UNDP Recruits Reporting and Communication Specialist - Abuja

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is recruiting to fill the Position of:

Job Title: Reporting and Communication Specialist

Location: Abuja, NIGERIA
Type of Contract: FTA International
Post Level: P-3
Starting Date: 01-Mar-2013
Duration of Initial Contract: Initial period of one year

Background
The Democratic Governance for Development (DGD) project is managed by UNDP in support of elections and more broadly, the deepening of democracy in Nigeria. It is funded with contributions from The European Union, the UK Department for International Development (DfID), UNDP, and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). The project duration covers the period 2010-2015. It aims to consolidate and advance democratic governance and accountability in Nigeria to achieve the country’s stated development priorities and outcomes as specified in the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) namely: improvements in accountable governance in accordance with the rule of law and in response to public demand, in the key areas of elections, justice, and anti-corruption. An integral, cross-cutting aspect is the promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment for sustainable democracy and development.

These objectives are pursued through six distinct and inter-related programming components:

• Strengthening of the National Assembly
• Strengthening of Political Parties
• Improvement of the Electoral Process
• Increased Capacity and Performance of Civil Society
• Reinforcing the role of the media
• Empowerment of Women

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Director, the Communications Specialist designs, manages and facilitates the implementation of the DGD communication and publication strategies with a view to sensitizing stakeholders on the project’s objective; to influence the development agenda; to promote public and media outreach; and to mobilize political and financial support for the Project.

Duties and Responsibilities
Summary of Key Functions:
Development of a common framework for reports to DGD partners including EU, DFID, CIDA and the Government of Nigeria;
Capture and extract best practices, good stories and from programme evaluations;
Development of logical, coherent and consistent documents for the DGD project including presentations, newsletters, and reports as required by the Project Director;
Supervision of the design, maintenance and update of the DGD website;
Elaboration and implementation of the communication strategy for the project

Development of a common framework for reports to DGD partners including EU, DFID, CIDA and the Government of Nigeria:
Development of a macro framework for all donors to the DGD to increase efficiency in reporting and facilitate data collection, analysis and coordination of indicators across all donors to the DGD project
Develop a brief guide on result-based donor reports for programme staff, summarizing findings from draft donor reports and coordinating with programme staff on any required follow up action.
Regularly update and maintain donor report calendar as per agreements, remind programme staff of timely submission of draft reports, make follow-ups with programme staff for timely submission of finalized reports to donors.
Capture and extract best practices, good stories and from programme evaluations;

Extract critical lessons learned and good practices from final evaluation reports, and other useful reports for dissemination and knowledge sharing with programme colleagues.
Pull information together on selected topics and package it for reports, talking points and briefing papers, when requested.

Development of logical, coherent and consistent documents for the DGD project including presentations, newsletters, and reports as required by the Project Director;
Support the editing and production of funder reports, newsletters through the effective combination and management of reporting frameworks to multiple donors and the government of Nigeria.
Prepare substantive reports and written contributions for various purposes, including inputs for the DGD Annual Report, periodic donor reports, speeches and newsletters, and other DGD publications.
Review/edit technical and non-technical publications, posters and communication materials for the DGD project
In consultation with the Project Director, produce professional documents as needed ensuring clear and compelling messaging, with appropriate technical design and layout

Supervision of the design, maintenance and update of the DGD web site;
Design of the office web sites based on corporate requirements in cooperation with the ICT staff.
Supervision and preparation of the content for the web sites ensuring consistency of the materials.

Elaboration and implementation of the communications strategy and plan
Elaboration and implementation of the DGD communications strategy and plan in line with the UNDP corporate policy.
Identification and development of storylines for publications and substantive articles contributing to debates on key development issues.
Coordination and management of all DGD publication activities, including content management, norms for publishing, design, liaison with printers and other suppliers to oversee production and supervision of publications dissemination.
Formatting, packaging and submission of programme initiatives for donor review in close collaboration with programme staff.
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.

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on creation of effective communications and dissemination of information on UNDP as UN’s global development network. In particular, the key results have an impact on implementation of UNDP communications and publication strategies, as well as reaching resource mobilization targets. Communications becomes a strong component of business development in the CO.

Competencies
Functional Competencies:     

Advocacy/Advancing a Policy-Oriented Agenda
Creates effective advocacy strategies
Contributes to the elaboration of advocacy strategies by identifying and prioritizing audiences and communication means
Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for advocacy work

Building Strategic Partnerships
Identifying and building partnerships
Sensitizes UN Partners, donors and other international organizations to the UNDP’s strategic agenda, identifying areas for joint efforts
Promotes UNDP’s agenda in inter-agency meetings

Promoting 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 assignment.

Creating Visibility for UNDP/Supporting UNDP’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 UNDP 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 UNDP’s Goals
Analysis and creation of messages and strategies
Creates effective global advocacy messages/strategies
Contributes to the elaboration of a global advocacy strategy by identifying and prioritizing audiences and messages

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 teams
Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication
Creating an emotionally intelligent organization
Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards
Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.
Fair and transparent  decision making; calculated risk-taking

Required Skills and Experience
1) Education:

• At least a Master's degree in communications, media relations, journalism, publishing or any related field

2) Experience: 

• At least 5 years relevant experience in public relations, communications report writing;
• Excellent communication and drafting skills are mandatory
• Previous experience with a multilateral or international organization is mandatory;
• Knowledge of governance issues mandatory
• Knowledge of new trends in reporting such as results based, impact as well monitoring work plans and log frames required
• Ability to prepare high quality policy briefs, analytical reports, and technical research reflecting global good practice in democratic governance.
• Excellent PC user skills: word processing, spreadsheets, databases and web-based research.
• Ability to work harmoniously with people from different cultural backgrounds.

3) Language Requirements: 

• Strong skills in written communications in English particularly in preparing issue-based papers or reports.
• Excellent spoken English is also required.

Application Closing Date
11th January, 2013

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online