GCF Communications Assistant

Details

Mission and objectives

In support of the Government of Zimbabwe, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has embarked on the implementation of a five-year Country Programme Document (CPD) 2022-2026. UNDP focuses on areas that have a multiplier effect through a targeted build-up of capacities, policies, the creation of dialogue space, and scalable downstream interventions. Proposed downstream interventions will seek to provide platforms for citizen engagement in democratic processes and facilitate access to skills, knowledge and new technologies for increased income generation. In so doing, UNDP Zimbabwe renders its support through the following three programmatic areas: 1. Democratic Governance 2. Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Livelihoods 3. Climate Change and Resilience Building

Context

The Government of Zimbabwe received funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for the project, “Building climate resilience of vulnerable agricultural livelihoods in southern Zimbabwe.” The objective of the project is to strengthen resilience of agricultural livelihoods of vulnerable communities, particularly women, in southern Zimbabwe in the face of increasing climate risks and impacts. The project will contribute to the following GCF Fund-level impacts for adaptation: 1.0 “Increased resilience and enhanced livelihoods of the most vulnerable people, communities and regions” and 2.0 “Increased resilience of health and well-being, and food and water security” for vulnerable smallholder communities in southern Zimbabwe. The project outcome will strengthen the adaptive capacities of vulnerable smallholder farmers, especially women, to climate change-induced impacts on their agroecosystems and livelihoods through revitalization of irrigation schemes, upgraded water and soil moisture management and water use efficiency, climate-resilient agriculture, improved access to climate information and markets, and partnerships with public and private sector actors. To achieve these outcomes the project proposes to overcome the identified barriers through implementation of the following three interlinked Outputs, using GCF and co-financing resources: (i)Increased access to water for climate-resilient agriculture through climate-resilient irrigation systems and efficient water resource management; (ii)Scaled up climate-resilient agricultural production and diversification through increased access to climate-resilient inputs, practices, and markets; and (iii) Improved access to weather, climate and hydrological information for climate-resilient agriculture. The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development (MLAFWRD) is the implementing partner, and the project will be implemented for 7 years from June 2020 to May 2027 under a National Implementation Modality (NIM). The Green Climate Fund provides flexible, coordinated and predictable funding of USD 26, 574, 567.00 to support the achievement of building climate resilience for vulnerable agriculture livelihoods through climate proofing of 21 irrigation schemes, supporting half a million direct beneficiaries and climate information systems for the small holder farmers.

Task description

The GCF project is seeking the services of a UNV Communication Assistant to support the implementation of the communications and advocacy strategies of the project to increase the standing and awareness of UNDP with partners, the media, and the public. The Communications Assistant promotes a client-oriented approach in UNDP. S/he works under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager with oversight support role from the Poverty Reduction, Environment and Climate Change (PRECC) team leader . The Communications Assistant works in close collaboration with the PMU, UNDP Country Office Communications Unit and UNDP Regional Communications Adviser, as required. Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Project Manager or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Communications Assistant will: 1. Supports the implementation of CO communications and advocacy strategies and CO publications policy a. Writing of news articles, stories and other information for websites and various social media platforms; b. Dissemination of information and publications; assistance at public events such as roundtable discussions, seminars, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews. c. Assist with preparations and provide logistics support for conferences, publicity/outreach events, campaigns and promotional opportunities, especially UN events. d. Maintenance of information database and photo library. e. Extraction of data from various sources. f. Research and retrieval of statistical data from internal and external sources. g. Arrangement of briefings and regular meetings with other UN agencies in the CO and with national and international media. h. Administrative and logistical support to the communications team, including for initiatives such as media workshops, press briefings, project visits, report launches, etc. i. Engage and manage relations with service providers, including printers, multimedia consultants and other suppliers to ensure production. j. Closely work with GCF communication experts within the region for cross learning. 2. Facilitation of knowledge building and management a. Identification, documenting and drafting of best practices and lessons learned. b. Participation in training for the communications personnel from the Responsible Partners on effective communications and advocacy.