Communication and Data Officer

Contract

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

This post is part of the Resident Coordinator offices with new skillsets and competencies such as agility, communications and problem-solving in a multicultural, client-oriented workplace. The UNV will be at the forefront of our development work to help create innovative and exciting development solutions for the people and the Government of Belize.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Strategic Planner and Team Leader in the UNRCO the UNV Communication and Data Officer will undertake the following tasks:

a) Participates in strategic advocacy and programme communications in support of the UN Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (MSDCF) in the Caribbean 2022-2026 and global, regional and national communication initiatives.

i. Assists the Resident Coordinator (RC) and UN Country Team (UNCT) in designing, implementing and monitoring assigned elements of the UN joint advocacy and communication strategy, promoting the UNMSDCF as the primary instrument for the planning and implementation of UN development activities in the country, in support of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;

ii. Support the adaptation and localization of global communications and advocacy priorities of the United Nations Department of Global Communications in promoting the work of the United Nations in key thematic areas.

iii. Prepares and drafts assigned inputs for the RC and UNCT on strategic advocacy and programme communications including public messaging and media outreach for the 2030 Agenda and to boost impact of programmatic objectives;

iv. Monitors and analyzes the media in the areas related to the UN’s mandates and programmes in the country, as well as other issues relevant to the UN brand and positioning;

v. Drafts inputs for the RC and UNCT, Programme Management Team (or equivalent) and Results Groups on potential issues, concerns and risks related to communications and advocacy;

vi. Prepares official briefing materials, talking points, speeches, statements, op-eds and presentations as assigned, as well as assists in managing reputational risks or crises around sensitive issues;

vii. Supports the evaluation of results and impact of communications and advocacy initiatives promoting the work of the United Nations in key thematic areas other than development, reporting the outcome to the Resident Coordinator, the UN country team and the United Nations Department of Global Communications.

b) Assists in partnership building and media relations

i. Assists in the identification and engagement of key traditional and non-traditional target audiences, including government, civil society, private sector, development partners and other new as well as traditional actors on the collective 2030 Agenda and the related role and impact of the UN’s work in country;

ii. Participates in public engagement on the UN’s role and work in country, including through programme visits showcasing the UN’s development impact;

iii. Assists in maintaining close working relationships with the media, including editors and journalists in key national and international news outlets; develops, maintains and updates media relations contact list/database;

iv. Assists with preparation of educational outreach activities, including conferences and public-speaking engagements supporting the RC, RCO staff and/or the UN country team.

c) Contributes to digital communications and brand management

i. In collaboration with the UN Communications Group (or equivalent), and in coordination with the RCO Data Management and Results Reporting officer and Partnership and Development Finance Officer, assists in the preparation of the annual communication plan to publicize and communicate results with a focus on the UN’s development impact;

ii. Coordinate with UNIC Caribbean in maintaining and updating external and internal digital communication platforms such as the UN country team website, official UN country team social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, etc.), Intranet and on-line collaboration platforms, etc.;

iii. Develop and implement a digital content strategy and key communications and advocacy products and content (e.g. human-interest stories, multilingual and multimedia content, etc.).

iv. Assists the RC and UNCT in the preparation and launch of joint UN publications,

Results/expected outputs:

As an active Resident Coordinator Office team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to the Resident Coordinator Office and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:

a. Develop and/or update UN joint advocacy and communication strategy for promoting the UNMSDCF as the primary instrument for the planning and implementation of UN activities in Belize and in support of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

b. In coordination with RCO Data Management and Results Reporting Officer, support with the design, formatting and editing of the Annual Country Results Report and other publications by the RCO.

c. In coordination with RCO Data Management and Results Reporting Officer, support with the population and review of UN agencies, funds and programmes sub-outputs into the UN INFO platform. This includes the data entry using the excel files submitted by agencies, particularly those without an identified Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning focal point.

d. Elaborate periodic media monitoring tool for assessing coverage of UN work in Belize and prepare communication materials for facing emergencies and reputational risks as needed.

e. The annual communication plan to publicize and communicate results with a focus on the UN’s development impact is prepared in coordination with RCO Data Management and Results Reporting officer and RCO Partnership and Development Finance Officer and with the UN Communications Group.

f. Visibility materials for presenting a UN image and for promoting SDGs are developed.

g. Communication experiences have been compiled, analyzed, categorized and summarized for use in sharing findings with country, regional and HQ communication colleagues.

h. An updated directory of media and journalists contacts is produced.

i. Official information materials, talking points, speeches, statements, opinion articles and presentations are produced.

j. External and internal digital communication platforms such as the UN country team website, official UN country team social media accounts have been updated with relevant reports, analyses, stories, events etc.

k. A digital content strategy is developed and implemented as well as key communications and advocacy products (e.g. human-interest stories, multilingual and multimedia content, etc.).

l. The UNCT is advised on the development of joint UN publications, maintaining high quality standards and the correct application of the UN branding guidelines and the UN publishing standards;

m. Support and coordinate the UN Communications Group also including approved work plans.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to Resident Coordinator Office; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to Resident Coordinator Office 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 Resident Coordinator Office in daily activities and behaviours 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 behaviour; 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.

programme communications and advocacy, journalism, media, social science or related areas; • Experience in communication, social media, writing, and media contacts. • Experience with design and implementation of joint advocacy and communication strategies, is desirable. • Experience with partnership building with media outlets is desirable. • Knowledge of the national media and digital communications platforms is required. • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, storytelling, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • 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; ability to work with tight deadlines.

Travel to duty station (if applicable) and a Settling-In-Grant will be provided in the event the duty station is not within commuting distance from the place of recruitment. The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.

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