National Consultant - Communications Products Developer

Contract

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Background

Although climate change is cited as the most significant security threat to the South Pacific, its likely effects on security and potential conflict are yet to be widely explored by the international and regional organizations present on the ground. Climate change in the Pacific region has the potential for a myriad of cascading fragility and instability risks. These will affect men, women and youth differently, and vary across the region both according to timeframes under consideration and depending on the country contexts.

There is a range of critical climate fragility risks emerging in the Pacific Region that will require greater examination, monitoring and coordinated action by many stakeholders at all levels Of which the most critical issues are:

• Displacement and forced migration.
• Increased social tensions.
• A decrease in national revenues.
• Challenges to the Blue Economy.
• The decline in health and productivity.
• Reduced coping capacity and vulnerability of at-risk populations.
• Impacts of sea-level rise on the jurisdictions of Pacific SIDS.

The Climate Security in the Pacific project responds to these issues by providing capacity to Pacific Countries, focusing on low lying Atoll nations, to assess, understand and address their critical climate security challenges. The Project will add value through key regional frameworks and initiatives such as the Boe Declaration and Action Plan. The Project is designed as a catalytic intervention to strengthen capacity for global advocacy and capacity to plan and respond to challenges at the community, national and regional level in Pacific SIDS.

The project is being implemented by the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji under the UNDP Direct Implementation Modality (DIM) and is part of the Resilient and Sustainable Development (RSD) unit. Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Team Leader – RSD, the Project Manager directly supports the effective implementation and management of the “Climate Security” project.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

Working under the direction of UNDP Climate Security in the Pacific Project Manager, the Consultant will:

• Provide efficient and effective communications and visibility of project activities and outcomes.
• Maintain close collaboration with UNDP Pacific Communication Officers and UNDP HQ for effective overall coordination.
• Identify and develop storylines for publications and substantive articles/blogs and innovative communication products to be published on web and in other media.
• Prepare and support formulation of background notes, speeches, talking points and presentations for public appearances.
• Keep updated the project webpage within UNDP Pacific website to disseminate information related to the progress in project activities implementation.
• Work closely with the project Country Coordinators to develop key promotional messages and products in consultation with the project team.
• Undertake field visits to promote the visibility of the pilot initiatives in the three country projects (RMI, Tuvalu and Kiribati);
• Support the development of three final videos (one per country) to highlight the work done by the project and the positive impacts it had on communities.
• Disseminate and share the knowledge products (Climate Security Country Profiles and Regional Climate Security Risk Assessment) produced in collaboration with Adelphi at all levels.
• Keep producing and publishing episodes of “Catching the last wave” podcast on climate security issues in the Pacific.
• Support the organization of a Donor Roundtable to be held in September to give an opportunity to donors, development partners and stakeholders to identify sustainability and continuity options and entry points to address climate security issues in the Pacific.
• Support the organization of a regional and an international event to present the findings of the Regional Risk Assessment and Climate Security Country Profiles (produced in collaboration with Adelphi);
• Support the Project Manager and team in the development of presentations for a wide range of events and in the final reporting of the project.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

Deliverable

Due Dates

Record, publish and disseminate five podcast episodes

One per month (until December)

Develop, publish and disseminate three videos on the pilot initiatives (one per country)

By September

Develop at least three stories/articles/blogs about the pilot initiatives in the three countries

By September

Create and implement a communication and advocacy plan around the national Climate Security Profiles and Risk Assessments

By July

Organize the Climate Security Partners Dialogue and ensure visibility around the event

September

Support the Project Manager in communication-related tasks (visibility guidelines, project branding, etc,).

All the duration of the contract

Institutional Arrangement

• The Consultant will be based in Suva Fiji and will report to the UNDP Climate Security in the Pacific Project Manager.

• UNDP will cover the cost of travel of the individual to the duty station and their return to their home upon completion of their services. Travel costs are covered only if the function will be undertaken physically in the duty station and excludes working from home arrangements.

• The Project will provide full support concerning logistics, IT, and required services (including travel, workshops, etc.) to ensure the Project's successful implementation. Office space will be provided.

• The Consultant is expected to liaise with UNDP Pacific Communication Officers, as well as communication focal points of UN Agencies and partners at regional and global levels.

Duration of the Work

The consultant is expected to work 5 days a week for a duration of 6 months effective 01st July 2022.

Duty Station

The consultant is required to work from the UNDP Pacific Office based in Suva, Fiji for the duration of the assignment and is expected to be online during the UNDP official business hours.

Competencies

Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities skills. Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback. Ability to plan, organize, implement and report on work. Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines. Proficiency in the use of office IT applications and internet in conducting research. Outstanding communication, project management and organizational skills. Excellent presentation and facilitation skills. Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards. Positive, constructive attitude to work.

Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Required Skills and Experience

Educational Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in communications, public relations, journalism, international relations, Human rights/political/social sciences, or related field or bachelor’s degree with 4 number of years of experience.

Experience

• 2 years of progressively responsible professional experience in communications and advocacy for development or related field or bachelor’s degree with minimum 4 years of experience in the similar field.

• Experience in an international setting with the UN or with another international organizations an asset

• Previous experience with the implementation of projects funded by the PBF and/or GCF or other environmental vertical funds (e.g. the Global Environment Facility) is an asset

• Experienced in Project ManagementLanguage requirements

• Fluency of English language is required.
• Knowledge of an additional UN language would be an asset.