Radio Producer and Outreach 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.

Assignment is renewable on an annual basis (1 July - 30 June) up to a maximum of 4 years. Contract renewals are granted based on Mission mandate, availability of budget, operational necessity and satisfactory performance.

Duty station can change in the course of an assignment based on operational necessity; UN Volunteers may be required to work anywhere in the area of operations of the host organization, including in remote locations.

The assignment will require extensive travel in and outside the town of Kaga Bandoro and throughout the region for live or pre-recorded broadcast reporting.

Under the immediate supervision of the head of the Content Production Unit, the UN Volunteer Radio Producer and Outreach Officer will undertake the following tasks:

• Develop and produce radio programmes for broadcasting through Radio Guira FM;
• Plan, rehearse, and produce live and recorded radio programmes; work with on-air personalities, pre-recorded interviews and other audio content, music and sound effects, and technology to put together entire radio programmes;
• Carry out interviews with leading personalities, principal actors of socio-political life in the CAR and representatives of national or international organizations; schedule and conduct the interviews;
• Research and develop daily/weekly topics for discussion that are of local or national relevance, ensuring political, social and cultural appropriateness; identify and interact with local interlocutors; establish social media involvement and promotional events with listeners;
• Ensure media coverage of important activities or events in Kaga Bandoro and other regions of the country;
• Regularly write and edit feature articles on a variety of subjects for the Mission’s internet site and the pages of CAR’s daily newspapers;
• Edit draft stories from the Mission’s regional offices or substantives sections while ensuring that they respect the UN standards;
• Initiate human interest / success stories in liaison with MINUSCA substantive sections and regional offices;
• Regularly write staff-oriented articles to be published on i-seek;
• Prepare articles while ensuring that they respect the UN standards;
• Carry out research and writing up reports;
• Actively participate in conception and realization of the Mission’s external and internal newsletters;
• Actively participate in any social media campaigns undertaken by the Content Production Section and / or in liaison with UNHQ, including the production of visuals, animated videos, clips, photo stories, photo exhibition or any other multimedia contents;
• Contribute to the monitoring of MINUSCA digital media platforms and report any trend for appropriate response;
• Participate actively in weekly planning meetings organized jointly with the photo, video, multimedia Units under the guidance of the Section’s Chief;
• Participate actively in the preparation of messaging for information and awareness raising campaigns;
• Carry out research and write up reports;
• Perform any other related duties as required by the Head of Content Production Section and SCPI Director;
• When working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-)governmental counterparts, the incumbent is strongly encouraged to set aside dedicated time for training, coaching, mentoring and capacity development.

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented. • Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations. • 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. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within area of operations as may be necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

public information, reporting, journalism, mass media, broadcasting.

• Experience in news reporting and writing/scripting for radio is required.
• Experience in broadcast journalism in video/photo is an asset.
• Mastery of journalistic, editorial writing and / or social media.
• Good understanding of approaches, tools and methodologies related to planning, executing and monitoring outreach programmes and communications campaigns, campaign management, message targeting, impact evaluation.
• Media experience in the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing states is desirable.
• Experience working in an international media environment is desirable.
• Skills/experience in photography, web development and other media are an asset.
• Experience with maintaining social media accounts is desirable.
• Qualifying years of experience are calculated following the receipt of the first level university degree recognized by the United Nations.
• Solid computer skills, including full proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and other IT applications and office technology equipment.

The Central African Republic is a non-family duty station with a difficult security and working environment. Security instructions from the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) need to be strictly complied with in all duty stations. The country security level is 4, restricting movement to official travel only. Currently a curfew applies from 10 pm to 5 am.

The country is landlocked, with very limited travel possibilities, and surrounded by countries with volatile and security problems (Cameroon, Chad, DRC, Sudan, South Sudan). There is an unstable socio-political situation and social unrest and grievance, in particular in the capital city Bangui, with frequent civil servant strikes causing interruption of health, education and civil service, due to years of unpaid salaries. Power cuts are a norm, causing insecurity in the city. The population in Bangui, including the expatriates, is concerned about increasing crime as a direct result of the March 2013 coup by the SELEKA, a coalition of rebel groups, and events in December 2013 that carried the country into chaos. The country is entirely dependent on the Cameroon seaport, situated 1500 km away, causing regular shortage of basic domestic goods. Travel time for a truck from Douala in Cameroon to Bangui averages a week because of bad roads and roadblocks along the way.

This situation puts tremendous stress on personnel. There are very limited medical infrastructures and services do not function properly. Living conditions are difficult due to the high cost of living and the scarcity of basic products and food. Supermarkets having a variety of food and consumer goods are available, but are costly. Fresh vegetables and fruits are available in the market.

A UN dispensary provides basic medical care for UN personnel and a UN hospital has been operational since August 2014. A Level II Hospital run by a military medical team exists as well.

Accommodation in all CAR duty stations outside of the capital Bangui is mandatorily inside the MINUSCA camps. In most cases, this is in the form of containerized accommodation with an individual bathroom, with 24/7 running water, electricity and wifi. This costs US$ 200 per month and is automatically deducted through the monthly payroll. When no self-contained accommodation is available immediately upon arrival, newly arriving personnel are housed in a container with a common bathroom until a self-contained container frees up.

Only four airlines officially recognized by the UN System serve the country: Air France (twice a week), Royal Air Maroc (twice a week), Kenya Airways (three flights per week) and Asky (three flights per week). Flights are sometimes subject to cancellation when security situation volatility increases.

A Rest & Recuperation (R&R) scheme has been re-established since August 2013 and maintained for all CAR duty stations at a 6-week frequency.

The Central African Republic is a unique country and MINUSCA is a unique operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural and security awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.