Associate Program Officer (Communication and Advocacy)

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Field Office

Duty Station: Kabul

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Non Staff

Level : Level 3

Duration of contract : 1 year

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 30-JUL-2020

 

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

 

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

 

Since 2008, the UNESCO Office in Kabul has been supporting the Deputy Ministry of Education for Literacy (DMoEL) in improving access to literacy as well as building capacity within DMoEL.

In June 2018, UNESCO Kabul’s project “Better Education Systems for Afghanistan’s Future (BESAF)” of US$20 million was approved by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) for the period 2019 - 2021. The objective of this project is to provide technical support to the Ministries of Education (MoE) and Higher Education (MoHE) in on-going education reform processes emerging from Afghanistan’s National Strategic Education Plan III (NESP III).

In October 2019, the Government of Japan signed the agreement of a USD 7.2 million-project entitled Improvement of the quality and the promotion of the Accelerated Non-formal Education Program (ANEP) with UNESCO Kabul Office. The objective of the project is to provide technical and financial support to DMoEL for strengthening the status and effectiveness of Non-Formal Education (NFE) within the framework of accelerated learning approach delivered through different education modalities. The project intends to support DMoEL in improving equitable access to youth and adult basic education in terms of providing literacy courses for 28,000 learners (aged 15 and above) who are left behind from formal education due to different reasons. It will also focus on piloting the accelerated learning centers and professionalization of Adult Literacy Schools throughout Afghanistan. The project will underpin ongoing efforts by Afghanistan to meet its ANPDF, NESPIII, National Mobilization Strategy and SDG commitments, particularly in the areas of sustainable peace, economic growth and poverty reduction; and build on the significant achievements that have been realized in the literacy sub-sector over the last 10 years, particularly through UNESCO’s Enhancement of Literacy in Afghanistan (ELA) programme.

 

Long Description

Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Office in Kabul and Representative of UNESCO to Afghanistan, the Head of Education Unit and direct supervision of the NFE Project Manager, the incumbent shall perform the functions indicated in the Terms of References below:
 

Advocacy, Promotion and Coverage

• Preparation, development and implementation of regular communications needs assessments for the Education Unit in the area of advocacy and communications.
• Integration of advocacy and communication strategies into all aspects of UNESCO’s development programme.
• Collaboration with program staff, relevant government departments, officials and other partners to identify and develop advocacy materials for UNESCO’s education projects including the UNESCO Afghanistan Better Education System for Future (BESAF) and Accelerated Non formal Education Program (ANEP) projects.
• Management of Education Unit communication and advocacy activities and development /production of creative communication and advocacy instruments and materials for awareness- raising campaigns, events, publications, including briefing materials and media materials, using photo and image editing programs.
• Promotion and maintenance of public information/social mobilization campaigns on Education, especially on literacy.
• Maintenance of increased coverage and understanding of the UNESCO work in the country through regular media contacts and provision of newsworthy information to national public and, where possible, donors.
• Participation and coverage, including photography of UNESCO supported events.
• Proactive updating and maintenance of UNESCO Kabul Facebook page and other official social media channels.
• Effective responses to inquiries for public information materials and also engagement on social media in consultation with supervisor.

 

Publication and Material Development

• Development and management of UNESCO publications.
• Effective and professional management of UNESCO Kabul’s photo bank.
• Preparation of the content for the web sites (incl. storylines, publications) in coordination with program staff and management.
• Preparation and dissemination of materials for the international donor community and wider public.

Long Description

Training Facilitation

• Provision of technical leadership and facilitation of the process in writing, editing, reviewing and arranging production of newsletters, in-house magazines, pamphlets and brochures.
• Provision of training, consultation and advice to UNESCO Education unit staff and its partners on communications for development.

 

Event Management

• Development and maintenance of  strong links with national and international media, collaborating on content and organizing press-conferences for events, national campaigns, roundtable discussions, briefing sessions and advocacy purposes.
• Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to program country goals and activities.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories.

 

Long Description COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) - For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (Bachelors or equivalent) in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, Social Sciences, International Relations or related field.

Work Experience

• At least 5 years of relevant work experience, with at least 2 years acquired with an international organization in the field of Communication, Journalism and Public Relations.
• Previous experience in an educational organization is an added value.
• A deep understanding of development work, particularly of capacity development in education.
• Work experience with the UN is an added advantage.

Languages

• Fluency in English (spoken and written).
• Local languages Dari/Pashto and any other UN language will be an added advantage.

 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Skills/Competencies

• Excellent strategic, analytical and communications skills.
• Good understanding of development partners’ expectations and trends in Education Sector.
• Proven expertise in communication, public awareness, advocacy, reporting, and donor communication.
• Strong sensitivity and adaptability in post conflict countries and diversity (culture, gender, religion, race and nationality).
• Ability to interact with partners at various professional levels and diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent coordination and networking skills.
• Possession of strong sense of visual design principles.
• Good experience in using multimedia and creativity softwares such as Adobe Suite or other applications.
• Excellent computer skills.

 

Languages

• Local languages Dari/Pashto.
• Knowledge of other UNESCO official languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish).

 

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

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SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. 

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.

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