Communications Specialist

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Expected start date

01/08/2023

Sustainable Development Goal

17. Partnerships for the goals

Volunteer category

International UN Volunteer Specialist

Type

Onsite

Duration

12 months (with possibility of extension)

Details

Mission and objectives

UNDRR (formerly UNISDR) is the United Nations focal point for disaster risk reduction. UNDRR oversees the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supporting countries in its implementation, monitoring and sharing what works in reducing existing risk and preventing the creation of new risk.

Context

Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of efforts to reduce disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in both developed and less developed countries. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG), UNDRR has over 130 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. Specifically, UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supports regional and national implementation of the Framework and catalyzes action and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk working with UN Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the External Relations Officer, the UN Volunteer Communications Specialist will: • 

• Drafts/compiles a specific types of information communications products for target audiences, to include press releases, media packets and reports, brochures, briefings, video clips, newsletters, websites, etc. Collaborates closely with the Communications, Advocacy and Knowledge Management Branch in Headquarters. 
• Supports the development and maintenance UNDRR Africa social media content; researches, generates, edits and posts content, text, photos, captions, infographics and short videos on UNDRR social media and corporate websites in support of UNDRR’s overall communication strategy.
• Helps to maintain and update content of the UNDRR Africa website, and social media. 
• Establish a contact list of national and international media (journalists and broadcasters) in Africa;
• Supports field missions to project sites identified as visual and interesting stories to share with stakeholders. 
• Support report writing and donor visibility. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Eligibility criteria

Age

27 - 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

3 years of experience in sustainable development, disaster risk reduction, or other relevant programmes; at the national and/or international level is required. Experience with communications, meeting, and event management, journalism is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; · Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; · Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; · Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency and interest to develop content for various social media tools; MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment

Area(s) of expertise

Development programmes, Communication, Crisis and emergency response

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Desirable

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in International Relations, Political Science, Journalism, Communications, Business of Public Administration.

Competencies and values

• Professionalism
• Communication
• Planning and organising
• Creativity

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

The Republic of Kenya is an equatorial nation on the coast of East Africa, neighboring Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Indian Ocean. Kenya has two levels of Government; National Government and 47 sub-national Governments called Counties. Counties are further divided into sub-counties. Kenya is a multi-party state with Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. Kenya’s population of more than 40 million is growing at an annual rate of 2.2%. The country’s GNP per capita estimated at purchasing power parity (PPP) is $975, and the GNP is growing at an average rate of 0.1% annually. More than 26% of Kenya’s people live below the international poverty line of $1 per day. Kenya’s main food crops are “maize, wheat, pulses, roots and tubers.” (FAO). Nairobi is a modern metropolitan city where most basic goods and services, health facilities, public transport, telecommunication and banking services, and educational facilities are readily available. The city is widely connected through its main airport, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, and the smaller Wilson Airport. Air transport is also available to many up-country destinations. The city is home to some 3,000 UN personnel mainly attributed to the fact that it serves as the headquarters for both the UN-HABITAT and UNEP. The socio-economic and cultural background of the immediate society the UNV would be living and working in is diverse and prevailing security conditions at the place of assignment is modest. The topographic and climatic features of the assignment location is a highland cool and warm tropical climate.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

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