COMMUNICATION OFFICER, PARTNERSHIPS AND DEVELOPMENT FINANCE

Contract

This is a P-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 144,460 USD and 186,252 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located in the United Nations Resident Coordination Office (RCO) in Caracas, Venezuela and reports to the Senior Development Coordination Officer/Strategic Planning and RCO Team Leader. The position also maintains a close working relationship with the United Nations Department of Global Communications (DGC), which sets the communications and advocacy priorities of the United Nations around the world and includes a second reporting line to DGC.

Responsibilities Summary of Functions:

1.Provides substantive support for strategic planning and coordination of UN Country Team (UNCT) partnerships for programme communications and advocacy 2.Guides the joint Advocacy and Communication Strategy for the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) 3.Plans and facilitates substantive support for publications and branding management and advises on financing for digital communications, expanding public engagement for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4.Conducts knowledge management, advocacy and capacity development activities

Description of Functions:

1.Assists with the provision of substantive support for strategic planning and coordination of UNCT partnerships for programme communication and advocacy

• Provides guidance on the development and implementation of the UN Joint Advocacy and Communication Strategy in alignment with and support of of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the UNDAF in the country;
• Coordinates the monitoring and assessment of the strategy at regular intervals to harness new emerging opportunities, to anticipate changes to the internal direction and external environment, and to make mid-term adjustments;
• Advises the Resident Coordinator (RC) and the UNCT in identifying risks and opportunities related to specific partnerships, reputational risks or crises around sensitive issues, and suggests corrective measures as relevant;
• Provides analysis of the media and recommendations on potential outreach and partnership opportunities, public messaging and UN brand positioning, projecting the UN’s image effectively and accurately as well as promoting transparency and accountability, in accordance with UN regulations and procedures;
• Advises the RC/UNCT on developing and implementing locally-tailored partnerships and advocacy strategies and initiatives;
• In collaboration with the UN Communications Group and the UN Programme Management Team (or equivalent), and in coordination with the RCO colleagues responsible for data management and results reporting, prepares the annual communication plan to publicize and communicate results with a focus on the UN’s development impact;
• Plans and facilitates dialogues with partners to improve public engagement and participatory approach to UNDAF implementation and monitoring, reflecting the views and priorities of people, including those left farthest behind;
• Conducts liaison and coordination with UN entities at country, regional and HQ levels, to help package and define UN communication strategies, including differentiated value propositions, to attract partners, both traditional and non-traditional, including government, civil society, private sector, development partners and others on the collective 2030 Agenda and the related role and impact of the UN’s work in country;
• Develops and maintains 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;

2.Guides the joint Advocacy and Communication Strategy for the UNDAF

• Researches, analyzes and presents inputs to the RC and UNCT on strategic advocacy and programme communications for the 2030 Agenda and to boost impact of programmatic objectives under the UNDAF;
• Plans, leads and manages the work of the UN Communications Group throughout the stages of the UNDAF cycle;
• Advises the RC/UNCT on developing and implementing locally-tailored advocacy and communication strategies and initiatives, and identifies appropriate data and benchmarks to measure progress and success, ensuring that communication performance indicators are identified, incorporated, monitored and reported on throughout the UNDAF cycle.
• Monitors, analyzes and enhances existing media partnerships and relationships;
• Plans and facilitates the design, formulation, implementation, monitoring and reporting of joint programmes and programming processes for use in joint communication;
• Provides advice and guidance for the production and distribution of marketing materials and publications to raise awareness about the UN’s development impact and opportunities for working with the UN on SDG investment;
• Strengthens the UN brand via events, media and public relations opportunities targeted to the diverse partners, in close collaboration with the UN Communications Group.

3.Plans and facilitates substantive support for publications and branding management and advises on financing for digital communications, expanding public engagement for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• Provides advice on funding and in-kind support and partnerships that could be leveraged for promoting localized global campaigns, galvanizing local, regional and global support to the RC/UNCT, in alignment with the Common Country Analysis (CCA), UNDAF, MAPS (Mainstreaming, Acceleration and Policy Support) and similar processes;
• Analyzes trends and emerging tools for digital communication, provides advice on new and innovative funding mechanisms for communication and advocacy activities, to reach a wider, younger audience;
• Prepares briefing papers and discussion points, speeches, statements, op-eds and presentations as necessary on issues related to advocacy on development policies for consideration by RC/UNCT;
• Plans and facilitates engagements with external stakeholders - including the national government, international financial institutions and others;
• Guides the design and execution of innovative proposals to strengthen the UNCT engagement and reputation, and to generate greater financial resources in support of the SDGs;
• Plans, leads and manages public engagement on the UN’s role and work in country, including through programme visits showcasing the UN’s development impact;
• Prepares inputs for the RC and UNCT on the use of the UN joint brand at country level across UN content and products, both offline and online.
• Develops and maintains external and internal digital communications 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.

4.Conducts knowledge management, advocacy and capacity development activities

• Plans and facilitates the development, maintenance and sharing of knowledge and intelligence, to ensure RC/UNCT are informed and positioned to effectively generate and harness opportunities to meet its communication targets;
• Contributes to knowledge networks and communities of practice at national, regional and global levels;
• Coordinates activities to strengthen the capacity of UNCTs to mainstream and promote SDG partnerships;
• Advises on the discovery, evaluation and selection of partnership opportunities at the advocacy stages.
• Conducts educational outreach activities, including the organization of Model United Nations conferences and public-speaking engagements at local educational institutions with support from and/or the participation of the Resident Coordinator and/or the UN country team.
• Undertakes regular liaison with other partners for content development, information exchange, collaborative communication efforts, and innovative communication and advocacy tools, as assigned;
• Compiles and analyzes communication experiences and shares findings with country, regional and HQ communication colleagues so that best practices benefit the UN’s communication work;

• May act as a Spokesperson when designated by, and in close coordination with, the UN Resident Coordinator

  Competencies - Professionalism: Ability to apply sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches. Ability to conduct independent research and analysis on sustainable development topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Shows skill in developing sources for data collection. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings

  Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in communication, journalism, international relations or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

  Work Experience A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in programme communications and advocacy in the context of international development is required.

  A minimum of two years of experience managing resources, including personnel and/or budget, to support communications and advocacy activities in a local context, is required.

  Experience as spokesperson in an international organization is desirable.

  Experience working in Latin America and the Caribbean is desirable.

  Experience gained in an international environment is desirable.

  Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For the post advertised, fluency in English and Spanish is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

  Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

  Special Notice - This position is temporarily available for a finite period of one year (364 days). Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and the availability of the funds. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.
• Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.
• This temporary job opening may be limited to "internal candidates," who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.
• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

  United Nations Considerations According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.