UNV Communications Assistant

Job ID/Title :UNV Communications Assistant
Category :Management    
Application Deadline :21-Oct-13
Duty Station :Gaza   
Languages Required :Arabic, English,   
Duration of Initial Contract : 1 year (possibility for extension)    


 

Background:
The United Nations Volunteers Programme (UNV) jointly with Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP-PAPP)  are seeking experienced National UNV Specialist “Communications Assistant”- for duration of one year with possibility of extensions, based in Gaza.
 
This post is a United Nations Volunteers assignment and based on the values of free will, commitment, engagement and solidarity, which are the foundations of volunteerism. Volunteering brings benefit to the individual volunteer. It makes important contributions, economically, as well as socially. It contributes to creating social cohesion and capital, through helping to build trust and reciprocity among citizens.
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers.

In most cultures volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UNV volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities.
In all assignments, UNV volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UNV volunteers even more rewarding and productive.

Description of Responsibilities:
Under the direct supervision of the Head of UNDP Office in Gaza and with the Communications Specialist based in Jerusalem as a secondary supervisor, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

Support the overall communications strategy of PAPP’s programme focusing on:
-Assist in the implementation of activities, initiatives and programmes to promote public awareness of, and access to, UNDP information and Publicity materials;
-Effectively liaise with local media, NGOs, Civil Society and other partners to this end, and promote UNDP Gaza and its programmes in social media, in coordination with the Communications Unit;
-Provide information on regular basis to the Communications Unit in order facilitate the updating of the corporate UNDP/PAPP website and intranet;
-Develop and maintain an adequate network of national media contacts, communications contacts within UNDP/UN, and international media partners;

Provide technical support to the Gaza Office Programme Teams on communications matters focusing on:
-Provide technical assistance to Gaza Office on advocacy and communication activities, in line with the communications strategy and in direct coordination with the Communications Specialist;
-Draft and translate articles, press releases, speeches/talking points for the head of office, as well as programme communication materials, in coordination with the Communications Unit;
-Support the Gaza office in the preparation of reports, proposals and other documentation, including English language editing if necessary; respond to internal and external requests for information;

Support resource mobilization focusing on:
-Assist in the identification of appropriate UNDP projects and arrangement/documentation of field visits for media teams, donors and other special interest groups, in liaison with the Programming Units;
-Promote the use of social networks to build a stronger relationship between UNDP/PAPP and its constituents focusing on:
-Conduct online research to identify the most appropriate websites and blogs and establish relationships with key bloggers;
-Support the use of social media, including online interviews / discussions;
-Perform any other related duties as may be required.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to:
-Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark IVD);
-Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
-Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
-Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
-Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
-Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/Expected Outputs:
-Efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNDP-PAPP, including the following products:
-The overall communications strategy of PAPP’s programme;
-Technical support to the Gaza Office Programme Teams on communications issues;
-Resource mobilization;
-Volunteerism promotion and coordination of UNV activities in the Gaza Strip;
-A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

Competencies :
Competencies and values:

Corporate Competencies:
-Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
-Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
-Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
-Treats all people fairly without favoritism;

Functional Competencies:
-Knowledge Management and Learning: shares knowledge and experience; in-depth knowledge of development issues; seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside UNDP; actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
-Development and Operational Effectiveness: demonstrates excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to extract, interpret, analyze data and resolve problems; demonstrates excellent presentation skill; uses Information Technology effectively as a tool and resource; excellent writing skills in both Arabic and English; excellent translation skills (writing and simultaneous) in both Arabic and English;
-Leadership and Self-Management: focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback; consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude; remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
-Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

Qualifications :
The UN Volunteer must be a dynamic, multi-functional person, who wants to contribute to development in the oPt through promotion of volunteerism. The following qualifications are required:

Qualifications, skills, experience:
-University Degree in Communications, Media or a relevant field from a recognized local or foreign academic institution;
-Minimum two years of experience in the field of communications, advocacy and/or public relations;
-Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint or equivalent); photo-editing and design software an advantage;
-Fluency in Arabic and English (English language skills will be tested);
-Residency in Gaza Strip, with no known impediment to obtain UNDP-assisted permit to move between Gaza Strip and West Bank, including East Jerusalem;
-Have affinity with or interest in development, recovery and post-conflict situations, with volunteerism as a mechanism for development work, as well as commitment and interest to work for the UN System.

Living Conditions:
The Gaza Strip is a Palestinian entity occupied by Israel, and has a total population of around 1.7 million inhabitants, living an area of about 365 square kilometers. Living conditions in the Gaza Strip are not stable, and are subject to close seizure by the Israeli authorities without prior notification, which affects the overall conditions. According to different sources, unemployment and poverty rates in the Gaza Strip are around 40 and 60 percent respectively. The Gaza Strip is currently governed by the Hamas faction, after taking over the Gaza Strip in 2007. Currently there are serious efforts to implement the reconciliation agreement signed between Fateh and Hamas factions in Cairo in May 2011.
As this is a national UNV assignment, the incumbent will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.

For more information about the occupied Palestinian territory humanitarian context, see: www.ochaopt.org

Conditions of Service:
Contract is issued for 12 months at a time (renewable depending on mandate, availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance). Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) – intended to cover housing, utilities, and normal cost-of-living expenses – is US$ 740. Settling-in-grant (if current residence is different from duty station). Life, health and permanent disability insurances are included, as well as resettlement allowance. UNV will provide a copy of the UNV Conditions of Service to the successful candidate together with the offer of assignment.

تقدم للوظيفة الان

Interested and qualified candidates are kindly requested to apply on-line no later than Oct 21, 2013 to the following address:
http://jobs.undp.ps
UNV Programme
UNDP/PAPP Jerusalem
Ref: UNV  Programme Assistant
Equal Employment Opportunity prohibits discrimination against anyone. It attempts to ensure that all applicants, males-females and all races have a fair opportunity in a hiring process, in competing for promotions, and equal access to training/professional development opportunities.
 

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