UNDP
Background
The UN system in Zambia supports development operations in the country through the activities of UN system agencies represented on the ground. In addition, as the country is moving towards becoming a lower middle-income country the coordination between bilateral and multilateral development agencies is critical to ensure that Official Development Assistance (ODA) has the desired impact during the country’s transition.
The UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) in Zambia is responsible for managing the overall coordination of the UN system’s support to national development objectives. These include support to UN reform efforts towards ‘Delivering as One’ (DaO), UN inter-agency coordination and performance management under the Zambia – UN Sustainable Development Partnership Framework (UNSDPF) 2016-21 and joint programmes, monitoring, policy analysis and advocacy on the Sustainable Development Goals, engagement on the national aid effectiveness agenda and promoting UN collaboration with relevant state and non-state partners.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the guidance on the Communications Officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
- Works with the UNCT to integrate human rights in programming, including gender dimensions;
- Reports on engagement civil society for more effective human rights protection and promotion in line with the Zambia-UNSDPF;
- Gathers up-to-date information regarding substantive matters in the field of human rights and makes recommendations to the RC on actions to take;
- Works with the media on human rights related reporting;
- Supports the strengthening of the UN’s advocacy work and external communication efforts;
- Supports the coordination of the (UN Communications Group) UNCG and the realization of its work plan on human rights related activities;
- Works with the UN Communications Group (UNCG) to develop and implement a training programme in human rights with attention to gender perspectives;
- Prepares human rights advocacy materials, press releases, news articles, publications production, talking points and multimedia development, among other things, as required;
- Assists in organising press events, handling interviews requests, and liaise with staff to provide responses to requests from media on human rights related queries;
- Identifies key audiences and tailoring rights-based messages, including the press, internal UN communications outlets and other partners.
- Reports on activities relating to the implementation of international human rights instruments, including recommendations of treaty bodies and mechanisms of the Human Rights Council.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:
- Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark IVD);
- Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
- Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
- Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
- Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
- Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
Results/Expected Output:
- Evidence-based messages on human rights and multimedia materials developed;
- Identified and synthesized best practices and lessons learnt linked to areas of intervention as it relates to human rights;
- Human rights campaign content, materials and social media streamed through ideas, feedback and quality assurance;
- Good media relations maintained to encourage opportunities for visibility of the UNRCO;
- A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilised, activities participated in and capacities developed.
Competencies
- Ability to research, analyze, evaluate and synthesize information;
- Ability to express clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written and oral form.
Required Skills and Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in Communication, Public Relations, Journalism and Human Rights or related field;
- Minimum 2 years of increasingly responsible experience in advocacy/communication for human rights, in print and broadcast media and interactive digital media;
- Familiarity with approaches for planning, executing, and monitoring communications strategies;
- Fluency in English language is required;
- Knowledge of current developments in the fields of Human Rights, Development and Gender;
- Knowledge of computer systems and applications (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
Disclaimer
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme which welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture.
United Nations Volunteers reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this opening for other openings with United Nations Volunteers with similar assignment description, experience and educational requirements.