The UNDP Oslo Governance Centre (OGC) is UNDP’s Global Policy Centre for policy development and applied research with an overarching focus on democratic governance and peacebuilding in crisis, conflict and transitional contexts. The OGC sits within the Governance and Peacebuilding Cluster, Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS), UNDP. It engages with Norwegian, Nordic and other partners from the South in undertaking applied research and developing policy options and tools for governance support in post-crisis and post-conflict environments, in order to find practical solutions on the ground. One of the priority areas for the OGC is the advancement of the research agenda on Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE). 

Background to UNDP's work on preventing violent extremism (PVE)

UNDP's approach to PVE aims to address two related trends: the rise of violent extremism, and the governance of increasingly diverse and multi-cultural societies. At the heart of UNDP's approach is a belief that better governance in diversity will lead to societies better prepared to deal with violent extremism as outlined in UNDP's strategy on 'Preventing Violent Extremism through Inclusive Development and the Promotion of Tolerance and Respect for Diversity'.

The UNDP OGC has co-hosted along with the Norwegian MFA two global meetings on PVE bringing together practitioners, decision-makers and academics from around the world to discuss the challenges, opportunities and unique roles played by development actors in efforts to address the root causes of violent extremism. The meetings helped to establish the OGC as the global focal point within UNDP to shape, monitor, gather, organise, disseminate and advise on research and knowledge generation relating to the PVE field.

The third global meeting will take place on 27-28 August at a venue in central Oslo. It will focus on promoting the stories of those affected by violent extremism from different contexts across the world. These local stories will be told through interviews with journalists and intertwined through proceedings will be TED style talks by people who have had success at promoting similar stories through popular media channels. The intended outcome of the event is to highlight how assumptions and knowledge on how we consider preventing violent extremism should come from the ground.

In this context OGC is looking for an International IC to support OGC's work on this portfolio, ensuring implementation of the Oslo 3 conference, managing communications and coordinating research that will feed into and be developed from the conference.

The consultant will be paid for days worked on a monthly basis.  The consultant must submit a payment certification form to be approved by UNDP OGC.  

The consultant will provide support to OGC’s PVE work in the areas of Communications, Events Management and Coordination work:

Communications:

• Develop, manage and monitor delivery of OGCs PVE communication plan, providing communication support and advice
• Build a network of media and journalists who can help promote the Centre’s activities, especially in Norway and the Nordic countries.
• Promote OGCs PVE work through social media and other channels
• Support gathering of information on needs and of the most relevant partners.
• Support OGC staff in writing Op-Eds that can be published in Norwegian, Nordic and International Media
• Working with others, manage and implement the communication elements of OGC PVE activities, including events like Policy Dialogues / brown bags /webinars / workshops
• Develop and disseminate OGC’s PVE Advocacy and communication-related products, including key messages, brochures and press releases
• Link OGC’s communication work to the broader UNDP communication work of the Nordic Representation Office, and UNDP more broadly, working on joint campaigns as appropriate.

Events Management

• Liaise with venue and implementing partners to ensure all necessary preparations are undertaken for Oslo 3
• Manage logistics, invitations and background documents for Oslo 3
• Support organization of conference, including relevant side events

Coordination

• Create and manage database of UNDPs research on PVE
• Support other relevant PVE policy dialogues and workshops
• Develop a network of Nordic and European organizations researching PVE that have a programmatic and/or policy focus

III. Expected Outputs and Deliverables

• OGC’s PVE work has a communications plan that is implemented
• High quality communications related to OGC’s PVE activities are delivered.
• Detailed reporting on footprint in social media and other communication channels.
• Implementation of the Oslo 3 Conference
• Database of UNDPs research made publicly available
• Network of relevant PVE actors created

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Communications, Journalism, Multimedia, Literature, International Relations, or other related subjects in the arts and/or humanities;
• At least 2-3 years of experience working in communications, with demonstrable experience leading digital campaigns;
• Experience leading digital content creation, including shooting and editing video, graphic design
• Experience leading the coordination of corporate events/conferences

Desirable:

• Experience writing persuasive copy for a range of audiences, including press releases, articles, blogs, newsletters;
• Experience managing webpage management platforms, such as Adobe CQ5 or WordPress;
• Excellent verbal communications skills
• Ability to complete tasks independently and take initiative, but also work well as part of a team;
• Ability to perform tasks in a timely manner, under pressure, and to tight deadlines;
• Previous relevant experience with UNDP or the broader UN system would be an asset.

Language:                        

• Fluency in English and Norwegian, both written and oral is required;
• Fluency in an additional UNDP Working Language is an asset.