External Relations Officer at United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

The position is located in the UNISDR Regional Office for Africa (ROAF) in Nairobi. The incumbents reports to the Deputy Chief of the Regional office.
This is a temporary position, available until 31 March 2020.

Responsibilities

• Under the direction and supervision of the Deputy Chief of the Regional Office, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:
• Contributes to the development and implementation of effective communications, outreach, branding and other resource mobilization mechanisms and tools to enhance the visibility of UNISDR in the region, in close collaboration with counterparts in the Communication and Advocacy Section.
• Participates in the planning, development and implementation of communication and advocacy campaigns at the regional level; where appropriate, works with partners in the regions, including UN departments, funds and agencies to develop ways to implement campaigns system wide and to incorporate the campaign message and themes into all relevant events and products. Contributes, when appropriate, to UNISDR press releases, newsletters, periodicals, reports and publications. Builds information networks at the regional level;
• Contributes to publications programme; participates in the production of materials for print/electronic/voice/visual media.
• Provides substantive inputs for the development of strategic partnerships with key constituencies at the regional level to solicit support for and maximize impact of communication and advocacy objectives; Upon delegation from the Chief of the Regional Office, serves as a liaison to media organizations, governmental bodies, national groups, private sector organizations, educational organizations, international organizations, as required.
• Under the guidance of the Deputy Chief of the Regional Office, and in collaboration with the Chief, Resource Mobilization Section in Geneva, contribute to the effective management of donor relationships in the region ensures coordinated regular contact with donors based in the region; facilitates the promotion of cooperation agreement strategies and operational alliances with donors in the region.
• Ensures ongoing analysis of resource mobilization needs and opportunities; stays abreast of latest donor and funding trends; Under the supervision of the Chief of the Regional Office and the guidance of the Chief, Resources Mobilization Section, drafts funding proposals to donors as appropriate; ensures effective follow up; and ensures timely and quality reporting to the donors, as required.
• Upon request from the Chief or the Deputy Chief of the Regional Office, represents UNISDR at inter agency meetings, seminars, etc. on resource mobilization and related partnership initiatives/issues, fulfills speaking engagements and makes presentations to groups on UNISDR activities and advocate issues of concern: organizes media coverage and arranges for media contacts, briefings, and interviews; organizes seminars, lectures, conferences, public events on major issues and events concerning the organization.
• May perform other duties as required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM:
  
  • Knowledge of the full range of communications approaches, tools, and methodologies essential to planning and executing effective campaign strategies and programmes, e.g. campaign management, media operations, marketing and promotion, audience outreach, message targeting;
  • Ability to establish and foster successful partnerships and collaborations;
  • Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources:
  • Ability to identify public affairs issues, opportunities and risks in an international environment:
  • Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships;
  • Knowledge of relevant internal policies and business activities/issues;
  • Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style;
  • Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences;
  • Shows pride in work and in achievements;
  • Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter;
  • Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
  • Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns;
  • Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations;
  • Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• COMMUNICATION:
  
  • Speaks and writes clearly and effectively
  • Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately
  • Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two way communication
  • Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience
  • Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed
• PLANNING AND ORGANIZING:
  
  • Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies
  • Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required
  • Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work
  • Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning
  • Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary
  • Uses time efficiently
• CREATIVITY:
  
  • Actively seeks to improve programmes or services
  • Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs
  • Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas
  • Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”
  • Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things
  • Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field.
• A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in resource mobilization, partnerships building, public information, communication, advocacy campaigns or related area is required.
• Experience in fundraising is required. Experience in social media is desirable.
• Experience in advocacy campaigns within the United Nations System is desirable.
• Experience in managing the communication element of major international events/conferences is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required;
• knowledge of French is desirable;
• knowledge of Portuguese is also desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency based interview.

Special Notice

• This is a temporary position, available until 31 March 2020. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.
• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.