Public Information Officer - Nairobi

Duration of Initial Contract :Organizational Context The situation in Somalia remains fragile with continued political instability, climatic variability, and lack of basic social services. OCHA’s role is to coordinate effective and principled inter-agency humanitarian response and ensure that relief assistance reaches the people who need it in a timely manner. In line with OCHA’s global mission, OCHA Somalia continues to: Advocate for access to basic services, especially water, sanitation, education and health for vulnerable communities, including the collection, analysis and dissemination of information to humanitarian partners, and negotiation of access; Support the government efforts and humanitarian organizations in relocation of internally displaced and return; Coordinate the implementation of humanitarian response in Somalia with UN agencies and programmes, national and international NGOs and local authorities/communities as appropriate, with focus on strengthening the cluster approach; Enhance a protective environment that respects the human rights of all, including IDPs, returnees and minority clans. The Public Information  Officer  will work under the overall supervision of the Head of Public Information  Unit, UNOCHA Somalia.Maintain constructive media relations through engagement with international and Somali media; Produce and support production of information; Support information management activities; Coordinate the UNCT information group and the joint UN/NGO information; Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results. Maintain constructive media relations through engagement with international and Somali media focusing on the achievement of the following: Maintain relations with media counterparts and support the office in all public information activities; Organize and support local and international media trips and briefings; Serve as focal point for organizing all special events, including the CAP; Monitor and support capacity building activities to help the local media better report on UN work; Produce or encourage journalists to cover human interest stories and liasie with headquarters to diseminate them via OCHA website and other social media tools; Support the management of social media tools; Conduct daily media monitoring of international news sources to supplement other UN offices’ monitoring, ensuring senior management are apprised of humanitarian issues in the international media.

 Produce and support production of information focusing on the achievement of the following:

Coordinate inputs from the nine liaison areas for the production of the weekly and monthly situation reports; Draft the situation report as needed; Research/analyze data required in the press releases, special reports and briefing papers, including reports on media coverage and political, security and socio-economic factors affecting humanitarian and development programmes in Somalia; Actively contribute to the development and regular update of coordination and information tools, including OCHA Somalia website, information fact sheets and OCHA photo database; Ensure preparation of internal weekly reports to OCHA HQ on the humanitarian situation in Somalia by compiling inputs from substantive sections and drafting the report; Collaborate closely with OCHA field offices and information counterparts in other UN agencies and NGOs to ensure accurate and effective information dissemination on humanitarian issues in Somalia; Contribute to OCHA Headquarters and Regional Annual Reports, Budget Planning and the Regional Affected Populations Report.

 Support information management activities focusing on the achievement of the following:

Collect and catalogue relevant information on Somalia on a weekly/monthly basis to be used in information products; Monitor progress of and obtain all major publications dealing with Somalia, and ensure their distribution and filing within the unit/office; Maintain and update photographs to be used in information products and other OCHA functions; Facilitate substantive development of briefing material as well as in the preparation of power point presentations. Coordinate the UNCT information group and the joint UN/NGO information group focusing on the achievement of the following:Participate in the monthly information officer’s group meetings and contribute to the group’s activities as needed, and brief Communications head and senior management when necessary; Participate in planning and organising public information group meetings; Represent OCHA at meetings as requested. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country goals and activities; Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories; Provision of training, consultancy and advice to OCHA staff on communications for development.

 Impact of Results 

Play a strategic role in identifying trends related to humanitarian and access issues and how they are perceived in the media and by the public in the region of responsibility. Develop innovative approaches to deal with technical reporting issues. Ensure timely delivery of outputs, in accordance with overall objectives and policies. Serve as an effective spokesperson and form strong partnerships with humanitarian actors to help meet OCHA’s objectives with respect to overall policy initiatives and coordination of humanitarian and emergency assistance.  Advocacy/Advancing a Policy-Oriented AgendaIdentifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating UN’s priorities; Maintains a functioning network of contacts with a variety of stakeholders to promote a better understanding of OCHA’s development agenda and to support advocacy efforts. Building Strategic Partnerships Maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up-to-date on partnership related issues; Analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders. Innovation and Marketing New Approaches  Enhances processes or products; Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things; Documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches; Provides inputs to resource mobilization strategy; Collects, researches and analyzes information on resource mobilization and utilization, draft reports and documents and maintain information/databases on potential and actual donors and donor funded projects; Provides data and information needed for preparation of fund raising activities and resource mobilization documents ensuring needs of donors are met.

 Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Basic research and analysis; 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.

 Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

Fundamental knowledge of own discipline; Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the position; Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks; Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning; Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments; Demonstrates in-depth understanding and knowledge of the current;Excellent communication, drafting and analytical skills, with attention to detail;Good team player and ability to work under pressure.. Establishes effective client relationships; Researches on potential solutions to internal and external client needs and report back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion; Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines; Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients.

 Core Competencies:

Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity; Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment; Self-development, 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; Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member; Informed and transparent decision making.
A Master’s degree or equivalent  in Communication, Journalism, International relations, or any related field.2 years of relevant professional experience at the national or international level preferably in humanitarian/development reporting and public information work;Experience in media and Database management an asset.Fluency in oral and written English is essential.UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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