Development Coordination Officer – Programme Communications and Advocacy

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.

Eligibility criteria

Minimum age: 22 years old. Applicants must be nationals of or legal residents in the country of assignment.

Description of task

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the RCO Head of Office or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Development Coordination Officer, Programme Communications and Advocacy will be responsible for providing comprehensive day-to-day communications support to the Resident Coordinator’s Office and the UN Country Team in Bahrain. The incumbent will manage communications with stakeholders on daily basis and work in close cooperation with the Resident Coordinator’s Office team. The UN Volunteer Programme Communications and Advocacy:

1. Plans and facilitates strategy advocacy and programme communications in support of the Bahrain UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF)

2. Contributes to partnership building and media relations

3. Plans and facilitates digital communications

4. Provides substantive support for publications and branding management

5. Provide all-rounder communications support to UNCT events in Bahrain

1. Plans and facilitates strategy advocacy and programme communications in support of the Bahrain UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF):

• Provides substantive support to the RC and UNCT in designing, implementing and monitoring the UN joint advocacy and communication strategy, promoting the UNSDCF as the primary instrument for the planning and implementation of UN development activities in the country, in support of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;

• Researches analyzes and presents inputs to the RC and UNCT on strategic advocacy and programme communications for the 2030 Agenda to boost the impact of programmatic objectives under the UNSDCF;

• Plans and facilitates the promotion of advocacy and communications as a tool for a participatory approach to UNSDCF implementation and monitoring, reflecting the views and priorities of people, including those left furthest behind;

• Monitors and analyzes the media in areas related to the UN’s mandates and programmes in Bahrain, as well as other issues relevant to UN brand and positioning;

• Provides substantive support to the RC and UNCT on public messaging and media outreach, and assists in managing reputational risks or crises around sensitive issues;

• Identifies and assesses potential issues, concerns and risks related to communications and advocacy, and suggests corrective actions to the RC and UNCT, Results Groups and other UN groups;

• In collaboration with the UN communications colleagues and in coordination with the RCO colleagues undertakes data management and results reporting, prepares the annual communication plan to publicize and communicate results with a focus on the UN’s development impact;

• Assists the RC and UNCT in projecting the UN’s image positively, effectively and accurately as well as promoting transparency and accountability;

• Provides substantive support to ensure that communication performance indicators are identified, incorporated, monitored and reported on throughout the UNSDCF cycle.

2. Contributes to partnership building and media relations:

• Plans and facilitates the engagement of key traditional and non-traditional partners, including government, civil society, private sector, development partners and others new as well as traditional actors on the collective 2030 Agenda and the UN’s work in-country;

• Provides substantive support to the RC and UNCT in significantly expanding public outreach on the 2030 Agenda and the UN’s role and impact in-country;

• Plans and facilitates public engagement on the UN’s role and work in-country, including through programme visits showcasing the UN’s development impact;

• Undertakes regular liaison with other partners for content development, information exchange, collaborative communication efforts, and innovative communication and advocacy tools;

• Compiles and analyzes communication experiences and shares findings with country, regional and HQ communication colleagues so that best practices benefit UN’s communication work;

• Develops and maintains close working relationships with the media, including editors and journalists in key national and international news outlets; develops, maintains and updates media relations contact list/database;

• Prepares official briefing materials, talking points, speeches, statements, op-eds and presentations as necessary.

3. Plans and facilitates digital communications:

• Develops and maintains external and internal digital communications platforms such as the UN country team website, official UN country team social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, etc.), Intranet, SharePoint and on-line collaboration platforms (Yammer), etc.;

• Track performance of all social media posts created and produce monthly impact and performance reports based on the analytics tools for each social media account

• Plans and facilitates the development and implementation of a digital content strategy based on knowledge and information shared by the UN DCO and the UN Department of Global Communications and contributes to the development of key communication products (e.g. human-interest stories, photography, video, animations, multilingual content, etc.) in English and Arabic.

• Using input from UN agencies and RCO colleagues, draft stories for publication on UN in Bahrain’s website;

• Ensure monthly 5% increase of the number of followers across various UN in Bahrain social

4. Provides substantive support for publications and branding management:

• Provides substantive support to the RC and UNCT on joint UN publications ensuring high-quality standards and the correct application of the UN branding guidelines;

• Prepares inputs for the RC and UNCT on the use of the UN joint brand at the country level across UN products, both offline and online.

5. Provide all-rounder communications support to UNCT events in Bahrain:

• Provides events support by request and in consultation with UN agencies in Bahrain; the support includes helping the event organizers publicize the event via print and digital channels, UN in Bahrain social media accounts, and other available means.

Qualifications/Requirements

Required degree level:

Bachelor degree or equivalent

Education - Additional Comments:

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area, e.g. Communications, Journalism, or area related to Digital Marketing, Public Relations, Advocacy and Public Outreach; Note: Candidates with Master’s degree and 15 years of relevant experience are encouraged to apply; UNV category may change to expert (instead of specialist) for expert candidates.

Required experience:

24 Months

Experience remark:

• At least 2 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in communications, journalism, public relations or other relevant programmes; experience with graphic design, photography, videography is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization;
• Note: Candidates with Master’s degree and 15 years of relevant experience are encouraged to apply; UNV category may change to expert (instead of specialist) for expert candidates.
• 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;

• 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 website content management; social media management; database management; and office technology equipment;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Sound security awareness;
• Have affinity with or interest in sustainable development, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Language skills:

• English(Mandatory), Level - Fluent
• Arabic(Mandatory), Level - Fluent

Area of expertise:

Other communications related experience

Driving license:

No

Competencies values:

Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Commitment and Motivation, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Self-Management, Technological Awareness, Vision, Working in Teams

Application procedure:

Please first register your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/signup. Important: After creating your account, complete all sections of your profile and submit it. Then go to ‘My Page’ at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/mypage and click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink. Lastly, select the special call to which you would like to apply.

* Already registered in the UNV Talent Pool?

Please first update your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/profile. Then go to ‘My Page’ at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/mypage and click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink to select the special call to which you would like to apply.

This is a national UN Volunteer assignment, therefore only nationals of (the Programme Country) and legal residents in (the Programme Country or territory) with the status of refugee or with the status of being stateless are eligible to apply.

Application deadline: 11-01-2021