Public Information/Communications Assistant, Service Contract Level 5, Duty Station: Lilongwe (1)

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WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles.

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.

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Job Title: Public Information/Communications Assistant

No. Position/s: 1 (One)

VA No.: 132804

Contract Type: Service Contract Grade: SC Level 5

Date of Issue: 16 December 2020 Deadline: 31 December 2020 * Extended until 10 January 2021

Functional Unit: Partnerships, Reports, and Communication (PRC)

Duty Stations: Lilongwe (1)

Position/s Duration: One year with a possibility of extension.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. As the international community has committed to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition by 2030, one in nine people worldwide still do not have enough to eat. Food and food-related assistance lie at the heart of the struggle to break the cycle of hunger and poverty. For its efforts to combat hunger, for its contribution to bettering conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas and for acting as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict, WFP was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020.

Malawi is a small landlocked country in Southern Africa. With a population expanding rapidly at 3 percent per year and the majority of livelihoods dependent on agriculture, the population is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate-related disasters. Poverty is experienced by most rural families, with those headed by women suffering the most. Relying on small parcels of densely cultivated land for their livelihoods, rural Malawians are highly affected by climate change. Episodes of drought as well as severe flooding are increasing in frequency, intensity and unpredictability, giving the most vulnerable households inadequate time to recover.

Malawi’s challenges are also compounded by high rates of HIV infection (at 9.6 percent), low primary school completion rate (at 51 percent) and chronic under-nutrition (at 37 percent for children under 5). WFP continues to partner with the government, other UN agencies, NGOs, civil society and the private sector to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, with a particular emphasis on reaching Zero Hunger (SDG 2), addressing structural drivers of hunger wherever possible.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

In Malawi Country Office (CO), Partnerships are at the core of the Country Strategic Plan (2019-2023). Guided by the present Partnerships Action Plan (PAP), WFP will intensify its resource mobilization efforts with the overarching goal of expanding the donor base, improving accountability and ensuring the CSP is well-resourced. The purpose of this assignment is to identify, build and maintain strategic relationships and ensure positive impact of WFP’s collaboration with external partners.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Partnerships, Reports and Communication, the Public Information/Communications Assistant will support CO’s engagement with UN agencies, donors, private partners, NGOs and other external partners.

JOB PURPOSE

To perform general administrative and some specialised communications processes that support the creation of communications content and the delivery of communications services aimed at maintaining and enhancing WFP’s visibility and reputation and supporting fundraising activities.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

1. Provide coordination, administrative and specialised services, to support staff in the development, preparation and execution of communications campaigns for target audiences. 2. Monitor and coordinate materials, schedules, facilities and clearances, and provide support for special events, and video/film, photographic and radio projects. 3. Conduct clearly defined research and prepare reports and provide data that enables informed decision-making. 4. Monitor traditional and social media and report relevant information to senior staff to inform the development and/or evaluation of communications activities and strategies. 5. Under clear guidance, prepare content for traditional and social media platforms and networks, and printed materials, to enhance coverage and support of WFP’s activities, ensuring consistency with corporate messages and standards. 6. Distribute communications guidelines for WFP staff to refer to when creating content. 7. Manage and maintain records and databases, such as journalist and media outlet contact lists, to ensure the information is accurate, organised and readily available for others to access. 8. Respond to a variety of queries and requests for support, following standard processes, and obtaining guidance as required, to ensure timely and accurate resolution of all enquiries. 9. Liaise with WFP staff and the media in a timely manner, to support aligned activities and an effective approach to communications within WFP.

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Reporting:

  • Coordinate WFP Country Office reporting activities;
  • Prepare donor reports and contribute to CSP Annual Corporate Report;
  • Write regular situation reports for internal and external audience summarizing WFP activities;
  • Assist in the preparation, writing and editing of all other reports required by internal and external audience;
  • Compile field and corporate level information required for operational reports to donors.
  • Support WFP staff in the assigned area to ensure that standard OIM & Performance Reporting procedures and templates are followed to drive the quality, consistency, and standardization of information management and performance reporting across WFP. Donor Engagement:
  • Support the generation and submission of timely and quality donor proposals;
  • Prepare and systematically update information materials (fact sheets, briefs, donor dashboard,), briefings, talking points and presentations in support of the Country Strategic Plan and in coordination with relevant colleagues;

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Content Production and External Relations:

  • Produce and publish content for Malawi Social media channels and other digital platforms and liaise with Regional and Headquarters focal points to increase visibility on Malawi’s operation;
  • Travel regularly to the field to support multimedia production and donor’s recognition of WFP’s activities.

Perform other related duties as required.

DELIVERABLES

  • WFP Country Office reporting activities are well coordinated;
  • Quality regular situation reports for internal and external audience are timely disseminated;
  • Field and corporate level information required for operational reports are shared with donors;
  • Key Staff have better abilities to drive the quality, consistency, and standardization of information management and performance reporting across WFP;
  • Timely and quality proposals are submitted to donors;
  • Information materials (fact sheets, briefs, donor dashboard,), briefings, talking points and presentations are systematically reviewed and update
  • Content for Malawi Social media channels and other digital platforms is produced and regularly shared with Regional and Headquarters focal points;

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Completion of secondary school education. A first level university degree in Arts, Humanities, Political Science, Communications or related functional area is desirable.

Experience: At least 4 years of progressively responsible experience in a relevant field of work. OR at least one year of postgraduate professional experience in a relevant field, with a background and interest in international humanitarian development would be an added advantage.

Knowledge & Skills: Excellent networking and writing skills

Language: Fluency in both oral and written communication in English. Knowledge of the local language or UN official language is an added advantage.

4Ps CORE ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITIES

Purpose

  • Understand and communicate the Strategic Objectives: Helps teammates articulate WFP’s Strategic Objectives.
  • Be a force for positive change: Suggests potential improvements to team’s work processes to supervisor.
  • Make the mission inspiring to our team: Explains the impact of WFP activities in beneficiary communities to teammates.
  • Make our mission visible in everyday actions: Articulates how own unit’s responsibilities will serve WFP’s mission.

People

  • Look for ways to strengthen people's skills: Trains junior teammates on new skills and capabilities.
  • Create an inclusive culture: Seeks opportunities to work with people from different backgrounds.
  • Be a coach & provide constructive feedback: Serves as a peer coach for colleagues in same area of work.
  • Create an “I will”/”We will” spirit: Tracks progress toward goals and shares this information on a regular basis with supervisor.

Performance

  • Encourage innovation & creative solutions: Explores ways to consistently be more efficient and accurate in own areas of work and shares new methods of work with colleagues.
  • Focus on getting results: Focuses on getting results and tracks trends in completion rates for own tasks to identify opportunities for efficiency.
  • Make commitments and make good on commitments: Takes responsibility for own tasks and notifies supervisor as soon as possible of potential delays in meeting deadlines or commitments.
  • Be Decisive: Independently decides what action to take when faced with critical choices in the workplace or in dangerous situations in the field.

Partnership

  • Connect and share across WFP units: Suggests opportunities for partnering with other units to supervisor.
  • Build strong external partnerships: Identifies opportunities to work with colleagues and partners in the field towards common goals.
  • Be politically agile & adaptable: Develops an understanding of the value of WFP’s teams and external partners in fulfilling team’s goals and objectives.
  • Be clear about the value WFP brings to partnerships: Aligns own activities with supervisor’s priorities to fulfill internal and external partner needs.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

Capability Name Description of the behaviour expected for the proficiency level Media and Influencer Relationship Management Demonstrates ability to respond to and/or escalate needs of media and influencers within own scope of responsibility to raise the profile of WFP, build relationships and further organisational aims. Media and Communication Expertise Collates accurate and timely information presented in required format (i.e. written or visual materials) as well as verbally, to enable information flows and informed decision making on communications issues. Specialised Knowledge in Communications Exhibits specalised technical knowledge of communications channels processes, tools and techniques. In immediate area of responsibility, provides support in developing written, visual, audio and multi-media content for communications materials and suggestions for improved communications processes. Sociopolitical Contextual Understanding Shows awareness of the multilateral/interagency environment and the dynamics in which WFP operates which informs approach to daily tasks. Communication Strategy and Planning Demonstrates sound understanding of WFP communications strategy and effectively implements tailored media and communications plans which support the delivery of the strategy.

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WFP is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staff. Well qualified candidates, particularly females are strongly encouraged to apply.

WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.

Added 3 years ago - Updated 3 years ago - Source: wfp.org