National Specialist in Communication

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.

UNDP partners with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) to support national responses to the three diseases and strengthen systems for health. In Zimbabwe, UNDP is the Principal Recipient (PR) of the HIV component and is the fund administrator for the TB and Malaria component, for which the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) is the Principal Recipient. The objective is to ensure access to quality health services for all and enable all those living or affected by the diseases to live healthy and have productive lives. The partnership leverages UNDP’s mandate to strengthen institutions to deliver universal access to basic services, including through rebuilding resilient health services in crisis and post-crisis settings. UNDP is requested to serve as PR on an interim basis in countries facing a wide variety of special challenges, including serious capacity constraints, post-crisis or complex emergencies, weak governance and accountability, grant implementation difficulties and financial irregularities, or other exceptional circumstances that prevent a national entity from acting as PR. UNDP‘s management role consists of implementing grants, ensuring robust monitoring and evaluation, promoting financial accountability and risk management, and training national and international counterparts on programme and financial management. Capacity development as well as policy and technical support are core components of all grant management activities in order to strengthen systems for health and access to services, in view of facilitating the gradual transfer of the PR role to national entities when circumstances permit. Central to this work is strengthening partnerships between the ministry of health, other government agencies, affected communities, development partners and UN agencies to ensure more effective and inclusive governance of the response against the three diseases.

For the implementation of the Global Fund programme, UNDP Zimbabwe has established a Programme Management Unit (PMU) that coordinates the implementation of the grant and provides general guidance of Global Fund and UNDP rules and procedures to all Sub-recipients (SRs) participating in the implementation of the projects. The PMU also ensures coordination with other initiatives funded by the Global Fund and other health programmes. This UNV assignment is based in the UNDP-GF PMU. Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Programme Manager and in close cooperation with the communication unit of the country Office (CO), the National Specialist in Communication will ensure communications strategies, media relations and organizational outreach efforts are aligned with corporate communications policies and initiatives. He/she will also collaborate with HIV, Health and Development (HHD) Group and GPN colleagues to support the coverage of the activities and special events organized for the GF funded programs.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Programme Manager or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer National Specialist in Communication will: 1. Lead the development and implementation of communication and outreach/advocacy strategies and plans, with a specific focus on media with the following key responsibilities:  Develop an annual communications work plan and budget:  Conduct communication needs assessments for the GF projects,  Design, develop, and implement communication and outreach/advocacy strategies, including media strategies;  Monitor and analyze print and social media and prepare reports;

2. Lead the development and dissemination of advocacy materials with the following key responsibilities:  Develop and produce communication and advocacy instruments and materials, including briefing materials, press releases, and articles and coordinate its dissemination through effective channels;  Support the engagement and supervision of video producers and other communication specialists to produce audio/ visual material on UNDP’s work;  Support the development of brochures, factsheets, stories from the field to inform media and general public at the national and regional level.  Provide support to CO communication team with timely content update on the GF funded programme;  Liaise with HHD/HIST Communication focal point to ensure adequate coverage of activities and advocacy initiatives at corporate level and in connection with GF.

3. Manage media relations for the CO with the following key responsibilities:  Support relationship building with press in country; maintain and update database of relevant press;  Respond timely and clearly to media inquiries and to a variety of inquiries and information requests; prepare related correspondence; identify topics, background information, news-related development and coverage of interest;  Organize roundtable discussions, press conferences, and briefing sessions with press;  Facilitate interviews with senior managers and connect media with UNDP’s subject experts;

4. Facilitate knowledge building and sharing:  Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme and activities and ensure exchange of information;  Update web-based and social media routinely on CO and GF information and initiatives  Provide training and workshops on communication and advocacy as appropriate;

 Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNDP; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNDP 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 UNDP in daily activities and behaviours 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 behaviour; 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, volunteerscounterparts 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 UNDP’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

 Proven experiences on producing contents on social media, promotional materials and communication products  Proven skills on updating websites and various social media platforms.  Experience and skills in graphic designs, and production of audio-visual materials  Proven Experience in drafting report, news, stories, policy updates  Experience in working with media and establishing networks Experience in working in a demanding environment with the skills of dealing with crisis communications  Good interpersonal and team building skills will be highly desirable  Experience on knowledge products, research skills will be desirable.

Zimbabwe is located in Southern Africa and has three seasons, cool and dry from May-Aug, hot and dry from Sep-Nov, warm and wet from Dec-Apr. The capital Harare lies at an altitude of 1450m above sea level. The middle plateau is Malaria free and prophylaxis is highly recommended in low lying and hot areas. The currency in use is the Zimbabwe dollar and the United States dollar in some places. Foreign exchange bureaus are available, and all basic food and accessories are available. There are public and private health facilities as well as many social amenities available in Harare. As this is a national assignment the UN Volunteer will make their own arrangements for accommodation in Harare.