Development Coordination Officer, Programme Communications and Advocacy 166 views0 applications

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationships: The position is located in the United Nations Resident Coordination Office (RCO) in South Sudan and reports to the Strategic Planning Advisor and Team Leader. Responsibilities: Within delegated authority, the Development Coordination Officer, Programme Communications and Advocacy will be responsible of the following duties:

1. Plans and facilitates strategy advocacy and programme communications in support of the UNCF focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Provides substantive support to the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General/Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator (DSRSG/RC/HC), the UN Country Team (UNCT) and the UN Communication Group (UNCG) in designing, implementing and monitoring the joint advocacy and communication strategy and annual work plan, promoting the UNCF as the primary instrument for the planning and implementation of UN development activities in the country, in support of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;

• Plans and facilitates the promotion of advocacy and communications as a tool for a participatory approach to UNCF implementation and monitoring, reflecting the views and priorities of people, including those left farthest behind;

• Monitors and analyzes the media in the areas related to the UNCT’s mandates and programmes in the country;

• Provides substantive support to the DSRSG/RC/HC and UNCT on public messaging and media outreach, including training workshops, journalist field visits, joint media advisories and media releases, press conferences and other media outreach activities;

• Plans and facilitates the work of the UNCG; Support the UNCG co-chairs in preparing and holding UNCG meetings, including preparation of agendas and background material, note taking and drafting of minutes of meetings, and supporting reporting back to the UNCT; coordinate and support the work and initiatives of the UNCG and its sub-groups and ad-hoc bodies;

• In collaboration with the UNCG and in coordination with the RCO colleagues responsible for data management and results reporting, prepares an annual communication plan to publicize and communicate UNCF results;

• Assists the DSRSG/RC/HC and the UNCT in projecting UN’s image effectively and accurately as well as promoting transparency and accountability;

• Provides substantive support to ensure that communication performance indicators are identified, incorporated, monitored and reported on.

2. Contributes to partnership building and media relations focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Plans and facilitates the engagement of key traditional and non-traditional partners, including government, civil society, private sector, development partners and others new as well as traditional actors on the collective 2030 Agenda and the related role and impact of the UNCT’s and the wider UN work in country;

• Provides substantive support to the DSRSG/RC/HC and UNCT in significantly expanding public outreach on the 2030 Agenda and the UNCT’s role and impact;

• Plans and facilitates public engagement on the UNCT’s role and work in country, including through visits to local areas;

• Undertakes regular liaison with other partners, including UNMISS and the Humanitarian Country Team for content development, information exchange, collaborative communication efforts, and innovative communication and advocacy tools;

• Compiles and analyzes communication experiences and shares findings with country, regional and HQ communication colleagues so that best practices benefit UNCT’s communication work;

• Develops and maintains close working relationships with the media, including editors and journalists in key national and international news outlets; develops, maintains and updates media relations contact list/database;

• Organizes and support public events, news conferences, printing of publications, radio, tv and internet messaging to promote and disseminate joint UNCT messages and information; Prepare high-quality press statements and social media strategies; provide graphic content, including photography;

• Prepares official briefing materials, talking points, speeches, statements, op-eds and presentations as necessary.

3. Plans and facilitates digital communications focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Develops and maintains digital external platforms including the UN country team website as well as the UNCT social media presence;

• Plans and facilitates the development and implementation of a digital content strategy and contributes to the development of key communication products (e.g. human-interest stories, photography, video, animations, etc.).

4. Provides substantive support for publications and branding management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Provides substantive support to the DSRSG/RC/HC and UNCT on joint UNCT publications ensuring high quality standards and the correct application of the UN branding guidelines;

• Prepares inputs for the DSRSG/RC/HC and UNCT on the use of the joint brand at country level across products, both offline and online.

Competencies:

• Professionalism: Ability to apply sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches. Ability to conduct independent research and analysis on sustainable development topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Shows skill in developing sources for data collection. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

• Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

• Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

• Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

• Commitment to Continuous Learning: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.

• Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.