UNW-DPC Programme Implementation and Communications Officer

Organizational Unit : UN-Water Decade Programme on Capacity Development (UNW-DPC)

Reference Number : 2012/UNU/UNWDPC/FTA/PICO/22

Applications to : hrbonn@vie.unu.edu

Closing Date : 31 August 2012

United Nations University Objectives:

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars, engaged in research, postgraduate teaching and capacity development and dissemination of knowledge in furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The mission of UNU is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States. For more information please visit www.unu.edu.

The UNU is the host of UN-Water Decade Programme on Capacity Development (UNW-DPC).

UN-Water Decade Programme on Capacity Development (UNW-DPC):

The UN-Water Decade Programme Office has been founded to strengthen the activities of the more than two dozen UN organizations and programmes already co-operating within the inter-agency mechanism known as UN-Water, and to add value and facilitate the activities of the UN-Water members and support them in their efforts to achieve the millennium goals related to water. This is not just a matter of capacity development related to water, but also of education, training and institutional development.

In keeping with this aim, UNW-DPC’s Mission Statement ‘is to enhance the coherence, credibility and integrated effectiveness of UN-Water by strengthening its capacity development programmes, particularly in developing countries and economies in transition. In so doing, UN-Water will demonstrate a vanguard role and leadership in bringing together stakeholders in the capacity development field and creating added value for their programmes.

The United Nations have declared the years 2005-2015 as the international decade for the campaign ‘Water for Life’. Through this campaign, the UN hopes to protect the precious resource of water and raise public awareness about its sustainable use and the need to ensure this. For more information please visit www.unwater.unu.edu.

Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Director of UNW-DPC and in collaboration with the Programme Officers and other staff, the main duties and responsibilities of the Communications and Programme Support Officer include the following:

• Keep abreast of developments on UNW-DPC’s and UN-Water’s works both locally and worldwide;
• Develop and implement a plan for the further strengthening of UNW-DPC institutional memory;
• Support Programme Officers in the planning, organization, logistics, implementation and post-processing of UNW-DPC activities;
• Support organizing of trainings, workshops and activities in different regions in cooperation with UN Water members, partners and respective focal points;
• Prepare and oversee UNW-DPC publications and other PR material to ensure they adhere to the appropriate rules and regulations in cooperation with other staff;
• Improve and maintain the publications and PR materials‘ archive system of UNW-DPC;
• Prepare programme reports, including the UNW-DPC annual report;
• Fulfill UNW-DPC’s Work Plan items related to communications and PR activities;
• Provide supervisory support to the appropriate staff;
• Develop and implement communications strategy for UNW-DPC to promote the understanding of their aims and programme of work;
• Plan and conduct, exhibitions and other public awareness activities for UN-Water in cooperation with other UN-Water programmes when necessary;
• Cooperate with Communications Focal Points of UN-Water organs including the Communications Manager of UN-Water and other UN-Water Programmes, as well as UNU-EHS/ViE;
• Handle outreach activities such as the representation of UNW-DPC at public events, prepare and design flyers, newsletters, the Capacity Pool, etc;
• Maintain and update the website in coordination with Programme Officers and ICT staff;
• Carry out any other duties that may be assigned by the Director of UNW-DPC.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• MA Degree (or equivalent) in Communications, Public Relations, International Relations or a related field;
• Minimum two (2) years experience in event management at regional or international level;
• Excellent writing/drafting/editing skills at a professional level;
• Organized with excellent time management, forward planning, and prioritization skills, with the ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines;
• Knowledge of relevant computer and media applications;
• Fluency in both oral and written English and German is essential. Knowledge of any other United Nations official languages would be an asset;
• Proven communication and interpersonal skills including good networking ability;
• Proven supervisory skills.

Remuneration:

Remuneration will commensurate with qualifications and experience and will start at the P-2 level of the United Nations salary scale for professional staff, plus benefits.

For more information please visit:

www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salary.htm.

Duration of Contract:

This is a full time employment. The period of initial appointment will be for a two (2) year term with the possibility of renewal on a rolling fixed-term appointment basis, subject to continuity of funding and satisfactory work performance. The mandatory age of retirement for United Nations staff is 62 years.

Staff members of the United Nations University are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Rector and may be assigned to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations University. The Rector reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below that is advertised.

Applications from suitably qualified women candidates and those from developing countries are particularly encouraged.

Starting Date:

As soon as possible.

Application Procedure:

Interested applicants should submit their applications by e-mail (to hrbonn@vie.unu.edu), and must include the following:

• a cover letter setting out how the qualifications and experience match the requirements of the position;
• a completed and signed UNU Personal History (P.11) form downloadable from United Nations University website at http://unu.edu/about/hr. Please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organizations;
• full contact information of three (3) referees; and the application must also indicate the reference number of the vacancy announcement (2012/UNU/UNWDPC/FTA/PICO/22)