UNDP
DUE : 19 JAN 2023
General
Description of assignment title: Communications and Visibility Officer
Assignment country: Zimbabwe
Expected start date: 01/02/2023
Sustainable Development Goal: 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions
Volunteer category: National UN Volunteer Specialist
DoA reserved for persons with disabilities: No
Host entity: UNDP
Type: Onsite
Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Harare
Details
Mission and objectives
In support of the Government of Zimbabwe, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has embarked on the implementation of a five-year Country Programme Document (CPD) 2022-2026.
UNDP focuses on areas that have a multiplier effect through a targeted build-up of capacities, policies, the creation of dialogue space, and scalable downstream interventions. Proposed downstream interventions will seek to provide platforms for citizen engagement in democratic processes and facilitate access to skills, knowledge and new technologies for increased income generation.
In so doing, UNDP Zimbabwe renders its support through the following three programmatic areas:
1. Democratic Governance
2. Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Livelihoods
3. Climate Change and Resilience Building
Context
The Government of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) requested United Nations capacity building support to ZEC for the 2020-2024 electoral cycle, which includes the 2023 harmonized elections. In response, UNDP and ZEC updated the 2016-2020 Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Capacity Building (ZIM-ECO) project, resulting in a Phase Two (ZIM-ECO2).
In this phase, the project aims to contribute to four outcomes:
1) Effectiveness: Strengthened ZEC capacity to conduct electoral processes effectively
2) Accountability: Enhanced accountability and transparency in the electoral process
3) Inclusion: Elections contribute to inclusive decision-making
4) Peace and Justice: Electoral stakeholders have access to justice and election-related violence is reduced
ZIM-ECO2 intends to implement 15 activities in these outcome areas. Building on the success of Phase One, ZEC continues to be the project’s implementing partner and the UNDP Zimbabwe country office is to provide full support. UNDP also established a six-member management team for project management services and technical advice in the agreed areas. This team is to include a national UNV Communications and Visibility Officer, to support both the project and ZEC with communication efforts, notably documenting and publicizing the project activities through taking and editing photographs and videos, writing posts and articles and publishing those on social media and websites as appropriate. The Communications and Visibility Officer will also support the writing, editing and formatting of project reports and other publications.
Task description
Under the supervision of the ZIM-ECO Chief Technical Advisor and in close coordination with the ZEC Director Public Relations and the UNDP Communication Associate, the UNV Communications and
Visibility Officer will:
– Draft a Communications and Visibility Plan for the ZIM-ECO2 project, including a plan for monitoring and evaluation and ensure its implementation
– Contribute to the formulation of ZEC communications and public relations plans as required
– Draft tweets, blog posts, stories, project updates, reports and communications materials such as factsheets and flyers for ZEC and ZIM-ECO
– Ensure graphic design of documents and knowledge products
– Take photographs and shoot and edit videos of activities and events
– Coordinate communication and visibility activities with ZEC, project partners and the UNDP country office communications team
– Disseminate communications and visibility materials
– Maintain and update ZIM-ECO files and archives for communication materials
– Contribute ideas of ZEC and ZIM-ECO communication and visibility activities and events
– Support the planning and implementation of events and meetings
– Provide logistical and programme support for activities and events. This may include but is not limited to organizing locations, placing information kits in folders, inviting media and guests, maintaining attendance lists, taking photographs, videos and documentation.
-Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor
Results/expected outputs:
– The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has the support it requires for effective communication with stakeholders and voters, and notably through social media.
– The capacity of ZEC counterparts is strengthened as required.
– The work and results of the ZIM-ECO2 project are documented, reported and communicated effectively.
– Donor and partner requirements for visibility are met in full.
– Effective relationships with partners for ZEC and ZIM-ECO communication and visibility are built and maintained.
– ZEC and ZIM-ECO communication and visibility plans are formulated and implemented effectively and in close coordination with key partners, including other Chapter 12 Commissions, UNDP, UNESCO, UN Women, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and other UN entities as well as development partners.
– Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment.
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 Journalism or Mass Communication; Social Studies, or any other related discipline
– Strong and demonstrable writing skills.
– Strong organizational skills.
– Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact with multidisciplinary teams
– Photography and videography
– Have affinity with or interest in democratic governance, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.
Area(s) of expertise: Communication
Languages: English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in Journalism or Mass Communication; Social Studies, or any other related discipline
Competencies and values
– Accountability
– Adaptability and Flexibility
– Building Trust
– Client Orientation
– Commitment and Motivation
– Commitment to Continuous Learning
– Communication
– Empowering Others
– Ethics and Values
– Integrity
– Judgement and Decision-making
– Knowledge Sharing
– Planning and Organizing
– Professionalism
– Respect for Diversity
– Self-Management
– Technological Awareness
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Zimbabwe is in Southern Africa and has three seasons, cool and dry from May-Aug, hot and dry from Sep-Nov, warm and wet from Dec-Apr. The capital Harare lies at an altitude of 1450m above sea level. The middle plateau is Malaria free, and prophylaxis is highly recommended in low lying and hot areas. The currency in use is the Zimbabwe dollar and the United States dollar in some places. Foreign exchange bureaus are available, and all basic food and accessories are available. There are public and private health facilities as well as many social amenities available in Harare.
Harare is a cosmopolitan town full of culture and history. It has over a million residents and a large UN agency presence. The Security Level in Harare is classified as Low (Level 2) as per the UN security management system in Zimbabwe. There are no major security challenges to UN operations in Harare. However, individuals must be on the alert as crime, mainly robberies, house break-ins and smash & grab thefts from motor vehicles at traffic lights and road accidents are some of the increasing risks to the UN in Zimbabwe.
Different types of long-term accommodation are available in Harare. House rentals and prices differ depending on size, location, and furnishings. You are advised to check with the UNDSS Security Advisor on recommended areas. Ensure that the property has good access to water with a prolific borehole with a water tank in place. There are a few reliable online platforms available to enable one to find accommodation more smoothly once they are within the country.
As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.
Inclusivity Statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme 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