BACKGROUND
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the United Nations agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. The Land and GLTN Unit, located within the Urban Legislation, Land and Governance Branch of UN-Habitat has the mandate to develop, test and disseminate pro-poor and gender responsive approaches in regard to urban land, innovative residential tenures, affordable land management/administration systems, and land related regulatory/legal frameworks and tools. The Unit hence focuses on research and tool development also to supply technical advice to Member States and backstop the Regional offices and other sections of UN-Habitat. Land tools provide a resource for enabling action. While there has been extensive global discussion around land policies that work for the poor, there has been insufficient attention paid to the development of methods for developing and implementing these pro-poor land policies. Consequently what are required are land tools that are affordable and accessible for all sections of the population in countries around the world. This is essential for creating societies with sustainable, equal access and use of land. Work has already started on these approaches, both for developing and post-conflict societies. Incremental expansion of this work over time, as capacity is developed, will take place through the Global Land Tool Network (GLTN, the Network), the Secretariat of which is located at UN-Habitat.
Given the complexity of the issues being addressed by GLTN and the huge number of stakeholders and partners of various interests, GLTN has come up with an Information and Communications Strategy. The strategy however is not yet fully implemented and will require some updating, focused management and serious monitoring. In this context, that the need for a lead person to implement the strategy, alongside with GLTN team and partners, if needed, is imperative and with utmost importance. It is also expected that the lead person will also contribute to the over-all objectives of GLTN particularly on advocacy, partnership building, tool development, capacity building and institutional strengthening activities. The Communications Associate will focus on implementing the GLTN information and communications strategy which serves as a vehicle to get the GLTN messages across different stakeholders and partners, including within UN-HABITAT and related units. Moreover, she/he will be responsible in ensuring that right messages are incorporated to all GLTN publications, research and other related-documents using the right language for target audiences and disseminated in the right medium. She/he will work closely with the GLTN team and related offices within the UN system to efficiently and effectively carry out his/her responsibilities. The Communications Associate will work under the overall supervision of the Partnerships and Networking Coordinator in the implementation of the GLTN communication implementation plan, which forms part of the GLTN Partnership and Communication Strategy.
.RESPONSIBILITES
Under the overall supervision of the Unit Leader of Land and GLTN Unit under the Urban Legislation, Land and Governance Branch of UN-Habitat or authorised staff, the consultant will perform the following tasks and responsibilities:
• Oversee the management and functionality of the GLTN website and social media
• Regularly update the website with fresh content (news updates, vacancy announcements, publications)
• Ensure maximum website availability by managing hosting services (subscriptions, troubleshooting)
• Promote GLTN website content on UN-Habitat website and on social media
• Support substantive officers in moderation of e-discussions and forums on the GLTN website and social media platforms
• Develop and manage GLTN visibility and information products
• Perform basic graphic design work for GLTN printed and online information products
• Perform basic editing of GLTN video footage and materials
• Support the technical team in conceptualizing and formulating respective information products under their work streams
• Prepare evidence-based GLTN newsletters and other regular information products
• Organize and oversee the engagement, functions and services provided by off-site contractors (translators, editors and graphic designers)
• In liaison with relevant teams, support the procurement function of related materials
• Manage the GLTN information database
• Develop and maintain updated contacts for GLTN partners and members and actors
• Develop and maintain updated mailing lists for GLTN partners, members and actors
• Develop and maintain updated imagery database (photos, logos, diagrams, illustrations)
• Update and maintain information on the GLTN shared drive
• Support the planning and implementation of GLTN events
• Avail promotional items to missions and meetings
• Provide communication support to GLTN events
• Perform any additional tasks as required to deliver on the shared goals of the unit
COMPETENCIES
Professionalism: Knowledge of concepts and approaches relevant to communication and design and ability to conduct independent analysis, identifying issues, formulating options and making conclusions and recommendations.
Communication: Excellent oral/written/visual communication skills and ability to articulate ideas in a clear and accurate manner including the ability to prepare a variety of visual designs and written documents.
Planning and organizing: Ability to work under pressure, establish priorities and plan, coordinate own work plan, use time efficiently and apply judgment in the context of competing deadlines.
Teamwork: Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
EDUCATION
A University degree in communications, journalism, public relations, information technology or other related fields; A Master’s degree in a related field is an advantage.
WORK EXPERIENCE
• At least two years of progressively responsible in journalism, advocacy, communications, public relations or related fields: international experience desirable;
• Experience in information, public awareness, advocacy and communications or in any related discipline;
• Understanding of multi-stakeholder partnership arrangements, operations management and dynamics in a highly complex environment such as land is preferred;
• Theoretical background and good understanding of approaches, tools, methodologies relating to planning, executing and monitoring public communications campaigns, e.g. campaign management, message targeting, impact evaluation, etc.
• Competence in web management, desktop publishing, video editing, graphic software is highly preferred;
• Good communications research and analytical skills;
• Excellent drafting and editing skills;
• Excellent in English writing skills is required; and
• Previous work experience for the UN systems is desirable.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. Proficiency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of a second UN language is an advantage.
REMUNERATION:
Remuneration shall be computed based on tasks assigned and results delivered.
Applications should include:
• Cover memo (maximum 1 page)
• Summary CV (please use the United Nations standard personal history form available upon request or viahttp://www.unon.org/docs/P11.doc).
• Educational Background (incl. dates)
• Professional Experience (assignments, tasks, achievements, duration by years / months)
• Other Experience and Expertise (e.g. Internships/ voluntary work, etc.)
• Expertise and preferences regarding location of potential assignments
• Expectations regarding remuneration (daily)
• List of referees
• Optional: A document developed by the applicant that is able to depict his / her ability to perform the tasks described in these Terms of Reference.
HOW TO APPLY:
All applications should be submitted to:
Global Land Tools Network Secretariat, UN-Habitat
P.O. Box 30030, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya
Email: info.ullg@unhabitat.org cc: Josephine.Ruria@unhabitat.org
Subject of the email: Application – Communications Associate
Please be advised that since April 15th 2010, applicants for consultancies must be part of the
UN-Habitat e-Roster in order for their application to be considered. You can reach the e-Roster
through the following link: http://e-roster.unhabitat.org
Deadline for applications:11 March 2015