English Starting Date :
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 01-Mar-2012
Duration of Initial Contract : One year
Background
Tanzania has since 2007 been piloting the UN Delivering as One reform initiative. The overall purpose of this reform is to unify and align in order to more efficiently and effectively deliver results in support of national priorities. Working as one, the UN can have a far greater impact on the development and humanitarian challenges that face the country, avoiding the fragmentation and duplication of efforts seen in the past. By combining the skills and resources of UN Agencies active across the country, the UN can complement the efforts of the Government, civil society, private sector and other development partners by providing policy advise and technical assistance to Tanzania. The vision of ‘Delivering as One’ in Tanzania is therefore about being a more effective partner for Government; focusing on the UN’s comparative advantage; being strategic about the development areas where the UN prioritizes support; and continuing to support Government on humanitarian issues. In July 2011, the UN in Tanzania entered a new phase of programming, operating under a single business plan, the UN Development Assistance Plan (UNDAP) 2011-2015. The Plan, the first of its kind in the history of the UN System, captures the entire range of activities supported by the UN system in Tanzania, across ten sectors.
Under the supervision of the Senior Adviser to the UN Resident Coordinator and the overall guidance of the UN Resident Coordinator, the Communications Specialist will provide communications support to the UN country team and the UN Resident Coordinator, in particular, to further the Delivering as One initiative. Based in the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, the Communications Specialist will work closely with the inter-agency Communications Group (UNCG) currently chaired by the UN Information Centre office. On behalf of the UNCG, the incumbent will lead the communication component of the One Programme. With the joint communication strategy and work plans at the core of the joint work, the Resident Coordinator’s Office has the overall responsibility for the planning, budgeting, monitoring, implementing and reporting. The joint communication strategy and work plan cover both internal communication in the UN System in Tanzania and communication with external stakeholders.
The incumbent will be actively engaged in the inter-agency work, will demonstrate an ability to take coordination initiative and leadership when needed, and be solution-oriented, steering discussion/debate towards consensus that takes work forward.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Support the UN Country Team to ‘Deliver as One’ by institutionalising the inter-agency cooperation in the area of communication.
- Proactively ensure timely implementation of the One UN Communication Strategy in partnership with the UNIC office and the UNCG.
- Strengthen the UN’s advocacy work through joint advocacy campaigns on key development issues in Tanzania.
- Identify communication opportunities to support the change management process the UN System is undergoing as part of the reform.
- Lead the implementation of internal communication initiatives fostering a joint UN identity and organize regular briefings with staff members on UN reform.
- Support the reform process with documentation and dissemination of the country experience to HQ, other country offices and knowledge/coordination practice networks.
- Strengthen the UN’s external communication overall by engaging in partnerships with key external stakeholders and ensuring coherence in the messages going out from the UN System.
- Raise general public awareness and commitment to UN reform as it relates to the Tanzanian country context.
- Oversight of the UN Tanzania website and provide editorial oversight to the bi-monthly One UN newsletter to enhance external information sharing.
- Provide communication and coordination support to the RCO including advising and implementing all public information, editorial, media (TV, print, electronic, radio) relations and outreach activities on behalf of the office.
- Organize, in conjunction with UNIC, One UN public events (including press conferences, joint agency initiatives, UN Day celebrations, etc) by managing publicity, liaising with partners, handling event logistics and ensuring media coverage.
- Draft and/or edit speeches and statements to be read by the Resident Coordinator or his representative at public events
- Liaises with UN Cluster Advisers and ensure that communications opportunities link into global events are maintained.
- Produce results-oriented information materials that highlight programme successes, significant developments, sustainability, partnership, and national ownership, for all UN Tanzania key stakeholders.
- Provide communication support to high-level visits including ensuring the editorial standard of briefing notes and arranging press coverage and conferences.
- Undertake any other assignments that may be assigned by the Resident Coordinator or the Senior Adviser to the Resident Coordinator.
Function / Expected Results:
- Acts as lead Project Manager for the Annual Work Plan for Communication Group under the UNDAP; Primary communications focal point for the UN in respect of the implementation of the communications elements of the UNDAP . In this role, the incumbent strengthens UN capacity and learning on strategic communications by providing support to the members of the UN Communication Group and guidance to the UN Country Team to facilitate decision-making.
- In the spirit of Delivering as One at the country level, the Communications Specialist of the RCO takes coordination initiative 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 of tangible results achieved, thanks to the reform, under the UNDAP 2011-2015. Supports the Office of the Resident Coordinator to maintain and strengthen external communication and ensure funding for reform process at country level.
- Strengthens and sustains communications partnerships within the UN system at the country level, and externally with media, government, non-state actors and development partners.
- Helps to ensure an accurate and professional image of the UN in Tanzania, as well as positioning the system strategically vis a vis other development actors, based on the reform and the UN’s unique, value add.
Competencies
- Ability to take initiative and work with minimal supervision.
- Strong conceptualization skills, sound judgment.
- Strong communications expertise
- Experience with event management and media relations
- Excellent coordination skills to facilitate inter-agency collaboration.
- Ability to perform multiple tasks at times within short deadlines without compromising quality.
- Interpersonal skills, team spirit and positive working relationships.
- Excellent writing, editing and presentation skills.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Masters degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations; or equivalent professional work experience in the communications area, combined with a university degree in a related field.
Experience:
- At least 5 years of relevant work experience including work in the field. Knowledge of UN as a whole, and the role of the UN Resident Coordinator system.
- Experience with the Delivering as One reform initiative would be an asset.
- Familiarity with the aid context and development processes in Tanzania would be advantageous.
Language:
- Fluency in English.
- Knowledge of Kiswahili would be an advantage.
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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