Communications Consultant-International SSA - UNDP - Kabul, Afghanistan

Location: Kabul with frequest travel to provinces, AFGHANISTAN

Application Deadline: 19-Nov-12

Type of Contract: Other

Post Level: Other

Languages Required: English 

Starting Date: (date when the selected candidate is expected to start)   01-Jan-2013

Duration of Initial Contract: Six months

Expected Duration of Assignment: Six months

Background

Organizational Values and Principles: UN WOMEN is dedicated to advance gender equality and women’s rights in Afghanistan. Staff and consultants of UN WOMEN Afghanistan are expected to contribute to a professional working environment in which the strengthening of national capacities and human potential is prioritized.  Respect for diversity and human dignity is required, as is the active pursuit of a collaborative and inclusive approach to both internal and external stakeholders, including colleagues and partners. Summary: Since 2002, the UN WOMEN (formerly UNIFEM) Afghanistan Country Office has been assisting the government of Afghanistan and its partners in the area of Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW). UN WOMEN is further expanding its EVAW Program in view of building capacities and providing more coherent and specialized support in the work pertaining to EVAW carried out by both government and civil society organizations. In this regard, it is important that the ACO has a comprehensive EVAW Communication Strategy, covering all aspects of its work in this area.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under general guidance of the UN WOMEN Country Director, direct supervision of the Deputy Country Director, and with strategic support from the UN WOMEN Special Funds Coordinator, the international Consultant will undertake the following actions: Development of the Country Office EVAW Communication Strategy; Provision of strategic advocacy and communications advice on EVAW to Senior Management, Capacity development of the national Communications Officer to build reliable and sustainable partnerships and advocate effectively. Coordinate development and implementation of the Country Office EVAW Communication Strategy (EVAW-CS): Provide technical support to national communication specialist and other colleagues, providing strategic direction and motivation; in development and implementation of the EVAW-CS. Provide technical support into design and production of EVAW communication material and media tools, to reach media and public as well as resource mobilization. Work with Units to coordinate media activities around EVAW related events; provide support in organizing events and celebrations such as Secretary General UNiTE Campaign, World International Women’s Day and World Peace Day; provide technical guidance in developing action plan for SG UNiTE Campaign for EVAW at national and regional level and support implementing partners of UN Women for development and implementation of action plan for SG UNiTE Campaign at provincial level. Develop strategic plan for EVAW communication for country office and national level; provide strategic guidance and technical support to stakeholders at regional and provincial level for developing the regional and provincial EVAW communication strategic plan. Serve as member of technical review committee for reviewing the communications projects proposals submitted for funding, especially to the EVAW Special Fund. Review and provide technical input on EVAW communication and awareness raising materials developed by implementing partners of the community based projects of UN Women. Support EVAW program to use potentials of media and communication channels in strengthening the response mechanism for gender based violence and elimination of violence against women. Provide technical support in designing and supervision of surveys for need and impact assessment of EVAW communication interventions. Outputs: The EVAW communication strategic plan for UN Women at national, regional and provincial level is developed. The action plan for SG UNiTE Campaign for EVAW is developed at national, regional and provincial level. The development of strategic plan for EVAW campaign of MoWA is supported at national level. A framework developed for different types of community based EVAW communication interventions.  A package of radio and TV messages is developed for media campaigns. The database is developed for mapping available media (local and international radio and TV) as potential partners for EVAW communication interventions.   The framework is developed for designing and implementation of surveys for need and impact assessment of EVAW communication interventions. Pubic information products are developed regarding UN Women’s activities on EVAW. Timeframe: First two months Provide strategic advocacy and communications advice to Senior Management: Work closely with national Communications Officer and the International Program Management Specialist on the ACO’s communication strategy and public information planning. Support the national Communications Officer in identifying and developing relevant media contacts and advocacy channels to increase internal and external visibility of the Country office and its programming through public relations. Formulate key messages to influence public opinion in keeping with UN Women's mandate and policies. Ensure that all outgoing communiqués to high-level officials are written according to protocol and professional standards, as well as UN Women mandates. In collaboration with the national Communications Officer, participate in the UN Communications Group, liaise with the SRSG's spokesperson and the UNAMA media team, and provide support to the UN’s overall I&C activities on gender and women’s issues aimed to enhance the image of the UN in Afghanistan; establish cooperation with other I&C representatives of other agencies to create synergies. Liaise with the UN Women EVAW Communication Division and the UN Women Asia Pacific Regional Office to align the Country Office's communications and advocacy work with UN Women's regional and global communications efforts.  Monitor relevant global, regional and national news media to identify trends in coverage priorities to effectively position UN Women media outreach and respond to misinformation; Identify communication opportunities and challenges. Provide guidance and support to Senior Management in planning and implementing EVAW advocacy and communication activities that project UN Women’s branding and image accurately and effectively. Work closely with the International Program Management Specialist and the Deputy Country Director; assist in the formulation and implementation of a resource mobilization strategy for the Country Office. Identify improved means of maintaining a continuous flow of information with government and external development partners. Outputs: Senior management of UN Women country office is assisted with technical support in communication with public, high profile officials, and in liaison with communication team of other UN agencies and UNAMA and SRSG’s spokesperson. The senior management of UN Women is also assisted in monitoring the relevant global, regional and national news media to identify trends in coverage priorities to effectively position UN Women media outreach and respond to misinformation, identify and act upon communication opportunities and challenges. Timeframe: Throughout consultancy Enhance the capacity of the Country Office to build reliable and sustainable partnerships and advocate effectively: Assist in evidence-based advocacy efforts for promoting UN Women mandate with national institutions and other UN agencies represented at the national level. Organize and facilitate training sessions to improve and increase media/communication skills and capacity of Country Office program personnel. Support the national Communications Officer in maintaining the UN Women’s Country Office web news portal, ensuring a timely, accurate and comprehensive content.  With the national Communications Officer, update and/or introduce communication tools and develop standard operating procedures, where appropriate.  Outputs: The capacity of the ACO is enhanced with technical support and capacity building provided on communication requirement of program to UN Women personnel whenever required, the UN Women’s country office website is developed and updated in regular basis. Timeframe: Throughout consultancy.

Competencies

Core Values and Ethics: Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and able to work in a multi-national environment Support the Organization’s corporate goal Comply with UN WOMEN rules, regulations and code of conduct Demonstrate integrity Core Competencies Teamwork Build effective partnerships Interact with all levels of staff in the organization Excellent interpersonal skills Build and share knowledge Provide guidance and support to others Apply existing knowledge to work Make valuable and practical contributions Communication: Excellent oral and written skills in English are essential; oral and written skills in Dari and Pashto are an asset. Listen actively and respond effectively. Task Management: Plan, prioritize and deliver a variety of tasks on time Exercise sound judgment/analysis Develop creative solutions Technical/Functional: In-depth knowledge of program management and implementation Knowledge of UN WOMEN business, operations and programming cycle (preferred)

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Master’s Degree  in Communication, public relation, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Sciences, Gender Studies or related field. Experience: Minimum of 10 years progressively relevant professional work experience at national and international levels in the areas of communication and public relations, advocacy and capacity building.  Experience with EVAW Campaigns preferred. Proven ability to produce national communications campaigns, tools and strategies in a post-conflict environment. Familiarity with elimination of violence against women initiatives, stakeholders and partners in Afghanistan. Sound knowledge of international standards on human rights, women’s rights and related instruments. A proven ability to liaise with a myriad of stakeholders and partners, including government, civil society, international organizations and grassroots organizations. Demonstrated sensitivity, discretion, tact, and courtesy in relation to gender equality and women’s rights, development principles, implementing partners, and national and international personnel of varied nationalities and backgrounds. Knowledge of computer programs  and web designing such as  Ms Office, Publisher, Professional Photoshop. Language Requirements: Excellent written and oral communication skills in English required; knowledge of Dari and Pashtu an asset.

UNDP 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.

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