Team Leader (Communications and Partnerships Unit)

I.Position Information Application Deadline: 03-Aug-11 Type of Contract: FTA International Post Level: P-3 Languages Required: English
Duration of Initial Contract: 1 year Expected Duration of Assignment: 1 year

II.Background The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life in 166 countries. In accordance with Executive Board mandate, UNDP in Myanmar provides support to poor communities in areas of food security, primary health care, environment, and training and education. UNDP’s initiatives target the most vulnerable communities to improve opportunities for sustainable livelihoods. In coordination with the UNCT, UNDP Myanmar is supporting the UN strategic planning process to develop a framework of cooperation with a timeframe of 2012 to 2015. Due to the various thematic priorities and development strategies, mobilizing resources requires knowledge of development partner’s priorities and operational requirements, and a strategic resource mobilization effort, and strategic external communications strategy that serve the purpose of (a) providing targeted information to highlight UNDP’s comparative advantage (b) implementing of a strategic communications plan (c) building support among stakeholders. Continuous engagement and partnerships are critical to the resource mobilization and communications effort, and is part of the requirements of this post.

III.Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance and direct supervision of UNDP Senior Deputy Resident Representative, the External Relations & Resource Mobilisation Specialist is responsible for implementing the resource mobilization and communications strategy.

As a member of the Executive Management team reporting to the Senior Deputy Resident Representative and supporting the UNDP Resident Representative, the External Relations & Resource Mobilisation Specialist will lead the CO communications and resource mobilization teams in supporting the senior management and units of the CO in developing partnerships stakeholders through effective implementation of strategies and activities.

All activities are implemented with the guidance of, and in consultation with, the UNDP RR, the Senior DRR and other relevant CO teams.

Summary of key functions:

As the Head of Communications and Partnership Unit, the External Relations & Resource Mobilisation Specialist: • Contributes to the formulation and implementation of UNDP’s partnership and resource mobilization strategies. • Lead design and implementation of communication strategy and products. • Provide support to Senior DRR to position UNDP as a valued contributor in the UN family in its practice areas and other areas of comparative advantage. • Facilitate knowledge and information sharing on UNDP’s work, using the global knowledge network to strengthen capacities of CO units to support the partnership and resource mobilization

Contributes to the formulation and implementation of UNDP’s strategic partnerships and resource mobilization with development partners, focusing on achievements of the following results: • A CO resource mobilization strategy and work plan formulated and resources mobilized as a result of implementation and follow-up actions on the strategy • Partnerships identified and built with development partners whose development assistance policies, priorities and strategies are of particular relevance to UNDP’s programme in Myanmar. • Agreements reached and formalized with development partners on funding for UNDP programme(s) in the country, with timely reporting on proposal funded and coordinating reporting on agreements. • Mechanisms and processes established to ensure that proposals to, and agreements with, development partners are in compliance with UNDP and Donor guidelines.

Lead design and implementation of communication strategy and products: • A CO external communications strategy formulated and implemented that builds on achievements and increases awareness of the programme among various audiences. • Implement the communication strategy through the development of advocacy materials, press releases, fact sheets, press stories, information materials, promotional items, publications, websites and other innovative means of communication. • Oversee the implementation of public relations/information plans and programmes accordingly. • Contribute towards the writing of speeches, official statements and the preparation of presentations for the Resident Representative and Senior Deputy Resident Representative, as needed.

Provide support to the Senior DRR to position UNDP as a valued contributor in the UN family, focusing on the achievement of the following results: • Information sharing with UNCT members and the larger humanitarian community. • Effective and meaningful partnering with UN agencies and international and national groups leading to joint actions and/or UNDP contributions to multi-agency initiatives on emerging issues and needs.

Facilitate knowledge sharing to enhance partnerships with the stakeholders, as well as within the country office, focusing on the following results: • Supervise and manage the Communications and Partnership Unit’s staff to ensure that work plans are implemented and followed up.
• Efficiently manage the Unit to achieve the outputs and quality assurance of all activities by establishing work plans, resources required, priorities, timelines and performance benchmarks for the Unit. Monitor progress. Take timely action and/or decisions to ensure objectives are met. • Identification and formulation of lessons learned and preparations of relevant documents that support UNDP’s knowledge management efforts. • Substantive and attributable contributions made to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Impact of Results - The impact of results will be manifested through the following: • Establishment of a long-term sustainable funding base for the programme • Greater programme coverage in terms of beneficiaries reached • Increased support for UNDP’s work in the country, as a result of increased and strengthened partnerships • Greater understanding and support among stakeholders, both in country and abroad.

IV.Competencies

Corporate Competencies • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability • Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Functiional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning: • Contributes to UNDP Practice Areas and actively works towards continuing personal learning and development, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills. • Ability to provide top quality policy advice services on related issues. • Develops deep knowledge in one practice area and shares knowledge and experience. • Demonstrates strong coaching/mentoring skills, regularly providing helpful feedback and advice to others in the office Development and Operational Effectiveness : • Ability to implement communications and resource mobilization strategies. • Ability to dialogue effectively with donors and internal units, ability to identify and analyze trends, opportunities to resource mobilization. • Ability to work with minimum supervision. • Demonstrates excellent ability to write and communicate orally with accuracy and professionalism. • Communicates sensitively and effectively across different constituencies.
• Demonstrates strong IT skills

Management and Leadership: • Focuses on impact and result for the client. • Leads teams effectively. • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude. • Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors. • Demonstrates openness to change and pursues creativity and innovation. • Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.

V.Required Skills and Experience

Education: • Master’s Degree in Social Sciences, Public Administration, International Relations, Economics or related field. Experience: • Five years of relevant experience at the national or international level in communications and/or external relations and/or resource mobilization, with experience in a multilateral or international organization a great asset. • Familiarity with the operating context for international organizations in Myanmar an asset; knowledge of UNDP and the RC system. Language Requirements: • Excellent verbal and written English communication skills.

All interested applicants may please go to the below link to submit their applications:

http://jobs-intra.undp.org/cj_view_jobs.cfm?categ_id=8 (or) https://jobs-intra.undp.org/cj_apply.cfm?job_id=24529