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COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST - UNDP/ELECT PROJECT, Kabul, Afghanistan

7:50:00 PM
COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST - UNDP/ELECT PROJECT
Location : Kabul, AFGHANISTAN
Application Deadline :10-Dec-13
Type of Contract : FTA International
Post Level : P-3
Languages Required :English
Duration of Initial Contract : One year with possibility of extension
Background
UNDP supports stabilization, state building, governance and development priorities in Afghanistan. UNDP support, in partnership with the Government, the United Nations system, the donor community and other development stakeholders, has contributed to institutional development efforts leading to positive impact on the lives of Afghan citizens.
Over the years UNDP support has spanned such milestone efforts as the adoption of the Constitution; Presidential, Parliamentary and Provincial Council elections; institutional development through capacity-building to the legislative, the judicial and executive arms of the state, and key ministries, Government agencies and commissions at the national and subnational levels.
UNDP Afghanistan is committed to the highest standards of transparency and accountability and works in close coordination with the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the UN system as a whole to maximize the impact of its development efforts on the ground.
Years of conflict have damaged Afghanistan's economic, political, physical, social and institutional structures. Reconstruction demands a secure environment in which there is credible leadership and enforced rule of law. Strong, legitimate and effective public administration structures, responsive to the needs of ordinary citizens - including the poor – are a precursor to any sustainable development. To this end, UNDP supports Afghan electoral institutions so that they can become more effective vehicles for development.
The UNDP Enhancing Legal and Electoral Capacity for Tomorrow (ELECT) project- phase I (2006 – 2011) provided technical and operational assistance to Afghan electoral bodies throughout the 2009 Presidential and provincial council elections and 2010 parliamentary elections.
ELECT II which commenced January 2012 was conceived as a targeted and focused project providing a support and advisory role, with a particular focus on institutional strengthening and capacity development during the inter-election period. In line with the process of transition or Afghanistan, as articulated in the Kabul Conference in July 2010, the number of international staff was significantly reduced from previous years.
As the result of a project Mid-term Review and a UN Needs Assessment Mission, the ELECT II project has been extended beyond its original end date of December 2013 until December 2015, and the project objectives have been revised to now include direct electoral assistance for the conduct of the 2014 Presidential and Provincial Council Elections and the 2015 Parliamentary elections.
The overall objective of ELECT II is to support the national electoral institutions to plan and conduct credible elections, most immediately the 2014 Presidential and Provincial Council elections and the 2015 Parliamentary elections, and to better ensure the integrity of the process. Continuing long-term assistance through support to capacity building of national electoral authorities beyond 2010 is in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2096 (2013).This assistance is closely coordinated with UNAMA, UN Department for Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and UN Electoral Assistance Division (EAD).This is being accomplished through seven focused outputs:
  • Output 1: Output 1 - Sustainability of the IEC is enhanced via both its institutional and staff capacity development;
  • Output 2: A sustainable, long-term approach to voter registration in Afghanistan, which also promotes maximum participation of eligible citizens in the 2014 and 2015 elections, is developed and implemented;
  • Output 3: The IEC's engagement and informational outreach with key stakeholders, including the electorate, is enhanced;
  • Output 4: The IEC's operational management functions, and the project support services, are strengthened;
  • Output 5: The conduct of key electoral operations for the 2014 and 2015 elections by the IEC is improved;
  • Output 6: The electoral dispute resolution mechanism is enhanced;
  • Output 7: The media regulatory mechanism for the electoral process is enhanced.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Communications Specialist will be part of a team of specialists supervised and guided by the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) and will report on delivery to the Senior Technical Adviser – Output 3. Her/his primary task will be to advocate and promote UNDP ELECT's mandate, mission and purpose through effective information sharing within the UN system, with development partners, international stakeholders, and others as relevant. S/he will assist the formulation and implementation of effective internal/external communications practices, including regular updates on the ELECT Project, and timely contributions to UN agency-wide communications. S/he will manage ELECT meeting records, shared folders and project archives, and contribute to conveyance of key communication key messages through preparation of advisory notes, briefings, talking points and presentations for senior management. S/he will maintain an inventory of ELECT knowledge management for sharing within the UN system. S/he will proactively identify communication opportunities and challenges and develop plans to meet these accordingly.
  • In consultation with ELECT senior management, establish and implement effective internal communications strategy/practices, contributing to optimal coordination internally, within UN system and amongst key development partners and international stakeholders;
  • Corresponding to a communications strategy, design and implement relevant internal/ external information/communications practices, systems and products;
  • Prepare advisory notes, fact sheets, talking points / briefings, and periodic updates on the UNDP ELECT Project, as well as regular update contributions to the UNDP website;
  • Manage ELECT meeting records, shared folders and project archives, and serve as a conduit for communications, directing relevant information/requests to ELECT staff and assisting in response;
  • Coordinate and manage all ELECT publication activities, including content management, publishing standards, design, translation, and dissemination, ensuring quality of all communication materials;
  • Provide constructive and timely advice on inclusion of communications components in all aspects of the projects, and advise ELECT staff on consistent integration of effective communication practices, including project developments, updates and successes;
  • Liaise and coordinate efforts with the UNAMA Spokesman/Communications Office, other UN agencies and international stakeholders;
  • Regular coordination and complementary support to the UNDP ELECT Planning, Monitoring and Reporting specialist, ensuring integrated approach to all reporting, and backstop as necessary;
  • Prepare regular media updates on relevant political / electoral media reports;
  • Promote knowledge-sharing among ELECT staff and with other UN agencies, and identify synergies;
  • Where appropriate/possible, plan field visits with partners (donors and international
Competencies
Corporate competencies:
  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN values and ethical standards;
  • Promote the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP.;
  • Display cultural gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
Functional competencies:
  • Strong knowledge in communication strategy development and implementation;
  • Seasoned ability to develop communication products for both local communities and global audiences;
  • Demonstrated ability to translate policy and programmatic issues into local contexts;
  • Strong research and analytical skills and ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from a variety of sources;
  • Ability to build productive partnerships with various stakeholders;
  • Excellent writing and oral skills in English;
  • Ability to write quickly, clearly and concisely;
  • Ability in production, sub-editing, and editing of various communication documents, including website;
  • Ability in transmitting knowledge and building capacities;
  • Ability to act as a team player and leader, with strong interpersonal and communication skills;
  • Ability to work in a pressured environment with strict deadlines.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
  • Master's Degree in media relations, journalism, publishing, communication, public relation, political sciences or related field.
Experience:
  • Minimum 5 years of experience designing and implementing effective internal / external communications strategies, underscored by effective communication (writing) skills;
  • Experience working within a governance/elections / issue-oriented context;
  • Experience working in Afghanistan or a demonstrable knowledge/understanding of the current political context.
  • Experience building staff capacity;
  • Leadership qualities, including the ability to motivate others, involve all members of a team, inspire a sense of ownership and responsibility among staff, and elicit consistently high-quality output;
  • Ability to meet challenges, constructively and creatively;
  • Ability to quickly adapt to change, and to remain calm under pressure;
  • Time management and organizational skills, with the ability to undertake multiple tasks;
  • Diplomatic skills, cultural and political sensitivity.
Language Requirements:
  • Fluency in English and excellent writing skills are required.
Note:
  • Interested and qualified international candidates should apply on-line through the UNDP Jobs site at UNDP Afghanistan Vacancy Announcementand please ensure that to fill up and upload Personal History Form-P.11 which is available at UNDP Personal History Form (P.11 Form);
  • Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration. Please note that only applicants who are short-listed will be contacted;
  • For more detailed information about UNDP Afghanistan please visit our website at www.undp.org.af ;
  • Successful candidates must be prepared to start work within 6 weeks of the offer of appointment
  • Internal candidates who have served a minimum of 12 month in the current assignment are invited to apply.
http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=42074

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