Communications and Advocacy Individual contractor – United Nations Office: (Deadline 13 September 2022)

Communications and Advocacy Individual contractor – United Nations Office: (Deadline 13 September 2022)

Result of Service

1. Online TV and Radio produced
2. One UN human interest stories and photos for external partners
3. Updated UN Rwanda website
4. Public messaging and media outreach
5. Media reporting on UN related topics/achievements/ events

Work Location

Kigali, Rwanda

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Organizational Setting and Reporting

The UN Secretary-General launched on 1 January 2019 a bold and new global reform which repositioned the UN Development System to deliver more effectively and efficiently with the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. As part of this reform, UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO), under the leadership of an empowered and independent UN Resident Coordinator – the highest-ranking official of the UN Development System and Representative of the UN Secretary-General at country level – support countries in the achievement of their development priorities and the attainment of the SDGs.

The Individual contractor will be based in the United Nations Resident Coordination Office (RCO), Kigali Rwanda and reports to the Senior Development Coordination Officer, Strategic Planning and RCO Team Leader.

The Individual contractor also maintains a close working relationship with the United Nations Department of Global Communications (DGC), which sets the communications and advocacy priorities of the United Nations around the world and includes a second reporting line to DGC.

The United Nations Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) supports the work of the UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC/RC). The UN RCO leads the UN Country Team (UNCT) in consultations with the Government to define and agree on the UN strategic response to the Government’s development priorities. This response is captured in the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF)

The Office coordinates activities related to common programming including Agenda 2030, joint programmes, joint programming activities and development coordination work. This is done in conformity with the objectives and priorities of the Government, and the mandates and objectives of the United Nations Agencies.

The RCO aims to bring the UNCT together to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operational activities at the country level. Coordinating development operations promotes more strategic support for national plans and priorities, makes operations more efficient and reduces transaction costs for governments. This helps the UN to be a more relevant and reliable partner for governments.

The Individual contractor will work under the overall supervision of the Senior Development Coordination Officer, Strategic Planning and RCO Team Leader.

Specific tasks of the assignment will include:
• Strategic advocacy and communications in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF);
• Effectively monitoring and evaluating various communications tools and activities, to measure the impact on achieving the overall objective.
• Liaison with other partners for content development, information exchange, collaborative communication efforts, and innovative communication and advocacy tools, as assigned
• Prepare official briefing materials, talking points, speeches, statements, op-eds and presentations as necessary.
• Provide substantive support to joint UN publications, coordinate with author entities in the UN country team and relevant local partners, including host country authorities, media representatives, members of academia, etc. to ensure high visibility and impact.
• Contribute to providing substantive support to the United Nations Department of Global Communications in adapting and localizing global communications and advocacy priorities promoting the work of the United Nations in key thematic areas.
• Contribute to educational outreach activities, including the organization of Model United Nations conferences and public-speaking engagements at local educational institutions with support from and/or the participation of the Resident Coordinator and/or the UN country team.
• Support the evaluation of results and impact of communications and advocacy initiatives promoting the work of the United Nations in key thematic areas other than development, reporting the outcome to the Resident Coordinator, the UN country team and the United Nations Department of Global Communications.
• Develop and edit content of information and promotional materials, including press releases, press kits, promotional leaflets, brochures, information packages, including cooperation with a graphic designer on their layout and graphics
• Assist in the implementation of global communication strategies and campaigns on social media platforms to engage with local audiences on UN priority issues and/or major events, including the coordination of activities, monitoring and reporting on progress, taking appropriate follow-up actions, and analyzing the outcomes.
• Produce Media Briefs and shared with the UN Resident Coordinator on a daily basis.
• Draft speeches/remarks for RC
• Perform other tasks as assigned by supervisor.

Qualifications/special skills

Skills: • Solid analytical, writing and communication skills in English and Kinyarwanda
• Good political and personal judgment
• Fast, accurate, creative and versatile writing skills, including for digital media
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Knowledge of website applications, basic knowledge of HTML, of photo editing and design software;
• Knowledge and experience in local and international media market;
• Strong interpersonal skills, organization and communication skills;
• Able to communicate and work with diverse people;
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
• Good understanding of the mandate of the UN
Academic Qualifications: Advanced university degree in communications, journalism, business or public administration, sustainable development, social sciences, education or related area is required
Experience: A minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in programme communications and advocacy in the context of development cooperation or related area is required.
News interview conduction is required.
Developing and implementing social media strategies and campaigns is desirable
Writing, editing, content production and information dissemination for online audiences is desirable
Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of National language (Kinyarwanda) is desirable.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

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