Spotlight Communications Specialist

Contract

This is a International Consultant contract. More about International Consultant contracts.

Background

The UNRCO fulfils ten core coordination functions, namely strategic analysis and planning; oversight of the UN country programming cycle; representation of and support of UN Secretariat and UN agencies (incl. non-resident agencies); support to national coordination systems and processes; development and management of shared operational support services; crisis management preparedness and response; external communication and advocacy; human rights and development; joint resource mobilisation and fund management; and general UNCT oversight and coordination. This position is part of the Resident Coordinator Multi-Country Office in Fiji, with focus on the Spotlight Initiative.

The Spotlight Initiative is a global, multi-year partnership between the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU), focusing on eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG). The initiative places SDG 5 at the centre of efforts (as well as SDG 16) with the aim to provide an enabling environment for the implementation of all goals. Spotlight provides a model for partnership with donors, civil society, and all UN partners, to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a comprehensive manner leveraging comparative expertise.

The Spotlight initiative in the Pacific focuses on Intimate partner (physical, sexual and emotional) violence (IPV) to address the continuum of gender-based violence in the Pacific region. The Initiative aims at improving access to services, particularly for those most left behind and will build upon existing programmes, both at the country and regional level.

The Spotlight Pacific Regional Initiative builds on existing Pacific Islands Forum commitments as well as country specific commitments in Fiji, Republic of Marshal Islands and Solomon Islands to ending domestic and intimate partner violence The programme will focus on understanding the cost of violence through research, and improved planning and budget allocations to address violence and supporting CSO to advocating to governments to increase funding based on evidence and increasing the quality and availability of administrative data.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

Under the direct supervision of the Spotlight Programme Coordinator in Suva, Fiji, the consultant will lead the development and implementation of the Spotlight communications and visibility strategy in close collaboration with Spotlight Team Colleagues in Fiji, Vanuatu and Samoa as well as EU/EC Pacific Communications Team, Civil Society Organisations, national entities and CROP agencies. This includes but is not limited to:

• Lead the development of comprehensive and realistic communication and visibility plans and strategies, as per global Spotlight Visibility Guidelines;
• Track progress against established work plans and outputs;
• Coordinate the implementation of visibility, communications, and outreach activities with recipient UN agencies and other partners, ensuring compliance with Spotlight Initiative communications guidelines and that all Spotlight Initiative programming and activities are appropriated managed, branded and communicated;
• In close liaison with Spotlight colleagues based in the Recipient UN Agencies ensure country context appropriate communication and visibility;
• Manage, evaluate, and implement high impact Spotlight communications’ product and design and maintain a digital presence, including robust social media footprint for the Spotlight Initiative;
• Identify and compile success stories and programme achievements and manage knowledge sharing among recipient UN agencies;
• Ensure wide dissemination and visibility of programme achievements;
• Manage contracts with consultancies and vendors related to Spotlight communication and external relations;
• Develop and support relationships with members of the media;
• Write and/or disseminate press releases, policy briefs, pamphlets, talking points, speeches, editorials, branded materials, and other written communications materials;
• Provide input and support to Spotlight narrative reporting processes;
• Support the preparation, implementation and follow-up of Steering Committee meetings, other high-level events, trainings, and workshops related to the Spotlight Programme;
• Provide communications and advocacy support to joint national campaigns, launching initiatives, and publications with focus on Spotlight;
• Establish a platform for the sharing of knowledge and communications to ensure the highest level of coordination and standardised best practices;
• Support the linkages between multi-country and single country levels and, together with colleagues in the respective PICTs;
• Foster partnership with government, civil society, NGOs, development partners and UN agencies;
• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional Competencies:

• Experience in communications and social media outreach;
• Experience in online content development is desirable;
• Prior experience with the multilateral system is desirable;
• Must be aware of political sensitivities;
• Familiarity with social media platforms and graphic design and photo editing software applications;

• Self-starter; organized; able to multitask, balance multiple responsibilities;

  Technical Competencies:

• Ability to undertake extensive research.
• Demonstrates strong analytical oral and written communication skills
• Ability to engage effectively with other implementing agencies supporting the respectiveUN agencies, development partners, civil society organizations, the private sector, etc.
• Good understanding of the governance structure and systems in Pacific, including the current political economy context.

Required Skills and Experience

Educational Qualifications:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public information or related field is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• At least three years of professional working experience in relevant field (communications or gender) is required.
• Experience developing and implementing strategic, multimedia communications campaigns for a diverse audience is required;
• Experience interacting and managing relations with the media is required;
• Experience with Communications in the UN System in the Pacific is desirable.

Language requirements and Computer skills

• Fluency of English language is mandatory
• Usage of computers and office software package (MS Word, Excel etc.) and knowledge of database packages and experience in handling of web-based management systems is preferred

Documentation required

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications.

• Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided in Annex II.
• Personal CV, 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.
• Financial proposal, as per template provided in Annex II.

Note: Successful individual will be required to provide sign the UNDP Statement of Health Form and proof of medical insurance coverage for the duration of the assignment before commencement of contract. Such cost if any shall be part of the ICs proposed fees unless there is already an existing medical insurance coverage hence no additional cost shall be proposed.

Incomplete and joint proposals may not be considered. Consultants with whom there is further interest will be contacted. The successful consultant shall opt to sign an Individual Contract or a Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA) through its company/employer with UNDP.

Annexes

• Annex I - Individual IC General Terms and Conditions
• Annex II – Offeror’s Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability for the Individual IC, including Financial Proposal Template

All forms (Annexs) can be downloaded from the Procurement Section of UNDP Pacific Office in Fijis website (www.pacific.undp.org)

Note: This is a re-advertisement hence those individuals who had applied in the initial round maynot re-apply.