Communication 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.

WFP Timor-Leste, in close consultation with the Embassy of Japan in Timor-Leste, has developed a project for “Food Security Support to the Government of Timor Leste”.

Effective communication is a cross cutting component of the project, especially in regard to the following activities – ‘Collaborating with Japanese entities (JICA, NGOs, private sector companies, academic institutions) to improve the nutritional value of government transfers’; and ‘providing feedback to relevant stakeholders to improve quality, nutrition, and coverage of food security interventions’.

Hence, WFP is seeking a Communication Specialist to ensure the success of activities and assist the capacity building of national institutions and persons, as well as to support visibility and communication of the project.

Under the direct supervision of Deputy Country Director and Strategic Object 1 Manager, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1. Communications:

• Develop a sound communication strategy to help raise Japan and WFP’s profile in Timor Leste and advance project visibility

• Provide day-to-day maintenance and influencer engagement for CO Facebook page with relevant content

• Produce project related quality communications products, ie, video, photo, text stories, press releases, etc., and disseminate them through appropriate communication channels, ie., www.wfp.org, global/regional social media, media outlets

• Support partnerships, keeping partners (particularly the Embassy of Japan and JICA) informed of relevant activities and maintaining good relationships with government, donors, UN agencies, NGOs, among other stakeholders

• Provide communications support to programme units in writing, editing, and packaging reports with different target audience in mind

• Work with government counterparts to ensure communications efforts for the project are coordinated and coherent

Reporting:

• Draft and disseminate regular and ad-hoc operational information management (OIM) products with input from technical areas.

• Contribute to the Country Office’s information and knowledge management efforts by creating processes, systems and products to share and manage knowledge.

• Perform any other related duties as required.

Accountability Adaptability and Flexibility Client Orientation Communication Creativity Empowering Others Knowledge Sharing Technology Awareness Working in Teams

the field of communications

Experience developing and executing communication materials for development projects (text, photos, videos, presentations, infographics, etc.)

Experience working with national institutions on communications, including communications strategies, systems, and management.

Experience providing capacity building and trainings

Experience in social media management and content production

Knowledge of WFP and/or Timor-Leste’s context is an advantage

Timor Leste is half of a tropical island on the Australian continental shelf characterized by a rugged mountain chain running east-west that divides the country into a generally warmer north coast and a milder south coast. The capital city, Dili, is located in the north.

Climate: The climate along the coast is relatively warm hot year round with an annual average temperature of 30°C. There are two distinct seasons: the north-east monsoon season, which runs from November to March, constitutes the rainy season throughout the country. The south-east monsoon season, which runs from March to October, constitutes the dry season with some rain on the southern coast but otherwise dry and windy conditions in the rest of the country. The climate inland with its high mountains can be cool with an annual average temperature of 15°C.

Health: At the moment, Stamford clinic serves as a recommended medical facility for UN staff. It has two approved UN physicians that can perform primary healthcare and simpler treatments, or recommend medical evacuation to Singapore. There is a national hospital with some international staff and a limited number of other private clinics in Dili. For more complex medical treatment and assessment, it is necessary to evacuate to neighbouring countries such as Darwin or Singapore.  Most of the population is vaccinated against COVID-19 and booster shots are available for UN staff (if needed). It’s recommended to be fully vaccinated prior to travel.

Diet, Food and Water: Most staple foods can be found in the markets such as rice, meat, vegetables, cooking oil, salt and sugar. There are many local markets around Dili as well as four supermarkets that are stocked with imported goods, mainly from Australia, Indonesia, Singapore and China. Dili has a large number of restaurants, cafes and bars. There is a variety of food ranging from Western to Southeast Asian fare. You can also find several local warungs with less expensive meals. The price range for a meal can range from $3 to $20+.

Telecommunications: At the moment, there are three telecommunication providers in country, Timor Telecom and Telcomcel and Telemor. While Timor Telecom has been long present, Telcomcel and Telemor were newly launched in Timor-Leste, and started operating in February 2013. The SIM cards cost $2-3 and pre-paid/pulsa cards range from $1 to $50. Further, depending on UN Agency, you may receive a PIN code to make international phone calls that will be charged to your VLA.

Hotels: The host agency in Dili will help arrange your initial accommodation in a hotel, at your expense. Most of the hotels in Dili are aimed at internationals and offer a good level of comfort with air-conditioned rooms and en-suite bathrooms. You can expect to pay from $30 to $50 per night.

Permanent Accommodation: Expect that your accommodation will range from the very basic to adequate, although many private houses in Dili have been renovated to a reasonable or even considered ‘luxurious’ level of comfort. The rate of reconstruction and renovation in the districts has been much slower than in Dili. Accommodation is far more likely to be of a very basic level.