Communications Specialist at UNDP

Job ID: 25886
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Practice Area - Job Family: Management - COMMUNICATION
Grade: P3
Vacancy Type: FTA International
Posting Type: Common System
Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension

Background

• The nexus of security-humanitarian-development issues around Lake Chad has given rise to an intractable extremist insurgency that has left tens of thousands of people dead, approximately 2.5 million displaced, and more than 10 million people in the North-East region affected and in need. While robust national and multi-national military operations have re-taken territory previously controlled by Boko Haram, UNDP recognizes that a new approach is required to consolidate these gains and establish the conditions necessary to transition from military to civilian responsibility for security, and from the provision of humanitarian assistance to the resumption of stalled development processes.  In this context, the UNDP is strengthening its presence in The North-East region by establishing a sub-office in Maiduguri.  The sub-office will serve as the centre of operations for programming which will include a Regional Stabilization Facility, a Disengagement, Disassociation, Reconciliation and Reintegration (DDRR) and Recovery and a Resilience programme. 
• The Sub-Office (SO) for North East (NE) Region of Nigeria has been operational since 2017 and UNDP has established an Operations Service Centre to support management and operations functions related to the effective delivery of programmatic results in anticipation of launch of new programmes, such as Nigerian Window of the Stabilization Facility in NE Region. It is considered vital that the NE Sub-Office has a well-conceived communications strategy, articulated to the overall Communications Plan of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) Regional Stabilization Strategy.
• Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Head of Stabilization and in consultation with the Head of Communication in Abuja, the Communications Specialist designs, manages and facilitates the implementation of the communications and publication strategies for the NE Region with a view to influence the development agenda, to promote public and media outreach and to mobilize political and financial support for UNDP. 
• The Communications Specialist supervises and leads the communications staff of the NE Sub-Office and has a strong regular working relationship with Head of Communication in the CO, LCB Communication Specialist, and the Regional Communications Adviser. The Communications Specialist also works in close collaboration with the teams in the Sub-Office, Communication Unit in CO, the Business Development, Programme and Operations teams, staff of other UN Agencies, UNDP Communications Group staff (Regional Communications Adviser and HQ) and Government officials, international and local media, subject matter experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UNDP communication strategy implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities
Planning and design of internal and external strategies for communications and outreach:

• Planning and elaboration of communications needs assessments for Sub-office (projects, country programme and corporate change initiatives, etc)
• Elaboration of the CO communications and outreach strategy for Sub-Office and the Programmes/Projects in NE Region, based on corporate strategic priorities and UNDP External Communications Action Plan.
• Constructive and timely advice on inclusion of communications components in programme and projects formulations to integrate advocacy and communication strategies into all aspects of UNDP’s development programmes.

Elaboration and implementation of the CO publications strategy and plan for NE Sub-Office:

• Elaboration and implementation of the CO publications strategy and plan for for Sub-Office and the Programmes/Projects in NE Region, based on the corporate publications policy.
• Identification and development of storylines for publications and substantive articles contributing to debates on key development issues in NE Region of Nigeria.
• Coordination and management of all Sub-Office publication activities, including content management, norms for publishing, design, liaison with printers and other suppliers to oversee production and supervision of publications dissemination.

Supervises the design and maintenance of the UNDP web site, intranet, NE Sub-Office web-based knowledge management system:

• Design of the office web sites based on corporate requirements in cooperation with the ICT staff.
• Supervision and preparation of the content for the web sites and social media platforms ensuring consistency of the materials.

Supports the business development:

• Creation and promotion of campaigns that position UNDP with local and international media and influences the development agenda based on current programme and new initiatives.
• Management, promotion and dissemination of corporate advocacy materials for launching flagship initiatives and publications.
• Creation, promotion and maintenance of public information campaigns on issues including UNDP activities, Sustainable Development Goals, UN Reform, etc. in association with other staff from Business Development Team.
• Promotional activities to position UNDP as a leader within the development space.
• Increased coverage and understanding of the UNDP’s work in the country or practice area through development and maintenance of media contacts and providing newsworthy information to national public and donors.
• Formatting, packaging and submission of programme and projects initiatives for donor review in close collaboration with programme and project staff.
• Development and maintenance of close contacts with government officials, multilateral and bilateral donors, civil society and private sector for implementation of the communications strategy, organization of roundtable discussions, press conferences, project visits, briefing sessions, interviews, launches, etc.
• Forging of a “One UN” image in NE Region through publicizing the significance of local UN reform efforts, joint programmes, common services. Organization and implementation of joint UN information campaigns (UN Day, World AIDS Day, etc.)
• Ensuring access for journalists to subject-matter experts and UNDP spokespeople.
• Regular updates to donors, donor reports, civic education and community awareness where appropriate to support projects.
• Effective responses to inquiries for public information materials.
• Innovative and creative solutions to sensitive or corporately strategic public communications issues.
• Advocacy and promotion of UNDP mandate, mission and purpose.

Facilitation of knowledge building and management:

• Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country goals and activities.
• Monitor practices, and project-specific news and developments in order to ensure guidance to the office that reflects the best and most current available information.
• Provides advice and support to UNDP inputs to CCA, UNSDCF, CPD and other documents.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories.
• Organization and provision of training, consultancy and advice to UNDP staff on internal and external communications.

Effective management of the Communication Office and supervision of the Communications team:

• Effective management of the Communications Office, including preparation of the work-plan, management of  translations and contractual matters.
  

Competencies   
Description of Competency at Level Required
 
Core
Innovation:

• Ability to make new and useful ideas work Level 5: Creates new and relevant ideas and leads others to implement them

Leadership:

• Ability to persuade others to follow Level 5: Plans and acts transparently, actively works to remove barriers

People Management:

• Ability to improve performance and satisfaction Level 5: Models high professional standards and motivates excellence in others

Communication:

• Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform Level 5: Gains trust of peers, partners, clients by presenting complex concepts in practical terms to others

Delivery:

• Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement Level 5: Critically assesses value and relevance of existing policy / practice and contributes to enhanced delivery of products, services, and innovative solutions

Advocacy:

• Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Building Strategic Partnerships:

• Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Job knowledge:

• Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Client Orientation:

• Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Required Skills and Experience   
Education:

• Master's degree in Media Relations, Journalism, Publishing

Experience:

• 5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in public relations, communications or advocacy.
• Previous experience with a multilateral or international organization, preferably in the UN. 
• Strong command of social media,web-based publishing, and visual media
• Experience in post conflict environment is a strong advantage;
• Proficiency in usage of computers, office software packages and advance project management software as well as in handling of web-based management system.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, good knowledge and experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in spoken and written English is a requirement.  The ability to communicate effectively in French is an asset.