Job: Communications Officer

Location: Kabul 
Deadline: Monday, 14 October 2013 

Description

UNOPS mission is to expand the capacity of the UN system and its partners to implement peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations that matter for people in need. Working in some of the world's most challenging environments, our vision is to always satisfy partners with management services that meet world-class standards of quality, speed and cost effectiveness.

UNOPS provides services in sustainable infrastructure, sustainable procurement and sustainable project management, with projects ranging from building schools, roads, bridges and hospitals to procuring goods and services and training local personnel.

By assisting UN organizations, international financial institutions, governments and other development partners, UNOPS makes significant, tangible contributions to results on the ground.

We employ more than 6,000 personnel annually and on behalf of our partners create thousands more work opportunities in local communities. Through our headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark and a network of regional and country offices, we oversee activities in more than 80 countries.

UNOPS is committed to achieving a truly diverse workforce.

Background Information - Afghanistan

With more than 10 years of experience in the country, the UNOPS Afghanistan office supports national reconstruction and development efforts by providing projects with goods and services - from stand-alone, one-off solutions to long-term management and capacity development support. Based in Kabul, UNOPS in Afghanistan has sub-offices in every region of the country. The team implements projects in support of the Afghanistan National Development Strategy, in a wide range of sectors including infrastructure, education, environment and agriculture, and governance and rule of law.

Project Background

In 2009 and 2010, UNDP's Enhancing Legal and Electoral Capacity for Tomorrow (ELECT) project supported Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission (IEC) to organize and deliver the Afghan-led presidential and parliamentary elections across 35 constituencies throughout the country. The project also supported the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC), an independent complaints adjudication mechanism.

In June 2013, UNDP Afghanistan representatives formally approached UNOPS Afghanistan to support the 2014-15 electoral process through provision of operational support to the Electoral Dispute Resolution (EDR) mechanism of Afghanistan, which needs to be defined, legalized, and established by the President and the Legislature. It is expected that the previous formation of the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) will be retained.

The project shall enable the Electoral Dispute Resolution (EDR) mechanism of Afghanistan, and former Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC), through provision of operational support to receive and arbitrate electoral complaints associated with candidate nomination, political campaigning, polling, and processing of election results within the prescribed timeline.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

Under the overall guidance and direction of the Project Manager (PM), or in the PM's absence, the Deputy PM (Operations Manager), the Communications Officer will be responsible for delivering the communications requirements of the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC), in coordination with the Support to the Electoral Complaints Commission of Afghanistan (SECCA) project office. Specific responsibilities and duties include but are not limited to:

• Develop, implement and monitor, in cooperation with the project management and the ECC, the project communications strategy, with the overall goals of:

• Informing Afghan voters of their right to raise complaints regarding the electoral process via the ECC, and the procedures in place to do so, through media activities and public outreach;
• Building capacity within the ECC team with regards to communication and public outreach strategy through the sharing of knowledge and best practices;
• Ensuring that all project communications comply with UNOPS Organizational Directives (ODs), Administrative Instructions (AIs), practices and procedures.

• Draft and develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the project's communications activities;
• Provide strategic and technical advice on communications and public outreach strategies relevant to the project and the ECC;
• Build effective relationships with key personnel to support project principles and activities with regards to communications and public outreach;
• Identify and anticipate in a timely manner any potential issues which may impact, adversely or otherwise, the project communications strategy, or the reputation of the ECC and/or UNOPS;
• In consultation with the Programme Management Office and Monitoring and Evaluation Office, ensure effective monitoring of project communication activities, in line with logical frameworks, for use for objective and effective reporting to the project team, the ECC, and donors, as required;
• Provide inputs to the project team for reporting purposes, and produce assessments and/or reports as required;
• Provide editorial support to the project team, ensuring the efficient and timely dissemination of accurate and consistent information;
• Assist with internal and external project meetings as required, take minutes and disseminate in a timely manner;
• Provide communications and administrative support to formal project board meetings as required;
• Any other relevant duties as may be assigned.

Monitoring and Project Controls

• Effective communication of the ECC's mandate and procedures to Afghan voters.
• Effective sharing of knowledge and best practices with project and ECC staff.
• Effective implementation of project communication activities in compliance with UNOPS policies and procedures.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• A Masters Degree in Communications, International Relations, Public Relations, Business Administration or a relevant field required.
• A Bachelors Degree in a relevant field with an additional two years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of a Masters Degree. A technical or professional diploma in a relevant field with an additional four years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of a degree.
• Training and/or certification in project management, communications or related fields an advantage.

Work Experience

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations or public outreach.
• Previous experience within the UN/UNOPS an advantage.
• Experience in a post-conflict environment desirable.

Languages

• Excellent working knowledge of English, both written and verbal.
• Knowledge of Dari desirable.

Technical Competencies

• Full proficiency in MS Office software (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and Internet navigation required.
• Excellent presentation and public-speaking skills required.
• Experience with information management systems, enterprise management systems, and data analysis highly desirable.

Core Competencies

• Demonstrates the United Nation's values of Integrity, Professionalism, and Respect for Diversity when carrying out duties and in interaction with colleagues, clients and stakeholders;
• Client Orientation: seeks to understand the clients' perspective and needs, and establishes and maintains productive partnerships by gaining trust and respect;
• Communication: speaks and writes clearly, listens to others, requests clarifications when needed and engages in two-way communication, and demonstrates openness in sharing information;
• Teamwork: works with colleagues to achieve UNOPS goals, participates in knowledge sharing and works to build team capacity, demonstrates a willingness to learn from others and solicits input, and supports and acts in accordance with team decisions;
• Demonstrates planning and organisational skills, and an ability to manage tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent activities;
• Takes direct responsibility for own work, with attention to detail ensuring accuracy and consistency;
• Demonstrates initiative, maturity of judgment, and analytical skills;
• Capable of working with others in a participatory and capacity building manner;
• Demonstrates understanding and commitment to gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into task and duties;
• Ability to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and those of UNOPS.

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET).
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Contract level: IICA Level 3 Contract duration: Six months, with possibility of extension For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: http://www.unops.org/ENGLISH/WHOWENEED/CONTRACT-TYPES/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements-ICAs.aspx

More Info and Application