UNV - Communications Specialist - Yemen

8/8/2019 UNV - Communications Specialist - Yemen

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UNV VOLUNTEER DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENTPreamble:The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism tosupport peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature ofdevelopment and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peaceand development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerisminto development programming, and mobilizing volunteers.In most cultures volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing andsupport within the communities. In this context, UNV volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerismand play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities.In all assignments, UNV volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging involunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, aswell as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make thetime they spend as UNV volunteers even more rewarding and productive. 1. UNV Assignment Title: Communications Specialist 2. Type of Assignment:

International UNV volunteer 3. Project Title: Local Government Support Project (LGSP) 4. Duration: One year 5. Location, Country: Sana’a, Yemen 6. Expected Starting Date: As soon as possible 7. Brief Project Description: The aim of the Local Government Support Project is to support theGovernment of the Republic of Yemen in its effort for the transformation from Local Authority to a LocalGovernment system as articulated in the National Strategy for Transition to Local Government (2020). The project is also expected to contribute to the creation of an enabling environment during the transitionalperiod through provision of required expertise, mechanisms and structure for application of participatoryprocesses by amending of some articles of the Country’s Constitution and in the formulation of a new Lawfor Local Government in replacement of the current Law number 4 of 2000 on the Local Administration. The LGSP will provide responsive support to the implementation of the GoY’s National Programme toimplement local governance reform. Systems and tools will be designed to foster the capacity of MOLA,other central institutions and local authorities as part of the National Strategy for Transition to LocalGovernment. Focus will be given to gender mainstreaming into the work of decentralization at all levelsand advocacy will be undertaken in order to increase public participation/transparency and promote thesense of ownership. Participatory development planning process at local level will be promoted; tracking system for localdevelopment and MDGs at local levels will be established and applied; costing modules for local servicesand infrastructure will be introduced; and Public Expenditure Management at local level will be expanded,along with required capacity for local development planning to deliver results. 8. Host Agency/Host Institute: UNDP 9. Organizational Context: Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor,the Communications Specialist develops and implements the project communications strategy and plans



as well as provides technical assistance and support to the Ministry of Local Administration (MOLA) in thedesign, management and implementation of communications and publication strategies at the central andlocal level which are geared to influence the development agenda, promote public and media outreach and

mobilize political and financial support for implementation of the National Strategy for Transition to LocalGovernment in general and LGSP in particular.

The Communications Specialist will supervise, coach and mentor the National Communication Specialistof the project and will maintain regular working relationships and liaise with the UNDP Country OfficeCommunications Officer, other UN agencies as well as with the international and national partnersengaged in NSTLG, ensuring successful NSTLG communication strategy implementation. Acting as theCommunications and Public Relations Advisor to the National Programme, the Communications Specialistprovides technical support, coaching and mentoring to the MOLA communication staff, governorates andDistrict Facilitation Teams in the design and implementation of communications strategies and plans theNSTLG and National Programme to support the National Programme.

10. Type of Assignment Place: assignment with family/ without family (please choose) 11. Description of tasks:Under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor the UNV volunteer will undertake thefollowing tasks: Summary of Key Functions:

Planning and design of internal and external strategies for communications and outreach in support ofthe NSTLG and the National Programme

Support for the National Programme and related events to boost business development Technical assistance, coaching and mentoring of the communication staff in MOLA, governorates and

districts Technical support to the design and maintenance of the MOLA website and project intranet Supervise, coach and mentor the National Communication Specialist of the LGSP

1. Ensures planning and design of internal and external strategies for communications and

outreach focusing on achievement of the following results:

Preparation and conduct, in close collaboration with MOLA, of stakeholder analysis andcommunications needs assessments for National Programme implementation and LGSP

Designing, in collaboration with MOLA, of a comprehensive communication strategy and annualcommunication and outreach plans in support of LGSP and the National Programme for the centraland local levels

Analysis of requirements and synthesis of proposals on ways to integrate advocacy andcommunication strategies into all aspects of the National Programme and LGSP programmaticinterventions during programme formulation.

2. Provides support for the National Programme and related events to boost businessdevelopment focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Public information

Promotion and dissemination, in the framework of the project, of UNDP corporate advocacymaterials for launching flagship initiatives and publications such as the Human Development



Report, results of MDGs and others, focusing on dissemination of this information at the locallevelSupport to the advocacy and knowledge-sharing/communication initiatives of national

counterparts to mobilise stakeholders that are critical to implement the reforms proposed in theNSTLG (including local stakeholders)Preparation of communication materials on the NSTLG (including easy-to understand versionsfor public dissemination) for awareness raising of LCs, communities, CSOs, womenorganizations, media and other stakeholders about local governance and decentralizationreformsDevelopment of communication materials, including briefing materials and press releases, forthe National Programme and LGSP events in coordination with relevant staff members.Writing, editing and supervising translation of speeches and public statements for seniormanagement and project staff.Timely and effective responses to inquiries for public information materials.

Outreach

Preparation and dissemination of the NP and LGSP newsletter to donors, and other relevantpartners to support the programme and project implementation.Organization of roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews,launches, etc.Identification of storylines for publications in UNDP publications and local media and draftingof substantive articles contributing to debates on decentralization and local governance.Organization and implementation of joint UN information campaigns (UN Day, World AIDSDay, Anti-Corruption Day, etc.)Ensured access for journalists to subject matter experts.Dissemination of communication materials and media mobilisation through a regularly updatedand populated contact database.Establishing and maintaining links with different media (including identifying localgovernance/decentralization focal points in the media), building the capacity of the media focalpoints to communicate local governance/decentralization issues.

3. Provides technical assistance, coaching and mentoring of the communication staff in MOLA,governorates and districts focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Analysis of MOLA institutional, organizational and individual capacity needs in communicationsand public relations

Designing of capacity development programs and relevant training materials Provision of training, consultancy and advice to the MOLA staff on communications and public

relations issues

Organization and facilitation of capacity development and training events for the relevant staff ingovernorates and districts to support implementation of the National Programme Provision of technical advice, coaching and mentoring to MOLA staff and governorates and

districts in the designing and implementation of local communications strategies and plans insupport of NSTLG and the National Programme

4. Ensures the design and maintenance of the National Programme website and intranet focusingon the achievement of the following results:

Design and maintenance of the National Programme’s website based on corporate requirementsin cooperation with ICT team and relevant staff members

Proposals for improvement of the existing MOLA corporate website



Generation, preparation and editing of content for the web site to ensure material is consistent and upto date

Under the guidance of the UNV Country Office the UNV volunteer will be responsible for:Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevantUNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that markIVD);Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation inongoing reflection activities;Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites,newsletters, press releases, etc.;Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UNV volunteers;Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant localindividuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technicallypossible.

12. Results/Expected Output:

Stakeholder and communications needs analysis conducted NSTLG/NP communications strategy and plans for the central and local levels in place Capacity needs assessment conducted and a capacity development programme designed and

delivered for relevant MOLA staff and governorates and districts Partners, donors and other stakeholders are regularly updated about LGSP and NP through

various media MOLA website improved and regularly updated; NP website designed

A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, suchas reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

13. Qualifications/Requirements:

Functional Competencies:

Development and Operational Effectiveness Ability to implement communications and publications strategies Ability to advocate effectively Communicates sensitively and effectively across different constituencies Demonstrates excellent ability to write and communicate orally with accuracy and professionalism Good knowledge of current development issues. Ability to conceptualize issues and analyze data Demonstrates strong IT skills

Recruitment qualifications

Education:

Master's degree in development, media relations, journalism, publishing or related field

Experience:

Up to 3 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in public relations,communications or advocacy.



Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, good knowledge andexperience in handling of web-based management systems.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in Arabic and working knowledge of English 14. Living Conditions: The Republic of Yemen is categorized as one of the least developed countries in the world. The capitalSana'a has a population of 2.8 million with 1.6 million concentrated in the city limits. The country has atotal population of over 20 million mostly spread in rural areas. Yemen has a tribal culture with aconservative culture. Islam is the main religion of the people. Arabic language is the official tongue and the English language is the second most spoken language in thecountry. The climate in Yemen is various and depends on the different altitudes of the regions. During summer theclimate is hot with high humidity dominating in the coastal area. Major Middle Eastern airlines are operating in the country with Yemenia the national carrier operating tomajor European cities. Communication facilities are adequate with internet connectivity and mobile phone available throughoutthe country.

15. Conditions of Service

A 12 month contract; monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA) intended to cover housing, basic needsand utilities, equivalent to US$ 1757 for single person, US$ 2007 for person with one dependant, and US$2207 for person with two or more recognized dependants; settling-in-grant; life, health, and permanentdisability insurance; return airfares; resettlement allowance of US$ 150 per month of satisfactory service. 16. Application If you are not yet registered in the UNV database, please apply by registering your profile athttp://one.unv.org. Important: Please select the following code from the drop down menu on the first page of the registrationform: “ 11YEM_COM ”.

If you are registered in the UNV database, please update your profile through https://myprofile.unv.org andthen send your UNV ID number by email, and with “ 11YEM_COM ” in the subject field of your message, to:[email protected] The United Nations Volunteers programme is committed to ensuring gender equity among UNV volunteersand welcomes applications from women. Description of Assignment prepared by the Project Manager/UN Agency:(please indicate name and function) Dmitry Pozhidaev,LGSP Chief Technical Advisor



Date: 29/11/2010

Description of Assignment approved UNV Country Office Teams Lulwa Al-KilaniUNV Programme Officer Date: 06/12/2010

Documents

UNV - Communications Specialist - Yemen