Communications Associate

UNOPS mission is to expand the capacity of the UN system and its partners to implement peace building, humanitarian and development operations that matter for people in need. Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, UNOPS vision is to always satisfy partners with management services that meet world-class standards of quality, speed and cost effectiveness.
By assisting UN organizations, international financial institutions, governments and other development partners, UNOPS makes significant, tangible contributions to results on the ground.

UNOPS employs around 3,500 personnel annually and on behalf of its partners creates thousands more work opportunities in local communities. With its headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark, a
network of five regional offices and a further 20 operations and project centers, UNOPS oversees activities in more than 80 countries.
UNOPS is committed to achieving a truly diverse workforce. In an effort to promote organizational excellence, UNOPS seeks highly qualified individuals for the following position:


Position title Communications Associate

Department/office AEMO, Jerusalem
Duty station Ramallah, Palestine (State of)
Duration Six months with possibility of extension
Application period 10-Dec-2013 to 23-Dec-2013


Background Information - Job-specific

UNOPS JMPC is supporting the Canadian government with the implementation of two components of the Sharaka project, a multi-year DFATD-funded program of assistance directed at strengthening the Office of Attorney General/Public Prosecution (OAG/PP) in order to enhance its contribution to the stability, prosperity and democratic development of the West Bank.  The first component is a procurement component, which will satisfy a substantial part of the operational objectives of the project by supplying concrete and tangible support to the PA through (i) retrofitting the new OAG headquarters building; (ii) furnishing and equipping PP district offices; (iii) equipping the OAG/PP offices with IT equipment; (iv) providing videoconferencing facilities for the OAG/PP; and (v) purchasing vehicles for use by the OAG/PP.  The second component is a technical legal assistance component, which will satisfy the structural, knowledge and capacity building objectives of the project by supplying assistance to the OAG/PP in the following areas: (i) supporting the creation of a Planning Unit within the OAG; (ii) strengthening the internal structure, organization, management and operational capacity of the OAG/PP; (iii) developing human rights and gender capacities; (iv) providing targeted training support; and (v) supporting Canada’s coordinating role for donor and implementing agency activities within the OAG

The Canadian-funded Sharaka Project requires the services of a qualified Communications Associate to extend the Project’s efforts at developing the OAG/PP’s communications capacity.  The Associate will work with OAG management to provide operational advice and support to enable it to improve the institution’s ability to effectively communicate internally (within the OAG, between the OAG and district offices) and externally (e.g., with victims, witnesses, police, the Palestinian public).  The Associate will work with OAG management to creatively inform and educate the Palestinian public on prosecution-related issues through media and other avenues so as to help build confidence in the Palestinian criminal justice system.  The Associate will work to strategically reach vulnerable groups, such as women and girls who are victims of domestic violence.  An important objective of the Associate will be to help the institution develop and exploit its new information technology and information management tools (e.g., web portal, institutional email, intranet, electronic toolkit for prosecutors) so as to foster intra-institutional dialogue and cohesion, as well as to most effectively communicate with external stakeholders.


A crucial objective of the Associate is the transfer of knowledge to OAG officials so as to enhance the sustainability of the Project.  Where human resources are presently lacking, the Project will create “sustainability positions” as a bridging measure that will provide the OAG with a pool of future employees who have benefited from the Project’s capacity development activities.  One such sustainable position will be in the area of communications.  The Associate will play a crucial role in developing the capacity of the communications sustainability position incumbent.  This includes acting as a formal mentor to the incumbent.  Specifically, the Associate will on a six-weekly basis meet with the sustainability position incumbent to review progress in the latter’s capacity development.  At both the midpoint and end of each calendar quarter, the Associate will submit a one-page report to the Sharaka Field Director on progress in the incumbent’s capacity development as well as recommendations for training activities that would benefit the incumbent.


The Associate will be embedded with the OAG for the duration of the contract and will provide services directly to the Office of the Attorney General and its staff.  Management of the position will be provided by United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in conjunction with the OAG and the Sharaka Project.  UNOPS will be responsible for remuneration and contract related matters.  The Sharaka Project, headed by the Sharaka Field Director, will be the Project Authority and will be responsible for providing overall project-related direction to the Associate in his/her support to the OAG.  On the final day of each calendar quarter the Associate will provide the Sharaka Field Director with a one-page report outlining progress on the Associate’s activities.  The OAG, through the Planning Unit Head, will act as the Technical Authority providing daily supervision and substantive guidance to the Associate on matters of internal OAG management, needs and priorities, and will facilitate the Associate’s integration with the OAG.  In all of his/her dealings, the Associate will be driven by a focus on attaining the strategic objectives of the OAG and the Sharaka Project, and will work closely with the heads of OAG divisions and Sharaka team members in order to achieve this.


Functional Responsibilities

The Associate‘s core duties will include, but are not limited to, assisting OAG management to increase communications capacity in the following areas:
-Work in close collaboration with OAG officials involved in communications and media relations to develop strategies and work plans in this area.  Work to ensure that communications priorities are integrated into the OAG/PP’s annual planning process.
-Promote periodic publication, in a sustainable manner, of internal newsletters and external outreach tools.
-Develop and distribute tools to enhance the participation of victims and witnesses in the criminal justice process.
-Foster measures to build internal cohesion and a sense of camaraderie at the OAG/PP.
-Work in close collaboration with the Sharaka-supported IT Associates, Legal Information Management Associate (and sustainability position) and OAG IT staff to modernize the OAG/PP’s information technology and information management tools.  This includes the full development and implementation of a web portal, an intranet site and an electronic toolkit for prosecutors.
-The Associate will take a leadership role in the developing the content of the intranet site and in ensuring that the web portal content is systematically updated so as to remain relevant and accessible.
-Work to ensure that external communications tools (including the web portal) are strategically designed so as to reach the intended audience, particularly vulnerable and difficult to reach segments of Palestinian society.
-Build the capacity of OAG/PP officials to effectively communicate with the public and with the media.  This will include developing key messages and talking points to help the institution communicate on important issues.
-Work closely with OAG/PP officials to ensure as much knowledge transfer as possible.  This will include acting as a mentor to the sustainability position incumbent and submitting periodic reports (see “Monitoring and Progress Controls” section below for timelines) to the Project Field Director outlining progress on the capacity development of the sustainability position incumbent and proposing training initiatives that would benefit the incumben

Monitoring and Progress Controls
-Successful completion of the tasks explained in the previous paragraph. Successful and timely delivery of all activities and products.
-On the final day of each calendar quarter the Associate will provide the Sharaka Field Director with a one-page report outlining progress on the Associate’s activities.
-At both the midpoint and final day of each calendar quarter, the Associate will submit a one-page report to the Sharaka Field Director on progress in the sustainability position incumbent’s capacity development as well as recommendations for training activities that would benefit the incumbent.

Final Product
-Sustainable and realistic communications strategies and work plans approved by senior OAG management.  Implementation of strategies and work plans.
-Information technology and information management tools are used effectively by employees to foster internal dialogue and cohesion, as well as to communicate effectively with external stakeholders.
-Sustainable strategy in place to periodically update content of web portal.
-Intranet site content developed and sustainable strategy in place to periodically update it.
-Effective tools developed to educate the public on the prosecution service, including tools to reach vulnerable groups such as women and girls that are victims of domestic violence.
-Effective tools to reach victims and witnesses developed and distributed.
-Transfer of knowledge to OAG staff.  Successful mentorship of sustainability position incumbent, reflected in a marked increase in the sustainability position’s capacity.

Competencies
-Ability to craft information/messages in various media formats (i.e. press releases, memorandums, brochures, website content, etc.);
-Ability to elaborate and implement communications and publications strategies;
-Ability to relay information, as appropriate, and to collect, analyze and evaluate data for reports and future planning;
-Strong report writing abilities;
-Excellent ability to write and communicate orally with accuracy and professionalism;
-Ability to communicate sensitively and effectively across different constituencies;
-Possess tactfulness and the ability to provide professional leadership;
-Ability to effectively take into account gender considerations;
-Ability to work effectively under conditions of limited or dual supervision, high stress and rapidly changing situations and circumstances;
-Ability to set priorities and meet deadlines;
-Strong attention to detail;
-Excellent analytical ability, sound judgment, independent and creative thinking;
-Ability to use computer software related to an office environment (Microsoft Office Suite or equivalent);
-Ability to work collaboratively with other communications, media and outreach professionals, both Palestinian and international.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

a-Education
-Master’s degree in public relations, communications, journalism or related field; additional years of relevant work experience, preferably in combination with a relevant bachelor’s degree, may substitute for the requirement for a master’s degree field.

b-Work Experience
-Five (5) years of relevant specialized experience at an appropriate level of responsibility in public relations, communications or advocacy;

c-Languages

-Strong written and verbal communication skills in Arabic;
-Intermediate written and verbal communication skills in English

d-Others
-Previous experience working in the public sector is an asset;
-Previous experience working with lawyers or other legal professionals highly desired;
-Knowledge of Palestinian justice sector, in particular prosecutions, is an asset;
-A demonstrable understanding and acceptance of the mission, values, goals and objectives of the Sharaka Project and the OAG/PP.

 

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Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement
Contract level:Local ICA level 4
Contract duration: 6 months with possibility of extension


Important message to all applicants!
-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.
-The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN
Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
-UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below the advertised level of the post
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.

For more information on UNOPS, please visit the UNOPS
website at www.unops.org

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