– Communication Specialist – (Open to Rwandan Nationals Only)
Location : Kigali, RWANDA
Application Deadline : 14-Nov-15
Additional Category: Management
Type of Contract : FTA Local
Post Level : NO-C
who previously applied need not re-apply.
Background
The ‘One UN’ in Rwanda – a team of 22 United Nations agencies working throughout
Rwanda — is seeking a qualified Communications Specialist to help us
spread the word about what we are doing to support human development, economic
transformation, accountable governance and humanitarian response in Rwanda.
Rwanda is in a unique position among UN member states. It is one of the
original 8 pilot countries of the ‘Delivering as One’ (DaO) process of UN
reform to improve coherence and effectiveness of our work at country
level. The main thrust of DaO is to increase the UN’s impact in support
of Rwanda’s national priorities and development goals and objectives. The One
UN agencies in Rwanda work and plan together in a coordinated manner to reduce
duplication of efforts, increase efficiency, and encourage donors to pool their
funds for better results and impact.
To further strengthen the DaO agenda the One UN team adopted the policy of
“Communicating as One.” The success and impact of the United Nations programmes
are dependent on its ability to engage actively, involve all stakeholders
strategically and build stronger synergies to deliver concrete development
results through a well-orchestrated policy and programme communications and
advocacy.
The role of the communications specialist is, therefore, to promote the One UN
in Rwanda through:
– Communicating the UN’s strategic direction with internal and external
stakeholders.
the principles of Communicating as One pillar.
– Demonstrate and showcase results and impact the of the UN’s work in Rwanda;
– Raise awareness and intensifying advocating towards achieving global
development objectives and campaigns;
– Support the One UN Partnership and Resource Mobilization strategy.
The 2013-2018 One UN Rwanda Communication Strategy focuses on enhancing
internal and external communication to create a better understanding of and
support for ‘Delivering as One’ and the work of the One UN among staff and our
stake holders. It also ensures that there is adequate information being shared
within the UN system in Rwanda as well as among all partners so that they
better understand and support the Delivering as One process.
The communications strategy is managed by the UN Communications Group and is
based on the principles of a shared vision, common objective, coordinated
effort and an empowered team. The areas of focus are internal communication,
external communication (with government, development partners, implementing
partners, development stakeholders and the media) and advocacy for development
and community mobilization.
Duties and Responsibilities
The main responsibility of the Communications Specialist is to support the
process of ensuring effective advocacy of the ONE UN activities in close
consultation with the UN Communication Group, which brings together all
communications officers of the UN system.
Under the overall guidance of the UN Resident Coordinator, the Communications
Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the Policy Specialist at
the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) to carry out the following tasks.
Summary of Key Functions:
Lead the planning and design of internal and external communications, advocacy
and outreach strategy;
– Elaboration and implementation of the publications strategy and plans;
– Supervision of the content management of the One UN Website, social media and
enhance media relation;
– Advocating and campaigning for the achievement of global development goals
and issues for effective resource mobilization;
– Effective management of the RCO Communications Office and supervision of RCO
Communications staff and interns.
the implementation of the One UN internal and external communications strategy
and ensure yearly work plans are timely elaborated and implemented. focusing on
achievement of the following results:
– Planning and elaboration of communications needs assessments for One UN
(projects, country programme and corporate change initiatives, etc);
– Coordinate the UN Communication Group (UNCG) supporting the work of
communication officers in the different UN agencies, including ensuring coherence
and coordination of communication activities and events organized by the UN
System in Rwanda;
– Elaboration of the One UN communications, advocacy and outreach
strategy based on the corporate communications strategy;
– Constructive and timely advice on inclusion of communications components in
programme formulation processes to integrate advocacy and communication
strategies into all aspects of One UN’s flagship development programmes.
elaboration and implementation of the One UN publications strategy and plan
focusing on the achievement of the following results:
– Elaboration and implementation of the One UN publications strategy and plan
based on the One UN Communications Strategy and the One UN branding guidelines;
– Identification and development of storylines for publications and substantive
articles contributing to debates on key development issues;
– Coordination and management of all One UN publication activities, including
content management, norms for publishing, design, liaison with printers and
other suppliers to oversee production and supervision of publications
dissemination;
– Support the management of system wide media relations including writing
speeches for the Resident Coordinator (RC), producing press releases, media
alerts, organizing press conferences and arranging media coverage of events, in
coordination with all members of UNCG.
Supervises content management of the One UN web site and social media focusing
on achievement of the following results:
– Supervision and preparation of the content for the One UN web site ensuring
consistency of the materials;
– Monitors the effectiveness the One UN social media;
– Supervision of the RCO communication analyst – social media.
Advocacy and global campaigns for effective resource mobilization focusing on
achievement of the following results:
Launches and campaigns
– Facilitating and promotion of campaigns to local and regional media to
position the One Rwanda as a key development partners as well as to influence
public opinion and the development agenda to adhere to international norms and
standards;
– Management, promotion and dissemination of corporate advocacy materials for
flagship programmes, initiatives and publications;
– Creation, promotion and maintenance of public information campaigns on the
One UN activities, results of MDGs, UN Reform, etc.
Outreach
– Promotional activities to position One UN as a key player within the national
development space;
– Increased coverage and understanding of the One UN’s work in the country or
practice area through development and maintenance of media contacts and
providing newsworthy information to national public and donors;
– Development and maintenance of close contacts with government officials,
multilateral and bilateral donors, civil society and private sector for
implementation of the communications strategy, organization of roundtable
discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews, launches, etc.
– Organization and implementation of joint UN information campaigns (along
international days such as UN Day, World AIDS Day, etc.);
– Ensured access for journalists to subject matter experts.
Resource mobilization
– Active contribution to the development of a UN Resource Mobilization Strategy
and its successful implementation in close collaboration with the Resource
Mobilization Task Force and the UN Communications Group.
effective management of the One UN Communication Office and supervision of the
Communications team focusing on achieving the following results:
– Effective management of the Communications Office, including preparation of
the workplan, and contractual matters;
– Ensure coordination with the RCO Online Communication Analyst in terms
of content management of website and social media related to the One UN;
– Recruit and supervise communication interns for the UNCG.
Impact of results
key results have an impact on creation of effective communications, advocacy
and dissemination of information on the One UN in Rwanda. In particular, the
key results have an impact on implementation of One UN communications and
publication strategies, as well as reaching resource mobilization targets.
Overall, the key results have an impact on the success of the UN Country Team
activities and implementation of the ONE UN Communication Strategy in support
of the UNDAP 2013/2018.
Competencies
Functional Competencies:
a Policy-Oriented Agenda
and creation of success messages and strategies
– Creates effective advocacy strategies;
– Contributes to the elaboration of advocacy strategies by identifying and
prioritizing audiences and communication mean;
– Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for advocacy
work;
– Building Strategic Partnerships.
and building partnerships
– Sensitizes UN Partners, donors and other international organizations to the
One UN’s strategic agenda, identifying areas for joint efforts;
– Promotes One UN’s agenda in inter-agency meetings.
Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing
Developing tools and mechanisms
– Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them
into the design of new approaches;
– Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and
mechanisms.
Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise
In-depth knowledge of the subject-matter
– Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well
as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines;
– Continues to seeks new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the
work of the unit;
– Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job
knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
– Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and
applies it in work assignments.
Creating Visibility for the One UN/Supporting One UN’s Capacity to Advocate
Developing promotional projects and organizational messages
– Develops promotional activities based on monitoring/evaluation information
identifying areas requiring higher visibility;
– Develops messages for use by UN staff when working with partners,
internationally and nationally;
– Reviews documents and materials intended for use within and outside the
organization in order to ensure consistency and validity of messages.
Global Leadership and Advocacy for the ON UN’s Goals
Analysis and creation of messages and strategies
Contributes to effective global advocacy messages/strategies in coordination
with UNHQ and inter-agency bodies[EC1] ;
– Contributes to the elaboration of a global advocacy strategy by identifying
and prioritizing audiences and messages in the Rwandan context.
Conceptual Innovation in the Provision of Technical Expertise
Developing innovative and creative approaches
– Leverages different experiences and expertise of team members to achieve
better and more innovative outcomes
Client Orientation
Contributing to positive outcomes for the client
-Anticipates client needs;
– Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship
between the clients and service provider;
– Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective.
Core Competencies:
– Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents;
– Building support and political acumen;
– Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and
innovation;
– Building and promoting effective team;
– Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
– Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
– Leveraging conflict in the interests of the One UN & setting standards;
-Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge
sharing and learning;
– Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.
Required Skills and Experience
Education
-Master’s degree in media relations, public relations, journalism and/or
publishing, or Masters degree in International Relations, Development or Public
Policy with demonstrated coursework in communications-related activities.
Experience
– 5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in
public relations, communications or advocacy.
– Previous experience with a multilateral or international organization
desirable;
– Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, good
knowledge and experience in handling of web-based management systems;
– Experience in website management, social media use and management;
– Experience in the development and implementation of complex and multi media
campaign and advocacy;
– Experience in the UN system and knowledge of the UN reform and its
operational mandate would be an asset.
Language requirements:
– Fluency in English and Kinyarwanda required;
– Fluency in French an asset.
is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality
and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons
with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be
treated with the strictest confidence.
