INFORMATION OFFICER, UNOCHA, JOB VACANCY IN KENYA

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Given the current crisis in Somalia, OCHA has to scale up support immediately to support the Humanitarian Coordinator in mobilization and coordination of an effective and principled humanitarian response. OCHA is particularly concerned about vulnerable communities and those at risk due to current drought and conflict. Under the leadership of the UN Humanitarian/Resident Coordinator for Somalia, OCHA maintains an office in Nairobi and a field presence inside Somalia.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions: Maintain constructive media relations through engagement with international and Somali media: Maintain relations with media counterparts and support the office in all public information activities Organize and support local and international media trips and briefings. Serve as focal point for organizing all special events, including the CAP Monitor and support capacity building activities to help the local media better report on UN work Produce, or encourage journalists to cover, human interest stories on and liasie with headquarters to diseminate them via OCHA website and other social media tools  Support the management of social media tools Conduct daily media monitoring of international news sources to supplement other UN offices’ monitoring, ensuring senior management are apprised of humanitarian issues in the international media  Produce and support production of information: Coordinate inputs from the nine liaison areas for the production of the weekly and monthly situation reports. Draft the situation report as needed. Research/analyze data required in the press releases, special reports and briefing papers, including reports on media coverage and political, security and socio-economic factors affecting humanitarian and development programmes in Somalia. Actively contribute to the development and regular update of coordination and information tools, including OCHA Somalia Website, Information Fact Sheets, and OCHA photo database. Ensure preparation of internal weekly reports to OCHA HQ on the humanitarian situation in Somalia by compiling inputs from substantive sections and drafting the report. Collaborate closely with OCHA field offices and information counterparts in other UN agencies and NGOs to ensure accurate and effective information dissemination on humanitarian issues in Somalia. Contribute to OCHA Headquarters and Regional Annual Reports, Budget Planning and the Regional Affected Populations Report. Support information management activities: Collect and catalogue relevant information on Somalia on a weekly/monthly basis to be used in information products. Monitor progress of, obtain all major publications dealing with Somalia, and ensure their distribution and filing within the unit/office. Maintain and update photographs to be used in information products and other OCHA functions. Facilitate substantive development of briefing material as well as preparation of power point presentations. Coordinate the UNCT information group and the joint UN/NGO information group Participate in the monthly information officer’s group meetings, contribute to the group’s activities, and brief the Head of Communication and Senior Management as necessary Participate in planning and organising public information group meetings Represent OCHA at meetings as requested. Perform other tasks as required. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results: Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country goals and activities. Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories. Provision of training, consultancy and advice to UNOCHA staff on communications for development Impact of Results: Play a strategic role in identifying trends related to humanitarian and access issues and how they are perceived in the media and by the public in the region of responsibility. Develop innovative approaches to deal with technical reporting issues. Ensure timely delivery of outputs, in accordance with overall objectives and policies. Serve as an effective spokesperson and form strong partnerships with humanitarian actors to help meet OCHA’s objectives with respect to overall policy initiatives and coordination of humanitarian and emergency assistance.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:           Advocacy/Advancing a Policy-Oriented Agenda Preparing information for advocacy Identifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating UNOCHA’s mandate Maintains a functioning network of contacts with a variety of stakeholders to promote a better understanding of UNOCHA’s mandate and to support advocacy efforts Building Strategic Partnerships Maintaining a network of contacts Maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up-to-date on partnership related issues Analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders Establishes and nurtures positive communication with partners Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing Basic research and analysis Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approaches Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise Fundamental knowledge of own discipline Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the position Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks Analyzes the requirements and synthesizes proposals Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments Creating Visibility for UNOCHA/Supporting UNOCHA’s Capacity to Advocate Research and data analysis Promotes awareness of UNOCHA’s centrally to development through dissemination of information and materials Maintains networks and knowledge assets for use in visibility and image activities Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNOCHA’s Goals Level 1.2.: Preparing information for global advocacy Identifies and communicates relevant information for advocacy for UNOCHA’s goals for a variety of audiences Maintains a functioning network of contacts in the media and civil society, to promote a better understanding of UNOCHA’s mandate and to support advocacy efforts Conceptual Innovation in the Provision of Technical Expertise Level 1.2: Research and analysis Keeps updated in his/her area of substantive expertise Identifies opportunities for conceptual innovation Client Orientation Level 1.2: Establishing effective client relationships Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients Core Competencies: Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity  Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment Self-development, initiative-taking Acting as a team player and facilitating team work Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively Creating synergies through self-control Managing conflict Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member. Informed and transparent decision making

Required Skills and Experience

Education:           A Master’s degree or equivalent in media relations, international relations, communications, journalism, publishing, or a related field Experience:        2 years of relevant experience at the national or international level preferably in humanitarian/development reporting and public information work. Media working experience will be an added advantage. Excellent communication, drafting and analytical skills, with attention to detail. Good team player with ability to work under pressure Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and experience in handling of web based management systems. Language:             Fluency in oral and written English.  To apply to the above opportunity click on http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=27000