DEVELOPMENT COORDINATION OFFICER, PROGRAMME COMMUNICATIONS AND ADVOCACY

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Application deadline 2 years ago: Sunday 1 Aug 2021 at 23:59 UTC

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This is a NO-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-3 contracts.

Org. Setting and Reporting The position is located in the United Nations Resident Coordination Office (RCO) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and reports to the RCO Team Leader.

The position also maintains a working relationship with the Development Coordination Office (DCO) Communications team in New York and the United Nations Department of Global Communications (DGC), which sets the communications and advocacy priorities of the United Nations around the world.

UN Resident Coordinator (RC): The UN Resident Coordinator is the head of the United Nations in the country, the highest ranking senior official.

United Nations Country Team (UNCT): The UNCT is the UN’s coordination body at country-level. The UNCT is comprised of the Heads of UN agencies.

UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF): the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework is the UN’s strategic document, an agreement between the UN and the host government—determines and reflects the UN development system's contributions in the country and shapes the configuration of UN assets required inside and outside the country.

2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGS): Adopted by all UN’s member states, the 17 SDGs represent a common roadmap for well-being of people. Read more here: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/development-agenda/

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Communications and Advocacy Officer, Development Coordination, will be responsible of the following duties:

Summary of Functions:

1. Strategic Communications: Designs the joint Strategic Communication Strategy in collaboration with various UN agencies in UAE and national stakeholders for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

2. Advocacy: Provides substantive input on how the UN should communicate its branding, engagement with UN and national partners and advocacy for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

3. Branding management: Plans and facilitates substantive support for publications and branding management and advises on financing for digital communications, expanding public engagement for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in line with the Decade of Action

4. Knowledge-sharing: Promotes knowledge management, builds communication channels to capture lessons learned from outreach initiatives, and promotes network development activities

Description of Functions:

1.Strategic Communications

•Provides guidance on the development and implementation of the UN Joint Advocacy and Communication Strategy in alignment with and support of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;

•Conducts liaison and coordination with UN entities at country, regional and HQ levels, to help package and define UN communication strategies, including differentiated value propositions, to attract partners, both traditional and non-traditional, including government, civil society, private sector, development partners and others on the collective 2030 Agenda and the related role and impact of the UN’s work in country;

•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;

•Plans, leads and manages the work of the UN Communications Group throughout the stages of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework cycle;

•Plans and facilitates the design, formulation, implementation, monitoring and reporting of joint programmes and programming processes for use in joint communication;

•Leads strategic communications initiatives for the UN system in country, ensuring global messaging is communicated nationally and strategic positioning of UN and advocacy of UN norms and standards are also effectively communicated and disseminated

2.Advocacy

•Analyzes trends and emerging tools for digital communication, provides advice on new and innovative funding mechanisms for communication and advocacy activities, to reach a wider, younger audience;

•Provides advice on funding and in-kind support and partnerships that could be leveraged for promoting local, regional and global campaigns;

•Prepares briefing papers and discussion points, speeches, statements, press releases, op-eds and presentations as necessary on issues related to advocacy on development policies for consideration by RC/UNCT;

•Prepares infographics and other graphic communication materials to ensure strategic messaging for the United Nations;

•Plans and facilitates engagements with external stakeholders - including the national government, international financial institutions and others;

•Prepares innovative partnership proposals to mobilize resources for the advocacy and events on the SDGs;

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

•Plans and facilitates dialogues with partners to improve public engagement and participatory approaches to increase understanding about the UN’s work in UAE;

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

•Identifies, adapts, and institutes communication tools with innovative approaches and keeping pace with emerging technology to garner largest outreach and effectiveness of UN communications.

3.Branding management

•Plans and facilitates substantive support for publications and branding management and advises on financing for digital communications, expanding public engagement for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);

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

•Develops and maintains external and internal digital communications platforms and inputs for including inter alia: the UN country team website, official UN country team social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, etc.), Intranet and on-line collaboration platforms, infographics, etc;

•Supports UN Resident Coordinator on their professional social media profile, strategy, and implementation;

•Provides advice and guidance for the production and distribution of marketing materials and publications to raise awareness about the UN’s development impact and opportunities for working with the United Nations in UAE;

•Strengthens the UN brand via events, media and public relations opportunities targeted to the diverse partners, in close collaboration with the UN Communications Group;

•Manages the project implementation, including financial management and reporting for any assigned initiatives under the Resident Coordinator Office;

4.Knowledge-sharing

•Conducts educational outreach activities, including the engagement with Model United Nations conferences and organizing public-speaking opportunities at local educational institutions with support from and/or the participation of the UN Resident Coordinator and/or the UN Country Team;

•Manages and directs strategic UN initiatives identified to be led by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, including support to UN Day, dissemination on role of the UN, information on UN careers, etc;

•To meet communication targets, continuously captures lessons-learned and share what is working and what is not for further improvement;

•Contributes to knowledge networks and communities of practice at national, regional and global levels;

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

•Attends, summarizes, and shares findings from relevant UN agency webinars and trainings;

•Develops expertise and maintains database of the knowledge sources and resources across the UN system for retrieving UN data and references, graphics, infographics, photos, and for UN Communication Officers;

•May undertake Spokesperson duties when designated by, and in close coordination with, the UN Resident Coordinator and the Head of the RC Office.

Competencies Professionalism: •Ability to apply sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches. •Ability to conduct independent research and analysis on sustainable development topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. •Shows skill in developing sources for data collection. •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, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; •Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in communication, journalism, international relations, information management, content development, or related area. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications and advocacy in the context of international development is required; a minimum of seven years of experience if applicant holds a first-level degree. A minimum of two years of experience in designing and rolling out strategic communications initiatives for expanding public engagement and awareness is desirable. A minimum of two years of experience managing resources, including personnel and/or budget, to support communications and advocacy activities is desirable. A minimum of two years of experience in preparing graphic communications materials is desirable. Demonstrated published writing in the context of communications is desirable. Experience as the Spokesperson or Head of Public Information/Communications is desirable. Experience working in the Arab States region is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

For this position, fluency in English is required. Fluency in Arabic is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice •National Professional Officers are nationals of the country in which they are serving, and their functions must have a national context, i.e. functions that require national experience or knowledge of the national language, culture, institutions, and systems. •This is a National Professional Officer (NPO/NO) position located in the United Arab Emirates. Only candidates with United Arab Emirates nationality are eligible to apply to this position. •The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. •At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

United Nations Considerations According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

Added 3 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: careers.un.org