite many efforts to engage in economic stabilization and liberalization, the country faces real economic and social challenges. In view of the above, it is important that direct support be provided to vulnerable Jordanians in host communities of the Northern governorates of Irbid, and Mafraq to help the Government of Jordan mitigate the impact of the Syrian crisis on them. In addition, it is essential that the assistance provided in the current context complements, governmental development efforts, as highlighted in the Government of Jordan related policies and strategies.

The overall goal of the project is to contribute to sustaining social and economic stability, with particular focus on the Northern governorates, namely Irbid and Mafraq, and enable Jordanians to continue to pursue their human development aspirations.

The immediate objective is to respond to urgent needs of crisis-affected people in a timely and efficient manner, with emphasis on Jordanian host communities, while supporting Jordanian host communities to increase their absorption capacity and mitigating any possible tensions between Syrian refugees and hosting communities.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Communications Officer, the Communications Associate supports the formulation and implementation of the communications and advocacy strategies to increase the standing and awareness of UNDP with partners, the media and the public. The Communications Associate promotes a client-oriented approach in UNDP.

The Communications Associate works in close collaboration with the Programme and Operations teams in the CO, staff of other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff (Communications Office) and Regional Communications Advisor, Government officials, media, multilateral and bilateral donors and civil society.

A communications strategy tightly linked to program priorities helps position the Country Office in key development markets as a leader in ways that boost demand for various service lines and increase overall business opportunities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Communications Officer; the Communication Associate undertakes the following tasks:

Summary of Key Functions:

1. Supports the formulation and implementation of internal and external communications and advocacy strategies  and supports business development with special focus on the project “Mitigation of the Impact of the Syrian Crises on Host Communities”  focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Preparation and conduct of communications needs assessments for CO (projects, country programme and corporate change initiatives, etc)
• Provision of information for elaboration of CO communications and outreach strategy based on the corporate communications strategy.
• Support in developing of communication materials for marketing and awareness-raising campaigns, including briefing materials and press releases in coordination with the supervisor.
• Support in organization of roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, and interviews.
• Provision of inputs and researched information in programme formulations to integrate advocacy and communication strategies into all aspects of UNDP’s development programme.
• Review of reference materials, identification of reference materials for retention.
• Maintenance of information database and photo library.
• Preparation of inputs for UNDP main documents & reports.
• Develop and produce feature human interest stories from the field.
• Draft talking points, speeches, ad any other needed communication materials.
• Monitor and compile records of coverage in the local media and electronic press of activities of interest to UNDP.
• Respond to inquiries related to media & communications.

2.  Provides support to the elaboration and implementation of the CO publications strategy and plan with special focus on the project “Mitigation of the Impact of the Syrian Crises on Host Communities” focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Provision of inputs and information for elaboration of CO publications strategy and plan based on the corporate publications policy.
• Identification of storylines for publications and articles contributing to debates on key development issues.
• Technical review of translation/adaptation/rewriting of information received, printing and dissemination of publications and audio-visual materials.  Contact with printers and other suppliers to ensure production.
• Prepare plan for dissemination of publications.

 3.  Ensures regular updates of the UNDP web site content , intranet, CO web-based knowledge management system with special focus on the project “Mitigation of the Impact of the Syrian Crises on Host Communities” focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Regular update of the content for the web sites to ensure consistency of the materials.
• Maintain a high quality materials & database of the website, in corporate of UNDP branding identity.

4.  Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management with special focus on the project “Mitigation of the Impact of the Syrian Crises on Host Communities” focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories.

Organization and conduct of training and workshops on communications for development as appropriate

Competencies

Required Skills and Experience