Job Identification : 12917

Locations : Majuro, Marshall Islands

Posting Date : 10/05/2023, 03:49 AM

Apply Before : 10/13/2023, 10:59 AM

Job Schedule : Full time

Agency : UNDP

Grade : NPSA-7

Vacancy Type : National Personnel Service Agreement

Practice Area : Nature, Climate and Energy

Bureau : Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific

Contract Duration : 1 Year

Education & Work Experience : Bachelor’s Degree – 4 year(s) experience OR High School certificate- 7 year(s) experience

Required Languages : English and Marshallese

Vacancy Timeline

1 Week

Job Description

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

The project “Addressing Climate Vulnerability in the Water Sector (ACWA) in the Marshall Islands)” implemented by the Government of the Republic of Marshall Islands (GoRMI) in collaboration with UNDP became operational in January 2020 with the objective to address expected impacts of climate change on water security on Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI).

RMI is a small island developing state in the Pacific. The nation is a large-ocean state, with a total land area of only 182 km², spread across over 2 million km² of ocean. There are 24 inhabited atolls and islands, which are mostly remote and lie merely 2 m above sea level on average. There are no rivers, streams or lakes in RMI and the number of small surface ponds is very limited.

GoRMI, with the assistance of UNDP, has developed a project on adaptation to climate change impacts to water supply in RMI. The project is co-financed by GoRMI and Green Climate Fund (GCF). The project will build resilience to the impacts of climate change on water supply, particularly in 24 atolls and islands that are highly vulnerable to drought. The project will invest in improving water security, water resilience and water governance through:

•  Water Security – Improving household and community rainwater harvesting and storage structures to increase resilience of water supply in 77 rural communities in the outer islands and atolls accounting for approximately 28% of RMI’s population, including 7,630 (49%) women, currently at risk.
•  Water Resilience – Securing groundwater resources from contamination due to inundation caused by wave overtopping of seawater.
•  Water Governance – Strengthening the technical capacities of national and subnational institutions and key stakeholders to integrated climate change risks into water governance processes so that management of climate change risks are coordinated, effective, participatory, equitable, and sustained over the long-term when risks are expected to worsen.

The project aligns with GoRMI’s key climate change policies and strategies and has been developed through extensive consultation with government, Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) and beneficiary communities. The proposed project is aligned with RMI’s NDC and country work programme to the GCF. The NDA has issued a letter of no-objection and the proposed project is aligned with the work programme of the AE (UNDP) selected by the NDA.

This GCF project will be executed by UNDP, in close partnership with the GoRMI, given UNDP’s extensive experience in implementing climate change adaptation projects globally. The project implementation will be led by a team based in Majuro, RMI and Suva, Fiji.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Communication Asscoaite will work under the supervision of the Project Manager ACWA Project, and work closely with the Team Lead for the Resilience and Sustainable Development Team and the Project management Unit (PMU) as well as the key government counterparts. Below is the ACWA project’s organizational structure – depicting the reporting line for this position.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager (PM), the incumbent will be responsible for internal and external communications for the project including periodic updates and dissemination of results achieved, synthesis and analysis of lessons learned and production of various communication materials such as videos, photo series, blog articles etc.

Summary of Key Functions:

•  Design and implementation of internal and external communications strategy and outreach.
•  Ensure external ACWA project communication and visibility
•  Undertake systematic capacity development of project team and the Government of RMI.
•  Work closely with UNDP Country Office Programme staff to ensure effective communication of the project activities to the relevant parties.
•  Lead documentation and data management

Design and implementation of internal communication strategy and outreach:

•  Prepare a Project Communication Strategy which includes the types and number of internal and external communication outreach in the first 24 months of the project implementation; at minimum, the Strategy should require the following Communication tools:
•  Prepare content for a dedicated project website (either independently hosted or nested within the UNDP CCA platform http://adaptation-undp.org/)
•  Manage SNS accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc)
•  Provide periodic project progress updates in English and Marshallese (paper and electronic-base)
•  Prepare a video product that captures before and after the project intervention

Ensure external ACWA project communication and visibility:

•  Undertake external outreach including local, regional and global media
•  Undertake event-based outreach such as side events at COP and other high level regional or global forums, meetings and events
•  Provide inputs to the Annual Work Planning process to ensure that sufficient resources are secured to carry out activities to implement the Communication Strategy;
•  Assist the Procurement Associate in procuring necessary human resource or material inputs for implementing the Communication Strategy;
•  Establish a database of all internal and external communication materials with a corresponding file management system;
•  Collaborate with national, regional and global media to feed in stories for wider outreach and advocacy of the project and UNDP;
•  Make necessary arrangements, as needed, for national and foreign media visits to the country in close collaboration with the Government of RMI;
•  Acts as the media focal person for the project.

Undertake systematic capacity development of project team and the Government of RMI:

•  Analysis of ongoing practices within the Government, especially within the Climate Change and Policy Department, for disseminating information on Government initiatives on climate change;
•  Identify necessary capacity development activities targeting the Government and PMU staff;
•  Provide assistance to site coordinators in engaging communities and securing support for project activities.

Work closely with UNDP Country Office, Regional Hub in Bangkok and the Headquarters in New York to ensure effective communication of the project activities to the relevant parties:

•  Ensure that the Project Communication Strategy and its implementation is aligned with the CO communication strategy and plan;
•  Ensure that all print, digital and audio publications and communication materials are in alignment with UNDP publication guideline and that of GCF;
•  Produce communication products, as required, to ensure maximum exposure of UNDP and, particularly, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji;
•  Coordination and management of CO publication activities, such as content management, norms for publishing, design, etc.;
•  Produce communication materials that demonstrate the contributions of the project towards key development goals such as the SDGs, RMI’s National Strategic Plan (NSP), RMI’s Joint National Action Plan on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management (JNAP), etc.;

Lead documentation and data management:

•  Facilitate and compile all project related document including format, template, signed form, training material etc. in the sharedrive;
•  Compile, report and reposit complaints, suggestions and requestes etc. from relevant stakeholders under grienvace redress mechanisms;
•  Undertake other duties as assigned by the Project Manager;
•  Provide information about the project progress to UNDP Senior Management as needed.

Competencies

Core competencies:

•  Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
•  Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
•  Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
•  Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
•  Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
•  Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
•  Enable Diversity and Inclusion:LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies: Business Direction & Strategy

•  Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities, linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions
•  System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
•  Effective Decision Making: Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources
•  Negotiation and Influence: Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates ‘win-win’ situations

Business Development

•  Collective Intelligence Design: Ability to bringing together diverse groups of people, data, information or ideas, and technology to design services or solutions
•  UNDP Representation: Ability to represent UNDP and productively share UNDP knowledge and activities; advocate for UNDP, its values, mission and work with various constituencies

2030 Agenda: Planet

•  Nature, Climate and Energy: Water Governance: Integrated Water Resources Management. Climate Change Adaptation: Water Management

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

•  Completed Secondary Education is required OR first-level university degree (bachelor) in media studies, social science, political science, international relations or a related field will be given due consideration, but not a requirement

Experience:

•  Completion of high school education with at least 7 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in public relations, communications, advocacy, community engagement or any relevant working experiences will be considered or
•  Bachelor’s degree with at least 4 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in public relations, communications, advocacy or community engagement is required
•  Demonstrated expertise in communication and advocacy with government or community;
•  Experience on working in the Pacific or sub-tropical environment – ideally in an atoll island environment;
•  Previous experience with a multilateral or international organization is helpful but not mandatory;
•  Proficiency in the Marshallese language is desirable.
•  Computer knowledge of MS Word, MS Excel, MS Power Point.
•  Be sensitive and respectful to Marshallese customs and traditions

Required languages:

•  Fluency in English (oral and written) is a requirement whilst proficiency in the Marshallese language is desirable.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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