UNV VOLUNTEER DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT

1.  UNV Assignment Title:           Communications Associate

(This replaces the Programme Associate assignment previously advertised)

2.  Type of Assignment:              National UNV volunteer (Open to Chinese Nationals only)

3.  Project Title:                           UNDP Partnerships and Communications

4.  Duration:                                1 year

5.  Location, Country:                  Beijing, P.R. China

6.  Expected Starting Date:          End August

7.  Brief Project Description:      

Under the direct supervision of the Communications Officer, the Communications Associate is responsible for providing support and expertise to UNDP’s Partnerships and Communications Team (PCT), both on advocacy and outreach generally and with respect to UNDP Goodwill Ambassador initiatives in particular. PCT ensures media coverage for UNDP’s work, with a mandate to advancing knowledge of UNDP and augmenting its outreach and advocacy efforts. On the Communications side, the PCT establishes and maintains effective working relationships and communication channels with representatives of all types of media, and also ensures clear and consistent messages reach the media as appropriate. The Partnerships function fosters relationships with private and public entities, harnessing business resources and competencies to aid the work of UNDP and to facilitate the private sector’s active participation in China’s development

8.  Host Agency/Host Institute:    UNDP China

9.  Organizational Context: UNDP is the UN's global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and its wide range of partners. In China, UNDP fosters human development to empower women and men to build better lives. As the UN’s development network, UNDP draws on a world of experience to assist China in developing its own solutions to the country’s development challenges. Through partnerships and innovation, UNDP works to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and an equitable Xiao Kang society by reducing poverty, strengthening rule of the law, promoting environmental sustainability, and fighting HIV/AIDS.

10. Type of Assignment Place: Assignment with family.

11.  Description of tasks: Under the direct supervision of the UNDP China Communications Officer, the UNV volunteer will provide overall communications and advocacy support as well as support for UNDP Goodwill Ambassador initiatives, undertaking the following tasks:

Overall Communications and Media Support

·                Provide communications support to the UNDP Communications Officer.

·                Assist in the drafting and editing of media advisories, press releases, publications, and correspondences.

·                Assist in the preparation of communications and public-private partnerships outreach materials (i.e. PowerPoint presentations, brochures, etc).

·                Assist in organizing media events, such as press briefings, conferences, celebrations, etc.

·                Help maintain and update PCT’s media partners database and Public-Private Partnerships database.

·                Assist the CO in post-event media coverage monitoring, maintaining a media coverage monitoring file.

·                Ensure implementation of the CO publications strategy and plan.

·                Ensure alignment with the corporate publications policy.

·                Carry out other tasks assigned by the Communications Officer.

Support for managing UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Initiatives 

·                Coordinate communications, media and fundraising strategies to promote and advance public understanding and support for UNDP Goodwill Ambassador initiatives. 

·                As the focal point for UNDP Goodwill Ambassador portfolios, work with public and private partners to identify, coordinate and support relevant communication, media and fundraising needs.

·                Proactively use knowledge systems and other tools to develop materials and partnerships for communications, media engagement and fundraising.

·                Coordinate, develop, nurture and maintain communications partnerships with individuals, groups and organizations whose support is essential to the achievement of UNDP’s advocacy, media coverage and fundraising objectives.

·                Assume responsibility for ensuring media coverage with a view towards advancing knowledge of UNDP’s work and building support among policy makers and the public.   

·                Prepare clear and consistent messages for media, including formal statements.

·                Establish and maintain effective working relationships and communication channels with representatives of all types of media, to ensure their best possible cooperation with UNDP.

·                Develop new partnerships with the private sector.   

·                Carry out other tasks assigned by the Communications Officer.

12.  Results/Expected Output(s):

·         Overall enhanced visibility of UNDP’s projects and initiatives.

·         Enhanced media visibility of UNDP’s projects and initiatives.

·         Enhanced fundraising support.

·             Strengthened coordination between UNDP’s fundraising, media and communications components.

·             Coordination, media and fundraising efforts that have an impact on the effectiveness of UNDP’s communications and information disseminations.

·             A final statement of volunteerism achievements, for development during the assignment, such as a specific quantification of mobilized volunteers, activities and capacities.

13.  Qualifications/Requirements:

·         Demonstrates commitment to UN’s mission, vision and values

·         Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

·         Demonstrates sound judgment, diplomacy and sensitivity to confidential matters.

·         Bachelor’s or higher degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, advertising, international relations or a related field;

·         Excellent communications and drafting skills, in both English and Chinese;

·         Minimum 25 years old and above;

·         Communications, media and/or fundraising experience;

·         Good coordination and organizational skills;

·         Ability to work under pressure;

·         Have supportive and cooperative relationships with other colleagues on the team;

·         Willingness to learn new things and update knowledge and skills regularly;

·         Good familiarity with social development and experience working on social development, climate change and/or poverty alleviation is an asset;

·         Experience and familiarity with UNDP procedures is an asset.

14.  Living Conditions:

Beijing is a modern city with relatively high-quality public infrastructure and services. It is the foremost political and cultural metropolis in China. The city has excellent health services available.

15.  Conditions of Service:

A 12-month contract; monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA) intended to cover housing, basic needs and utilities, equivalent to 3,000 RMB; settling-in-grant (if applicable); life, health and permanent disability insurance; return airfares (if applicable); resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.

Application procedures

Interested Chinese candidates should include detailed curriculum vitae (CV) and a cover letter (both in English and Chinese) marked: “Application for NUNV Communications Associate” to  unv.china@undp.org

Deadline: Monday, 30 August 2010

Download:
DoA UNV for UNDP PCT.doc