United Nations Secretariat (UN)
The UN Secretary-General launched on 1 January 2019 a bold and new global reform which repositioned the UN Development System to deliver more effectively and efficiently with the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. As part of this reform, UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO), under the leadership of an empowered and independent UN Resident Coordinator – the highest-ranking official of the UN Development System and Representative of the UN Secretary-General at country level – support countries in the achievement of their development priorities and the attainment of the SDGs.
The United Nations and its partners are supporting the Government and people of Malawi to realize sustainable development and achieve the country’s aspirations as expressed in the Malawi 2063. The success and impact of UN programmes is dependent on its ability to actively and strategically engage and involve all stakeholders, including local communities, while building strong synergies to deliver, increase and sustain development efforts.
UN development assistance in Malawi is jointly provided by UN agencies through different programmes and projects that are guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). The UNSDCF is a key instrument for planning and implementing UN development activities in support of the implementation of national development priorities and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Malawi.
This position maintains a close working relationship with the Development Coordination Office (DCO) communications and results reporting counterparts and the United Nations Department of Global Communications (DGC), which sets the communications and advocacy priorities of the United Nations around the world and includes a second reporting line to DGC.
The position is located in the United Nations Resident Coordination Office (RCO) in Malawi and reports to the Senior Development Coordination Officer, Strategic Planning and RCO Team Leader.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:
1.leads Strategic Advocacy And Programme Communications In Support Of The Unsdcf:
• Provides substantive support to the Resident Coordinator (RC) and UN Country Team (UNCT) in designing, implementing and monitoring the UN joint advocacy and communication strategy, aligned to the UN Global Communications Strategy and based on the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) in Malawi;
• Leads the development and implementation of country-wide strategic communications campaigns and activities targeted to audiences in Malawi and beyond. This includes adapting and localizing global communications and advocacy priorities to promote the work of the United Nations in line with the UN Communications Strategy at the global and country level;
• Contributes to the annual communication plan to publicize and communicate results with a focus on UN’s development impact. This involves collaboration with the UNCG and the UN PMT, and coordination with the RCO colleagues responsible for data management and results reporting;
• Provides substantive support to the work of the UN Communications Group (UNCG) throughout the stages of the UNSDCF cycle. This includes supporting development and implementation of the UNCG annual work plans;
• Contributes to the development of key communications and advocacy products (e.g. human-interest stories, and multimedia content, etc.);
• Prepares inputs for the RC and UNCT on strategic advocacy and programme communications for the 2030 Agenda and boosts impact of programmatic objectives under the UNSDCF;
• Provides crisis communications support when needed;
• Provides substantive support to the RC and UNCT, Programme Management Team (PMT) and Results Groups on potential issues, concerns and risks related to communications and advocacy, and suggests corrective actions. This includes preparing inputs for the RC and UNCT on public messaging and media outreach and assisting in managing reputational risks or crises around sensitive issues;
• Assists the RC and UNCT in projecting UN’s image effectively and accurately as well as promoting transparency and accountability;
• Monitors and analyzes the media in the areas related to the UN’s mandates and programmes in Malawi, as well as other issues relevant to the UN brand and positioning in the country;
• Contributes to the promotion of advocacy and communications as a tool for a participatory approach to UNSDCF implementation and monitoring, reflecting the views and priorities of people in Malawi, including those left farthest behind;
• Compiles, categorizes, summarizes, and contributes to the analyses of communication experiences for use in sharing findings with country, regional and HQ communication colleagues so that identified best practices benefit the overall UN’s communications work;
• Monitors and reports on communications performance indicators throughout the UNSDCF cycle. This includes evaluation of results and impact of communications and advocacy initiatives promoting the work of the United Nations in key thematic areas and reporting the outcome to the Resident Coordinator, the UN Country Team and the United Nations Department of Global Communications;
• Assists the Resident Coordinator on possible sources of support and partnerships that could be leveraged for promoting localized global campaigns, and galvanizing local, regional and global support for the 2030 Agenda as relevant.
2.manages Media Relations And Strengthens Relationship With The Media:
• Assists in the engagement of key partners to promote UN’s communications and advocacy on the 2030 Agenda and UN’s role and impact in Malawi. This includes media organisations and other relevant stakeholders from the government, civil society, private sector, development partners, special-interest groups and others new as well as traditional actors – traditional and non-traditional.
• Provides substantive support to the RC and UNCT in significantly expanding public outreach on the 2030 Agenda and the UN’s role and impact in country, including through programme visits showcasing the UN’s development impact;
• Contributes to regular liaison with other partners for content development, information exchange, collaborative communication efforts, and innovative communication and advocacy tools;
• Supports the planning and facilitation of dialogues with partners to improve public engagement and participatory approaches to increase understanding about the UN’s work in Malawi.
3. Provides Substantive Support For Digital Communications:
• Develops and implements a digital content strategy;
• Develops multimedia communications products, including digital and social media assets;
• Contributes to the maintenance of an integrated UNCT website and official social media accounts in Malawi in line with UN Secretariat governance mechanisms, including those related to information security and using up-to-date social media platforms and web practices;
• Provides support to exercises exploring the applicability of new and emerging tools and techniques to digital communications and advocacy activities to reach a wider and younger audience.
4. Supports Publications And Branding Management:
• Contributes to providing substantive support to the RC and UNCT on joint UN publications, maintaining high quality standards and the correct application of the UN branding guidelines and the UN publishing standards.
• Drafts inputs for the RC and UNCT on the use of the UN joint brand in Malawi across UN content and products, both offline and online.
• Provides support to launch events for joint UN publications, coordinating with author entities in the UN country team and relevant local partners, including host authorities, media representatives, members of academia, etc. to ensure high visibility and impact.
• Contributes to the collection and analysis of data and identification of trends or patterns and provides draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
• Documents requirements and background information used for data analysis.
• Performs other relevant duties as 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. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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.
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.
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.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in communication, journalism, international relations or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Certification in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage.
Work Experience
A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in programme communications and advocacy in the context of development is required.
Experience managing some resources, including personnel and budget, to support communications and advocacy activities in a local context, is desirable
Work experience of (1) year or more in data analytics or related area is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English and Chichewa is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
NOTE: “Fluency equals a rating of “fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand)
and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of “confident” in two of the four areas
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment, such as a written test, which will be followed by a competency-based interview by phone/teleconference or face-to-face.
Special Notice
Appointment against this post is on a local basis. The initial appointment is for a period of one year. Extension of appointment is subject to satisfactory performance. National Professional Officers are nationals of the country in which they are serving, and their functions must have a national context, i.e. functions that require national experience or knowledge of the national language, culture, institutions, and systems.
This Position Is Open To Nationals Of Malawi Only. National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located and will be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of the office. If no suitable local candidate is identified, Malawi nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, in which case the candidate would be responsible for any costs related to traveling and relocating to Malawi in the event of an employment offer.
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
Note to current staff members at the General Service level: Should a current General Service staff member (not on Continuing or Permanent Appointment) be selected for this post, he/she would need to resign from his/her General Service appointment before receiving a new appointment at the National Officer level. Locally recruited General Service staff members applying for this post must meet the minimum requirements, including academic qualifications and years of relevant experience. Relevant experience in the General Service category at G-6 and G-7 levels may count towards experience requirements.
“Internal Applicants: When completing the form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. ”
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.
Upon separation from service, including, but not limited to, expiration or termination of, or resignation from, a fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointment, a former staff member will be ineligible for re-employment on the basis of a temporary appointment for a period of 31 days following the separation. In the case of separation from service on retirement, a former staff member will be ineligible for re-employment for a period of three months following the separation. This equally applies, mutatis mutandis, with respect to a former or current staff member who has held or holds an appointment in another entity applying the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules and who applies for a temporary position with the Secretariat.
Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.
All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira “Need Help?” link.
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.