Communications Specialist

The International Trade Centre (ITC) is a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, focusing in particular on developing the export capabilities of small and medium-sized businesses in developing and transition economies. ITC is 100% "Aid for Trade", supporting trade that delivers inclusive and sustainable development results. ITC’s mandate covers all developing countries and transition economies with special emphasis on the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDs) Fragile States and Sub-Saharan Africa. ITC Headquarters is located in Geneva, Switzerland. ITC projects and programmes contribute to the global efforts to achieve UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development and the Aid for Trade agenda. ITC works at three levels:

• Strengthening the  integration of the business sector of developing countries and economies in transition into the global economy,
• Improving the performance of trade and investment support institutions for the benefit of small and medium size enterprises (SMEs), and enhancing the abilities of trade support institutions to better support them,
• Improving the international competitiveness of SMEs.

About the GRASP Project:

The Growth for Rural Advancement and Sustainable Progress (GRASP) is a 66-month project that will contribute to the reduction of poverty through development of rural SMEs in selected districts within two provinces of Pakistan: Balochistan and Sindh. GRASP will focus on selected product lines within livestock and horticulture.

GRASP will take a holistic approach to building SME competitiveness in agribusiness value chains starting from a deep understanding of markets and working back through the value chain to enable SMEs and ultimately producers to create and capture additional value. To do this, GRASP will intervene in three main ways:
 

• Improving the eco-system for rural SME development through building institutional capacity and improving the business environment
• Building production and quality of primary products through support to SME agribusiness service providers and business intermediary organizations in rural areas
• Increasing added-value and marketed volumes through developing value chains and supporting SMEs to improve management, increase access to finance, apply sustainable technology to add value and improve quality and reduce waste throughout the system

At the impact level, GRASP will create employment and income opportunities in rural areas of Sindh and Balochistan. Outcome and outputs of GRASP include measurable improvement in the business environment for SMEs, improved agricultural productivity in selected areas, better access for farmers to market information and agricultural services, increase in revenue and financing for selected SMEs and increased value added and adoption of environmental sustainable technology. GRASP has a very strong focus on women's economic empowerment.

GRASP has a budget of €48.5m funded by the European Union and ITC. ITC will implement GRASP through three Pakistan based teams and a wide network of Pakistani and international partner organizations. This challenging project will involve managing concurrent inter-linked activities from the market to the production level and innovative tools such as matching grants.

A key focus of GRASP is development of SME competitiveness. It is expected that this output will focus on (1) support to SMEs across selected value chains to improve growth and private investment (2) improve the uptake of technologies for value addition (3) improve compliance with food safety, quality and sustainability standards (4) enhance the use of environmentally friendly technologies to improve climate resilience (5) support to improve their creditworthiness and access to finance (6) improve financing for environmentally sustainable technologies (7) strengthen inclusion in supply chains and enhance access to national and regional markets.

The outputs expected from the Communications Specialist are:

• Preparation and implementation of annual & quarterly communication/visibility plans aligned with ITC corporate communications strategy
• Supporting the preparation of GRASP project quarterly and annual results report
• Generation of communications content from projects activities and reports

Function / Expected Results: Communication products and activities

• Develop and distribute press releases, success stories, newsletters, brochures, documentaries, social media posts, publications and prominently engage in outreach and advocacy campaigns with local and international media
• Contribute to the development of communication products such as publicity materials and products in close association with the multimedia artist/graphic designers and consultants (e.g. briefs, talking points, brochures, posters, power- point presentations, etc.), to enhance the quality and outreach of GRASP and messaging to a diverse range of stakeholders and partners such as FAO, including general public, government of Pakistan, media and ITC headquarters
• Participate in the development and regular updating of GRASP web pages; including the generation of content and uploading a range of public domain publications  and multimedia products reflecting GRASP activities, priorities and areas of expertise
• Perform other related duties, as assigned by the supervisor

Function/Expected Results: Technical focus

• Develop/update and implement GRASP communications strategy in line with ITC corporate communications strategy
• Introduce creative approaches to improve internal and external communication at project office; which includes maintaining and  improving communications between different sections/departments at GRASP office, line ministries  and partners for synergizing objectives and goals and their achievement
• Profile GRASP-related activities through the ITC and FAO corporate communication channels
• Represent GRASP in the ITC HQ-based communications groups
• Recommend and carry out communication campaigns to mark international days significant to the work of ITC in Pakistan through GRASP and contribute to joint UN communication products and general partners

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Communication activities of GRASP are strategically designed and efficiently implemented as per work plan under the direct technical guidance of the Senior Project Coordinator and HQ team.
• Key government and general counterparts of GRASP at federal, provincial and district level are kept well informed.
• Meticulous reporting and updates.

Impact of Results

• Build ITC profile in Pakistan
• Build GRASP relationship with national and international media
• Strong partnerships with national stakeholders and relevant government agencies and private sector
• Outreach and connection with youth , civil society and general public in Pakistan through GRASP messaging

ITC’S VALUES are: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

ITC’S CORE COMPETENCIES are: Communication, Teamwork, Planning & Organizing, Accountability, Creativity, Client Orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Technological awareness.

ITC’S MANAGERIAL COMPETENCIES are: Vision, Leadership, Empowering Others, Managing Performance, Building Trust, and Judgment/Decision making.
For further information on competency-based interview please visit: www.intracen.org.

Functional Competencies:

• Proven leadership and strong project management and coordination skills
• Excellent interpersonal and advocacy skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships
• Proven ability to lead and work collaboratively in teams, with colleagues and encourage  sharing of knowledge to achieve organizational goals
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills
• Ability to identify priority activities and assignments; adjust priorities as required
• Ability to work with accuracy under time constraints and pressure in a stressful environment; with patience, tactfulness, maintain confidentiality, take initiative and exercise good judgment
• Ability to plan own work and use time efficiently, manage conflicting priorities and work under pressure of tight and conflicting deadlines

Technical Competencies:

• Extent of experience in Communications and media relations
• Experience in UN or similar settings
• Expertise in digital strategy and storytelling
• Excellent writing, editing, and speaking skills in English and Urdu
• Extent of experience in creating content for various communication products
• Experience in communication, diffusion strategies and techniques, reporting and documentation, and media.

Education: 
Master Degree or equivalent in Mass Communication, Journalism or social sciences.

Work experience: 
2 years of progressively responsible experience in a similar role preferably with UN/international organizations or media.

Language Requirements:    

• Advanced English with strong written and oral communication skills is essential
• Knowledge of local languages is not necessary but would be considered an asset.
• Required knowledge and skills:    
• Very good understanding of public and private media in Pakistan.
• Ability to work in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams is essential.
• Proven leadership, advocacy and management skills and ability to operate in multi-stakeholder contexts
• A track-record of engaging with media
• Excellent writing and communication skills

Desirable knowledge and skills:    
Knowledge of the UN system and procedures or experience of EU-related projects would be an asset


 

Please Note:
HEC attested degrees are a prerequisite for employment at UNDP. During the recruitment process candidates may be required to present HEC attested degrees.
 
Foreign Qualified Candidates: Foreign degree holders shall be required to(i) Present a verification/certification letter from the university verifying the degree & student enrollment, orii) Foreign degree Equivalence Letter from HEC.
 
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