Background
Under the supervision of the Country Director of the UN Resident Coordinator for South Sudan, the
Communication Specialist
manages the drafting and preparation of both internal and external communication from the Office including (but not limited to) Security Council reports, strategic documents, budget proposals, code cables, memos, letters, and daily situation reports. S/he also prepares briefs, speeches and PowerPoint presentations for the UN Resident Coordinator and other officials; reviews all outgoing reports from other sections of the Office; and liaises with journalists to ensure consistent media messaging.
The
Communication Specialist
plays an integral part in developing, implementing, managing and monitoring a strategy to further the 'Delivering as One' initiative. S/he facilitates and chairs the Inter-Agency Communications Group (UNCG) to do this.
Duties and Responsibilities
Summary of Key Functions and Expected Results
I.
Provide ongoing communications support to the Resident Coordinator
- Prepares, drafts and/or inputs into
both internal and external communication including (but not limited to) Security Council reports, strategic documents, speeches, budget proposals, code cables, memos, letters, and daily situation reports.
- Ensures that each type of report contains the correct information and is delivered on time.
- Ensures that all outgoing mail to high-level officials is written according to protocol.
- Ensures that all presentations and briefings are clear, memorable and contain consistent messaging.
- Works effectively with other colleagues in the Office to ensure that all written materials are quality checked.
- Designs and implements templates and systems to ensure timely and effective communication with external stakeholders.
II.
Develop, implement, manage and monitor a strategy to further the 'Delivering as One' initiative, in close consultation with the UNCG:
- Acts as Chair of the UNCG and primary communications focal point for the UN in respect to the implementation of the One Programme and the 'One UN' pilot more broadly. In this role, the incumbent strengthens UN capacity and learning on strategic communications by providing support to the members of the UNCG, guidance to the UN Country Team to facilitate decision-making, and by leading joint campaigns to call attention joint-programming.
- Coordinates initiatives to support system-wide internal communication activities to enhance staff engagement in the reform process.
- Ensures documentation of the country's pilot experience and wide dissemination locally as well as globally. Supports the Office of the Deputy Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator to maintain and strengthen external communication and ensure funding for reform process at country level.
III.
Provide support on media liaison:
- Answers journalists' enquiries.
- Writes press releases and news articles.
- Liaises with the press and broadcast media on a regular basis via telephone, email and networking.
- Monitors press and broadcast coverage.
- Arranges press conferences, news briefings, media interviews, visits and public events.
- Keeps up-to-date with current issues and public opinion s.
- Manages the press and media in a potential crisis situation.
Impact of Results:
- High-level and effective communication and positioning of the RCSO of Southern Sudan.
- UN cohesiveness in the area of communications institutionalized.
- Internal communication among UN agencies improved and staff at all levels engaged in Delivering as One.
- Partnership with media, development partners, NGO partners and government communication officers strengthened and capacity of national partners enhanced.
- The UN positioned as a key development partner to the Government in Southern Sudan
Among UN agencies, a wider and deeper knowledge of the importance of strategic communications as support to the attainment of results.
Competencies
Corporate Competencies:
- Demonstrate 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
Functional Competencies
Knowledge and Learning Management:
- Shares knowledge and experience and contributes to the UN Practice Areas.
- Encourages office staff to share knowledge and contribute to UN Practice Areas.
- Has the capacity to gather comprehensive information on complex problems or situations; evaluate it accurately and identify key issues required to resolve problems.
- Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills.
Management and Leadership:
- Builds strong relationships with stakeholders, focuses on impact and result and responds positively to feedback.
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
- Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills.
- Schedules activities to ensure optimum use of time and resources; monitors performance against development and other objectives and corrects deviations from the course.
- Demonstrates strong coaching/mentoring skills, regularly providing helpful feedback and advice to others in the Office.
Coordination Effectiveness:
- Excellent coordination skills to facilitate inter-agency collaboration.
- Ability to build and sustain effective partnerships with UN Agencies and main constituents, advocate effectively, communicate sensitively across different constituencies.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Masters degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations ; or equivalent professional work experience in the communications area
Experience:
- A minimum of 5 years relevant proven experience at the national and international level.
- Knowledge of UN as a whole, and the role of the UN Resident Coordinator system.
- Experience in the development and implementation of complex communications campaigns involving coordination and partnership with a range of actors and systems.
- Experience in national development planning processes and UN strategic planning processes would be highly desirable.
- Experience and knowledge of working in complex post-conflict contexts and field experience in humanitarian and/or recovery assistance would be highly desirable.
Language:
- Fluency in English is required.
- Working knowledge of other UN languages is desirable.
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.
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