Deadline: 5 May 2011
Somalia is currently in a worsening humanitarian situation where an estimated 2.4 million people are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. In addition, the highly volatile security situation in south central Somalia has led the UN to focus on delivering much needed humanitarian assistance and to implement recovery and capacity development assistance programmes in locations that experience relative stability where access is possible.
The UN Country Team (UNCT) needs effective communication to interact usefully with the Somalia authorities and communities, to reflect the evolving circumstances and to address the complexity and multi-layered nature of the UN’s role in Somalia. Good communication is also required to generate funds to address the humanitarian crisis and recovery and development needs. In particular, the UN needs its communication strategy to address the issue of expectations: what can the UN deliver and how?
At the request of the UNCT, a joint Communications Strategy for Somalia was developed that aims to improve understanding of the perceptions and needs of the Somali people, to address existing perceptions about the UN´s work in Somalia and to improve its profile. The main objective of this strategy is to bring coherence to UN internal and external communications in order to improve the quality of the UN’s interaction with the Somali people, the perceptions of the UN in Somalia and its work (humanitarian, political and development); to support the promotion of an enabling environment for the work of the UN; to positively influence the security environment; reassert impartiality; improve credibility; to improve understanding of the UN’s work and its transparency. A UN Communication Strategy Manager will be hired to lead the implementation and adjustment of the strategy in the long term.
The UNCT has identified an urgent need for a consultant to address immediate challenges facing the UN in Somalia. The consultant will travel to Somalia frequently in order to ensure that the perceptions of the Somali people are heard and heeded, that the work of the UN is better understood and is promoted in both local and international media. An immediate focus will be responding to and addressing negative publicity regarding the UN and alleged lack of response. The medium term focus will be establishing communications approaches and techniques that listen effectively to the Somali people and communicate clearly the streamlined work of the United Nations agencies, funds and programmes under the UN Somali Assistance Strategy.
The UN Communications Consultant will lead with the UN Information Group and work in close collaboration with its individual members, the Resident Coordinator’s Office and OCHA, as well as with key media personnel to ensure that the joint UN Communications Strategy is implemented in a timely manner and in line with the evolving situation in Somalia. The UN Communications Consultant will report to the Head of the RCO and through her to the UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator and the UNCT.
Duties and Responsibilities
Summary of Key Functions:
* Improve the UN’s communications with Somali speaking audiences.
* Produce targeted material to improve the perceptions of the work of the UN in Somalia.
* Arrange visits of local and international media to UN projects across Somalia.
* Oversee and publicise the UNCT’s work on UN days.
Functions / Key Results Expected:
1. Improve media coverage of the UN in the three Somali regions:
* Arrange visits of local Somali media to UN project sites to demonstrate the value of the work of the United Nations agencies, funds and programmes to the Somali people especially in relation to the current drought and the political situation.
* Target local media outlets in the three Somali zones with regular UNSAS outcome update briefings that summarise the UN’s work under the three Outcomes of the United Nations Somali Assistance Strategy (UNSAS).
* Assess the information needs of the UN’s Somali interlocutors and provide easily digestible updates for use by national counterparts – governments, donors and other key partners - to explain the achievements of the United Nations under the UNSAS.
2. Somali communications:
* Oversee the translation of the UNCT website into Somali language and post regular updates, news stories and Somali language radio pod casts.
* Work with IRIN and other Somali-language radio services to maximise the impact of UN advocacy.
* Issue monthly updates of UN Information Group master messages and Questions & Answers to ensure coherent messages are communicated by all UN Agencies.
3. International English-language media and communications:
* Facilitate one joint visit of international media to Somalia in collaboration with UN agencies in order to allow Somali people to communicate their needs and aspirations.
* Regularly update the UNCT website and support UN agencies to update social media platforms such as Facebook, youtube etc. with an emphasis on media used by Somali people both inside and outside Somalia.
* Create two UN briefing packs to provide a coherent overview the work of the UN in Puntland and South Central Somalia for use with donors.
* Issue UNCT press releases regularly to highlight progress and achievements to complement individual agency press releases.
4. Manage UN events with partners:
* Plan joint events with civil society groups and Government partners in each of the three zones focusing on: 19 Aug – World Humanitarian Day; 21 Sept – International Peace Day; 24 Oct – UN Day
5. Maintain and influence networks of contacts:
* Develop and update a UN-wide list of high-level communications contacts across five key groups: Somalis, Diaspora, Donors, International media, and internal UN audiences. This will be a key resource for the permanent communications manager when they arrive.
* Develop key fact sheets on common UNIG advocacy issues
Impact of Results:
Effective implementation of the joint UN Communications Strategy leads to improved perceptions of the UN in Somalia. Better coherence among the UN Information Group results in an image of the UN in Somalia speaking as one.
Competencies
Corporate Competencies:
* Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
* Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN in Somalia.
* Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
* Treats all people fairly without favouritism
Functional Competencies:
Knowledge Management and Learning:
* Promotes knowledge management among peers and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example.
* Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development and applies newly acquired skills.
Development and Operational Effectiveness:
* Ability to lead and manage strategic communications.
* Substantive knowledge of communications tools and experience in media and information management.
* Excellent conceptual, analytical abilities and investigative journalistic skills.
* Above average interpersonal and communication skills, including writing and speaking.
* Willingness to travel to Somalia as frequently as security allows
Management and Leadership:
* Builds strong relationships with key partners: national partners, Diaspora, donors, international media, and UN.
* Focuses on impact and results.
* Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude and responds positively to feedback.
* Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
* Leads teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills.
* Ability to work independently and with minimal guidance from supervisors.
* Ability to operate effectively in a changing and complex environment, and to produce results under stress
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
* Advanced university degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or a related subject.
* First university degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations with 9 years of relevant experience maybe accepted in lieu of advanced university degree.
Experience:
* Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in information, communications and media work with an international organization, with at least 4 years communications experience in a crisis or post-conflict country.
* Management and diplomatic skills essential.
* Prior experience working in Somalia is highly desirable.
* Prior experience of working with complex UN rules and procedures in a UN Country Team environment is preferred.
* Experience as a spokesperson or principal liaison with media and other key partners on sensitive issues is preferred.
* Experience in organizing media and/or communications events.
* Prior experience in implementing a communications strategy would be beneficial.
Language requirements:
* Fluency in written and spoken English is required
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.
Location : Nairobi, with frequent travel to Somalia, KENYA
Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 15-May-2011
Duration of Initial Contract : 4 months
Contact Information:
For submissions: apply here
Website: http://www.undp.org/
