Mekong River Commission Communication Officer

Mekong River Commission 

The role of MRC is to promote and coordinate sustainable management and development of water and related resources for the countries’ mutual benefit and the people’s well-being

 

MRC Secretariat is now recruiting highly qualified individual consultant for the following consultancy

  

Communication Officer

Division/Section	:	Environment Programme (EP), Environment Division
Work location	:	MRC Secretariat in Vientiane, Lao PDR with the possibility of travel to other MRC Member Countries
Contract type	:	Service Contract
Duration	:	12 working months from May 2013 – April 2014 (5 working days/ week)

Purpose and objective:   
The Environment Programme (EP) within the Environment Division has important outputs related to communication of key products and results and awareness raising of the importance of environment issues.

A communication plan has been prepared for EP including identification of objectives, expected results and target groups for the communication.  

The purpose of this assignment is to increase the ability of the EP to effectively communicate issues to stakeholders concerning environment in the Mekong basin. Emphasis is placed on developing communications related materials using all appropriate media considering the target group for the communication.

The immediate objective of the assignment is to: 

Directly contribute to the development of the EP communication materials and productivity by working with the Environment Programme staff full-time during the course of the contract.

Outputs:

• Printed material of EP including technical reports, annual reports, booklets, report cards, leaflets, posters etc. produced following MRC publication and quality standards and according to MRC procedures

• Website is updated and improved to function as a communication tool as stipulated in the communication plan including establishment of web-pages for specific purposes according to needs

• Support to conferences, seminars, workshops and events with regards to communication aspects including speeches   

• Media support such as press releases, press material, features etc.

•  Innovative and alternative communication methods and tools

• Progress report on implementation of the communication plans including monitoring and evaluation using indicators of the plans

Responsibilities and tasks:

It is the responsibility of this assignment to lead the implementation of the communication plan of the EP throughout the contract period and during that period to establish systems and methods that can support the longer-term implementation.

The following specific tasks are foreseen: 

•  Edit and assist on production of EP’s publications such as, technical reports, booklets, report cards, leaflets, posters etc. produced following MRC publication and quality standards and according to MRC procedures. This involves working with EP and MRC Communication Section staff to finalise the material and procure and oversee the layout and printing as needed.

• Update, populate and improve the EP web-site regularly. This involves working with closely the EP staff to respond to their communication needs as well as to retrieve from them material, results, stories etc. to ensure the value of the websites.

• Collaborate with EP staff to promote communicationand public participation activities at demonstration and study sites and communication activities targeted at different key stakeholders with a focus on women and youth.

•  Promote environmental knowledge and information sharing in collaboration with MRC programmes and national and international partners.

•  Collaborate with EP staff to propose and implement conferences, meetings workshops and events as one of the methods to reach the target groups as defined in the communication plan.

•  Advise on messaging and strategies for ensuring consistent dissemination of agreed messages.

•  Liaise with the MRC Communication Section with regards to contact with and use of the media and with information officers in other relevant organisations.

•  Act as quality control and provide technical advice on the streamlining of publication output of the EP.

•  Act as communication focal point for the EP and collaborate with the MRC Communication Section on all relevant matters.

•  Work with all Divisions of the MRC to promote internal awareness raising and consistent messaging within the topics covered by the EP.

•  Build the capacity of riparian staff to undertake said duties in the future and develop a capacity building plan in this regard, in cooperation with the Integrated Capacity Building Programme.

• Monitor, evaluate and report on the progress of implementation of the communication plan,

•  Additional related duties as requested by the EP Coordinator. 

 

Qualifications/Requirements:

 

• Postgraduate degree (or a minimum of ten years practical working experience) within the area of communications, public relations, editing

• A minimum of ten years experience in the communications or publishing field with international organisations or work experience within South East Asia or in the region is an advantage,

• Proven track record of excellent English oral and written communication skills

• Experience in the use of web-based information services, design and familiarity with commonly used design software

• Experience in dealing with printing and production of display materials

• Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills

• Good sense of initiative and sound judgment

•  Knowledge of natural resources management/environmental awareness is desirable.

•  Excellent command of the English language is required. Any working experience and/or knowledge of one or more riparian language (Khmer, Lao, Thai, Vietnamese) would be an advantage

 

The Term of Reference and other information can be obtained at MRC websitehttp://www.mrcmekong.org/ working-with-mrc/employment/. Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply. Only short-listed candidates will be notified.

 

Application procedures:

The application should include (i) a cover letter outlining clearly how the candidate meets therequirements of the position, (ii) a detailed CV, and (iii) MRC Personal History Form. The position title and division/section must be indicated in the cover letter.

 

 

The application should be sent to:
 

Mekong River Commission Office of the Secretariat in Vientiane (OSV)
P.O. Box 6101, 184 Fa NgoumRoad
Vientiane 01000, Lao PDR
Email: mrcs@mrcmekong.org

Closing date for applications:  18 April 2013