Communication & Knowledge Management Specialist

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.

United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) support to Nepal began in 1971 and has evolved in response to the changing national contexts. The current 8th Country Programme (2018-2022) is in line with Sustainable Development Goals, ICPD Programme of Action, the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for Nepal, and national priorities set by the Government of Nepal.

UNFPA is the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency, taking the lead in delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s current strategic plan (2018-2021) reaffirms its goal of universal access to sexual and reproductive rights, focusing women, adolescents and youth and focuses on three aspirational transformative results to be achieved by 2030: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices against women and girls. 

UNFPA is a leading player in Gender-Based Violence prevention and response in Nepal. The Country Office manages a portfolio of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) programmes, focused both on multisectoral essential services and on prevention. This includes its flagship GBV Prevention and Response (GBVPR) project, jointly funded by the Governments of Norway and Switzerland. Evaluations and reviews have shown positive results from the first phase of the project, and there is scope to consolidate and further expand the GBV portfolio through a second phase of the project. This position is intended to assist the country office in managing the communication and knowledge management portfolio of the second phase of the GBVPR project as well as to further enhance and grow UNFPA Nepal’s capacity in creating visibility and documenting & disseminating best practices, lessons learned in the area of GBV prevention and response.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the GBV Prevention and Response Team Leader or her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Communications and Knowledge Management Specialist will perform the following key and specific functions/responsibilities:

• Develop and lead the implementation of the GBV Advocacy, Prevention and Response Project Communications and Knowledge Management strategy; • Lead the development of a well-maintained knowledge management system that gathers, extracts, packages, maintains, distributes and continually updates evidence, data and knowledge on GBV for internal and external audiences; • Lead in drafting and editing Gender and GBV communication materials and supporting communication initiatives; • Coordinate with field staff, the GBV Sub Cluster Coordinator and the GBV Information Manager to track, analyse and disseminate data on GBV in the COVID context • In close collaboration with the Operational Research Team and the M&E team, identify and collect existing and emerging evidence resources to inform ongoing project implementation; • Coordinate regularly with the Asia Pacific Regional Office (APRO) Gender and GBV Team on identifying and sharing evidence resources to contribute to innovative approaches to the project’s implementation, including capturing the effect of COVID on GBV incidence and service provision; • Engage actively with project implementing partners, provincial UNFPA staff and beneficiaries to collect good practices, lessons learned, and identify strategies for utilizing collected feedback to improve activity implementation, including capturing the COVID context-related best practice on service provision during a pandemic; • Support the Programme Specialist, GBV in Kathmandu and Programme Analysts, GBV in the implementation of community outreach events, ensuring COVID-related precautions and regulations are followed; • Prepare Newsletters, Case Studies, infographics, and Fact Sheets for wider distribution among partners, donors, government partners, and stakeholders. Coordinate with the advocacy and communication officer to promote GBVPR through UNFPA Nepal’s social media and digital platforms including website; • Conduct field missions to monitor communication and community outreach activities, identify the area of improvements and gather information and human stories for advocacy and communication materials;
• Support and document field visits and prepare meeting reports; • In close coordination with the Communications Officer in Kathmandu, establish close working relationships with TV, radio and news agencies to promote and disseminate UNFPA’s mandate, goals, activities, and principles; • Assist with the organization of activities related to GBVPR project and provide general support for planning and project administrative activities as needed; • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

● Professionalism: ● Integrity: ● Teamwork and respect for diversity: ● Commitment to continuous learning: ● Planning and organizing: ● Communication: ● Flexibility: ● Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNFPA’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

• A minimum of 3 years (with Masters) or 5 years (with Bachelors degree) of professional experience of advocacy, communications and knowledge management work (in journalism, media or other capacity) is essential; • Knowledge of international donors/funders and the development sector, and how to target communications that resonate with these stakeholders is a plus; • Work experience in the UN or other international development organizations is an asset;
• Experience in the development sector, and how to target communications that resonate with these stakeholders, is preferable; • Knowledge and understanding of key issues related to gender equality, women’s empowerment and gender based violence prevention and response would be an asset; • Excellent English 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, 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; • Familiarity with content management systems and online social networks and social media and solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, database software and tools, etc.);
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in women’s health and rights, dignity and protection issues, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Kathmandu is categorized as a B duty station. Living conditions are overall good. Comfortable inexpensive flats (furnished and unfurnished) are available in Kathmandu. Both imported and local foods and clothing are available. There is a wide variety of restaurants, coffee shops, and places to socialize. Both air pollution and water quality are an issue; only filtered water should be drunk, and many people chose to wear a filter mask when venturing out into trafficked areas.

Public transport is easily available and taxis are numerous and inexpensive. There are several hospitals/clinics, which are of acceptable quality; for serious conditions or surgeries the UN recommends medical evacuation to Bangkok. Crime is low. As such the main dangers come from traffic related accidents and the risk of earthquakes. UN staff, including UNVs, are required to have a ‘go-bag’ with emergency equipment, are provided with security training, and are equipped with a hand held radio in case of emergency. Power cuts can be an issue, especially during the winter, although there have been improvements on this front in recent years. Most houses and apartments are equipped with inverters, solar panels, or both. Kathmandu has a temperate climate with coldest temperature reaching just above zero at night during the winter and mild but humid during the monsoon period, mid-June to end September. Due to poor housing insulation and power cuts, it can get very cold inside during the winters. Nepal has unlimited outdoor sports and trekking opportunities, a vibrant and fascinating cultural life, and excellent travel opportunities.