Sr. Communications Assistant

Post-earthquake reconstruction offers an opportunity to ingrain build back better (BBB) of houses, community and society by integrating risk reduction and mitigation of multi-hazards. So that reconstruction efforts and living standards of affected communities are not derailed by other disasters they remain highly vulnerable and exposed to landslides, floods, fire, and lightning. In 2016-2017, UNDP-CDRMP implemented an ECHO-funded project ‘Resilient Communities through building back better in district most severely affected by 2015 earthquake’. The project facilitated safer constructions in rural areas of Sindhupalchowk and Dolakha districts by providing hand-holding support to the poorest households and by mobilizing Awas Nirman Saathi and trained moans. Skill, knowledge and technologies for safer reconstruction and tailored livelihoods support for the vulnerable households enabled them to build resilience to future external shocks such as natural disaster.  The experiences and lessons from this project have been integrated into this new European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) funded project. UNDP aims to reach out to more number of the poorest and most marginalized population to realize resilient recovery for them.

Resilient reconstruction through Building Back Better focused on the most vulnerable communities in district most severely affected by 2015 earthquake is a newly launched project with the financial contribution from ECHO. The project will address issues faced by the most poor and vulnerable households on undertaking owner-driven-reconstruction. The people-centered and innovative community-led resilient reconstruction solutions will facilitate owner-built safer housing reconstruction; empowerment of beneficiary households and communities through resilient livelihood opportunities; promote collective decision making for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and resilience building. In addition, scalability of effective approaches will be sought through engagement of the policy makers and other stakeholders and multiple forms of policy advocacy, with a view to benefit wider population.

Under this initiative UNDP seeks to recruit a Sr. Communication Assistant (SCA) to be based in Kathmandu at CDRMP/UNDP office. Under the overall guidance by the UNDP-CDRMP Project Manager and direct supervision of the Project Coordinator, SCA is responsible for providing support to effective communication of results and advocacy in relation with the key stakeholders - the Government, Donors, Media, Public as well as communication for the beneficiaries. SCA ensures that the products and contents for communication and advocacy are of high quality which ultimately leads to the enhanced visibility of the UNDP’s reconstruction support that focuses on the poorest and the most vulnerable. The incumbent will be also responsible for assisting in information sharing and supporting communication activities of projects undertaken by CDRMP/UNDP.

The SCA will work closely with CDRMP Officer-M&E & Knowledge Management and Database & Reporting Assistants to update, document and submit the progress results on regular basis. Monitoring & Evaluation will be conducted regularly by UNDP. S/he will ensure that there will be no changes in either the technicality or the timing of key deliverables. In any unavoidable circumstances, The staff will have to inform the organization about the situation and right decisions can be taken in advance in such case.

A. Core Responsibilities: 

Communication of results and advocacy for inclusive, affordable and people-centered reconstruction policies and actions:

• Carry out strategic result communication of the project targeting public, the government and donors. The tasks include:  generating a high-quality human story, press releases, case studies, good practices and advocacy documents; designing infographics and other visual items for reporting based on the data collected through the project; and effectively utilize social media outlet;
• Support in analyzing the status of the beneficiaries in accessing relevant services and the areas that requires advocacy to the local bodies/policy makers and financial institutions;
• Closely liaise with the UNDP Nepal country office communication unit for the contents of communication, while working independently for production of high-quality products;
• Ensure that the ECHO component of CDRMP/UNDP project website is up-to-date for public view;
• Establish and maintain contacts with print and electronic media nationally and locally in the area where the Project activities are implemented;
• Assist in carrying out media (district/national) visit to the sites to document and report issues and good practices as an advocacy tool;
• Daily monitoring, review and record media coverage of the portfolio and circulate to relevant authorities;
• Facilitate the meeting with Nepal Rastra Bank, Private Bank and National Reconstruction Authority in simplifying the process for the poor and vulnerable households to access subsidized bank loan;
•  Assist with reviewing of translations, contacts with printers and other suppliers to ensure timely and quality production of IEC materials and other resources;
• Provide logistical support to information campaigns along key events or international days;
• Maintain visual/audio archive of the project outcomes (photo, videography etc.).

Communication for the beneficiaries:

• Support the project management team in production of quality Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials and other communication resources for the beneficiaries;
• Wherever possible, analyze any gap in communication for the project beneficiaries and suggest the project team for potential improvement.

B) General Responsibilities:

• Ensure the visibility of the project to wider audience through effective communication and coordination at national and local level, as well as within the project components;
• Support in close coordination and necessary linkages with government line agencies: National Reconstruction Authority (NRA), Department of Urban Development and Building Construction(DUDBC), Ministry of federal Affairs and General Administration (MOFAGA), Nepal Rastra Bank(NRB), Private Banks at the central level and sub-regional offices/resource centers, local government, line agencies, Ward Citizens Forum, community groups, and local people at the district;
• Maintain communication/ coordination mechanism with the Project Coordinator as well as the national staffs of the project team;
• Fully make aware the project team on the requirements of the donor visibility;
• With support of Database & Reporting Assistants, prepare communication material of the project activities in an integrated way from the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) perspective;
• Perform any other related task as per the request of the Project Coordinator, and Programme Manager of UNDP-CDRMP.
   

Innovation
Ability to make new and useful ideas work   

Level 3: Adapts deliverables to meet client needs

* Interprets policies and guidance within context and applies with judgment

* Anticipates obstacles and applies practical solutions

* Continually seeks improvement and agility in service delivery.

Leadership
Ability to persuade others to follow   

Level 3: Proactively seeks and recognizes contributions of others 

* Actively engages teams and encourages dialogue within and across teams 

* Determines appropriate resources, methods, partners, information and solutions

People Management
Ability to improve performance and satisfaction   

Level 3: Appropriately involves team in different stages of work and decision-making 

* Seeks and values other’s initiatives and expertise 

* Supervises teams with consistent direction and drives team engagement

Communication and Relationship Management
Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform   

Level 3: Expresses information and views with adaptive reasoning and appreciation for complexity and variation

* Proactively expresses insights and/or questions in order to contribute to clarity, accuracy, and focus in one’s work

* Speaks on behalf of team

Delivery
Ability to get things done   

Level 3: Takes responsibility for addressing critical situations and delivering core value

* Demonstrates commitment to clients and quality

* Works to agreed goals dealing with challenges constructively

* Responsible for project implementation and/or team

Technical Competency  

Level 3: Implement & Manage

* Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work

Functional Competency   
 

Building Strategic Partnership:

• Establish, maintain and utilize a broad network of contacts within the project portfolio
• Promoting Organizational learning and Knowledge Sharing
• Provide learning and knowledge sharing opportunities to all Project personnel and assist them for continuous development.

Results-based Programme Development and Management

•     Effectively manage resources to achieve Project results.

Client Orientation     

• Ability to understand and meet or exceed client needs

Knowledge Management

•     Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge

Ethics and Integrity

• Demonstrate high moral integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards, impartiality and discretion and proven capacity of initiative, discretion and autonomy

Impartiality   

• Displays respect to diversity and cultural, gender, religious, race, nationality and age sensitivity.

Continuous Professional Development   

• Stay up-to-date with the software and programmes that could aid better visualization and communication of results for the project; Stay active in enhancing quality of result communication and knowledge products through internal/external learning opportunities; Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management across the project team focusing on achievement of the project results.

Education:

• Completion of Bachelor’s degree in communications, media studies, journalism, international relations, international development, marketing or another related field.

Experience:    

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in one or more of the following areas: journalism, public relations, advocacy, international relations, marketing, development, advertising, digital communications, multimedia agencies;
• Experience in media relations using traditional and social media, multi-media and a variety of platforms.

Language Requirements:    

• Fluency in English and Nepali at professional level are essential. High quality writing skill is required.

Other:  

• Demonstrated experience on preparing quality reports, communication materials and other knowledge products.
   

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieve work force diversity (in terms of nationality, minority groups, caste/ethnic groups, persons with disability etc.) and has a policy to have gender balance among staff at all levels.  Qualified female candidates and candidates particularly from disadvantaged and socially excluded groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

All applications will be treated with highest confidentiality.

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