Communications Expert

Details

Mission and objectives

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization that advocates for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help build resilient nations and improve the livelihoods of people. UNDP Gambia was established in 1975 as a development partner to provide technical assistance through advice, access to its global knowledge networks and financial support to implement government development frameworks to boost capacity development and promote national efforts to eradicate poverty and attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In The Gambia, UNDP supports national efforts for sustainable human development in line with the Gambian National Development Plan (NDP) 2018 – 2021 which is aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development/SDGs and the African Union Agenda 2063. To deliver on its mandate, UNDP partners with key government institutions and employs different means of actions including institutional capacity strengthening, harnessing strategic linkages, support to evidence-based policy formulation, planning and implementation, resource mobilization, support to national planning processes and mainstreaming of relevant issues.

Context

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization that advocates for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help build resilient nations and improve the livelihoods of people. UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. It plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. UNDP partners with key government institutions and employs different means of actions including institutional capacity strengthening, harnessing strategic linkages, supporting evidence-based policy formulation, planning and implementation, resource mobilization, supporting national planning processes and mainstreaming of relevant issues to deliver its mandate. UNDP occupies itself with unlocking much needed expertise and finances required by the country to link the global agenda to national development to ensure that all resources invested yield outcomes which translate to better lives for people. UNDP Gambia was established in 1975 as a development partner to provide technical assistance through advice, access to its global knowledge networks and financial support to implement government development frameworks to boost capacity development and promote national efforts to eradicate poverty and attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In The Gambia, UNDP supports national efforts for sustainable human development in line with the Gambian National Development Plan (NDP) 2018 – 2021 which is aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development/SDGs and the African Union Agenda 2063. To deliver on its mandate, UNDP partners with key government institutions and employs different means of actions including institutional capacity strengthening, harnessing strategic linkages, support to evidence-based policy formulation, planning and implementation, resource mobilization, support to national planning processes and mainstreaming of relevant issues. After the ushering in of President Adama Barrow’s government in 2016, the Government deemed it necessary to reform the security sector. This reform entailed reviewing regulatory frameworks and building capacities needs of the Security institutions in their strive to meet the human security needs of the ‘New’ Gambia. In 2017, a Security Sector Assessment was conducted and a report was produced. The report highlighted that the Gambia’s security sector had some obsolete policies, strategies and regulatory frameworks and recommended the formulation of Policies, Strategies and a review of the existing regulations to meet the emerging needs of the security sector on the one hand, and the civilian population on the other. The implementation of the assessment's recommendations led to the formulation of the National Security Policy, Security Sector Reform Strategy and National Security Strategy. It also led to His Excellency, the President’s establishment of a Taskforce to work on the strategies for the rightsizing (which could be a downsizing) of the security sector.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the direct supervision of the National Security Advisor in coordination with UNDP’s Programme Specialist/ Head of Governance or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Communications Expert will: • Lead the development of a Communication Plan and Strategy for ONS and in support of the SSR process. • Ensure effective and well-coordinated public sensitization and awareness on the ongoing implementation of the Security Sector Reform (SSR) program and maintaining active engagement with partners and beneficiaries for effective coordination, information sharing, and timely reporting on the SSR process. • Support the Office of National Security (ONS) to promote national ownership of the SSR program and activities to foster good coordination, collaboration, communication, and knowledge exchange with key stakeholders, development partners, and civil society organizations. • Manage effective communication, coordination, and collaboration with key security institutions, government, stakeholders, development partners, and civil society organizations. This is to ensure the SSR program implementation is well communicated and reported, as well as to inform/update the citizens and partners on the SSR process. • Contribute to policy discussions, conduct research, and develop assessments that contribute to the successful implementation of the SRR process. • Coordinate the ONS cross-platform and multi-audience communication activities, initiate plans, collate, write, edit, and update content on a variety of internal and external communications mediums used by ONS such as newsletter, website, social media, publications, and announcements. • Ensure consistent messaging across internal and external communications mediums, conduct regular check-in and review of ONS’s communications plan and approach with multi-stakeholders and diverse audiences and partners. • Assist in the management of the communications budget, including the planning and implementation of public outreach campaigns based on well-articulated and specific advocacy objectives and targets. • Identify and document inspiring stories of change and resistance from within the Security Institutions, creating content and convincingly communicating the strategic objectives and goals of the SSR process. • Ensure Office of the National Security´s values are reflected through adequate and inclusive language use and promote common approach and messaging across the various security institutions. • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible. 13. Results/expected outputs: • As an active UNDP team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNDP and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: o Developing the Communication Strategy/Plan for the Security Institutions o Documenting public communication activities which include talking points, speeches, photo coverage, interviews and other communication products. o Cataloguing all Press releases and public communication activities disseminated. o Successful knowledge transfer and support related to training, mentoring, and coaching of a successor to ensure continuity. o Establishing a Database of contacts for ONS and ensure periodic updates and functionality. o Indexing all technical and promotional materials for reference. • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed