Education & Work Experience: I-Master’s Level Degree – 10 year(s) experience
SB5
Vacancy Type
Service Contract (SC)
Posting Type
External
Bureau:
Africa
Contract Duration:
12 Months
Background Global Pulse ( http://www.unglobalpulse.org/about-new) is an innovation initiative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Big Data. Its vision is a future in which big data is harnessed safely and responsibly as a public good. Its mission is to accelerate discovery, development and scaled adoption of big data innovation for sustainable development and humanitarian action. Global Pulse is building a catalytic network of in-country innovation centers, which will test new tools, data and analysis, share what lessons with the global community, mainstream successful approaches for real-time impact monitoring into policymaking. The first Lab has been established in New York (Pulse Lab New York) followed by Jakarta, Indonesia and Kampala, Uganda.
Pulse Lab Kampala ( http://www.unglobalpulse.org/kampala) is an inter-agency initiative of the United Nations under the Office of the Resident Coordinator in Uganda. The first of its kind in Africa, it brings together researchers from Government, the UN, non-governmental organizations and private sector to explore the utility of new sources of digital “Big Data” (such as social media, mobile data, online information) and real-time analysis techniques for social development monitoring and program planning.
A data revolution is underway in Uganda and in Africa. There is more data now than ever. New technologies are leading to an exponential increase in the volume and types of data available, creating unprecedented possibilities for informing and transforming society and protecting the environment. There is more data produced in the last 2 years than in all of human history. There is a tremendous potential in new technology; indeed, this is the forefront of the data revolution already well underway in in the private sector. The new SDGs agenda will have increased demands – and opportunities- for the use of data. Pulse Lab Kampala supports the UN Country team to tap into the revolution obtaining more and better data to support development work and humanitarian action supporting:
- Enhance Early Warning: Detection of anomalous trends and patterns of events enables early warning of emerging crises and earlier responses to prevent long-term harm;
- Real-Time Awareness: An up-to-date picture of trends, hotspots and dynamic changes in population behaviour enhances programme planning and monitoring of implementation and
- Rapid Impact Monitoring and Evaluation: Timely feedback on the impact of programmes and policies allows for adaptive course correction and accelerated achievement of results.
Working Relationships
The Communications Officer will report to the Manager at Pulse Lab Kampala.
Duties and Responsibilities The key functions of the Communications Officer include:
Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Develop and maintains the content of Pulse Lab Kampala’s communications materials;
- Support the development of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to Pulse Lab Kampala’s goals and activities;
- Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice including communications repositories;
- Manage the Pulse Lab Kampala’s email database
- Participates in brainstorming sessions in the Lab to define activities under Track 1 and track 2.
Provides support to the monitoring of trends and latest developments relevant to data innovation and Pulse Lab Kampala’s research activities focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Identify issues and trends of significance to Pulse Lab Kampala;
- Actively keep track of events and conferences and statements of interest to Global Pulse and Pulse Lab Kampala;
- Keep Pulse Lab Kampala team abreast of activities in the innovation community in Uganda.
Devise and follow a social media plan for promoting the activities of Pulse Lab Kampala focusing on the achievement of the following results:
- Manage digital engagement with key audiences via Pulse Lab Kampala’s social media channels;
- Develop blogposts and news content for the Global Pulse/Pulse Lab Kampala website, ensuring consistency of materials and messages;
- Regularly monitor references to Global Pulse and Pulse Lab Kampala online including daily Twitter, reports in Government and UN documents and public news outlets;
- Monitor, analyse and share the latest developments in areas of relevance to the Global Pulse initiative, including emerging technologies for social change, mobile data collection and advocacy.
Provides support to the planning, design and implementation of internal and external strategies for communications and outreach focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Contribute to the implementation of Pulse Lab Kampala’s communications strategy and work plan;
- Provide inputs for communications materials in aligment with UN Global Pulse guidelines;
- Ensure that all Pulse Lab Kampala’s external communications have a consistent style;
- Assist in the organisation of Pulse Lab Kampala events (including workshops, competitions, innovation camps etc..) as required;
- Represent Pulse Lab Kampala at meetings of UN inter-agency communications groups;
- Assist with the preparation of Pulse Lab Kampala-related inputs for statements of senior Government and UN officials;
Competencies
Core Competencies:
- Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
- Advocates and 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
- Demonstrates and promotes the values of the UN in actions and decisions and acts in accordance with the standard of conduct for international civil servants.
- Shows willingness to work without bias with all persons regardless of gender, nationality, religion or culture
- Contributes effectively to team-based activities, working collaboratively and sharing information openly; works effectively with colleagues inside the UN as well as its partners and other stakeholders to pursue common goals
- Facilitates and encourages open communication in the team, communicating effectively
- Remains calm, composed and patient when facing conflict, manages conflict productively, focusing on mutually acceptable solutions
- Takes initiative and seeks opportunities to initiate action
- Actively produces and disseminates new knowledge; creates/contributes to mechanisms to collect and share knowledge
- Actively seeks learning opportunities; demonstrates commitment to ongoing professional development
- Proposes innovative ideas and new solutions to work
Functional Competencies:
- Familiarity with statistical programming and discrete mathematics;
- Comfortable working with diverse programming languages, design patterns, frameworks, libraries and platforms;
- Independent and driven, and able to manage and lead without close supervision;
- Flexible, adaptable, and comfortable working in a start-up environment;
- Ability to work directly with internal and external clients to define requirements for analysis and reporting;
- Excellent communication skills.
Required Skills and Experience Masters in Communications, Media relations, Publishing, Journalism, Public Relations or related field.
Minimum of 10 years of practical professional experience in communication, print and broadcast media and interactive digital media.
Proven knowledge and experience of using social media for social development messaging.
Excellent writing skills for web
Important applicant information
All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Workforce diversity
UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Scam warning
The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.
Languages – Essential: English
Languages – Desirable:
More Information
- Job City Cairo
