Communications Assistant

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

Cameroon has been experiencing armed conflict in the North-West and South-West Regions since 2017. This conflict has caused a huge death toll in both civilian and combatant populations, significant economic decline, growing underdevelopment, pain and suffering in affected communities, and a breakdown in social cohesion. The government of Cameroon and UNDP collaborated in the formulation of the Presidential Plan for Reconstruction and Development (PPRD) of the Northwest (NW) and Southwest (SW) Regions. The PPRD feeds into the government’s efforts to resolve the current crisis. It is against this backdrop that UNDP has engaged in recovery activities in both regions. The objective of this plan is to strengthen institutions and processes that facilitate peacebuilding and resilience through the following three pillars: • Strengthening social cohesion • Rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure • Revitalization of the local economy The PPRD plan is implemented in phases, and the first phase which was expected to cover two to three years since 2020, and which is now extended to 2026, focusses mainly on Recovery. This will complement and reinforce current humanitarian efforts by supporting the transition towards civilian led recovery and social cohesion, economy, and livelihood revitalization, and ultimately the return to normalcy for the Northwest and Southwest regions. The Recovery Programme RP, which concerns the first three years will therefore focus on the human, social, economy and livelihood aspects.

Under the guidance of the Programme Coordinator and direct supervision of the Communications Analyst, the Communications Assistant supports the implementation of the communications and advocacy strategies of the office to increase the standing and awareness of UNDP with partners, the media, and the public. The Communications Assistant promotes a client-oriented approach in UNDP. The Communications Assistant works in close collaboration with the regional coordinators. • Support to implementation of communications and advocacy strategies. • Support the production of the Programme’s activity and situation reports. • Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing. • Support multimedia and online communications efforts. • Supports the implementation of CO communications and advocacy strategies and CO publications policy with focus on the achievements of the Recovery Programme • Logistical support to the organization of publicity/outreach for the CO Programme, knowledge-sharing events, and promotional opportunities, especially UN events. • Dissemination of information and publications; assistance at public events such as roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews. • Maintenance of information database and photo library. • Collection of information, preparation of content for the web sites. • Extraction of data from various sources. • Research and retrieval of statistical data from internal and external sources. • Logistical support to UN information campaigns (UN Day, World AIDS Day, etc.). • Administrative and logistical support to the communications team, including for initiatives such as media workshops, press briefings, report launches, etc. • Budgetary support in Atlas as required, including creation of vendors.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results: • Identification, documenting and drafting of best practices and lessons learned. • Participation in training for the CO staff on effective communications and advocacy.

The key results have an impact on the reputation and standing of UNDP in the country. High quality information material and well-organized public events enhance UNDP position as a strong development partner. A client-oriented, efficient approach to impact the image of UNDP country image.

Respect for Diversity Integrity Professionalism Accountability Problem Solving Communication Team Work Client oriented

at national or international level in public relations, communications, or advocacy, including in media relations. Experience in the use of social media. Experience in production of communication Tools including video documentary skills is an added advantage. Knowledge of « pidjin » is an asset.

Bamenda is the capital city of the North-West region of Cameroon, one the two regions affected by the anglophone crisis since 2017. Bamenda is located 366 km north-west of the capital city Yaounde. Before the crisis, Bamenda was a vibrant buzzing city of around 2 million people. The crisis has caused massive movements of Internally Displaced People. Bamenda enjoys a cool climate and scenic hilly location, and the main industries are the processing of agricultural produce such as coffee, elementary food processing, handicraft, cottage industry, education (schools), tourism/hospitality, construction works and transport, which used to flourish thanks to proximity and trade with neighboring Nigeria. Many of the city's inhabitants are English-speaking, and Cameroonian Pidgin English is the main language spoken in the shops and on the streets of Bamenda.