UNDP Jobs - 71280- Strategic Communications & Coordination Consultant

Strategic Communications & Coordination Consultant

Location :

Nairobi, KENYA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

19-Apr-2017

Application Deadline :

31-Mar-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

9 Months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

9 Months

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

Over the last year, Somalia’s state formation efforts have progressed significantly, setting the stage for the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the Federal Member States (FMS) to agree on power-sharing structures over the coming years. With the increased decentralization of governance and service delivery, the UN is increasingly aligning its presence and focus to support both FGS and FMS in their (sub-) national priorities and efforts on state development.

With the pending finalization of the Somali National Development Plan (NDP), which will reflect these national priorities, and the expiration of the 2014-2016 Somali Compact, a new provisional UN Strategic Framework (UNSF) has been developed to reiterate UN commitments across a range of critical challenges, to take stock of current alignment behind the NDP priorities, and to initiate a strategic dialogue with Somali authorities and donors on new areas of political, security, peacebuilding and development support.

The ongoing Strategic Assessment exercise, which will inform the finalization of a comprehensive multi-year UNSF, has reiterated the UN’s imperative to expand to the FMS and increase its focus on joint initiatives that bridge humanitarian, development, political and peacebuilding efforts. As a result, increased coordination and coordinated communications support is required by the Integrated Office of the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General /Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator (DSRSG/RC/HC). For a successful coordination with UN presence in the FMS and strengthened outreach of joint initiatives to target groups, streamlined communications aligned with NDP priorities and guiding strategic approaches on joint initiatives will be essential.

Duties and Responsibilities

The International Strategic Communications & Coordination Consultant will support the RCO in the following tasks:

Draft and coordinate strategic communication plans for thematic files, notably on Durable Solutions, Prevention/Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE), including outreach to concerned target groups;
Coordinate the design and implementation of the UN Information Group joint communications workplan;
Provide training and capacity development activities on communications to UN and government counterparts, with an increased focus on supporting the UN and partners in the FMS;
Coordinate the design and implementation of the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund (UN MPTF) communications strategy;
Support the design of the multi-year UN MPTF;
Provide secretariat support for the UN Strategic Assessment Process and any follow up activities;
Support the design and implementation of the multi-year UNSF, including results frameworks and all relevant communications related to the UNSF.

In all of these tasks, the international consultant will work closely with communication counterparts and partners involved in the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund and UN Strategic Assessment at HQ and country level, including the New Deal team, UN Mission to Somalia (UNSOM), the Joint Planning Unit (UNSOM), the Public information Office (UNSOM), UNDP and the World Bank.

Key results expected include:

Strategic communication plans and joint communications workplan finalized and implementation initiated, with guidelines informing programming and outreach;
Trainings on communications developed and provided to partners and national/international counterparts;
Improved coordination of communications efforts in FMS;
Improved and streamlined UNCT-UNSOM joint communications and MPTF communications;
UN Strategic Assessment process concluded.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
Knowledge of the UN preferable.

Functional Competencies:

Communications:

Experience in drafting and implementing communication strategies and workplans;
Experience in producing communication products and undertaking communication activities (including relevant software and knowledge of online media channels);
Experience in designing and conducting training on communication products and activities;
Experience in strategic planning and coordination (including, preferably, with the UN).

Knowledge and Learning Management:

Shares knowledge and experience across partners;
Encourages colleagues to share knowledge;
Understanding of national and UN planning tools (including UNSF, United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and the New Deal Compact.

Coordination Effectiveness:

Ability to build and sustain effective partnerships within Government entities, UN Agencies and donors;
Ability to advocate effectively, communicate sensitively across different constituencies.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

A Master’s degree in communications, public information, international affairs, politics, economics, management and other social science or related field.

Years of experience:

A minimum of 2 years of strategic communications/coordination related work experience;

Language requirements:

Fluency in English and advanced communication skills are essential;
Knowledge of Somali preferable.