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Communications Specialist (Rakhine)

Sittwe

  • Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
  • Location: Sittwe
  • Grade: Mid level - IICA-2, International Individual Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Communication and Public Information
    • Humanitarian Aid and Coordination
    • Refugee rights and well-being
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background Information - Myanmar

Myanmar is one of UNOPS’ leading offices in Asia, acting as fund manager for three of the largest development programmes in the country, namely the Access to Health, the Livelihood and Food Security Fund (LIFT) and the Joint Peace Fund (JPF). In addition, UNOPS is Principal Recipient for the Global Fund in Myanmar and for the Global Fund’s regional artemisinin-resistance initiative targeting drug resistant malaria in the greater Mekong sub-region. UNOPS also provides procurement, infrastructure and project management services to a wide range of organizations in the country, including the Government of Myanmar, international development partners, other UN agencies, NGOs and INGOs. UNOPS plays a critical role in ensuring that the quality of services provided to its partners meets stringent requirements of speed, efficiency and cost effectiveness.

Background Information - Job-specific

The Livelihoods and Food Security Fund (LIFT) is a multi-donor fund set up in 2009, marking its ten-year anniversary this year. LIFT aims to strengthen the resilience and sustainable livelihoods of poor households by helping people to reach their full economic potential. This is achieved through increasing incomes, improving the nutrition of women and children, and decreasing vulnerabilities to shocks, stresses and adverse trends.

LIFT is a significant actor in Myanmar’s development. To date, over 11.6 million people in 75 per cent of Myanmar’s townships have benefitted from LIFT’s programmes. From January 2019, LIFT’s four thematic areas are Agriculture, Markets and Food Systems; Financial Inclusion; Decent Work and Labour Mobility and Nutrition. LIFT is guided by a five-year strategy that puts ‘leaving no one behind’ at the centre of its work, and will in particular focus on social inclusion and cohesion, increased support to areas affected by conflict, bringing displaced people into LIFT’s development programmes and working with Government at all levels on targeted policies that achieve gains in these areas.

LIFT has received funding from altogether 15 international donors since it was established. The current donors are the UK, the EU, Australia, Switzerland, the US, Canada and Ireland.

Under the direct supervision of the Livelihoods and Food Security Specialist (Rakhine), the Communications Specialist will lead a small Rakhine communications team with the aim of building, developing, fostering and maintaining excellent communication & collaboration channels between LIFT’s partners, the international development and humanitarian actors and local media in Rakhine State. The Communication Hub will support LIFT implementing partners and the international community in understanding the local context better, improving communication and laying the foundation for better outreach to the Rakhine population.



Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Livelihoods and Food Security Specialist (Rakhine), and in accordance with UNOPS policies, the Communications Specialist (Rakhine) will be responsible for:

Developing and implementing a communications strategy for the international community’s work in Rakhine. The strategy will set out the communications challenges faced by LIFT and LIFT-funded projects in Rakhine and how communication work will address these. This will include:

●       An ongoing analysis of the communication issues that LIFT-funded programme and the international community experience in Rakhine. The Communications Specialist (Rakhine) will ensure that this analysis is regularly and appropriately updated. This area will include a crisis communications strategy.

●       Key messages that will address the international community’s communications challenges and opportunities.

●       Relevant channels of communication to reach various Rakhine stakeholders (local population, civil society organisations, local authorities, local media etc.).

●       A list of key stakeholders and target audiences and how the Rakhine Communications Team will work with them.

●       Resource needs for implementing the Rakhine communications strategy and the required activities.

●       Designing a monitoring and evaluation framework for the Rakhine Communications Team activities.

As part of implementing the communications strategy, the Communications Specialist (Rakhine) will:

●       Provide capacity-building opportunities for LIFT IPs and stakeholders of interest in Rakhine, e.g. through capacity-building events (training, technical workshops, on-the-job support etc.).

●       Prepare communications products and materials (success stories, project videos, press articles etc.) on LIFT Implementing Partners’ (IPs) work, LIFT projects and programmes in Rakhine for use by donors, the local media and other stakeholders (e.g. local authorities), ensuring appropriate dissemination within Rakhine. This will also extend to non-LIFT-funded partners, with an emphasis on work that demonstrates synergies and/or replication for LIFT.

●       Creating, proof-reading and editing reports as needed.

●       Leading the organisation of (annual) learning events in Rakhine to showcase the LIFT Rakhine Programme and its partners.

●       Supporting relevant international days to be held in Rakhine with events and materials.

●       Ensuring that LIFT FMO communications products (media releases, LIFT Facebook page posts, publications, etc.) reach relevant stakeholders in Rakhine.

Supporting the LIFT Fund Board and FMO in key communication aspects related to visits to Rakhine. This may include the organisation of appropriate events with local media and civil society organisations and other media relations and content creation activities, as required.

Ensuring appropriate visibility for LIFT and its partners’ work in Rakhine, in particular through:

●       Ensuring adherence to the LIFT visibility guidelines by the LIFT Implementing Partners.

●       Assessing communications materials used to ensure they are appropriate and relevant to the stakeholders.

 Other duties as assigned by the Supervisor, including support to other UNOPS offices.



Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

●       Master’s degree in communications, media studies, journalism, development studies, international or public relations is required.

●       A Bachelor’s degree in the above fields with an additional two years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master’s degree..

Experience

●       Minimum seven years with a Bachelor’s degree, or five years with a Master’s degree, of relevant working experience in communication, preferably in a developing country is required.

●       Significant experience in South-East Asia would be an asset.

●       Knowledge of the political, economic and social situation in Myanmar is desirable.

●       Experience of working in Rakhine is an asset.

●       Proven ability to write excellent technical reports and policy briefs in the area of agriculture and/or rural or other development areas is essential.

●       Computer literacy in Microsoft packages (MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access) is required. Experience with Google Suite is highly preferred.


Language

●       Fluency in both written and spoken English is required.


Functional competencies

●       Strong interpersonal communication, facilitation and advocacy skills, both oral and written.

●       Previous professional experience in and a sound understanding of communications.

●       Ability to defend and explain difficult and complex issues to a diverse range of stakeholders.

●       Ability to conceptualise and convey strategic vision, adapted to changing external environments.Excellent presentation skills.

●       Ability to establish good working relationships with a diversity of stakeholders.

●       Ability to work with minimal supervision in a complex political environment.

●       Sensitivity to issues of culture, gender and the local environment.

●       Willingness to undertake regular field visits in challenging conditions.


Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement  Contract level: IICA 2
Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’


For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx 

Additional Considerations

  • Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
  • Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
  • Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
  • Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
  • UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
  • Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
  • UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
  • For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
  • The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.


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