Communications and Reporting Analyst (NPSA9)

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) will be launching a comprehensive Justice Sector Reform Joint Programme supported by the European Union. The Programme contains a holistic package of support to the Justice sector in Sri Lanka spanning Civil, Criminal, Commercial and Alternative Dispute Resolution sectors that will be implemented by UNDP and support for Justice for Children Sector implemented by UNICEF.   The Programme is designed to offer a holistic and flexible package of support to address the gaps within the justice system, strengthen the capacities across the sector, (including on skills, legal reform, case management processes, data, infrastructure etc.), strengthen civil society engagement with and within the sector, and promote judicial reforms in line with international standards and best practices. The Project developed in close collaboration with sector stakeholders, adopts a three-pronged approach; 1) Strengthening Access to Justice (including through legal aid, language mainstreaming, greater awareness of rights and responsibilities) 2) Strengthening transparency and credibility within the sector (including through data collection, analysis and dissemination) and 3) Improving quality and efficiency within the sector (including through age-appropriate Justice for Children, improved skills, legislative reform in line with international standards, a strengthened alternate dispute resolution mechanism and improved coordination within the sector). The Project will contribute to Sri Lanka achieving SDG 16 (which is a key enabler for realizing SDGs 1-15) as it aims to ‘promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels’. It will also contribute to the achievement of SDG 10 "Reduce inequality within and among countries" and SDG 5 "Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls”.

The Project builds on the strategic partnership between the EU and the UN in the area of governance, which includes cooperation in justice and the rule of law. The Project will be jointly implemented by UNDP and UNICEF. UNDP has been supporting the justice sector in Sri Lanka (on both the demand and supply side) since 2004 with a focus on criminal justice). On account of the unique, long-standing role UNDP has played, UNDP will play the lead technical and coordination role of the Project. UNDP’s SDG 16 Portfolio – Inclusive Governance and Peacebuilding contributes to improve ability of justice sector institutions to deliver people-centered services, especially upholding the rights of excluded and vulnerable groups. The portfolio builds on UNDP’s long-standing work and partnerships with national justice sector institutions, independent commissions and state and non-state service-providers. UNICEF will provide technical support to the Justice for Children Sector through its Child Protection team, who will build on over a decade of work on reform of the child protection system, as well as international expertise in this area.  Thousands of children across Sri Lanka interact with justice systems every year as victims, witnesses, and perpetrators. UNICEF will build on the recommendations of the Child Justice System Review (2017) and its strong relationships with Government and CSO partners to modernize the sector and bring it in-line with Best Interest Principles and other international standards.

The four year Project, will be implemented at national level  with a 6-month inception phase during which a series of consultations will take place with national counterparts, sector professionals, academics, civil society to determine priorities for action. The main target groups and beneficiaries of the Project are key justice sector institutions, inter alia the Chief Justice, Sri Lanka Judges’ Institute, Ministry of Justice (MOJ)Attorney General’s Department (AGD), Government Analyst’s Department (GAD), Legal Draftsman’s Department (LDD), Judicial Medical Service (JMS), Police Department, Prisons Department, State Ministry of Women and Child Development (MOWCD), Department of Probation and Child Care Services (DPCCS) and National Child Protection Authority (NCPA), Independent Commissions and institutions including the Human Rights Commission (HRCSL), National Police Commission (NPC), Judicial Service Commission (JSC), Legal Aid Commission (LAC), National Authority for Victims of Crimes and Witnesses (NVWPA), Civil Society Organizations, academic and research institutions such as universities and law colleges, Bar Association of Sri Lanka and media, general population, including in particular the poor and persons in vulnerable situations (Women, Children, Internally Displaced Persons, Persons With Disabilities.

In light of this, UNDP is seeking to hire a  a Communications and Reporting Specialist who will service the relevant reporting and communications needs of the Project.

The Incumbent  will be based in Colombo and work under the overall supervision and guidance of the the Jpint Project Coordinator and the Project Operations Manager of both UNDP as well as  in close collaboration with communications counterparts from the EU and UNICEF. 

He/She will be fully responsible for providing day-to-day assistance in all communication and reporting needs related to the Project and works closely with relevant project staff to ensure appropriate data and information is made available for results-based reporting and communication.  This position will also provide reporting and communications support to broader governance portfolio, working closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist  and Reporting and Communications Specialist of the SDG 16 Portfolio  to ensure appropriate data and information is made available for results-based reporting and development of communication products.

• Identifies areas of research which are vital for project implementation, results and impact monitoring and lead research and analysis;
• Supports the Project Manager and the Technical Specialists  in obtaining insight on project implementation, and integrating feedback into revising project implementation strategies, and/or annual work plans, as well as knowledge products; and
•  Screens all knowledge products developed by the project team for accuracy and consistency.  

Reporting:

• Plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the progress of the Project is well documented, proof-read, and reported in a timely and high-quality manner;
• Develops a reporting calendar for internal and external reporting purposes to ensure that that all reports are submitted in a timely manner;
• Reports on project progress and completion both qualitatively and quantitatively, in line with UNDP corporate requirements and the respective donor’s requirements, focusing on results-based reporting;
• Liaises directly and independently with donors and referring to relevant reporting guidelines to ensure that the required reporting formats are followed. Required information must be presented precisely and accurately, meeting high professional standards of English language skills, editing, formatting and overall graphical presentation;
• Works closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist and relevant technical specialists to ensure accurate collection, documentation and analysis of information and data from projects in a results-based and timely manner;
• Prepares and systematically updating information for the development of (project fact sheets, infographics, FAQs, backgrounders, data tables), briefings, and presentations related to project implementation;
• Supports project partners to meet reporting requirements (including through trainings, developing reporting templates); and
• Supports in drafting concept notes and proposals for future resource mobilization and supporting in precisely and succinctly minuting key decisions taken through stakeholder meetings.

Communication:

• Prepares a comprehensive communications and visibility strategy and relevant budgets for all major project activities annually;.
• Regularly and proactively prepares/ disseminates communications products (including success stories, project briefs, news releases, articles, videos, power-point presentations, brochures, website updates, infographics, talking points, etc.,) in order to give maximum visibility to The Project and showcase The Project’s results and achievements; 
• Undertakes regular field visits to partner organizations/local stakeholders to provide advice and guidance on the outreach and visibility components as well as to capture material for success stories including photos, videos and beneficiary quotes;
• Advices project team on including communication components in project implementation;
• Identifies areas/ platforms where results of the project can be shared and ensure wide dissemination and visibility for project achievements and results;
• Engages with UNDP Sri Lanka communication team and other actors at all levels to promote project activities both internally and externally; and 
• Supports project team to establish of community of practice in target areas to facilitate knowledge exchange.

Core competencies: 

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

2030 Agenda: Peace    

• Rule of Law, Security an Human Rights: Rule of Law, Justice and Security

2030 Agenda: People

• Gender: Gender mainstreaming 

Business management

• Communication: Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

Business direction and strategy

• Knowledge Generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need

Communications

• Advocacy strategy and implementation: Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change

Business Development

• Engage and Partner: Acts in a way that demonstrates empathy and emotional intelligence, showing consideration for the needs and feelings of others

• Master’s Degree in Communications, Journalism, International Development, Legal Studies, Public Policy, Social Sciences or a Multi-disciplinary area relevant to the terms of reference
• Bachelor’s degree the related fields with additional 2 years of relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of a Master’s degree

• Masters degree with two years of of progressively responsible work experience  in a Communications and Reporting Capacity will be required.
• Previous working experience in the UN system/ development sector is desirable.
• Working experience with EU funded projects is an advantage.
• Experience in preparing case studies, minutes, donor reports, country context analyses and creative communications and outreach products is an asset.
• Prior experience in supporting research initiatives is desirable.
• Prior experience in results based reporting/monitoring and evaluation and other communications and reporting related functions in-line with TOR requirements would be advantageous.

Required Language(s):

• Fluency in Sinhala and/or Tamil with excellent English written and oral/presentation skills.

Note: This position is open for Sri Lanka nationals only