By continuing to browse this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Read our privacy policy

Head of Communication

Kampala

  • Organization: WFP - World Food Programme
  • Location: Kampala
  • Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Communication and Public Information
    • Managerial positions
  • Closing Date: Closed

.

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles.

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.

.

Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply

WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.  The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes.  Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Reporting to the Representative & Country Director within the Uganda Country Office, the Head of Communication Unit will have the unique opportunity to influence WFP's role in the country and to ensure that, by working with others, WFP delivers real results for the millions of people in the country who face food insecurity.

The Communications Unit of World Food Programme Uganda broadly aims to showcase WFP’s work in support of the Government of Uganda’s progress in realizing two key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: notably SDG2 (ending hunger by 2030); and SDG17 (strengthening partnerships).

More specifically, WFP Uganda’s five-year Country Strategic Plan (CSP), running to 2022, includes embedding communications in every aspect of our work, so it becomes a core function and major driver in realizing our Zero Hunger mission. Transforming communications to meet these objectives – including external (reaching the media, general public, government donors and other stakeholders), internal (WFP staff) and targeting the communities we serve (through Communications for Development or C4D)— counts among the top priorities of WFP Uganda’s CSP.

JOB PURPOSE

The Head of Communications will oversee a transformation of communications at WFP Uganda that embeds it into all aspects of the organization, helping to drive its mission, activities and output.  She/he will supervise two national Communications Officers (respectively covering external and internal communications (targeting staff, beneficiary and other stakeholders), as well as a graphic artist. Together the team will work to meet specific objectives, actions and outcomes detailed in WFP Uganda’s Communications Advocacy & Plan running through 2022.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

1. Develop, maintain and update a work plan that ensures WFP Uganda Communications Unit is on target in realizing its objectives (outlined in the Communications & Advocacy Plan) and broadly enhances the visibility and reputation of WFP, ensures alignment with WFP’s overall strategy and goals.

2. Designs, manages, and facilitates the implementation of programme communication strategy, plan of action and activities for strategic communication and promotion for achieving zero hunger.

3. Programme communication materials: Organizes the research, development, pre-testing, and production of culturally relevant communication materials.

4. Develops and enhances strong partnerships with community groups, leaders and other partners in the community and civil society for promotion of participation in the realization of zero hunger.

5. Provides effective coordination and technical support to government counterparts and other partners in the development and strategic use of communication for zero hunger. Provide technical and administrative support and background materials to carry out C4D strategies and activities and recommend operational strategies, approaches, plans, methods and procedures to ensure community engagement and participation, and optimum outreach and impact.

6. Assess and recommend potential contacts, networks, resources and multiple/social/digital media and tools to support maximum impact and outreach of Communication for Development initiatives.

7. Ensure design and delivery of communications products/visibility content via traditional and social media and myriad other relevant platforms, which effectively convey the desired message to targeted audience/s, including media, government, donors, local communities, private sector and NGO partners, and WFP staff.

8. Respond to emergencies when requested by quickly traveling to the site and preparing information for public release on WFP’s operations and activities, as well as needed materials for internal and external use, particularly multi-media materials.

9. Increase staff engagement and buy-in to WFP Uganda’s mission through their participation in communications activities, including greater interaction with the communities we serve, WFP partners and other stakeholders;

10. Build the capacity of WFP staff on all aspects of communications, providing advice, guidance and training to ensure consistent, quality communications activities that meet WFP Uganda’s goals;

11. Collaborate closely with WFP staff and partners to align activities and ensure a coherent approach to communications within and without WFP.

12. Oversee/perform other related functions as required.

4Ps CORE ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITIES

Purpose

  • Understand and communicate the Strategic Objectives: Utilizes understanding of WFP’s Strategic Objectives to communicate linkages to team objectives and work. 
  • Be a force for positive change: Proactively identifies and develops new methods or improvements for self and immediate team to address work challenges within own work area.
  •  Make the mission inspiring to our team: Identifies opportunities to further align individual contributions with WFP’s mission of making an impact on local communities.
  •  Make our mission visible in everyday actions: Helps colleagues to see the link between their individual tasks and the contributions of their unit’s goals to the broader context of WFP’s mission.

People

  • Look for ways to strengthen people's skills: Is able to identify, support and encourage focused on-the-job learning opportunities to address gaps between current skillsets and needed future skillsets for WFP.
  •  Create an inclusive culture: Recognizes the contributions of teammates, and encourages contributions from culturally different team mates to recognise the value of diversity above and beyond just including it in programming for beneficiaries.
  •  Be a coach & provide constructive feedback: Provides and solicits ongoing constructive feedback on strengths and development opportunities to help develop individual skills, whilst also helping others identify areas for improvement.
  •  Create an “I will”/”We will” spirit: Sets clear targets for self and others to focus team efforts in ambiguous situations (e.g., unprecedented issues and/or scenarios).

Performance

  • Encourage innovation & creative solutions: Thinks beyond team’s conventional approaches to formulate creative methods for delivering food aid and assistance to beneficiaries.
  •  Focus on getting results: Maintains focus on achieving individual results in the face of obstacles such as volatile or fragile environments and/or organizational roadblocks.
  •  Make commitments and make good on commitments: Takes personal accountability for upholding and delivering upon team’s commitments and provides assurance to stakeholders.
  •  Be Decisive: Demonstrates ability to adjust to team’s plans and priorities to optimize outcomes in light of evolving directives, while also responding quickly in high-pressure environments, such as in emergency settings.

Partnership

  • Connect and share across WFP units: Demonstrates an understanding of when and how to tactfully engage other units in conversations on impact, timing, or planning.
  •  Build strong external partnerships: Networks regularly with key external partners using formal and informal opportunities to understand each partner’s unique value proposition, and to build and strengthen relationships.
  •  Be politically agile & adaptable: Demonstrates ability to adapt engagement approach in the context of evolving partner circumstances and expectations.
  •  Be clear about the value WFP brings to partnerships: Demonstrates ability to articulate to internal and external audiences the value that individual contributions and immediate teams bring to partnerships.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

Capability Name Description of the behaviour expected for the proficiency level
Media and Influencer Relationship Management Demonstrates ability to formulate and maintain strong relationships with key media and influencers. Leads in implementing identified strategy to raise the profile of WFP, build relationships and further organisational aims.
Media and Communication Expertise Provides guidance to team members in facilitating open and informative verbal and written communication between media and influencers. Directs a team in the preparation of tailored written reports, presentations materials.
Specialised Knowledge in Communications Uses sound theoretical knowledge of communications concepts to generate or facilitate the generation of effective communication materials across various media. Applies this to define work plans aligned to identified areas of WFP’s communications strategy.
Sociopolitical Contextual Understanding Demonstrates deep understanding of the multilateral/interagency environment and the dynamics in which WFP operates which influences approach to working, policy development and decision making.
Communication Strategy and Planning Applies advanced understanding of WFP communications strategy and best practice to effectively develop strategies to engage with media and other significant external stakeholders within area of responsibility. Oversees implementation, providing recommendations for improvement.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Advanced University degree in Journalism, International Relations, International development, Public Relations, Communications or other relevant field, or First University degree, with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses

International Professional: Fluency (level C) in English language.

OTHER SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS

This section is optional to describe additional responsibilities & knowledge required for the specific job.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• Has gained experience in specialised communications practices and applies this to all activities
• Has managed small teams of staff with related areas of expertise in the delivery of innovative communications projects
• Has provided support in leading projects and input into function policies

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

4th June 2019

This vacancy is now closed.
However, we have found similar vacancies for you: