TERMS OF REFERENCE
General Information
Title: | Consultant: Communications and Outreach Specialist |
Type of Contract : | Special Service Agreement (SSA) |
Location: | Dili, Timor-Leste |
Duration: | 6 month (SSA) |
Desirable Starting Date: | 8 March 2010 |
Background:
The overall objective of the SERC project is to support the implementation of the National Recovery Strategy by strengthening early recovery efforts for durable solutions to IDPs and the receiving communities. The specific objectives are to: 1) Enhance skills of MSS staff to conduct participatory planning for community development project and asses their impacts, 2) Assist MSS staff to identify needs, plan and implement small community infrastructure projects in a participatory process, and 3) Support the integration of early recovery policies and strategies into the National Recovery Strategy and the relevant national priorities.
The Communications and Outreach Specialist will work at the Ministry of Social Solidarity.
Supervision & Reporting line:
The Communications and Outreach Specialist will work under the supervision of the Assistant Country Director for the Crisis Prevention and Recovery Unit. He/she will also work closely with the national counterpart Ministry of Social Solidarity.
The Communications and Outreach Specialist will report to UNDP Management through the Assistant Country Director for the Crisis Prevention and Recovery Unit.
Responsibilities:
1. Developing local capacity in communications and outreach mechanisms with key stakeholders involved in implementation of the National Recovery Strategy and related policies and programs of MSS:
· Facilitate the flow of information between the Ministry of Social Solidarity (MSS) and districts, local government and civil society concerning the implementation of the National Recovery Strategy and related policies and programs, ensuring that all relevant parties are kept informed of activities, initiatives and requests and facilitating any necessary follow-up action.
· Facilitate outreach activities at local levels regarding social cohesion and peace-building activities in areas with high levels of IDP returnees as part of recovery programs;
· Assist MSS and DNSAS in the preparation of a report on National Recovery Strategy, IDPs, Social Cohesion and Peace Building
· Provide communications support and build capacities of counterpart staff of MSS and DNAS in communications and outreach mechanisms including planning and implementing communications and outreach strategies and materials that support community participation, social cohesion and peacebuilding;
· Assist in the preparation of communications materials, background documentation, PowerPoint presentations, visual media and other materials required by the MSS for government meetings, steering committees, technical working groups meetings as required;
· Provide communication and outreach support to UNDP projects implemented with MSS;
· Oversight and harmonization regarding UNDP-MSS project communication strategies.
2. Enhancing the flow and quality of information concerning the recovery, social cohesion and peace building processes to target audiences: including the displaced, and the communities into which they have returned or relocated, Government, local government and civil society.
· Assist in ensuring that collective messages to be communicated by the MSS adequately address crosscutting concerns such as international conventions on the rights of IDPs, broader human rights issues, social inclusion, social cohesion, peace building, gender equity, civil society participation within appropriate cultural contexts;
· Assist MSS and DNAS to engage with representatives of local and local print and electronic media. Encourage, organize and facilitate coverage of MSS activities and events at local levels. Provide media representatives with information; including background material on recovery , social cohesion and peace building policies and issues; and for key MSS spokespersons to conduct interviews as appropriate;
· Monitor the media coverage activities and inform MSS senior managers accordingly.
· Assist DNAS staff to draft speeches and prepare briefings, draft letters, and facilitate inter-Ministerial cooperation and MSS communications with partners, for the Minister of Social Solidarity and the Director of DNAS as needed;
· Prepare a co-ordinated program of outreach materials about the activities of MSS and the NRS, social cohesion and peace- building to be implemented by DNAS.
· Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor and agreed by MSS.
Key Functions:
The work of the Communications and Outreach Specialist will address the key areas of information management and access, including:
(1) Developing local capacity in communications and outreach mechanisms with key stakeholders involved in implementation of the National Recovery Strategy and related policies and programs of MSS; and
(2) Enhancing the flow and quality of information concerning the recovery, social cohesion and peace building processes to target audiences: including the displaced, and the communities into which they have returned or relocated.
Qualifications:
q Master Degree or equivalent in journalism, public relations, law, human rights, political or social sciences or comparable academic preparation.
q At least five years of relevant experience in developing countries
q Familiarity with the legal status of IDPs including international conventions concerning the rights of the displaced
q Experience in Timor-Leste and knowledge of the current political context is a strong advantage.
q Previous experience in dealing with civil society, namely stakeholder engagement in consultation processes
q International experience as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
q Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to work and handle stressful conditions.
q Previous experience of working with the Government of Timor-Leste and knowledge of its dialogue processes including the previous Simu Malu initiative and the current National Recovery Strategy.
q Previous working experience with the UN System is an asset.
q Computer literacy.
q Fluency in English and Tetun
q Working knowledge of Portuguese or Indonesian Bahasa is an asset
Vacancies Contact
Please upload your applications letter together with: Curriculum vitae, financial proposal; P11 forms on line by accessing this link: http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?job_id=14810
Individual consultants must submit the financial proposal with a workplan. The financial proposal should include all necessary fees and cost related to the assignment, except the travel cost at the beginning and at the end of the assignment which UNDP will pay. UNDP will not cover any other additional expenses outside of the financial proposal. The financial proposal should be reasonable based on the TOR and proposed workplan.
The deadline for submitting applications is 22 February 2010.
Only short-listed candidates will be notified.
Women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Posts
