Crisis Communications Specialist

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Application deadline 2 years ago: Thursday 26 Aug 2021 at 23:59 UTC

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Contract

This is a National Consultant contract. More about National Consultant contracts.

Background

The position is located in the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office in the Kingdom of Eswatini. The UN Resident Coordinator (RC) provides leadership to the UN Country Team and the UN’s programming work, in support of national priorities. The RC has a team composed of national and international staff, and is based in Mbabane, Eswatini. Over the past few months, the escalating political situation, including civil unrest, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, are exacerbating the vulnerabilities of communities across the nation. The Kingdom of Eswatini is particularly vulnerable at this time, requiring all humanitarian partners to work together to reprioritize and adapt their response, as needed. To date, the UN has been engaging with development partners and Governments through various platforms to look at key areas of concern such as education, water and sanitation, food security, livelihoods and protection of women, children and other vulnerable groups.

In line with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2021-2025, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Eswatini is leading a cohesive UN System response to COVID-19, adapting the response where needed to respond to political tensions across the nation, whilst leveraging the critical expertise and delivery capacities of UN Agencies to ensure a coordinated, system-wide and multi-sectoral approach to a quickly evolving situation. Recognizing the importance of effective communications and public information sharing, especially in times of crisis, as both a practical tool and an operational necessity, the UN’s Communication Group (UNCG) has been implementing a COVID-19 Crisis Communication Plan. The proposed position, as part of UNCG, will be based with RCO Eswatini and will support the implementation of the COVID-19 Crisis Communication Plan and development of a Civil Unrest Communication Plan.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Crisis Communication Specialist is responsible for the following duties:

  • Develops and coordinates the implementation of a Civil Unrest Communications Strategy; in collaboration with the UNCG and UNCT Eswatini.
  • Supports coordination and implementation of system-wide COVID-19 Communication Strategy; in coordination with the UNCG.
  • Coordinates, provides advice and expertise to the RC and UNCT on a range of communications and public affairs issues, methods, and approaches; anticipates and resolves communications/strategic public
  • engagement issues/problems, to include the provision of an effective crisis communications support and/or surge capacity mechanisms in the event of a crisis in the country of responsibility.
  • Develops and coordinates strategic partnerships with key constituencies, including members of the United Nations Communications Groups, to elicit support for and maximize impact of promotional objectives; may support the Development Coordination Officer: Advocacy and Communications as a liaison to media organizations, governmental bodies, national groups, private sector organizations, educational organizations, international organizations, etc.
  • Prepares communication material for UN websites and social media accounts, periodicals, reports, and edits draft materials prepared by officers.
  • Evaluates results and impact of communications activities, reports on developments, trends and attitudes regarding the UN.
  • Documents UN Response to the civil unrest and COVID-19 in Eswatini.
  • Any other assignment as may be given by the UNRCO.

Deliverables

  • Crisis Communications Plan/Strategy on Eswatini Civil Unrest
  • Weekly media monitoring report and analysis submitted to the DO
  • Regular reports and press cuttings prepared on behalf of the RC/DO for DCO

Institutional Arrangement

  • The consultant is expected to report directly to the UN Resident Coordinator and work under the overall supervision of the Development Coordination Officer – Programme Communications and Advocacy.
  • The RCO will provide working space/desk.

Duration of the Work

  • The assignment will be carried out for 6 months with the expected start date 1st September 2021. There is expected to be 120 days of engagement under this assignment.

Duty Station

The Consultant is expected to be based in the UNRCO office in Mbabane, Eswatini.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favouritism;
  • Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional Competencies:

  • Professionalism: Knowledge of different aspects of public information and communication, particularly in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the region. Ability to address a range of issues in the context of political developments, public attitudes and local conditions. Ability to conceptualize, design and implement information campaigns. Ability to rapidly analyse and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships. Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations; takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
  • Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way
  • communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
  • Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision.

Technical Competencies:

  • Ability to undertake extensive research;
  • Demonstrates strong analytical oral and written communication skills;
  • Ability to engage effectively with other implementing agencies supporting the respective UN agencies, development partners, civil society organizations, the private sector, etc.;
  • Good understanding of the governance structure and systems in Eswatini, including the current political economy context.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public information or related field is required.
  • A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

  • A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in communication, journalism, international relations, public information or related area is required;
  • Prior experience with Communications in UNRCO and /or UN System is desirable;
  • Experience developing and implementing strategic, multimedia communications campaigns for a diverse audience is required;
  • Experience interacting and managing relations with the media is required;
  • A minimum of one-year of experience working in the political, social and economic context of the region of responsibility is desirable.

Language Requirement:

  • Proficiency in written and spoken English and SiSwati.

How to apply:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications.

  1. Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP; OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP
  2. Personal CV or P11, indicating all experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references; Link for the P11 form: https://un.org.sz/p11/P11.docx
  3. Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment; and a methodology on how they will approach and complete the assignment
  4. Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided. If an Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.

    Incomplete proposals may not be considered. All applications must be made on-line.

Note: Please note you can upload only one document to this application (scan all documents in one single PDF file to attach).

Note: Successful individual will be required to provide the Statement of Good Health Form and proof of medical insurance coverage for the duration of the assignment before commencement of contract. Such cost if any shall be part of the ICs proposed fees unless there is already an existing medical insurance coverage hence no additional cost shall be proposed.

Incomplete and joint proposals may not be considered. Consultants with whom there is further interest will be contacted. The successful consultant shall opt to sign an Individual Contract or a Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA) through its company/employer with UNDP.

Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: jobs.undp.org