CLOSED: Communications officer, P-4

Vacancy number: ISDR/G/34/2009

Background

The International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) is a multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder platform to enable societies to increase their resilience to natural, technological and environmental disasters and to reduce associated environmental, human, economic and social risk and losses. A range of United Nations organizations and international partners participate in cooperation with Governments and civil society organizations.

The implementation of the ISDR is supported by a secretariat lead by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction. The secretariat’s main functions are policy coordination, advocacy and information management, at the international and regional levels, to ensure synergy between disaster reduction strategies and those in the socio-economic and humanitarian fields.

In January 2005, the World Conference on Disaster Reduction adopted the Hyogo Declaration and the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters. The Hyogo Framework constitutes the essential guide for implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction and represents the key policy framework for reducing risk and to strengthen community resilience.

The Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, established by the UN General Assembly in 2006, is the main global policy forum for disaster risk reduction, and is complemented by a system of regional, thematic and national platforms, which bring together all relevant stakeholders.

Duties and responsibilities

Reporting to the Head of Unit – Communications and External Relations and working with the wider UNISDR senior management team as requested, the incumbent will position and promote disaster risk reduction to contribute to the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters, increase public awareness and commitments on disaster risk reduction in the following key events planned for the next six months – notably:

-Publication of the Economics of Disaster Risk Reduction Study (EDRRS) in collaboration with the World Bank (March 2010)
-Launch of new Urban Risk campaign (May 2010)
-Safe schools and hospitals campaign towards 2015,
-International Day for Disaster Reduction (October 2010)

The programme officer will, within delegated authority, be responsible for the following duties:

-Implement a communication strategy to boost DRR as a climate change adaptation solution and cost effective investment
-Provide technical and related support to the Communications team on the various campaigns/event planned through the end of year - urban risk reduction build up plus safe schools and hospitals.
-Work with the Senior Policy Advisor on UNISDR high-level visibility, including speech management.
-Strengthen UNISDR in-house corporate communications function providing the organization with robust strategic and tactical counsel over the wide range of communications challenges and opportunities that lie ahead and/or are already in train.
-Work with the inter-agency joint communication team
-Manage the communication team in absence of the Head of communications
-Advise on media profiling of the ASG and her senior team
-Support the Head of Communications/Acting in overseeing all English language communications tools - press releases and related texts etc.
-Supervise the production of multi media products (videos, PSA, web contents) and publication design
-Improve the communication reach out, distribution and dissemination
-Support the Head of Communications/Acting in overseeing all English language communications tools - press releases and related texts etc.
-Undertake additional communications and related tasks as may be reasonably requested by the head of communication.
-Perform other duties as required.

Organizational setting and reporting relationships:

The position is located in the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction secretariat (UNISDR), in Geneva, Switzerland reporting to the Head of Unit – Communications and External Relations.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

-Staff at all levels, within UNISDR partners and counterparts in the field and the disaster risk reduction community as well as national counterparts.
-Representatives of other UN agencies and other UN specialized agencies with responsibility for disaster risk reduction and communications; non-governmental organization representatives; and representatives and officials in national governments, international and regional organizations, IFIs, and research institutes.

Results expected

Increased high level advocacy, media coverage and communication outreach; increased high level awareness on DRR issues; Increased ISDR system collaboration and communication synergies; and improved internal communication tools and systems

Competencies:

The United Nations has a set of core values (integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity) and competencies (skills, attributes and behaviours which are considered important for all staff and for staff with managerial and supervisory responsibilities). The core competencies of the United Nations include communication; teamwork; planning and organizing; accountability; creativity; client orientation; commitment to continuous learning; and technological awareness. Managerial competencies include leadership; vision; empowering others; building trust; managing performance; and judgement/decision making.

Specific competencies for the position include

Professionalism:
-Ability to deliver professional products on short deadlines, good writing and editing skills.

Planning and organizing:
-Demonstrated planning and organizational skills and ability to work with others, work to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.

Judgment/decision-making:
-Demonstrated ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given.

Technology awareness:
-Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications, e.g. word processing, PowerPoint or equivalent, internal databases, Internet, etc.

Communication:
Highly developed communication (spoken, written, public speaking and presentation) skills


Qualifications

Education:
-journalism, international communication and public relations or combination of relevant academic qualifications and experience in related area and/or a demonstrable track record of achievements and senior level experience.

Experience:
-Minimum of eight years of progressively responsible professional experience in, public relations, or related fields;
-International experience desirable;
-Familiarity with United Nations information systems desirable;
-Knowledge in disaster risk reduction is an asset

Language:
-Fluency in written and spoken English is essential;
-fluency in French or other official UN languages would be helpful.