International Communications Consultant

Result of Service This position works closely with the United Nations Information Centre in Yangon (UNIC Yangon), within the Information Centres Service (ICS) of the Strategic Communications Division (SCD) of the Department of Global Communications (DGC).

The UNIC is part of the global network of United Nations Information Centres (UNICs), and UNIC Yangon is the principal source of information about the United Nations system in Myanmar. The UNIC is responsible for promoting public understanding and support for the aims and activities of the United Nations by communicating about its work and disseminating UN information materials to a local audience in English and local languages; engaging local and regional partners; and, overall, bringing the United Nations closer to the people it serves.

The UNIC Yangon has been integrated with the Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) in Myanmar since the operationalisation of the United Nations development system reform on 1 January 2019, with the Resident Coordinator, who leads the overall work of the United Nations team on the ground as the designated representative of the Secretary-General for development at the country level and the highest ranking official at the duty station.

The incumbent reports directly to the Resident Coordinator and/or the Head of RCO in Myanmar and is under the general supervision of the Chief of ICS and the Desk Officer in the Programme Support Section (PSS) of the ICS.

Work Location Yangon, Myanmar

Expected duration The assignment will be carried out in the period of 1 August 2022 – 31 December 2022

Duties and Responsibilities The International Communications Specialist will be responsible for supporting the communications work of the RCO under the general supervision of the Chief of Programmes Support Section, ICS/SCD. This will include:

1. In close coordination with the RCO Team Leader, provide substantive guidance on strategic communications issues as well as crisis communications support to the RC and UNCT;

2. Support the RCO Team Leader in his role as UN Communications Group Chair, and liaise with UN agencies, funds and programmes communication focal points in order to gather information on the work the UN is undertaking or planning to undertake and develop regular communications materials for the RCO / UNCT that highlight the work that the UN is undertaking in-country;

3. In close coordination with the RCO Team Leader, coordinate the implementation of the UNCT Communications Strategy in alignment with the Global Communications Strategy;

4. Support the work of the Department of Global Communications (DGC) to adapt and implement global communications campaigns and priorities to the country context;

5. Undertake a review of the UN in Myanmar’s communications platforms, with a focus on social media, and develop a proposal for further development of these platforms; with a strong focus on ensuring content is translated into the local Burmese language;

6. Develop and maintain a UNCG communications grid and ensure an active flow of stories on the UN’s work to HQ media platforms.

7. Support both proactive and reactive media engagement, by proposing topics, suggesting talking points, and coordinating response to queries.

8. Provide inputs to the drafting of UNCT/RC statements, press releases, and common messaging as required and develop content for social media platforms.

9. Produce quarterly reports providing an overview of UN public communications on Myanmar.

10. Provide media reports and analyses regarding conditions and public attitudes towards the UN in Myanmar to the RC, UNCT and the Information Centres Service in Headquarters;

11. Maintain close working relations with and works in coordination with the UN Information Centre (UNIC) in Yangon.

Qualifications/special skills - Advanced university degree in in communications, media, journalism, social sciences and/or public affairs or related subject. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree

• Excellent writing and editing and skills, proven by a track-record of high-quality articles, reports, and press releases.

• Proficiency in producing social media content, including messaging and visuals, such as photos and post cards.

• Demonstrated understanding of the UN’s mandate areas and ability to translate human rights principles and development theories into clear communication messages, tailored in language, tone, style and format to match the audience.

• Familiarity with the UN communications rules and procedures and experience in developing communications strategies for the UN.

• Relevant experience from having worked in a context requiring sound judgment in navigation of political sensitivities and diverse interest is strongly desirable.

• Understanding of local context and recent relevant work experience in Myanmar is strongly desirable

Experience: - At least 5 years of work experience relevant to the assignment, including at the international level with at least 3 years of proven experience of using social media and online communications and media tools.

Language: Proficiency in oral and written English is required.

Additional Information The payments will be based as per the deliverables mentioned in the deliverables section. The work will be carried out from the RCO Yangon Office, or from home if COVID-19 conditions do not allow attendance at the office.

Proposals must be based on an all-inclusive lump sum amount, as contract price is fixed regardless of changes in the cost components.

The consultant should present an offer including the following documents: a) Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Availability and Financial Proposal using the template provided by UNDP; b) Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references; c) Short cover letter outlining suitability of the consultant for the assignment; d) Writing sample;

Note - Financial Proposal should indicate the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs. 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.

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.