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.

This UNV assignment is part of UN Women’s programming initiative to support an enabling environment for inclusion and capacity support to multiple stakeholders at national and state levels to ensure their participation in the transition to elections, and elections, itself. The project aims to strengthen national institutions, platforms and processes in support of free, fair, credible, peaceful and inclusive electoral processes in South Sudan that establish legitimate representative institutions. The project contributes to electoral and broader priorities of South Sudan’s Revised National Development Strategy, the 2018 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), and the corresponding August 2022 Roadmap, which envisage free and fair elections reflecting the will of the people as a key component of the peace agreement. In January 2023 the Government of South Sudan formally requested the United Nations to provide electoral assistance recognizing the need to begin planning and preparations for the elections, including establishing the legal framework, reconstitution of the National Elections Commission, working with political parties, civil society and the media raising public awareness and creating conditions for inclusive participation of citizens.

To achieve its goal, project results are structured around five inter-related outputs, to be implemented by UNDP in collaboration with UNMISS and UN agencies and in partnership with the National Elections Commission and a range of other state and non-state actors: 1. Establishment of an enabling legal framework for free, fair and inclusive elections supported 2. Strengthened institutional capacities for professional, transparent and accountable election management 3. Inclusive participation fostered through enhanced rights and access to information 4. Enhanced environment for maintaining security and mitigating violence during elections 5. Strengthened effectiveness in planning and implementing electoral processes for all citizens. Contributing Outcome: UNSDCF 1: Women and men in South Sudan, particularly youth and vulnerable groups, benefit from and participate in more transparent, accountable, and inclusive governance that protects and promotes human rights, enables the consolidation of peace, establishes the rule of law and ensures access to justice for all. It has a gender marker of GEN2 (Significant objective), and is implemented by UNMISS, UN Women, UNESCO, with leadership from UNDP. UN Women has specific accountability for specific outputs. Output 3: Inclusive participation fostered through enhanced rights and access to information 3.5 Fostering inclusive political participation in elections Output 4: Enhanced environment for maintaining security and mitigating violence during elections 4.3 Promoting civic and community engagement in preventing electoral violenceSupervision, induction and duty of care of UN Volunteers (Roles and Responsibilities of UN Women)

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Deputy Country Representative, the International UN Volunteer Communications Specialist will:

Functions:

1. Plan and design communications and outreach/advocacy strategies and plans: • Develop, coordinate, implement and monitor the implementation of the EU Electoral Assistance and Coordination Project Communication Strategy and Plan (UN Women components). • Provide technical alignment to synergies with UNDP, UNMISS and UNESCO’s communications strategies and activities. • Provide technical leadership on management of visibility and management of the project, with specific reference to social, print, electronic and other alternative media, and provide analysis to the UN Women’s Country Office on a monthly basis;
2. Coordinate and contribute substantively to the development and dissemination of communications, advocacy and knowledge products: • Develop and produce communications materials, including booklet, brochures, briefing materials, press releases and articles for the project and other UN Women activities. • Oversee the quality and compliance of the visual and print products for the project in line with UN Women and the donor’s corporate branding, publication, photo, social media, and the other guidelines. • Identify and propose information-sharing opportunities, activities, approaches and platforms and partners; • Manage the translation/adaption/rewriting of the communications materials, coordinate printing and dissemination of publications and audio-visual materials. • Follow guidelines from the UN Women’s Headquarters and advise the project team on the required guidelines, standards, and requirements for UN Women.
3. Coordinate media relations: • Manage relationships with the media; maintain and update a media database; • Respond to media inquiries and information requests; prepare related correspondence; • Organize interview opportunities, press conferences, and briefing sessions for the media, as required; • Send media invitations and press releases as needed;
4. Contribute to UN Women and the project’s online presence: • Provide content on UN Women South Sudan activities to be published on the UN Women website.

Key Performance Indicators: • Timely submission of quality and relevant communications and advocacy materials, including audio-visual material, • Timely updating of the website and social media; • Timely dissemination of materials as shown by knowledge of Ministry of Gender and Social welfare’s activities in South Sudan. • Regular interactions with mass media, as shown by coverage.

Deliverables: • Communications Plan • Organization of monthly press briefing and other briefing materials • Weekly media monitoring report • Monthly monitoring report on Revitalized Agreement implementation (women inclusion, specific mechanisms and gender provisions). • Design and procurement of promotional materials • At least two (2) social media updates weekly on the project • At least one (1) human interest story or news article per month • Development and management of a media database relevant to the implementation of the project • Other deliverables as needed

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day). • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers. • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UN Women; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UN Women procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UN Women in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UN Women’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

communications at the national and international level or Journalism or other relevant programmes; experience with work in post-conflict reconstruction, governance and leadership and elections is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Excellent and demonstrable skills in graphic design, photography, with extensive experience linking these skills to social media, advocacy and campaigns • 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; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment. • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines. • Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain; (if not applicable, delete) • Sound security awareness. • Have affinity with or interest in Gender Equality and Women Empowerment, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Working in South Sudan requires a mature level of cultural awareness, therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

Candidates for international UN Volunteer assignments will work in South Sudan and when necessary, outside of Juba and within other states on short term assignments. The initial contract is issued upon arrival for the period indicated above. The contract can be extended depending on continuation of mandate, availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectancy of renewal of the assignment.

A UN Volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA), which is composed of a Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a Family Allowance (FA) for those with dependents (maximum three).

The Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is paid at the end of each month to cover housing, utilities, transportation, communications and other basic needs. The VLA can be calculated using by applying the Post-Adjustment Multiplier (PAM) to the VLA base rate US$ 1,651. The VLA base rate is a global rate across the world, while the PAM is duty station/country-specific and fluctuates on a monthly basis according to cost of living. This method ensures that international UN Volunteers have comparable purchasing power at all duty stations irrespective of varying costs of living. The PAM is established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) and is published at the beginning of every month on the ICSC website - http://icsc.un.org.

UNV provides life, health, permanent disability insurances as well as assignment travel, annual leave, full integration in the UN security framework (including residential security reimbursements).

UN Volunteers are paid Daily Subsistence Allowance at the UN rate for official travels, flight tickets for periodic home visit and for the final repatriation travel (if applicable). Resettlement allowance is paid for satisfactory service at the end of the assignment. UNV will provide, together with the offer of assignment, a copy of the Conditions of Service, including Code of conduct, to the successful candidate.