Communication and Coordination Associate

Contract

This is a UNV National Youth contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Youth contracts.

Thailand has recognized the importance of SDG Localization and in 2019 the National Sustainable Development Council made it a priority area. The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) and the Ministry of Interior (MOI) are working in close collaboration to implement this decision and consequently there are several ongoing initiatives on localizing the SDGs.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic has severely challenged the progress made towards achieving the SDGs and exposed deepened pre-existing structural inequalities in Thailand. As the crisis impacts individuals differently, the most vulnerable and at-risk groups are slipping further behind, and inequalities are pushed to new heights. It, in turn, represents significant challenges for Thailand to safeguard progress achieved towards the SDGs. Therefore, it is critical to adopt an inclusive, gender, and human rights-based approach to crisis response and promote the whole of society and whole of government approach to long-term transformation.

As part of the UN system, UNDP offers technical and financial assistance to tackle complex development challenges at subnational level, to strengthen the local integrated governance, ensuring no one is left behind while safeguarding the progress achieved towards the SDGs. These include initiatives aimed at fostering SDG Localization, such as providing technical support to trainings organized by NESDC on SDG Localization for government staff, local training on Business and Human Rights and Social innovation in the north and south of the country with focus on engaging local communities in finding innovative approaches to the issues they face.

The overall objective of this project is to improve stakeholders’ engagement in SDG policy dialogue and promote gender responsive SDG localization in Thailand, with special focus on improving data availability at the provincial level, raising awareness, and building capacity around the SDGs and SDG localization.

Under the direct supervision of the UNDP Project Manager, the Research and Coordination Assistant (Human Security) will perform the following functions:

i. Provide Communication support: a. Provide support in coordinating with the production team on the project’s communication materials. b. Quality check and control of the production of communication materials as per agreed with the project team c. Produce/prepare a comprehensive data set as requested to the production team. d. Produce communication materials such as social media post, graphic post, event banner/posters for the project’s activity. e. Provide coordination support with the EU on communication related matter; review process; approval process; prepare social media kits, etc.

ii. Provide effective and efficient support in coordination, administration, and meeting arrangements: a. Support the team in organizing and coordinating for meetings with other teams and external bodies (UN Agencies, Government, Civil Society, etc.), as well as efficient interpretation/translation (Thai- English and vice versa) when required. b. Liaising and communicating with stakeholders as required to support the operation of an effective and efficient organization of workshop/event/conference/series of meetings and training. c. Maintain an effective filing system to maintain all hard and electronic files, reference materials and confidential records as required; d. Prepare minutes of meetings, write official communications, proof-read outgoing communications, and translate documents; e. Perform other duties and administrative support as assigned.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• 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; • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• 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.

Results/expected outputs

• As a UNDP team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNDP and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: o Smooth coordination between UN agencies, Governmental organization, and the UN partners. o Provide technical assistance to align with the project workplan o Promoting the project works to more engagement with the stakeholders.

• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNDP; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNDP procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNDP in daily activities and behaviors while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behavior; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • 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; • 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; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNDP’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

public administration, political science communications, journalism, international relations, or social science is required; a first-level university degree, in combination with relevant working experience in the field of communication, advertising on social cohesion, sustainable development, human security, and regional/international cooperation, can be considered. • Experience in project coordination, communication and engagement with production house/company, government, civil society and community in the areas of communications, and social cohesion, is desirable.
• Working experience with international organizations and national authorities in Thailand • Ability to organize assignments and work systematically. • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Sound security awareness; • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the United Nations' values and ethical standards; • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN and UNDP; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision;

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.

Benefits and Entitlements: The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. Contingent on specific eligibility criteria, location of the volunteer assignment and contractual type and category, the payment of allowances will begin from the date of Commencement of Service. See Annex 05 for allowances.

Monthly living Allowance (per month) is around 38006 Thai Baht Entry Lump Sum (one-time payment) USD 400 Exit Allowance (for each month served paid on completion of assignment) THB 3958.92 Medical and Life Insurance Coverage

Leave entitlements: Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month Certified sick leave: 30 days Uncertified Sick Leave: 7 days Learning leave: 10 working days per consecutive 12 months Maternity Leave: 16 weeks Paternity Leave: 10 days