Associate Communications Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).

Given the deteriorating security situation in and around the Libyan capital of Tripoli, UNHCR is responding to the emergency protection needs of refugees, asylum-seekers, children and youth-at-risk, and others of concern in Libya (urban-based and detention environments) through the establishment of the Emergency Transit Mechanism (ETM).The ETM has been established under the framework of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with the Rwandan government and the African Union (AU) in September 2019. Under the terms of the MOU, the individuals concerned are transferred on a voluntary basis, from Libya to Rwanda for emergency case processing for durable solutions. UNHCR supports the Rwandan authorities in biometric joint registration of the evacuated persons and in undertaking Refugee Status Determination (RSD) under its mandate in accordance with applicable standards. A durable solution for their situation is pursued, including return to the country of origin for those who voluntarily choose to do so, or third country resettlement to States that are willing to offer admission. This assignment is critical in ensuring this is achieved. All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional, and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Under the direct supervision of Head of the office, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: Liaising with UNHCR country office and facilitating the reception of various high-level visit and delegation to the UNHCR Emergency Transit Centre, including parliamentarians and government officials from various donor countries / embassies, African Union Delegates, UNHCR senior management from Regional Bureau and HQ, as well as other high-level delegations.

Assist in the preparation of fact sheets, briefing kits and presentations for missions and visitors. Keeping abreast with donor visibility guidelines for all donors supporting the ETM, and consequently producing donor’s visibility materials for the ETM. Supporting / leading missions and field trips with media in support of UNHCR and its work. Assist programme in drafting narrative and financial reports, in compliance with specific donor requirements. Compiling monthly reports on the ETM operation to be shared internally – with country office, RB, HQ, etc. As well as ETM Rwanda Operational Updates and Briefing Kits to be shared internally and externally, EU Interim Report, monthly Flash Update that is shared with the European Union, as well as other reports on relevant situations, activities, outputs, and updates. Developing and implementation of the communication projects, including video shoots for internal and external content, including supporting the UNHCR content team, foreign journalists and other relevant content gathering and sharing opportunities, in line with the ETM strategic objectives. Supporting and facilitating the ETM Rwanda evacuation flight and convoy reception. Provide necessary output in researching, preparing, fact-checking, editing, and producing of the professional media and communications materials for various audiences and ensuring through the Head of Office and their timely dissemination via UNHCR Rwanda Country Office /Gashora communications channels. Compiling the Regional Bureau Durable Solutions Report for the ETM. Assisting with the liaison and development of working relationships with UNHCR's ETM Gashora stakeholders, including government agencies and implementing partners, in order to raise interest and develop cooperation. Actively maintain media relations for UNHCR's ETM Rwanda, through online media, profile stories, short social media posts and videos. Actively pitching stories and interviews with individuals in communities throughout the Centre. Proposing and supporting PI in country office with the preparation of human-interest stories and profiles for website and social media sharing, highlighting the work of UNHCR, the plight of the persons of concern evacuated, the impact of interventions and the support of donors in life-saving services and durable solutions. Researching, preparing fact-checking, editing, and producing professional media and communications materials from the ETM Gashora and Field Office Nyamata, for various audiences and ensuring their timely dissemination and amplification via UNHCR Country Office Rwanda. Providing support to the executive office in Field Office Nyamata. Supporting the EU reporting requirements, by providing the necessary information, data and statis- tics, about the ETM, in various intervals, for visibility, fund raising and other reporting needs. Ensuring the visibilities of the ETM Rwanda donors are properly displayed in the ETM, as well as, through online communications. Maintaining through year-round professional interaction strong media relations for UNHCR Nyamata, ensuring that media (and other important external stakeholders, such as governments, embassies, NGOs etc.) have strong awareness of field activities, refugee news and are briefed regularly on upcoming events that are cleared by the Head of Office and Country Office. Capturing the minutes of the operations review meeting (internal) and the refugee coordination meeting with partners, as well as maintaining the records of action points captured. Work closely with Information Management to ensure accurate and attractive data presentation, including maps and key elaborate data in the form of statistics. Prepare and manage communications budgets. Ensure alignment with UNHCR’s global branding and messaging. Especially managing the visibility guidelines of the ETM’s donors are well represented and coordinated in accordance with the funding – visibility / communications agreement. Continually maintain and upgrade communications skills, keeping abreast of emerging platforms and tools, and systematically reviewing media impact results and other measurement tools for learning purposes

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day).

Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities. Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers. Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative, and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality, and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client oriented. Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations. Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender. Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

reporting and drafting reports. Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation and reporting skill Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing.

The Republic of Rwanda is a small landlocked country in the Great Lakes region of east-central Africa, bordered by Uganda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Tanzania. With almost 10 million people, Rwanda supports the densest population in continental Africa most of whom engages in subsistence agriculture and 3/4 of the population live be-low the international poverty line of US$1.25 a day. Rwanda is a verdant country of fertile and hilly terrain and bears the title "Land of a Thousand Hills".

The country has received considerable international attention due to its 1994 genocide, in which between 800,000 and one million people were killed. In 2008, Rwanda became the first country in history to elect a national legislature in which many members were women. The country now has many international visitors and is regarded as a safer place for tourists.

The principal form of public transport in the country is share taxi, with express routes linking the major cities and local services serving most villages along the main roads of the country.

A certificate of yellow-fever vaccination is required. Much of Rwanda lies at too high an elevation for malaria to be a major concern, but the disease is present and prophylactic drugs are strongly recommended. It is advisable not to drink tap water. Bottled mineral water can be bought in all towns. Hospitals are in all major towns. There is also the UN Dispensary that can provide 1st aid assistance and guidance.

A combination of tropical location and high altitude ensures that most of Rwanda has a temperate year-round climate. Temperatures rarely stray above 30 degrees Celsius by day or below 15 degrees Celsius at night throughout the year. The exceptions are the chilly upper slopes of the Virunga Mountains, and the hot low-lying Tanzania border area protected in Akagera National Park. Throughout the country, seasonal variations in temperature are relatively insignificant. Most parts of the country receive more than 1,000mm of precipitation annually, with the driest months being July to September and the wettest February to May.

Nyamata Field Office is in Nyamata town, which is the headquarter of Bugesera District, Eastern Province of Rwanda. It is about 30 km away from Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, and is easily accessible by public transport. It is considered part of the larger Kigali metropolitan area and has been earmarked as the location for a possible new international airport to serve Kigali and the rest of the nation, replacing Kigali International Airport.

The area has a higher average daytime temperature than the Rwandan average, and lower precipitation, which sometimes lead to droughts. It is situated along one of the major highways connecting Rwanda to Burundi.

Nyamata town is still developing and has one market where local traders bring their vegetables and fruits on two days of the week. The local market may not offer variety, as most of the residents are involved in subsistence farming. There are several grocery stores but are often not adequately stocked with international products. As such, staff would normally do most of their shopping in Kigali during the weekends.

The residents of Nyamata are generally friendly, but most of them are only able to communicate in the Kinyarwanda language. Housing is not a big challenge, although the available houses may need a bit of adjustment to meet international standards. As such, it may take staff up to a few weeks to identify a suitable house. There has been no security incident reported concerning international staff.

There are 2 banks available in Nyamata: COGEBANK and Bank of Kigali, and one Visa enabled ATM machine, which only dispenses Rwandan francs. There is FOREX bureau in Nyamata, and staff can convert their currency locally or while in Kigali. Other major banks such as I & M Bank and KCB are however accessible in Kigali.