Re-advertisement - Communications Specialist Re-advertisement - Kabul

UNDP Afghanistan is supporting the Government of Afghanistan (GIRoA) to find innovative solutions to its development challenges based on the on-going Country Programme Document (CPD) approved by the Executive Board for the period 2010 – 2013 and further extended until end of 2014. Key priority areas for UNDP assistance are in strengthening democratic governance, crisis prevention and recovery, and reducing poverty. UNDP is strengthening the institutional capacities of key national government and sub-national authorities which aim to enhance human security, human development, peace and stability in Afghanistan.Afghanistan is currently in a two-year transition period that will last until the departure of the international security forces by the end of 2014. This transition phase will be followed by a phase of transformation of 5 years, according to the Tokyo Conference. The Ministry of Interior (MoI) 10-Year Vision sets the strategic framework for ministerial reform and Afghan National Police (ANP) professionalization during the so-called decade of transformation. As part of the MoI-driven reform supported by the International Community, ministerial functions (policy-making, budgeting, goal-setting planning and controlling) shall be separated from the policing agencies resulting in a new architecture of the entire Ministry of Interior.LOTFA Phase VI has consisted of three distinct pillars: (Pillar 1) police remuneration, infrastructure and equipment; (Pillar 2) capacity development and gender; and (Pillar 3) community policing (Police-e-Mardumi). The new strategic MoI context described above has generated fundamental changes in what and how LOTFA will further engage in the policing sector, and will affect each of the three pillars in substantial ways. Within this context, internal reorganization of the programme pillars began from April 2013 upon approval of LOTFA Steering Committee (20th March 2013): during 2013 LOTFA has evolved into a more substantive platform with an expanded capacity development component for consolidated sustainability of the established systems and processes, and a separate community policing component for decentralized support to the police towards more effective service delivery. Further, increased efforts have been made by LOTFA and MoI to strengthen joint planning, the intent of which is to help MoI to assume ownership of LOTFA-supported activities.Late in 2013 the MoI and UNDP, in coordination with LOTFA donors, have agreed to extend Phase VI until 31 December 2014 with the main objective to fully operationalize LOTFA management changes and streamline elements of innovation taking into account current and perspective needs of the MoI. In 2014 Pillar 1, while continuing to manage the remuneration to police and to uniformed guards of the Prisons Department, will transition its functions into a more streamlined service organized as a practice area.  Anticipating the transition of payroll management to the MoI, Pillar 1 will focus on building MoI capacity to use, manage, and maintain the payroll system, while also ensuring that the software itself is made robust and professional. In the meantime, training and systems development will continue to be provided to the MoI and Ministry of Finance (MoF).Similarly, Pillar 2 will structure its programmatic areas of work around ministerial reform. Within Pillar 2, ministerial reform will encompass: policy development and evaluation, including development of operational procedures; support to improve key ministerial processes essential to ensure efficient and effective allocation and management of MoI assets; technical assistance for structural change of MoI systems. Greater emphasis will be on policies associated to human resources planning and management, including policies and regulatory framework to guide and discipline police literacy and professionalization. Pillar 3 focus will shift from a narrow emphasis on Police-e-Mardumi to civilian policing and police professionalization in all capacities of on-the-ground policing agencies. Expansion of community-police partnerships will be another feature of Pillar 3 work for 2014 by scaling-up Civil Society Organization (CSO)-based projects meant to build conditions of mutual trust and confidence between police and communities. Pillar 2 will retain a focus on strategic gender aspects of ministerial reform, and priority areas for Pillar 2 work will include systems aspects of gender-based management, performance oversight and management, personnel planning and administration, and finance. Pillar 3 will expand gender portfolio, focusing on the operational aspects of gender policing including, but not limited to: capacity building and professionalization, improvement of safe working conditions for women police, and advocacy initiatives to address Gender-Based Violence and women police protection against all forms of harassment.Given the nature of work and mandate, Pillars 2 and 3 will work interactively with an effort to reinforce their separate but closely linked mandates. All Pillars will shift from ad hoc programming and material support so as to align more directly with policies and strategies of the MoI. This will increase the likelihood that LOTFA support will meaningfully contribute to the achievement of mid- and long-term changes to policing, and will lay the foundation for much greater MoI involvement with and ownership of the LOTFA framework. Based in MoI - LOTFA project, the Communications Specialist will be responsible for all communications, public outreach and reporting requirement for the whole project, covering for all 3 Pillars. He/she will report to the overall Programme Manager. The Communications Specialist supervises and leads the communications, partnerships outreach and reporting staff of the LOTFA project and has a strong regular working relationship with the Communications Team in the UNDP Country Office. The Communications Specialist works in close collaboration with the LOTFA Pillar Managers and MoI Media Department and communications counterparts of the LOTFA donor agencies, international and local media, subject matter experts, and civil society ensuring successful UNDP LOTFA communication strategy implementation.  A communications strategy tightly linked to program priorities helps position the UNDP LOTFA project as a key pillar of the UNDP Rule of Law cluster in ways that boost demand for various service lines and increase overall business opportunities for the project. Ensure effective planning and implementation of communication, advocacy, public outreach and knowledge management strategy of the LOTFA project; Quality control and timely submission of all reports; Contribute substantially to the proposal development process. Devising and managing a communications strategy and policies for the Programme including development of key messages and branding; Developing and overseeing editorial oversight of all public materials on the programme, including information for the website, stories of impact, news releases, presentations, proposals and reports; Participate in and provide professional leadership to Programme communication planning by representing the programme in international partners on working on Police working groups and task forces and liaising with other information managers including the Ministry of Interior. Management and mentoring of team of national and international staff, including national communications team in the preparation of promotional materials, translation into local languages, event planning and organisation and national media outreach programmes. Publications and Promotional Materials: Identify and provide oversight for the design and production of well-targeted information/communication materials, including audio-visual materials, posters, brochures and reports etc.; Editorial oversight and quality control of monthly newsletters, media briefings, fact sheets, proposals etc. Ensure the Programme website is kept up-to-date and accurate. Speech Writing and Press Releases:Draft speeches for Programme Manager and Government spokespeople for presentation at national and International events. Public Information/ Media Relations: In coordination with the Ministry of Interior Team support and lead within LOTFA a proactive media relations campaign to ensure a high-level of positive press coverage in national and international media, monitor, analyse and report on the impact of media coverage on LOTFA issues; Provide media briefing documents and guidance to LOTFA management. Capacity to plan, develop and implement effective public outreach, including reform of the Ministry of Interior and Afghanistan National Police professionalization and its strategies and campaigns; Develop targeted communication and outreach strategies for women, as well as other sectors of society with special information needs; Public outreach strategies will involve both a mass media approach as well as local initiatives, and will also engage the cooperation of civil society organizations (CSO’s).  Support the Donor Relations Specialist in managing proactive donor outreach programmes, including organizing regular high-level events, individual briefings and field visits as appropriate. Supervise and guide the reporting team in preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual reports. Effective and efficient communications, public outreach, reporting processes, knowledge management and project proposal development, which will have an impact on the success of the UNDP country programme within specific areas of cooperation. In particular, the key results have an impact on the design and implementation of UNDP activities, creation of strategic partnerships as well as reaching resource mobilization targets. Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards; Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP; Displays cultural, gender, religious, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

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; Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications, e.g., word processing, spreadsheets, internet, PP, database packages, etc. Experience with web-based management systems; Ability to work with a wide cross-section of partners including Government, donors, I/NGOs and community-based organizations; A team player and self-starter able to inspire and influence action; Mature judgment combined with a proactive, resourceful and energetic approach to problem solving. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; and strong organizational and time management skills; Capacity to work under pressure and to meet strict deadlines; Demonstrated behavior of professional and personal ethics, transparency and openness; Willingness to undertake regular field visits and interact with different stakeholders, especially with primary stakeholders. Minimum Master’s Degree in communications, journalism, development studies, social sciences or a multi-disciplinary area relevant to these terms of reference. Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible and relevant programme experience is required; The candidate’s experience should include at least 4 years’ experience in communications, formulating and drafting project proposals and reporting; Demonstrated ability to draft concise, analytical and high-quality PR pieces, including human interest stories and multimedia presentations, project proposals, reports, position papers and presentations in English; Prior experience of working in a security sector programme in the field of communications, public outreach and reporting will be an asset; Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing communication and/or media outreach plans in support of overall corporate goals; Work experience with government counterparts and in Afghanistan is desirable; Work experience with UN agencies, funds and programmes, particularly UNDP, is desirable. Excellent English communication skills (particularly writing); Knowledge of Dari/Pashto languages will be advantage. 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 http://www.undp.org.af/; Successful candidates must be prepared to start work within 6 weeks of the offer of appointment; Qualified female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

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