Communications and external engagement Associate

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.

UNDP Papua New Guinea has recently received funding from the Government of Japan as part of a multi country project, Pacific Green Transformation, which will be implemented in Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, East Timor and Samoa. In Papua New Guinea, the project aims to increase access to renewable energy by installing micro-solar farms in three parts of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

Under the supervision of the UNDP PNG Deputy Resident Representative and Bougainville Programme Coordinator, the Communications and External Engagement Associate will assist the project with tasks related to management and dissemination, collection, recording and external engagement. The Associate will contribute to preparing various communications materials on the achievements of the project and ensure that all agreed activities and initiatives are done in a transparent, timely and resource efficient manner and in alignment with the needs of the project’s beneficiaries.

• Prepare communications plans for promoting the project’s achievements on different platforms in collaboration with the Project Manager, Bougainville Team Leader and Country Office Communications Analyst

• Collect materials for communications products on the project by undertaking field missions to the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and conducting interviews and taking photographs of the project’s beneficiaries

• Regularly provide updates on the project’s developments and achievements to the Communications Team of UNDP Papua New Guinea

• Contribute to drafting social media posts, news articles and human-interest stories on the project

• Closely liaison with regional and project stakeholders within the wider Pacific Green Transformation project.

• Support in managing UNDP Papua New Guinea’s partnerships with international donors, UNDP Tokyo office, Embassy of Japan in Papua New Guinea and other relevant stakeholders

Ensures implementation of communication strategies and introduction/implementation of new outputs focusing on achievement of the project needs as follows:

• Closely collaborating with the Country Office Communications Team to ensure the project’s achievements and developments are regularly promoted on different platforms and to different audiences

• Building partnerships with Government partners, youth groups, women’s rights groups and other relevant stakeholders

• Supporting the Project Team and Communications Team in organizing workshops and other events related to the project

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Management and Leadership • Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude • Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNDP’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

• University Degree in communications, journalism, graphic design, multimedia, business, sociology or other related field • Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing communications and external engagement related support services • Experience in preparing content for different social media platforms • Experience in performing communications and external engagement tasks for international agencies or non-Governmental organizations is desirable • Experience and good skills in photography, videography and video editing is highly desirable • Experience in using office software packages (e.g. MS Word, Excel) • 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; • Have affinity with or interest in sustainable development and volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System. • Fluency in spoken and written English is required; • Spoken and written Japanese language skills is desirable

Papua New Guinea (PNG) occupies the eastern part of the Island of New Guinea – the world's second largest island – and its offshore islands in Melanesia. It is unique in many respects: linguistically, it is the world's most diverse country, with more than 700 native tongues.

PNG provides an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as a relatively high level of stamina and commitment to make life comfortable and affordable.

Port Moresby is the capital of PNG and is the largest city in the Pacific Islands outside of Australia and New Zealand. It is located on the south-eastern coast of the Papuan peninsula on the shores of the Gulf of Papua. The city’s official population according to the PNG National Statistical Office is 364,125, but it is believed to be double that figure. The expansion of the PNG economy – thanks to a thriving extractive industry – became the trigger for the growth of Port Moresby.

Successive national governments and municipal authorities rolled out modern facilities, complimenting increased investment in property development by the private sector. Today Port Moresby’s skyline has evolved from low-set buildings to multi-storeyed apartment blocks.

Security Advisory: UN travellers to/in Papua New Guinea and Bougainville are advised to exercise a high degree of caution. Crime rates are high, particularly in the capital and in the large cities. Violent carjacking, street robberies, house breaking, violence against women and sexual assaults frequently occur. All travel at night must be made by vehicle. Tribal conflicts, riots and looting are frequent in the Highlands provinces. Agencies undertaking visits to the highlands must take special security arrangements including protection team in certain areas. Security arrangements have to be detailed when submitting the clearance.

Health and medical services. Malaria is endemic in all areas. Dengue fever is also common in coastal towns, including Port Moresby. Tuberculosis is common. HIV/AIDS and other STDs are also present. PNG only offers basic medical facilities and you should ensure you discuss all possible vaccinations and other preventative measures recommended for Papua New Guinea with your primary care physician prior to leaving your home country.

Social issues: Despite Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) economic boom led by extractive industries, almost 40 percent of the country’s population lives in poverty. Gender inequality, violence, corruption at all levels, excessive use of force by Police and domestic violence continue to affect PNG citizens. Rates of family and sexual violence are among the highest in the world. Road and traffic conditions are poor; as such accidents are likely, with only limited emergency response services available.

Accommodation: The accommodation rates in PNG is incomparable with most other cities in the world as it is very costly.

Groceries: There are a number of supermarkets and grocery shops stocking a diverse range of products but mainly influenced by the city’s trade with East Asian countries, America, India, Australia and New Zealand. They also have provision for people with special dietary requirements.

Visas: All foreign visitors to PNG require a visa to enter. They will not be issued at the airport. Transit visas always are required for transit through Australia, even if remaining in the international transit area for a few hours.