Individual contractor (media training)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity - Professionalism - Respect for diversity

Vacancy number: ISDR/IC/20/2011

Background:
The International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) is a multi-disciplinary and multistakeholder platform to enable societies to increase their resilience to natural, technological and environmental disasters and to reduce associated environmental, human, economic and social risk and losses. A range of United Nations organizations and international partners participate in cooperation with Governments and civil society organizations. The implementation of the ISDR is supported by a secretariat lead by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction. The secretariat’s main functions are policy coordination, advocacy and information management, at the international and regional levels, to ensure synergy between disaster reduction strategies and those in the socio-economic and humanitarian fields.

In January 2005, the World Conference on Disaster Reduction adopted the Hyogo Declaration and the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters. The Hyogo Framework constitutes the essential guide for implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction and represents the key policy framework for reducing
risk and to strengthen community resilience. The Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, established by the UN General Assembly in 2006, is the main global policy forum for disaster risk reduction, and is complemented by a system of regional, thematic and national platforms, which bring together all relevant stakeholders.

Background on the assignment

As part of its mandate and advocacy efforts to raise awareness about the benefits of disaster risk reduction to save lives and protect the livelihoods of communities and nations from the impact of disasters, the UNISDR Secretariat is organizing a French media training for approximately 20 Hyogo Framework for Action focal points and other risk reduction communication officers, on how
to cover stories from a disaster risk reduction perspective.

The two day training, financed by UNISDR, will be held in Tunis (Tunisia). The training will be divided into two sessions:

1. One session targeting the disaster risk reduction representatives aiming at improving the interaction between disaster risk reduction (DRR) representatives and media partners.
2. The second session, will involve local media organizations and local journalists from Tunisia for a facilitated dialogue on how to cover disaster risk reduction stories.

Key outputs
1. Train approximately 20 disaster risk reduction representatives on how to better interact with their national media and profile disaster risk reduction stories coming from the Arab Region and Africa.
2. Facilitate an understanding and mutual support between Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) representatives and approximately 10 media representatives from print and TV outlets on how to cover disasters from a DRR perspective: "Towards a new approach to disasters from consequences to causes" based on the new manual by UNISDR, in May 2011.
3. Prepare an adapted outline for the two day agenda based on the UNISDR media handbook released by UNISDR and his or her knowledge and experience on media relations.
4. Issue a training report highlighting the outcomes and recommendations for improvement ( if identified)

Competencies:

• Professionalism: Knowledge of the full range of communications approaches, tools, and methodologies essential to planning and executing effective campaign strategies and programmes, e.g. campaign management, media operations, marketing and promotion, audience outreach, message targeting. Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Ability to identify public affairs issues, opportunities and risks in an international environment. Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships. Knowledge of relevant internal policies and business activities/issues. Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences.

• Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Qualifications:

Education: Advanced university degree advanced degree in Communications, Journalism, or related fields. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience: A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area.

Language: Fluency in oral and written English and French