Communication Assistant

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.

The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste – also commonly known as East Timor – became the world’s first new sovereign state of the 21st century on May 20, 2002. Since independence, the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has been active in its efforts to improve the survival, development, protection and participation of children and women in Timor-Leste.

The vision guiding the Country Programme for UNICEF Timor-Leste, (2021-2025) is to contribute to national efforts so that all children and adolescents progressively fulfil their basic rights to survival, care, learning, protection and participation to reach their full potential in safe, healthy and green communities. The UNICEF Country Programme marks a critical moment to support Timor-Leste as the country accelerates its efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goals to significantly reduce poverty, remain a stable and peaceful nation and graduate from the least developed country classification. Around 46% of the population of Timor-Leste is under the age of 18, meaning that including youth participation in the development process must be seen as crucial for inclusive and sustainable development. UNICEF’s Communication (external relations) and Communication for Development activities are working to promote youth voices and child participation in the media by engaging them in various initiatives including social media through various programmes.

This UNV assignment is part of the efforts to raise the profile of children, adolescents and youth, increase participation. The UNV Communication Assistant will also work on covering photography, video and design work for regular programmes.

UN Volunteers should be provided equal duty of care as extended to all host entity personnel. Host entity support to the UN Volunteer includes, but is not limited to:

• Introductory briefings about the organisation and office-related context including security, emergency procedures, good cultural practice and orientation to the local environment; • Support with arrival administration and official processes as required; • Structured guidance, mentoring and coaching by a supervisor including a clear workplan and performance appraisal; • Access to office space, equipment, IT support and any other systems and tools required to complete the objectives of the assignment including a host entity email address; • Access to shared host entity corporate knowledge, training and learning; • Ensure that UN Volunteers are provided all necessary security measures as per the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS); • Leave management; • DSA for official travel, when applicable; • All changes in the Description of Assignment occurring between recruitment and arrival or during the assignment need to be formalized with the United Nations Volunteer Programme.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Communication Specialist or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Communication Assistant will:

• Document UNICEF’s work in Timor-Leste through design and layout, video and photography projects for use by UNICEF Timor-Leste and its partners. • Maintain a database of a range of video and photo materials • Support training of young people or other volunteers in photography, videography and editing • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

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.

13. Results/expected outputs:

• As an active UNICEF team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNICEF and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: o At least ten photographs per month for use on social media and in reports o At least one 30 second – 1 minute video per month for use on social media o Contribute to the design and layout of visibility material o Captioning and labeling photos and uploading them to online data base. 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 UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF procedures and rules, 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 UNICEF 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; • 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; • 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 UNICEF’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

at the national level in journalism, communications, or other relevant programmes; experience working in the development sector, UN or other international development organization; • Good oral and written skills; excellent drafting, 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; editing, videography and photography, and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in children’s issue, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

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