National Consultant: Communication Specialist, Kampala, Uganda

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS VACANCY IS ONLY FOR NATIONALS OF UGANDA OR THOSE WHO ARE AUTHORIZED TO WORK IN UGANDA.

Contract duration:  11 months, 1 August 2019 to 30 June 2020

Background

Uganda continues to make progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In 2016, the Government of Uganda developed a framework to guide the coordination of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda under the leadership of the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). The National Coordination Framework for SDGs was subsequently approved by Cabinet and Parliament in 2016 and is anchored within the existing coordination structures of implementing government business and provides strategic guidance on the roles and responsibilities of key institutions, steered by a multi-stakeholder SDG National Taskforce. To operationalize the coordination framework, the Office of the Prime Minister in liaison with other government ministries, departments and agencies developed an enabling costed roadmap to create an enabling environment for delivering on the SDGs but also act as a resource mobilization tool for the Agenda during the Second National Development Plan (NDPII) implementation period. 

Uganda has achieved significant progress in terms of integrating the SDGs into the national planning framework, including the 2nd NDP. Complementary national indicators are under consideration by the Government, reflecting the holistic, integrated and indivisible nature of the Agenda 2030. The integration into the sectors and to the local level is ongoing and being spearheaded by NPA.

The Coordination Framework provides for five layers established within the Government coordination structures, namely: The Policy Coordination Committee (PCC)which is the highest structure chaired by the Prime Minister, the Implementation Steering Committee (ISC) which has a responsibility to review progress and recommend policy proposals to the PCC, the National SDG Taskforce, comprising of technical officers from lead agencies of the Technical Working Groups (TWGs), technical representatives from key implementing MDAs, Development Partners (DPs), civil society and private sector. The committee is chaired by the Permanent Secretary in OPM.

The Government with support from UN developed a National SDG Roadmap (launched October 2018), which outlines key actions and sets timelines for the mainstreaming, implementation and reporting of the Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals in Uganda. The SDG Roadmap covers among other elements awareness-raising; multi-stakeholder consultations and dialogue; tailoring the SDGs to the local context; creating horizontal and vertical policy coherence; budgeting for the future; and monitoring, reporting and accountability.

Summary of Key Functions:

1. Coordinate strategic advocacy and programme communication
2. Support partnership building and media relations
3. Lead digital communications
4. Support publications and branding management

Scope of Work:

1. Coordinate strategic advocacy and programme communication in support of the SDGs Secretariat

• Provide guidance and support to the SDGs Secretariat in implementing and monitoring the advocacy and communication strategy for the National SDGs Roadmap, in support of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable  Development in Uganda
• Provide  strategic  advocacy  and communication advice to the SDGs Secretariat on the 2030 Agenda implementation in Uganda;
• Promote  advocacy  and communications as a tool for a participatory approach to outreach by the SDGs Secretariat and monitoring, reflecting views and priorities of people, including those left furthest behind;
• Monitor  media  in the areas related  to the SDGs Secretariat in the country, as well as other issues relevant  to brand and positioning;
• Advise  the SDGs Secretariat on public  messaging  and media  outreach, and help manage reputational  risks or crises around sensitive  issues;
• Provide timely  advice to SDGs Secretariat on potential  issues concern  and risks related to communications   and advocacy, and suggest  corrective  actions;
• Develop annual communication plan to publicize  and communicate results of the SDGs Secretariat
• Advise  and support  the SDGs Secretariat in projecting its image effectively and accurately as well as promoting transparency and accountability;
• Provide technical support to ensure that communication performance indicators are identified,  incorporated, monitored and reported on throughout the National SDGs Roadmap

2. Support partnership building and media relations

• Engage key traditional and non-traditional partners, including government, civil society, private sector,  development  partners and others new as well as traditional actors on the collective  2030 Agenda  and the related role and impact in country;
• Support SDGs Secretariat to significantly expanding  public outreach on the 2030 Agenda  in the country;
• Promote public engagement about the SDGs in country, including through outreach programmes.
• Regularly  liaise  with other partners  for content  development,  information  exchange, collaborative communication efforts, and innovative communication and advocacy tools;
• Review communication experiences and share findings with country, regional and globally on best practices by SDGs Secretariat.
• Maintain  close working  relationships  with the media, including editors and journalists in key national  and international  news outlets  and develop,  maintain  and update  media relations  contact  list/database;
• Draft official briefing materials, talking points, speeches, statements, op-eds and prepare presentations as necessary;

3. Lead digital communications

• Manage digital external platforms such as the SDGs Secretariat website as well as the Secretariats social media presence (Facebook, Twitter account etc.);
• Develop and implement a digital content strategy and manage the development of key communication products (e.g. human interest stories, photography, video, animations, etc.)

4. Coordinate publications and branding management

• Support the SDGs Secretariat on matters of production of publications ensuring high quality standards and the correct application of the SDGs Secretariat branding guidelines;
• Advise SDGs Secretariat on the use of the SDGs Secretariat brand across products, both offline and online.

Duration and working schedule:

11 months, from 1st August 2019 to 30th June 2020

Location:

UNFPA Uganda Country Office

Delivery:

Submission of monthly electronic reports

Monitoring and progress control:

The consultant will work for the Uganda Country Office and will be expected to provide regular weekly updates to the Country Representative.

Supervisory arrangements:

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of Programme Specialist, Communications, Resource Mobilisation and Partnerships

Expected Travel:

Periodic

Qualifications and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in Mass Communication or Media Relations, Public Relations, information management or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A Postgraduate Diploma in Public Relations is an additional advantage.

Experience: 

A minimum of five years, of progressively responsible experience in providing strategic support to strategic advocacy and Programme communication or related area, is required. 

Competencies 

• Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches. Ability to identify and develop sources for data collection. Ability to undertake research, analyze data, make recommendations and write draft reports on sustainable development issues. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. 
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. 
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. 
• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. 
• Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks 'outside the box'; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches. 
• Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be 'clients' and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. 
• Commitment to Continuous Learning: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve. 
• Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

How to Apply:

• Deadline for applications: Thursday, 25 July 2019, 5 pm Kampala time.
• All applications should be sent by email to nakibira@unfpa.org, copying alfeu@unfpa.org. In the email, clearly state the position you are applying to, full name, and date of submission in the subject.
• UNFPA will only respond to those applicants in whom the Country Office has further interest.

Disclaimer:

• UNFPA does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.
• UNFPA is committed to maintaining balanced gender distribution of the positions and therefore encourage women to apply. 
• There are NO application processing or other fees at any stage of UNFPA application processes.