Communications 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.

Subsequent to the initiation of the UN Development System reforms, the UN RC Office was delinked from UNDP and became part of the UN Secretariat as of 1 January 2019. The UN Resident Coordinator (RC) is the designated representative of the Secretary General, and the highest-ranking representative of the UN Development System at the country level. The RC leads the UN Country Team and coordinates the support of the UN support to the country in implementing the 2030 Agenda. The RC Office (RCO) in Bangladesh consists of a core capacity (strategic planner, economist, partner-ships officer, and data, monitoring and reporting officer), and advisory teams for Humanitarian Affairs, Human Rights and Peace and Development. UNIC in Bangladesh is integrated into the RCO as part of the Communications Team. The position is located within the RCO and will be part of the Communications Team. The RCO Communications Team works closely with and provides secretariat support to the UN Communications Group (UNCG) consisting of communications focal points of UN agencies, funds and programmes in Bangladesh.

The assignment will involve strengthening strategic communications within RCO to highlight and showcase better the UN’s work in Bangladesh for the development community within and outside the country. Key stakeholders include the Government of Bangladesh, people of the country, civil society, as well as donors and the greater international development community.

Under the guidance of the RC and direct supervision of the Head of RCO, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Plan and implement RCO’s communications activities in coordination with the UN Communications Group (UNCG). • Advise the Resident Coordinator (RC) and the RCO in identifying risks and opportunities related to specific partnerships, reputational risks or crises around sensitive issues, and suggest corrective measures as relevant. • Draft core messaging, “if asked” lines, press releases, speeches, social media posts and quotes of senior officials in support of the RC and UNCT, and working through the UNCG, support UNCT members to align their agency-specific messages and formulate the “whole of the UN” common messages with a joint UN statement. • Establish a message clearance process in consultation with the RC, RCO technical teams and chair of the UNCG and ensure that a set of common messages is regularly updated and ap-proved in a timely manner. • In coordination with the UNCG, provide the RC with needed substantive support in external communications. • Supervise a national Communications Specialist. • Design and implement a plan to strategically engage with media outlets and other stakeholders in the country to improve the perception of the UN and deepen the understanding of the UN’s mandated activities. • Plan and implement communications campaigns with the support of the UNCG and the ISCG communications team in Cox’s Bazar, with customized messages for digital platforms as well as offline activities alongside convincing visual elements. Careful consideration must be given to the contents and methods of the campaign to preempt potential repercussions toward the UN. • Prepare briefing papers and discussion points, speeches, statements, articles, op-eds, human interest stories and presentations as needed by the RC. • Lead digital communications planning and implementation. • Monitor traditional and social media landscape on subjects of relevance to the RC and UNCT in consultation with RCO technical and advisory teams.. • Promote media coverage (e.g. press conferences, interviews, press conference and other special activities) of priority issues and/or major events. • Develop and maintain close working relationships with the media, including editors and journalists in key national and international news outlets in Bangladesh. • In coordination with UNCG support the RC and UNCT on joint advocacy and communications for the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) • Perform other tasks as needed.

Results/Expected Outputs:

• Participates in strategic communications centered on social media messaging and outreach • Contributes to digital communications. • Supports publications and branding management.

• Accountability • Adaptability and Flexibility • Commitment and Motivation • Communication • Ethics and Values • Integrity • Planning and Organizing • Professionalism • Respect for Diversity • Working in Teams

strategic communications and advocacy in the context of international development is required.

• Experience in drafting press releases, news articles and human-interest stories is required. • Experience in managing social media campaigns is required. • Experience gained in an international environment is desirable. • Computer literate; proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, etc); knowledge of graphic design and publishing software an asset. • Excellent drafting and reporting skills; good research and analytical skills. • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team. • Sound security awareness. • Have affinity with or interest in humanitarian relief, post-conflict situations, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system. • Skills on training and developing staff.

Dhaka is located in central Bangladesh along the Buriganga River. Not only is it the capital city, but it is also the largest in the country. It is the centre of political, cultural, and economic life in Bangladesh. The official language is Bengali, while English is the working language of UN Agencies. In recent decades, Dhaka has seen the modernization of services, communications, and public works. The city is attracting large foreign investments and greater volumes of commerce and trade. It is also experiencing an increasing influx of people from across the nation; this has reportedly made Dhaka one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. Good English-speaking medical, dental services, and educational centres are available for internationals. Dhaka is connected to other cities by rail, road, and by air and internationals can move easily from one city to another.

Dhaka has venerable green spaces, including many gardens and parks, historical places, and nice restaurants. The weather is tropical - hot and very humid during the summer monsoon season (April-September) and drier and cooler in the winter (October-March).

Historically, Bangladesh has been a safe country for internationals so far. While Dhaka is not categorized as a hardship station, the volunteer should be prepared for limitations in freedom of movement on foot, by public transport, and to certain locations.