Communications Officer

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.

The UNDP HIV, Health & Development Strategy 2016-2021: Connecting the Dots outlines its unique contribution to the global health response through its work to reduce inequalities and social exclusion that drive HIV and poor health, promote effective and inclusive governance for health, and build resilient and sustainable systems for health. UNDP partners with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) to support national responses to the three diseases and strengthen systems for health. In Zimbabwe, UNDP is the Principal Recipient (PR) of the HIV component and is the fund administrator for the TB and Malaria component, for which the Ministry of Health and Child Care is the Principal Recipient. The objective is to ensure access to quality health services for all and enable all those living or affected by the diseases to live healthy, productive lives. The partnership leverages UNDP’s mandate to strengthen institutions to deliver universal access to basic services, including through rebuilding resilient health services in crisis and post-crisis settings. UNDP is requested to serve as PR on an interim basis in countries facing a wide variety of special challenges, including serious capacity constraints, post-crisis or complex emergencies, weak governance and accountability, grant implementation difficulties and financial irregularities, or other exceptional circumstances that prevent a national entity from acting as PR. UNDP‘s management role consists of implementing grants, ensuring robust monitoring and evaluation, promoting financial accountability and risk management, and training national and international counterparts on programme and financial management. Capacity development as well as policy and technical support are core components of all grant management activities in order to strengthen systems for health and access to services, in view of facilitating the gradual transfer of the PR role to national entities when circumstances permit. Central to this work is strengthening partnerships between the ministry of health, other government agencies, affected communities, development partners and UN agencies to ensure more effective and inclusive governance of the response against the three diseases.For the implementation of the Global Fund programme, UNDP Zimbabwe has established a Programme Management Unit (PMU) that coordinates the implementation of the grant and provides general guidance of Global Fund and UNDP rules and procedures to all Sub-recipients (SRs) participating in the implementation of the projects. The PMU also ensures coordination with other initiatives funded by the Global Fund and other health programmes. This UNV assignment is based in the UNDP PMU. Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Programme Manager and in close cooperation with the communication unit of the CO, the Communciation officer will ensure communications strategies, media relations and organizational outreach efforts are aligned with corporate communications policies and initiatives. He/she will also collaborate with HHD Group and GPN colleagues to support the coverage of the activities and special events organized for the GF funded programs

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Programme Manager or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Communication officer will: 1. Lead the development and implementation of communication and outreach/advocacy strategies and plans, with a specific focus on media with the following key responsibilities: - Develop an annual communications work plan and budget: - Conduct communication needs assessments for the GF projects, - Design, develop, and implement communication and outreach/advocacy strategies, including media strategies; - Monitor and analyze print and social media and prepare reports;

2. Lead the development and dissemination of advocacy materials with the following key responsibilities:

- Develop and produce communication and advocacy instruments and materials, including briefing materials, press releases, and articles and coordinate its dissemination through effective channels; - Support the the engagement and supervision of video producers and other communication specialists to produce audio/ visual material on UNDP’s work; - Support the development of brochures, factsheets, stories from the field to inform media and general public at the regional level. - Provide support to CO communication team with timely content update on the GF funded programme; - Liaise with HHD/HIST Communciation focal point to ensure adequate coverage of activities and advocacy initiatives at corporate level and in connection with GF.

3. Manage media relations for the CO with the following key responsibilities:

- Support relationship building with press in country; maintain and update database of relevant press; - Respond timely and clearly to media inquiries and to a variety of inquiries and information requests; prepare related correspondence; identify topics, background information, news-related development and coverage of interest; - Organize roundtable discussions, press conferences, and briefing sessions with press; - Facilitate interviews with senior managers; connect media with UNDP’s subject experts; and

4. Facilitate knowledge building and sharing:

- Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme and activities and ensure exchange of information; - Provide training and workshops on communication and advocacy as appropriate;

Results/expected outputs As an active UNDP team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNDP and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: - Increased the visibility of UNDP/GF activities and contributions of UNDP and GF in a wider arena - Communciation plan, strategies l developed and implemented - Advocacy and communication material fully developed and available in the different media outlets; - Web based and social media routinely updated on GF information and initiatives - Enhanced relations with local medias - Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment; - A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

• Accountability
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Communication
• Empowering Others
• Ethics and Values
• Judgement and Decision-making
• Knowledge Sharing
• Leadership
• Planning and Organizing
• Professionalism
• Respect for Diversity
• Self-Management
• Technological Awareness -Working in Teams

Communication or related programme -Proven experiences on producing contents on social media, promotional materials and communication products - Proven skills on updating websites and various social media platforms. - Experience and skills in graphic designs, and production of audio-visual materials - Proven Experience in drafting report, news, stories, policy updates - Experience in working with media and establishing networks - Experience in working in a demanding environment with the skills of dealing crisis communications - Good interpersonal and team building skills will be highly desirable • - Experience on knowledge products, research skills will be desirable

Zimbabwe is located in Southern Africa and has three seasons, cool and dry from May-Aug, hot and dry from Sep-Nov, warm and wet from Dec-Apr. The capital Harare lies at an altitude of 1450m above sea level. The middle plateau is Malaria free and prophylaxis is highly recommended in low lying and hot areas. The currency in use is the Zimbabwe dollar and the United States dollar in some places. Foreign exchange bureaus are available, and all basic food and accessories are available. There are public and private health facilities as well as many social amenities available in Harare.

Harare is a cosmopolitan town full of culture and history. It has over a million residents and a large UN agency presence. The Security Level in Harare is classified as Low (Level 2) as per the UN security management system in Zimbabwe. There are no major security challenges to UN operations in Harare. However, individuals must be on the alert as crime, mainly robberies, house break-ins and smash & grab thefts from motor vehicles at traffic lights and road accidents are some of the increasing risks to the UN in Zimbabwe.

Different types of long-term accommodation are available in Harare. House rentals and prices differ depending on size, location and furnishings. You are advised to check with the UNDSS Security Advisor on recommended areas. Ensure that the property has good access to water with a prolific borehole with a water tank in place. There are a number of reliable online platforms available to enable one to find accommodation more smoothly once they are within the country.