Communications and Advocacy Individual Contractor

Result of Service Increased visibility of One UN collective results and advocacy

Work Location kigali

Expected duration 3months

Duties and Responsibilities Organizational setting

The UN Secretary-General launched on 1 January 2019 a bold and new global reform which repositioned the UN Development System to deliver more effectively and efficiently with the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. As part of this reform, UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO), under the leadership of an empowered and independent UN Resident Coordinator - the highest-ranking official of the UN Development System and Representative of the UN Secretary-General at the country level -Support countries in the achievement of their development priorities and the attainment of the SDGs.

The United Nations Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) supports the work of the UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC/RC). It coordinates activities related to common programming, joint programmes, joint programming activities and development coordination work. This is done in conformity with the objectives and priorities of the Government and the mandates and objectives of the United Nations Agencies.

The RCO aims to bring the UNCT together to promote strategic support for national plans and priorities, make processes more efficient and effective, and reduce transaction costs. This helps the UN become a more relevant and reliable partner for governments.

The Individual contractor will be based in the United Nations Resident Coordination Office (RCO), Kigali, Rwanda and reports to the Senior Development Coordination Officer, Strategic Planning and RCO Team Leader. S/he will maintain a close working relationship with the United Nations Department of Global Communications (DGC) that sets communications and advocacy priorities of the United Nations worldwide

Duties & responsibilities will include:

• Strategic advocacy and communications in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).
• Effectively monitoring and evaluating various communications tools and activities to measure the impact on achieving the overall objective.
• Liaison with other partners for content development, information exchange, collaborative communication efforts, and innovative communication and advocacy tools, as assigned.
• Prepare official briefing materials, talking points, speeches, statements, op-eds and presentations as necessary.
• Provide substantive support to joint UN publications and coordinate with author entities in the UN country team and relevant local partners, including host country authorities, media representatives, members of academia, etc., to ensure high visibility and impact.
• Contribute to providing substantive support to the United Nations Department of Global Communications in adapting and localising global communications and advocacy priorities promoting the work of the United Nations in key thematic areas.
• Contribute to educational outreach activities, including the organisation of Model United Nations conferences and public-speaking engagements at local educational institutions with support from and the participation of the Resident Coordinator and the UN country team.
• Support 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.
• Develop and edit the content of information and promotional materials, including press releases, press kits, promotional leaflets, brochures, and information packages, including cooperation with a graphic designer on their layout and graphics.
• Assist in implementing global communication strategies and campaigns on social media platforms to engage with local audiences on UN priority issues and major events, including coordinating activities, monitoring and reporting on progress, taking appropriate follow-up actions, and analysing the outcomes.
• Produce Media Briefs and share them with the UN Resident Coordinator daily.
• Draft speeches/remarks for RC.
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

Reporting: The consultant will be under the overall supervision of the RCO strategic planning and team leader.

Qualifications/special skills Advanced university degree in communications, journalism, business or public administration, sustainable development, social sciences, education or a related area is required. A minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in programme communications and advocacy in the context of development cooperation or related area is required. News interview conduction is required Developing and implementing social media strategies and campaigns is desirable. Writing, editing, content production and information dissemination for online audiences are desirable. Solid analytical, writing and communication skills in English and Kinyarwanda is required. Good political and personal judgment is desirable Fast, accurate, creative and versatile writing skills, including for digital media is required Excellent organisational skills is desirable Knowledge of website applications, basic HTML knowledge, photo editing and design software. Knowledge and experience in local and international media markets is desirable Strong interpersonal skills, organisation and communication skills is desirable Able to communicate and work with diverse people is desirable Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure is desirable Good understanding of the mandate of the UN is desirable

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of the National language (Kinyarwanda) is desirable.

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.