General
Description of assignment title
Communication Specialist for Climate Resilient Water Security Project
Assignment country
Marshall Islands
Expected start date
01/10/2024
Sustainable Development Goal
6. Clean water and sanitation
Volunteer category
International UN Volunteer Specialist
Host entity
UNDP MHL
Type
Onsite
Duration
12 months
Number of assignments
1
Duty stations
Majuro
Details
Mission and objectives
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in nearly 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, and build resilience to promote sustainable development.
Context
The project “Addressing Climate Vulnerability in the Water Sector (ACWA) in the Marshall Islands)” implemented by the Government of the Republic of Marshall Islands (GoRMI) in collaboration with UNDP became operational in January 2020 with the objective to address expected impacts of climate change on water security on Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI). RMI is a small island developing state in the Pacific. The nation is a large-ocean state, with a total land area of only 182 km², spread across over 2 million km² of ocean. There are 24 inhabited atolls and islands, which are mostly remote and lie merely 2 m above sea level on average. There are no rivers, streams or lakes in RMI and the number of small surface ponds is very limited. GoRMI, with the assistance of UNDP, has developed a project on adaptation to climate change impacts to water supply in RMI. The project is co-financed by GoRMI and Green Climate Fund (GCF). The project will build resilience to the impacts of climate change on water supply, particularly in 24 atolls and islands that are highly vulnerable to drought. The project will invest in improving water security, water resilience and water governance through: • Water Security – Improving household and community rainwater harvesting and storage structures to increase resilience of water supply in 115 rural communities in the 24 neighbour Atolls and Islands accounting for approximately 28% of RMI’s population, including 7,630 (49%) women, currently at risk. • Water Resilience – Securing groundwater resources from contamination due to inundation caused by wave overtopping of seawater. • Water Governance – Strengthening the technical capacities of national and subnational institutions and key stakeholders to integrated climate change risks into water governance processes so that management of climate change risks are coordinated, effective, participatory, equitable, and sustained over the long-term when risks are expected to worsen. The project aligns with GoRMI’s key climate change policies and strategies and has been developed through extensive consultation with government, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and beneficiary communities. The proposed project is aligned with RMI’s NDC and country work programme to the GCF. The NDA has issued a letter of no-objection, and the proposed project is aligned with the work programme of the AE (UNDP) selected by the NDA. This GCF project is being executed by UNDP, in close partnership with the GoRMI, given UNDP’s extensive experience in implementing climate change adaptation projects globally. The project implementation will be led by a team based in Majuro, RMI and Suva, Fiji. The Operational Specialist will be also expected to travel to 24 neighbour Atolls and Islands.
Task description
Under the direct supervision of Manager of ACWA Project the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: Design and implementation of internal communication strategy and outreach: • Prepare a Project Communication Strategy which includes the types and number of internal and external communication outreach in the first 24 months of the project implementation; at minimum, the Strategy should require the following Communication tools: • Prepare content for a dedicated project website (either independently hosted or nested within the UNDP CCA platform http://adaptation-undp.org/) • Manage SNS accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) • Provide periodic project progress updates in English and Marshallese (paper and electronic base) • Prepare a video product that captures before and after the project intervention Ensure external ACWA project communication and visibility • Undertake external outreach including local, regional and global media • Undertake event-based outreach such as side events at COP and other high level regional or global forums, meetings and events • Provide inputs to the Annual Work Planning process to ensure that sufficient resources are secured to carry out activities to implement the Communication Strategy; • Assist the Procurement Associate in procuring necessary human resource or material inputs for implementing the Communication Strategy; • Establish a database of all internal and external communication materials with a corresponding file management system; • Collaborate with national, regional and global media to feed in stories for wider outreach and advocacy of the project and UNDP; • Make necessary arrangements, as needed, for national and foreign media visits to the country in close collaboration with the Government of RMI; • Acts as the media focal person for the project. Undertake systematic capacity development of project team and the Government of RMI: • Analysis of ongoing practices within the Government, especially within the Climate Change and Policy Department, for disseminating information on Government initiatives on climate change; • Identify necessary capacity development activities targeting the Government and PMU staff; • Provide assistance to site coordinators in engaging communities and securing support for project activities. Work closely with UNDP Country Office, Regional Hub in Bangkok and the Headquarters in New York to ensure effective communication of the project activities to the relevant parties: • Ensure that the Project Communication Strategy and its implementation is aligned with the CO communication strategy and plan; • Ensure that all print, digital and audio publications and communication materials are in alignment with UNDP publication guideline and that of GCF; • Produce communication products, as required, to ensure maximum exposure of UNDP and, particularly, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji; • Coordination and management of CO publication activities, such as content management, norms for publishing, design, etc.; • Produce communication materials that demonstrate the contributions of the project towards key development goals such as the SDGs, RMI’s National Strategic Plan (NSP), RMI’s Joint National Action Plan on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management (JNAP), etc.; Lead documentation and data management • Facilitate and compile all project related document including format, template, signed form, training material etc. in the share drive. • Compile, report and reposit complaints, suggestions and requests etc. from relevant stakeholders under grievance redress mechanisms; • Closely work with Monitoring and Reporting Associate to support compiling project progress against Project Results Framework, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Targets and Indicators, Safeguards measurements having ensured triangulation of qualitative, quantitative and impact level data; • Undertake other duties as assigned by the Project Manager; • Provide information about the project progress to UNDP Senior Management as needed. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
Eligibility criteria
Age
18 – 80
Additional eligibility criteria
This assignment is funded by the Government of Japan, therefore only Japanese nationals are eligible to apply.
Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
Donor priorities
–
Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in public relations, communications, advocacy or community engagement is required Demonstrated expertise in communication and advocacy with government or community; Experience on working in the Pacific or sub-tropical environment – ideally in an atoll island environment; Previous experience with a multilateral or international organization is helpful but not mandatory; Working experience at national and/or international level in logistics, event management, photography, social media, or other communications functions is an asset; Experience with photography and videography is an asset, Experience with Core IT software, including Microsoft Word, Adobe editing software, Canva, social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube is an asset; Drafting, formulation and reporting skills. Accuracy and professionalism in written production and editing in English.
Area(s) of expertise
Communication
Driving license
–
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in media studies, international communication, advocacy, social science, political science, international relations or a related field will be given due consideration.
Competencies and values
☒ Accountability ☒ Adaptability and Flexibility ☒ Building Trust ☒ Client Orientation ☒ Commitment and Motivation ☒ Commitment to Continuous Learning ☒ Communication ☒ Creativity ☒ Empowering Others ☒ Ethics and Values ☒ Integrity ☒ Judgement and Decision-making ☒ Knowledge Sharing ☒ Planning and Organizing ☒ Professionalism ☒ Respect for Diversity ☒ Self-Management ☒ Technological Awareness ☒ Vision ☒ Working in Teams
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
The RMI is a small island development state (SIDS) consisting of 29 coral Atolls and 5 single islands. Majuro has limited room availability of accommodate for rent and most of the food supply is relied on import from overseas.
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
