Economic Management Communications Advisor at UNDP - Abuja

UNDP helps developing countries attract and use aid effectively. In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights, capacity development and the empowerment of women.

We are recruiting to fill the below position:

Job Title: Economic Management Communications Advisor

Location : Abuja, NIGERIA

Job Description
The Economic Management Communications Advisor at the Federal Ministry of Finance provides technical guidance for communication on the national economic reforms; is responsible for stakeholders engagement, publicity and media issues relating to policies, programmes and projects; and advises the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy on communications related matters.

Duties and Responsibilities

1.) Summary of Key Functions:

• Planning and design of internal and external strategies for communications and outreach for the Ministry of Finance
• Supervision of the design and maintenance of the Ministry of Finance web site, intranet and web-based knowledge management system
• Support to business development
• Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing especially for relevant communication MDA focal persons.
• Ensuring that two way communication is maintained on economic reform initiatives

A.) Ensures planning and design of internal and external strategies for communications and outreach focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Planning and elaboration of communications needs assessments for the Ministry of Finance.
• Liaison with various media organizations on media related issues for the Ministry of Finance
• Elaboration of the Ministry of Finance communications and outreach strategy based on the communications strategy.
• Constructive and timely advice on inclusion of communications components in projects managed by the Ministry and to integrate advocacy and communication strategies into all aspects of government economic policies.

B.) Supervises the maintenance of the Federal Ministry of Finance web site, intranet and web-based knowledge management system focusing on achievement of the following results:

• 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.

C.) Supports the business development focusing on achievement of the following results:

i) Launches and campaigns

• Creation and promotion of campaigns to local and regional media that position the Ministry of Finance and influences the development agenda based on current programme and new initiatives.
• Management, promotion and dissemination of corporate advocacy materials for launching flagship initiatives and publications.
• Creation, promotion and maintenance of public information campaigns on Ministry of Finance activities including budget design and monitoring.

ii) Outreach

• Promotional activities to position the Ministry of Finance as a leader within the Nigerian development space.
• Increased coverage and understanding of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management team’s work in the country or practice area through development and maintenance of media contacts and providing newsworthy information to national public and donors.
• Formatting, packaging and submission of programme initiatives for donor review in close collaboration with programme staff.
• Development and maintenance of close contacts with other government officials, multilateral and bilateral donors, civil society and private sector for implementation of the Ministry of Finance communications strategy, organization of roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews, launches, etc.
• Ensured access for journalists to subject matter experts.
• Regular newsletter to donors, donor reports, civic education and community awareness where appropriate to support projects

iii) Public information

• Effective responses to inquiries for public information materials.
• Innovative and creative solutions to sensitive or corporately strategic public communications issues.
• Advocacy and promotion of Ministry of Finance mandate, mission and purpose.

D.) Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management  focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to country’s developmental goals and activities.
• Monitor practices, and project-specific news and developments in order to ensure guidance to the office that reflects the best and most current available information.
•  Provides advice and support to the Transformation Agenda, the SURE-P and government initiatives,
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories.
• Organization and provision of training, consultancy and advice to support staff on communications strategies for policy making.

2.) Impact of Results
The key results have an impact on creation of effective communications and dissemination of Federal Ministry of Finance 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

1.) Functional Competencies:  

A.) Advocacy/Advancing a Policy-Oriented Agenda

• Analysis and creation of messages and strategies
• 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

B.) Building Strategic Partnerships

• Identifying and building partnerships
• Sensitizes national stakeholders, donors and other international organizations to the Federal Ministry of Finance strategic agenda, identifying areas for joint efforts

C.) 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

D.) 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 assignments

E.) Creating Visibility for  the Federal Ministry of Finance

• Developing promotional projects and organizational messages
• Develops promotional activities based on monitoring/evaluation information identifying areas requiring higher visibility
• Develops messages for use by Ministry of Finance 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

F.) Global Leadership and Advocacy for Federal Ministry of Finance 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

G.) 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

H.) 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

2.) 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
• 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
Education:   

• Master's degree in media relations, journalism, publishing

Experience:

• 10 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in public relations, communications or advocacy.
• Previous experience with a multilateral or international organization is helpful but not mandatory.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, good knowledge and experience in handling of web-based management systems.
• Fluency in English

Application Closing Date
21st January, 2013

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