Operations Communications Specialist

Organization: Asian Development Bank

Reference #: ADB-HR-13-0285

Position Title: Operations Communications Specialist

Department: South Asia Department

Division: Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination Div, SARD

Location: Manila, Philippines

Recruitment Type: International

Closing Date: 29 May 2013 , 5:00 p.m. (1700 Manila Time, 0900 GMT)

Job Purpose:

Support the South Asia Department (SARD) in improving the effectiveness of development communication for its projects and initiatives in accordance with ADB’s Public Communication Policy (PCP). Oversee the preparation and implementation of development communication strategies within the department. Oversee the production of development communication tools and materials that support the department in engaging key stakeholders of ADB projects, managing for development results, strengthening outreach on SARD’s priority themes, including regional cooperation and integration (RCI), climate change, knowledge management, and gender. Build capacity of SARD staff members in development communications. Work with broad policies and objectives, working directly with clients, with supervision for critical tasks.

Expected Outcomes

a. Development Communication and Managing for Results
- Assist in the design, implementation, monitoring, and assessment of development communications strategies within the Department.
- Plan and design appropriate communication strategies and drive development communication activities.
- Provide technical and strategic support to SARD staff members on development communication interventions in projects to enhance project efficacy in accordance with ADB’s Public Communication Policy (PCP).
- Coordinate and interface with Department of External Affairs to develop development communication strategies and tools.
- Prepare and implement external relations plans for priority SARD themes, including RCI, climate change, and gender
- Develop and help implement an outreach strategy for the ADB-supported South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) program
- Implement communication needs assessments, monitoring/evaluation, and results assessments.
- Train SARD staff members on development communication and develo training materials.
- Identify possible entry points at various stages of the project cycle to enhance development communication capacity.
- Develop and implement SARD’s communication plans—external and internal.
- Assist in the production of development communication tools and materials that support the department in managing for development results.
- Coordinate with sector divisions and resident missions in all areas of development communication and results management.

b. Knowledge Management
- Promote knowledge sharing and collaboration through production and dissemination of development communication knowledge products.
- Support web development and publishing.
- Conduct stakeholder surveys, analyze results and propose solutions.
- Participate in and contribute to relevant internal and external training programs and conferences and other activities for advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building.
- Develop, in consultation with internal and external stakeholders, and assist in the implementation of the strategies to disseminate SARD’s knowledge products to enhance ADB’s brand image as a cutting edge knowledge institution.

c. Staff Supervision
- Provide leadership and support to reporting staff.
- Supervise the performance of reporting staff, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.
- Ensure the on-going learning and development of reporting staff.

Educational Requirements:

• Master's Degree, or equivalent, in Development Communication, Development Economics, Strategic Communications or related fields (Social/Behavioral Sciences). University degree in Development Communication or related fields (Social/Behavioral Sciences) combined with specialized experience in similar organization/s, may be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree.

Relevant Experience And Other Requirements:

• Suitability to undertake the responsibilities mentioned above at the required level.
• At least 8 years of combined professional experience in planning and implementing development initiatives, preferably in a large multicultural organization, and developing and implementing strategic communications plans. International experience working in several countries.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English

Core Competencies:

Application of Technical Knowledge and Skills

• Regularly shares knowledge on new international best practice trends in comparator situations
• Proactively applies relevant international best practices to own work
• Convinces others to adopt international best practice by explaining the situational relevance and benefits

Client Orientation

• Helps colleagues work effectively with clients in different contexts and from diverse backgrounds and country situations
• Adapts own approach and style when interacting with clients, as opposed to requiring them to adapt
• Draws upon international best practice in exploring solutions with clients
• Confirms the clients’ understanding and agreement before progressing

Achieving Results and Problem Solving

• Draws on own and others’ multi-country experience to identify viable courses of action when conducting analyses
• Helps internal and external clients achieve quality results beyond presenting problems and precedent
• Highlights possible solutions for project issues based on relevant multi-country and/or multi-client experience
• Regularly contributes insights and experiences to colleagues in the Division to help them achieve quality results
• Overcomes unexpected difficulties and challenges to produce desired outcomes

Working Together

• Maintains collaborative relationships within the Department
• Works effectively with diverse colleagues in own and other Divisions and Departments
• Flexibly alters positions and adjusts previously stated points of view to support the group consensus
• Follows through on team priorities in the absence of a team leader

Communication and Knowledge Sharing

• Checks the audience’s level of understanding and awareness of required follow up actions
• Consistently seeks and addresses feedback on own performance
• Creates knowledge products endorsed for wider distribution based on lessons and multi-country experience
• Independently amends and clarifies messages and documents

Innovation and Change

• Actively supports work improvement and/or organizational change by work and deed
• Develops and adopts change plans to support Division initiatives on which one works
• Considers current and future client needs in proposing ideas
• Vocalizes early support for change
• Recommends inputs to new policies, systems and processes in immediate work area

Immediate Reporting Relationships / Other Information:

• Supervisor: Director, South Asia Regional Cooperation and Coordination Division
• The following staff positions may be supervised by the incumbent:
  • Administrative Staff
  • National Staff
• Women are encouraged to apply

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