Communications Officer at UNDP_Deadline: 19-Dec-2011

Location :	Phnom Penh, Country Office, CAMBODIA
Application Deadline :	06-Dec-11
Additional Category	Poverty Reduction
Type of Contract :	Service Contract
Post Level :	SB-4
Languages Required :	English
Duration of Initial Contract :	One year (with possibility of renewal for the length of the programme)

Poverty reduction and growth are the highest priorities of the Royal Government of Cambodia as reflected in its National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP) 2011-2013. In line with this priorities, UNDP Country Programme Action Plan (2011-2015) adopts an integrated poverty reduction approach in order to accelerate progress towards the Cambodia Millennium Development Goal One (CMDG1). Addressing growth, poverty and equity requires acting simultaneously at the policy and macroeconomic levels and through direct interventions focused on the poorest segments of the population. This involves developing policy options for growth that benefits all, supporting human capital development and institutional capacity in selected sectors of importance to promote economic diversification, and scaling up schemes to improve the incomes of the poorest of the poor. This approach is aimed at contributing to strengthening national and sub-national capacities to develop a more diversified, sustainable and equitable economy. Building on the successes of the Insights for Action Initiative (2005-2010), UNDP’s Linking Policy with Practices for Accelerating MDG1 (LPP) project (2011 – 2015) has been established with the aim to (i) provide evidence–based policy options for inclusive, equitable and sustainable growth, (ii) support human capital development and institutional capacity development in selected sectors of importance and (iii) scale up effective anti-poverty practices for inclusive and equitable growth.  LPP project is responsible for the preparation of key UNDP flagship policy advocacy reports such as Cambodia Human Development Reports and national forums such as Cambodia Economic Forums.   As part of a project team comprising national and international staff, the Communication Officer will be responsible for taking the lead in developing, implementing of communication and advocacy strategy for LPP.  S/he will work under the supervision of the Policy and Research Coordinator of LPP, the strategic advice from Policy Advisor-Economic Development and with the Country Office’s Communications Unit.      The Communication Officer will work closely with LPP team and will be based at UNDP Cambodia, Country Office in Phnom Penh.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions: To ensure the high visibility of LPP project, lead the development and the implementation of the communication plan, knowledge sharing and advocacy strategy for LPP project; Ensure the quality of communication materials and publications and draft the communication and dissemination plans of key publications as required; and, Support to the LPP project implementation and management. 1. To ensure the high visibility of LPP project, lead the development and the implementation of the communication plan, knowledge sharing and advocacy strategy for LPP project. Develop and implement  LPP Communication plan and Advocacy strategy; Develop communication tools and materials and lead communication efforts of the UNDP/LPP in order to ensure the high visibility and wide dissemination of the LPP products; Facilitate the preparation of responses to enquiries from the media or the general public as needed in collaboration with UNDP’s Communications Unit; Indentify and support communication needs of project donors and provide them with materials for their visibility and reporting purpose; Support the launch of UNDP studies under LPP, i.e. organise media briefing, press conference draft press release, etc; Tracking media coverage of the products under LPP to keep the record on the impact on policy option and public; Formulate the monitoring tools from communication perspective; Develop key messages from studies and research recommendation and prepare materials to support LPP advocacy effort; and, Ensure the implementation and take the lead in keeping track on the tools (ex: readership survey which was already developed as a tool for monitoring). 2. Ensure the quality of communication materials and publications and draft the communications and dissemination plans of key publications as required  Draft and carry out communication and dissemination plan(s) for identified key publications; Advise on best channels of disseminations of key publications to reach wider targeted audience; Guide the preparation of publications produced under UNDP/LPP; Work with design and printing companies and ensure the quality of the  publications, project factsheet, brochures, posters, pamphlets, etc.; Participate in the editing and proof reading of research papers to ensure editorial quality and consistency; Facilitate together with the authors of policy position papers the inputs and preparation of UNDP management briefings and presentation materials; Work with translators to ensure the quality of Khmer translations of UNDP/LPP communication materials and publication; and, Draft speeches, press releases, press kits, news articles and other key communications materials. 3. Support to the LPP project implementation and management. Provision of information for formulation of work plans, budgets, proposals of resource mobilisation and on implementation arrangements; Assist preparing annual and quarterly project  progress report; Produce report against results to the Policy and Research Coordinator when required;

Competencies

Corporate Competencies: Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards; Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP; Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; and, Treats all people fairly without favouritism. Functional Competencies: Knowledge Management and Learning Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example; and, Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills; Development and Operational Effectiveness; Knowledge and understanding of evaluation and development evaluation in particular; Knowledge of current development issues particularly those pertinent to UNDP’s Practice Areas;  Ability to conceptualize issues and analyze data; Ability to coordinate the work of others; Ability to implement new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change; Good knowledge of Results Management Guide and Toolkit; Strong interpersonal skills; and, Excellent presentation skills. Management and Leadership Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback; Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude; Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities; Leads teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills; Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills; High gender and intercultural sensitivity, tact and diplomacy; Good team-player willing to assume additional responsibilities; and, Able to operate under pressure and tight deadlines. Innovation and Judgment Conceptualizes and analyses problems to identify key issues, underlying problems, and how they relate; Generates creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations; and, Devises new systems and processes, and modifies existing ones, to support innovative behaviours. Client Orientation Organises and priorities work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines; and, Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients. Conceptual Innovation in the Provision of Technical Expertise Keeps updated in his/her area of substantive expertise; Analyses ongoing trends, evolving needs and emerging issues to identify appropriate responses for capacity building. Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things; Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approaches; and, Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office; Core Competencies: Self-development and initiative-taking; Acting as a team player and facilitating team work; Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively; Creating synergies through self-control; Managing conflict; Inform and transparent decision making.

Required Skills and Experience

Master’s Degree or equivalent in Journalism, Communications, public and international relations or related area;  Up to three years of professional experience at management and advisory in communications and advocacy; Demonstrated experience in designing, implementing, and monitoring strategic communication plan; Experience in working across the communications spectrum including media management, strategic communications management, communication research, monitoring and evaluation; Experience in Communications - broadcast or print media or public relations; Experience working with government, NGOs, and media outlets desirable; Excellent writing skills and editing of publications and good presentation skills; Excellent experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems; Proficiency in written and spoken English required This vacancy is opened for Cambodian National only.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates must submit their applications online through UNDP Online Recruitment System. Correspondence either in hard or soft format will not be considered.
To submit your application online, please follow the steps below:

1. Download and complete the UN Personal History Form (P11).
2. Click on the Job Title.
3. Click “Apply Now” button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and click “Submit Application”.
4. Upload your application (P11).
5. You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system.

You must state in your application letter how you meet the selection criteria specified in the job descriptions. UNDP will contact references directly. Due to the large number of applications, only short-listed candidates will be contacted for further selection process.

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