HAO - Communication Officer

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.

Somalia's humanitarian crisis is driven by armed conflict, insecurity, and recurrent climate shocks, combined with political and socioeconomic factors. The impact of COVID-19 and the worst Desert Locust upsurge in decades further compound the challenges faced by vulnerable Somalis. Currently, Somalia is on the brink of famine following the historic failure of four consecutive rainy seasons, persistent conflict, displacement, and high food prices. In September, food security experts projected that famine would occur between October and December 2022 in two districts in the Bay region if humanitarian assistance is not urgently scaled up and sustained. Several areas in central and southern Somalia also face an increased risk of famine if the 2022 Deyr rainy season fails, and food assistance does not reach the most vulnerable. OCHA's role is to coordinate effective and principled inter-agency humanitarian response and ensure that relief assistance reaches the people who need it in a timely manner. In line with OCHA's global mission, OCHA Somalia continues to: • Advocate for access to basic services, especially water, sanitation, education, and health for vulnerable communities, including the collection, analysis and dissemination of information to humanitarian partners, and negotiation of access. • Support the government efforts and humanitarian organizations in seeking durable solutions for internally displaced and return. • Support Government efforts in dealing with the ongoing drought and building the capacity of Government focal points on humanitarian issues • Coordinate the implementation of humanitarian response in Somalia with UN agencies and programmes, national and international NGOs, and local authorities/communities as appropriate, with focus on strengthening the cluster approach.

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy SHF Fund Manager and the overall guidance of the SHF Fund Manager, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

I. Fund Management and Coordination: • Conduct periodic field visits to showcase the achievements of projects funded by the SHF and liaise when necessary with relevant other OCHA Somalia units, OCHA HQ sections i.e. DRS, DVU, CBPF section) • Support with communication during the allocation process to all stakeholders, including cluster coordinators, partners, OCHA colleagues, and donors • Liaise with and provide necessary support to recipient organizations of the Fund on matters related to communication and visibility.

• Support with coordination and information exchange with humanitarian donors aiming to promote coordinated and complementary use of funds.

II. Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation: • Support in the preparation of the SHF Annual Report • Contribute to timely reporting on the activities of the Fund to relevant stakeholders • Assist in the preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies in consultation with relevant sections.

III. Analysis, communication, information management and public information: • Supporting the Head of the Humanitarian Financing Unit with the implementation of communications and external relations activities of the Somalia Humanitarian Fund (SHF) • Preparing and delivering regular public information content that feature the implementation and impact of CERF/SHF-funded projects and interventions, including human interest stories, audio visual materials, text etc. across multiple platforms (website, bulletins, dashboards, and reports, social media) • Preparing donor communications materials upon request, including briefing materials, presentations, and infographics on SHF and other humanitarian financing issues (Humanitarian Response Plan funding status etc.) •Developing content for the web site and social media platforms (Twitter and Facebook) via communication with and engagement of donors, partners, beneficiaries, and general public • Research, analyze, and present SHF and broader humanitarian financing in-formation, in particular funding trends and requirements, gathered from diverse sources. • Work closely with the OCHA Somalia communications and Information Management team as well as communications colleagues from partner agencies to raise the visibility of the Somalia humanitarian crisis as well as ongoing responses to the needs of affected people • Preparing funding dashboards and snapshots • Perform other duties as assigned by the Fund Manager and OCHA Deputy Head of Office.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to [UNOCHA’s]; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to [UNOCHA] 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 [UNOCHA] in daily activities and behaviors' 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 behaviors'; 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 UNOCHA’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

the field of communication, donor relations and information management.

•Project programming/implementation experience required especially in emergency situations (complex emergency or natural disaster) is desirable. Experience with the UN common system is desirable.

•Excellent computer skill (MS Office) and proficiency with graphic software and publishing tools required(Adobe Creative suite etc.).

Nairobi, Kenya security risk level is low to medium. The security situation within Nai-robi is calm in most areas. Risks to personnel are reduced by adherence to UN se-curity guidelines, instructions and mitigating measures. Crime rate causes some cause for concern. It is mandatory for all personnel to receive a security briefing up-on arrival.