UNV Communications Assistant

Job ID/Title :UNV Communications Assistant
Brand :UNV
Application Deadline :11-Sep-15
Duty Station :East Jerusalem, occupied Palestinian territory
Languages Required :Arabic, English,   
Duration of Initial Contract :1 year (with the possibility of 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 UN Volunteer Specialist “Communications Assistant”- for duration of one year with possibility of extensions, based in East Jerusalem.
 
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 Communications Specialist, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
Provide administrative support to the communications unit, focusing on the following:
- Administrative and logistical support including the dissemination of information and publications; assistance at public events such as roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, and interviews;
-Research and retrieval of statistical data from internal and external sources;
-Budgetary support in Atlas, including creation of vendors, raising requisitions, purchase orders, extraction of project information and budget revisions, as required; and
-Assist in the day-to-day administrative requirements for the communication unit, such as booking meetings, filling out forms, maintaining work unit files, procurement etc.
Support the implementation of internal and external communications strategies focusing on the following:
-Increase awareness of UNDP’s mandate and goals through dissemination of information;
- Assist in the translation of communications material such as brochures, pamphlets, and web documents from English to Arabic and vice versa through the use of Online Volunteers among other support sources;
- Monitor Arabic, English and Hebrew media and distribute morning press briefs to relevant staff;
- Establish and maintain an e-mail distribution list for press materials for local and international media;
- Conduct online research to identify the most appropriate websites and blogs and establish relationships with key bloggers; and
- Support the use of social media, including online discussions.
Support the maintenance of online databases and knowledge management systems focusing on the following:
- Maintain and update the online project’s database;
- Maintain a data base of public relations media contacts; and
- Maintain and update the information database and photo library.

Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing focusing on the following:
- Assist in the planning and implementation of capacity building through training activities that involve media outreach; and
- Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
Promote volunteerism and engage in volunteering activities:
- Strengthen the knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and taking active part in UNV activities.

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 International Volunteer Day);
- Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; network and build relationships with local organizations, groups or individuals, and support and/or participate in local volunteering initiatives; 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.; initiate and/or participate in local volunteer groups, including assisting them in submitting stories and experiences to the World Volunteer Web site;
- Promote or advise local groups on the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible;
- Encourage, mobilize and support co-workers, fellow UNV volunteers and members of the local community to play an active part in peace and development activities on a voluntary basis;
- Discuss with supervisors how volunteerism for peace and development can be mainstreamed in the assignment and integrate activities promoting volunteerism for peace and development into work plans; and
- Assist with the UNV “buddy programme” for newly arriving UN volunteers.

Results/Expected Outputs:
-Provide administrative support to the Communications Unit;
-Support the implementation of internal and external communications strategies;
-Support the maintenance of online databases and knowledge management systems;
-Facilitate knowledge building and sharing; and support the development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training when working with national staff and/ community service organizations; and
-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:
-Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
-Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations;
-Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment;
-Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
-Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender;
-Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
-Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary;
-Technological Awareness - Fully proficient computer skills, particularly in using relevant technology and its application to archives, library, documentation and record keeping.
-Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

Qualifications :
Qualifications, skills, experience:
-Education: Bachelor degree in Communications, Media, Business Administration or a relevant field from a recognized academic institution.
-Experience: 2-3 years of progressive professional experience in the field of communications and public relations. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, InDesign, and photo-editing, graphics and presentation software etc.).
-Experience in writing or participating in blogs, community sites and social media, video sharing sites and podcasts is an asset. Experience in training and coaching is an asset.
-Experience in editing images and videos and preparing graphics for web and email communications.
-Language Requirements and Other: Fluency in Arabic and English. A working knowledge of spoken and written Hebrew is desirable. Excellent translation skills (writing and simultaneous) in both Arabic and English.

طلب التوظيف

Living Conditions:
Jerusalem is a family-friendly duty station with a security level 1. The UNDP PAPP office is located in Wadi Al-Joz, East Jerusalem.
As this is a national UNV assignment, the volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.
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 ILS 4,641.
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.
Interested and qualified candidates are kindly requested to apply on-line no later than 11 Sep 2015 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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