Job Title: Public Information Officer (3 Positions)
Organization: United Nations Volunteers (UNV)
Host entity: MINUSCA
Assignment country: Central African Republic
Expected start date: 01/06/2023
Sustainable Development Goal: 16. Peace, justice and strong
institutions
Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist
Type: Onsite
Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments: 3
Duty stations: Bangui, Bambari, Bangassou
Details
Mission and objectives
Concerned with the security, humanitarian, human rights and
political crisis in the Central African Republic and its regional implications,
the Security Council authorized in April 2014 the deployment of a United
Nations multidimensional stabilization peacekeeping operation, MINUSCA. The
Mission is mandated to ensure the protection of civilians, support the peace
process, including the implementation of the ceasefire and the APPR, facilitate
the full, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance, and the
protection of the United Nations. Its other tasks include the promotion and
protection of human rights, assist the preparation and delivery of peaceful
local elections, support the extension of State authority, the deployment of
security forces, and the preservation of territorial integrity, security sector
reform, disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation processes,
and support for national and international justice, the fight against impunity,
and the rule of law. MINUSCA has an authorized 14,400 military personnel and
3,020 police personnel, and 1,671 civilian personnel. See
https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/mission/minusca .
Context
Assignment is renewable on an annual basis (1 July - 30
June) up to a maximum of 4 years. Contract renewals are granted based on
Mission mandate, availability of budget, operational necessity and satisfactory
performance. ======================= Duty station can change in the course of
an assignment based on operational necessity; UN Volunteers may be required to
work and travel anywhere in the area of operations of the host organization,
including in remote locations.
Task description
Under the general supervision of the Director of the
Strategic Communication and Public Information Division (SCPI), the direct
supervision of the Public Outreach and Advocacy Unit, the UN Volunteer Public
Information Officer will perform, but not limited to, the following functions:
- Undertake communication assessments and develop community engagement, social
mobilization, and specific communication interventions with a focus on the
implementation of SCPI's communication outputs and increasing support for
strategic priorities and goals of the Mission to create an enabling and
favorable environment for the execution of MINUSCA's mandate within the area of
intervention and as per time, scope, quality, and budget specified for
identified deliverables. - Contribute to planning, development, and
implementation of outreach and advocacy projects and campaigns implemented as
part of SCPI's support to the Mission-wide mandated tasks. -
Collaborate/consult with substantive sections, partners, and stakeholders to
ensure synergy, integration, coherence, and harmonization of the Mission
outreach interventions. - Develop partnerships with local authorities,
religious groups, traditional leaders, local radios, artists, and other
organized groups in the community, as well as civil society organizations, to
orient them on the Mission's mandate and to solicit their involvement in the
implementation of the priorities therein, with particular focus on the changes
required as part of the mandate - Participate, in coordination with SCPI Front
Desk, in the preparation of the budget for public information and production
services budget - Reviews all communication campaign/project proposals in the
area of intervention before submission for approval to the Director of SCPI,
and ensure SCPI-funded projects/campaigns are effectively implemented and
monitored, and for that purpose, organize joint review meetings with other
Substantive sections and partners to evaluate results. - Participate in the UN
Communication Group discussions and planning meetings to develop UN-spearheaded
campaigns around international days and major events to advance UN goals in the
Central African Republic. - Conduct capacity-building initiatives to enhance
the competencies of stakeholders/partners in community engagement and advocacy
planning in support of MINUSCA-supported programmes/projects and best meet
MINUSCA's outreach goal. - In coordination with the outreach Unit's front desk,
provide timely inputs for outreach reporting requirements, including
contributions to the SCPI weekly reports, quarterly and annual RBB Reports, and
other strategic reports. - Stays familiar with the Mission mandate, Outreach
procedures and works to ensure that all outreach team members and partners
adhere to set standards. - Carry out other related duties as required by the
Head of Regional Office and the Director of SCPI.
Eligibility criteria
Age
27 - 80
Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the
country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
5 years of experience in Communication for Development,
journalism, international relations, communication project management or
related area.
Area(s) of expertise
Communication
Driving license
4x4 manual gear required. Required
Languages
French, Level: Fluent, Required English, Level: Fluent,
Required
Required education level
Master degree or equivalent in Communication, journalism,
international relations, social sciences, project management or related field.
A first-level university degree in combination with a supplementary three years
qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university
degree.
Competencies and values
• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in
area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; ability to work independently
under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while
exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage
information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and
client-oriented. • Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate
in compliance with organizational rules and regulations. • Planning and
organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to
manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to
establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to
work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple
concurrent projects/activities. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability
to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working
relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and
respect for diversity and gender; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills;
good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare
clear and concise reports; ability to communicate and empathize with staff
(including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and
local interlocutors coming from diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer
information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; •
Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently
in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted
periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible
extensive travel within area of operations as may be necessary; • Genuine
commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes
solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards
the UN core values.
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
The Central African Republic is a non-family duty station
with a difficult security and working environment. Security instructions from
the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) need to be strictly complied
with in all duty stations. The country security level is 4, restricting
movement to official travel only. Currently a curfew applies from 10 pm to 5
am. The country is landlocked, with very limited travel possibilities, and
surrounded by countries with volatile and security problems (Cameroon, Chad,
DRC, Sudan, South Sudan). There is an unstable socio-political situation and
social unrest and grievance, in particular in the capital city Bangui, with frequent
civil servant strikes causing interruption of health, education and civil
service, due to years of unpaid salaries. Power cuts are a norm, causing
insecurity in the city. The population in Bangui, including the expatriates, is
concerned about increasing crime as a direct result of the March 2013 coup by
the SELEKA, a coalition of rebel groups, and events in December 2013 that
carried the country into chaos, and the recent creation of the Coalition of
Patriots for Change, regrouping some existent armed groups. The country is
entirely dependent on the Cameroon seaport, situated 1500 km away, causing
regular shortage of basic domestic goods. Travel time for a truck from Douala
in Cameroon to Bangui averages a week because of bad roads and roadblocks along
the way. This situation puts tremendous stress on personnel. There are very
limited medical infrastructures and services do not function properly. Living
conditions are difficult due to the high cost of living and the scarcity of
basic products and food. Supermarkets having a variety of food and consumer
goods are available, but are costly. Fresh vegetables and fruits are available
in the market. There is no MINUSCA guesthouse in Bangui. Private accommodation
possibilities are limited and getting a house that is compliant with UN
security measures can take several weeks. UN personnel in Bangui live on the
local economy by renting apartments and houses. In comparison to a few years
ago, more accommodation is available now, but at high cost. Sharing accommodation
is recommended. Currently all serving UN Volunteers have access to decent
accommodation ensuring minimum standards of comfort. The average monthly cost
for accommodation varies from around 1000 USD for a small apartment with basic
furniture, but no power generator and interrupted running water supply, to
2,000+ USD with all commodities. Accommodation in all CAR duty stations outside
of the capital Bangui is mandatorily inside the MINUSCA camps. In most cases,
this is in the form of containerized accommodation with an individual bathroom,
with 24/7 running water, electricity and wifi. This costs US$ 200 per month and
is automatically deducted through the monthly payroll. When no self-contained
accommodation is available immediately upon arrival, newly arriving personnel
are housed in a container with a common bathroom until a self-contained
container frees up. A UN dispensary provides basic medical care for UN
personnel and a UN hospital has been operational since August 2014. A Level II
Hospital run by a military medical team exists as well. A Rest &
Recuperation (R&R) scheme has been re-established since August 2013 and
maintained for all CAR duty stations at a 6-week frequency. The Central African
Republic is a unique country and MINUSCA is a unique operation. It provides for
an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of
cultural and security awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than
elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and
the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous
conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme
that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to
achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part
of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to
combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights
and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender
identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability,
pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be
subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2
(Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy
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