Job Opportunity: Communications Assistant

Communications Assistant Onsite
Cameroon 12 months
1 assignment(s)
Open recruitment (advertised)

Advertisement end date:09/25/2023

General
Description of assignment title
Communications Assistant

Assignment country
Cameroon

Expected start date
09/26/2023

Sustainable Development Goal
16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

Volunteer category
National UN Volunteer Specialist

Host entity
UNDP

Type
Onsite

Duration
12 months
(with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments
1

Duty stations
Bamenda

Details
Mission and objectives
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is the United Nations’ global development network. UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results.

This is a critical time for the world. At UNDP, we see this period as a huge opportunity to advance the global sustainable development agenda. In September 2015, world leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. UNDP is working to strengthen new frameworks for development, disaster risk reduction and climate change. We support countries’ efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, or Global Goals, which will guide global development priorities through 2030.

For several years, UNDP with the support of various donors, Japan, Germany, Sweden, the European Union has made early recovery and stabilization within communities hard hit by the crisis its priority.

More recently, UNDP has committed to implementing the regional stabilization strategy, adopted in May 2018 by the States Parties of the LCBC and endorsed by the African Union.

The socio-economic situation and the endemic unemployment of youth and women in the intervention areas call for immediate interventions to consolidate the trend towards a return and the setting in orbit of an irreversible stabilization. The implementation of such immediate actions requires the presence within the National Stabilization Window team of a Communication and Re-porting Assistant who will work under the supervision of the Project Coordinator in collaboration with the entire team based in Maroua and Yaoundé as well as with colleagues from other projects

Mission and Objectives: The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is the United Nations’ global development network. UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience to sustain development results.

This is a critical time for the world. At UNDP, we see this period as a huge opportunity to advance the global sustainable development agenda. In September 2015, world leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. UNDP is working to strengthen new frameworks for development, disaster risk reduction and climate change. We support countries’ efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, or Global Goals, which will guide global development priorities through 2030.

Context
Cameroon has been experiencing armed conflict in the North-West and South-West Regions since 2017. This conflict has caused a huge death toll in both civilian and combatant populations, significant economic decline, growing underdevelopment, pain and suffering in affected communities, and a breakdown in social cohesion.
The government of Cameroon and UNDP collaborated in the formulation of the Presidential Plan for Reconstruction and Development (PPRD) of the Northwest (NW) and Southwest (SW) Regions. The PPRD feeds into the government’s efforts to resolve the current crisis. It is against this backdrop that UNDP has engaged in recovery activities in both regions. The objective of this plan is to strengthen institutions and processes that facilitate peacebuilding and resilience through the following three pillars:
• Strengthening social cohesion
• Rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure
• Revitalization of the local economy
The PPRD plan is implemented in phases, and the first phase which was expected to cover two to three years since 2020, and which is now extended to 2026, focuses mainly on Recovery. This will complement and reinforce current humanitarian efforts by supporting the transition towards civilian led recovery and social cohesion, economy, and livelihood revitalization, and ultimately the return to normalcy for the Northwest and Southwest regions. The Recovery Program RP, which concerns the first three years will therefore focus on the human, social, economy and livelihood aspects.

Task description
Under the guidance of the Program Coordinator and direct supervision of the Communications Analyst, the Communications Assistant supports the implementation of the communications and advocacy strategies of the office to increase the standing and awareness of UNDP with partners, the media, and the public. The Communications Assistant promotes a client-oriented approach in UNDP. The Communications Assistant works in close collaboration with the regional coordinators.
• Support to implementation of communications and advocacy strategies.
• Support the production of the Program’s activity and situation reports.
• Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing.
• Multimedia support and online communications efforts.
• Supports the implementation of CO communications and advocacy strategies and CO publications policy with focus on the achievements of the Recovery Program
• Logistical support to the organization of publicity/outreach for the CO Program, knowledge-sharing events, and promotional opportunities, especially UN events .
• Dissemination of information and publications; assistance at public events such as roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews.
• Maintenance of information database and photo library.
• Collection of information, preparation of content for the web sites.
• Extraction of data from various sources.
• Research and retrieval of statistical data from internal and external sources.
• Logistical support to UN information campaigns (UN Day, World AIDS Day, etc.).
• Administrative and logistical support to the communications team, including for initiatives such as media workshops, press briefings, report launches, etc.
• Budgetary support in Atlas as required, including creation of vendors.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:
• Identification, documenting and drafting of best practices and lessons learned.
• Participation in training for the CO staff on effective communications and advocacy.

The key results have an impact on the reputation and standing of UNDP in the country. High quality information material and well-organized public events enhance UNDP position as a strong development partner. A client-oriented, efficient approach to impact the image of UNDP country image.

Eligibility criteria
Age
27 – 80

Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in at national or international level in public relations, communications, or advocacy, including in media relations.
Experience in the use of social media.
Experience in production of communication Tools including video documentary skills is an added advantage.
Knowledge of “pidjin” is an asset.

Area(s) of expertise
Communication, Information technology, Translation and Interpretation

Driving license
–

Languages
​​English, Level: Fluent, Required
French, Level: Working knowledge, Required

Required education level
Master degree or equivalent in communications, public relations, journalism, or relevant field is required.
A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Competencies and values
​​Respect for Diversity
Integrity
Professionalism
Accountability
Problem Solving
Communication
Team Work
Client oriented

Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Bamenda is the capital city of the North-West region of Cameroon, one the two regions affected by the anglophone crisis since 2017. Bamenda is located 366 km north-west of the capital city Yaounde. Before the crisis, Bamenda was a vibrant buzzing city of around 2 million people. The crisis has caused massive movements of Internally Displaced People. Bamenda enjoys a cool climate and scenic hilly location, and the main industries are the processing of agricultural produce such as coffee, elementary food processing, handicraft, cottage industry, education (schools), tourism/hospitality, construction works and transport, which used to flourish thanks to proximity and trade with neighboring Nigeria. Many of the city’s inhabitants are English-speaking,

Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity program that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values ​​of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

All applications must be submitted ONLINE at: 

https://app.unv.org/opportunities/1734578544442624