Posting Title: International Communications and Advocacy Consultant

Department/Office: Resident Coordinator System

Duty Station: LUANDA

Posting Period: 17 March 2021 - 30 March 2021

Job Opening Number: 21-Resident Coordinator System-152179-Consultant

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Result of Service

Strategic advocacy and communications programs planed, facilitated and produced

Partnerships and media relations established

Quality digital communications produced

Quality of publications and branding material produced and well managed.

Quality UN Global communications and advocacy tools

Work Location

home based

Expected duration

Asap until 31 December 2021

Duties and

Responsibilities

Summary of Functions: 1. Plans, facilitates and produces strategic, advocacy and programme communications in support of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF)

2. Contributes to partnership building and media relations

3. Plans and facilitates digital communications

4. Provides substantive support for publications and branding management

5. Assists in the local promotion of United Nations global communications and advocacy priorities on the work of the United Nations in other key thematic areas.

Description of Functions: 1. Plans, facilitates and produces strategic advocacy and programme communications in support of the UNSDCF

  • Provides substantive support to the Resident Coordinator (RC) and UN Country Team (UNCT) in designing, implementing and monitoring the UN joint advocacy and communication strategy, promoting the UNSDCF 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;
  • Researches, analyzes and presents inputs to the RC and UNCT on strategic advocacy and programme communications for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to boost impact of programmatic objectives under the UNDSDCF;
  • Plans, facilitates and coordinates the promotion of advocacy and communications as a tool for a participatory approach to UNSDCF implementation and monitoring, taking into consideration the views and priorities of the most vulnerable;
  • Monitors and analyzes the media in the areas related to the UN's mandates and programmes in the country, as well as other issues relevant to the UN brand and positioning;
  • Provides substantive support to the RC and UNCT on public messaging and media outreach, and assists in managing reputational risks or crises around sensitive issues;
  • Identifies and assesses potential issues, concerns and risks related to communications and advocacy, and suggests corrective actions to the RC and UNCT, UN Communications Group and Results Groups;
  • Contribute to the planning and the work of the UN Communications Group throughout the stages of the UNSDCF cycle;
  • In collaboration with the UN Communications Group and the UN Programme Management Team (or equivalent), and in coordination with the RCO colleagues responsible for data management and results reporting, prepares the annual communication plan to publicize and communicate results with a focus on the UN's development impact;
  • Assists the RC and UNCT in projecting the 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 throughout the UNSDCF cycle.

2. Contributes to partnership building and media relations

  • Plans and facilitates the engagement of key traditional and non-traditional partners, including government, civil society, private sector, development partners and other new as well as traditional actors on the collective 2030 Agenda and the related role and impact of the UN's work in country;
  • Provides substantive support to the RC and UNCT in significantly expanding public outreach on the 2030 Agenda and the UN's role and impact in country;
  • Plans and facilitates public engagement on the UN's role and work in country, including through programme visits, health and safety conditions permitting, showcasing the UN's development impact;
  • Undertakes regular liaison with other partners for content development, information exchange, collaborative communication efforts, and innovative communication and advocacy tools, as assigned;
  • Compiles and analyzes communication experiences and shares findings with country, regional and HQ communication colleagues so that best practices benefit the UN'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;
  • Prepares official briefing materials, talking points, speeches, statements, op-eds and presentations as necessary.

3. Plans and facilitates digital communications.

  • When needed, develops and oversees the maintenance of external and internal digital communications platforms such as the UN country team website, official UN country team social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, etc.), Intranet and on-line collaboration platforms, etc.;
  • Plans and facilitates the development and implementation of a digital content strategy and guides the development of key communications and advocacy products (e.g. human-interest stories, multilingual and multimedia content, etc.).
  • Conducts exercises exploring the applicability of new and emerging tools and techniques to digital communications and advocacy activities to reach a wider, younger audience.

4. Provides substantive support for publications and branding management

  • Provides substantive support to the RC and UNCT on joint UN publications ensuring high quality standards and the correct application of the UN branding guidelines and the UN publishing standards.
  • Prepares inputs for the RC and UNCT on the use of the UN joint brand at country level across UN content and products, both offline and online.
  • Plans and organizes launch events for joint UN publications, coordinating with author entities in the UN country team and relevant local partners, including host country authorities, media representatives, members of academia, etc. to ensure high visibility and impact.

5. Plans and facilitates the local promotion of United Nations global communications and advocacy priorities on the work of the United Nations in other key thematic areas

  • Provides substantive support to DGC in adapting and localizing global communications and advocacy priorities promoting the work of the United Nations in key thematic areas.
  • Advises the RC on possible sources of funding and in-kind support and partnerships that could be leveraged for promoting localized global campaigns, galvanizing local, regional and global support as relevant.
  • Conducts educational outreach activities, including the organization of Model United Nations conferences and public-speaking engagements at local educational institutions with support from and/or the participation of the RC and/or the UN country team.
  • Evaluates results and impact of communications and advocacy initiatives promoting the work of the United Nations in key thematic areas other than development, reporting the outcome to the RC, the UN country team and DGC.
  • Perform other related duties as required.

Institutional Arrangement

  • The consultant is expected to report directly to the UN Resident Coordinator and work under the overall supervision of the RCO Team leader.
  • The consultant is expected to be home-based and provide his/her working materials.

Qualifications/special skills

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.

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.

Academic Qualifications: Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in communication, journalism, international relations or related area. 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: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in programme communications and advocacy in the context of international development is required. Experience working on communication activities for an international organization comparable to the United Nations in Lusophone countries and the region is desirable. Experience developing and implementing strategic, multimedia communications campaigns for a diverse audience is required. Experience managing resources, including personnel and budget, to support communications and advocacy activities in a local context, is desirable.

Language: Fluency in Portuguese and English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Additional Information

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationships: This consultancy position is located in the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) in Angola. The incumbent reports directly to the Senior Development Coordination Officer, Strategic Planning and RCO Team Leader and is under the overall supervision of the United Nations Resident Coordinator. She or he also maintains a close working relationship with the United Nations Department of Global Communications (DGC), which sets the communications and advocacy priorities of the United Nations around the world, and has a second reporting line to DGC, working in very close collaboration with the UN Information Centre (UNIC). This consultancy position is in support of the UNIC-RCO integration

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS' BANK ACCOUNTS.

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This vacancy is archived.

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