Communication Assistant

Communication Assistant – SB3/I

ORGANISATIONAL LOCATION: UN-Habitat in Nepal
DUTY STATION: Lalitpur with frequent visit to Project areas
FUNCTIONAL TITLE: Communication Assistant
DURATION: 1 Year with possibility of extension
CONTRACT MODALITY and Level: Service Contract SB 3/I
OPEN TO: Nepalese Citizen Only
SUPERVISOR: Habitat Programme Manager (HPM), UN-HABITAT Nepal
LINE MANAGER: Project Coordinator
APPROVED BY: Odicea Angelo Barrios, SHSO, ROAP, Japan

Organizational Context:

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the United Nations agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable communities, towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. In collaboration with governments, UN-Habitat is charged with promoting and consolidating collaboration with all partners, including local authorities and private and non-government organizations in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 11, which seeks to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. UN-Habitat has been supporting the government of Nepal and its people since the 1980’s in various areas of human settlements and urban development. It established its office in Kathmandu in 2006 and provides support in the areas of water and sanitation, shelter and land, slum upgrading, green development climate change and urban mobility

Project Background:
The Government of Nepal (GoN) has made strong commitments to achieving the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) and meet the international commitments to promote inclusive and
sustainable development by 2030. Aligned with SDG and the national priorities, the UN system in Nepal has jointly prepared with the Government of Nepal the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023 – 2027. Also, with the Ministry of Urban Development (MOUD) in the lead, GoN has committed to the New Urban Agenda (NUA) for ensuring inclusive and sustainable development of the cities towards achieving the SDGs.

Nepal is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, facing increasing number of landslides, flash floods, extreme heat events, and droughts. Rapid urbanization, coupled with unplanned municipal infrastructure development, exacerbates climate risk and vulnerabilities, disproportionately affecting disadvantaged groups, particularly women and girls. Hence, it is critical that the urban development in Nepal needs to ensure no one is left behind in accessing the benefits, opportunities and services provided by the cites.

The project, “Cities 4 Women: Inclusive and Climate Resilient Urbanization in Nepal Integrating Gender Sensitive and Climate Resilient Urban Planning for Sustainable Cities” jointly funded by EU and USAID, aims to increase the demand for gender-responsive climate-resilient public spaces, generated as proof of concept through enhanced urban planning and design capacity of municipalities. The project will engage with multi-stakeholders: communities, academia, professional bodies, government officials, and policymakers to build a collaborative effort for institutionalizing gender and climate responsive planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring at the national and municipal levels and document the best practices and learnings of wider replication.

The project draws on the collective expertise of UN-Habitat, UNOPS and Cities Alliance, to jointly
implement the project along with other stakeholders at the national and local levels. The project will focus on delivering four outcome areas:

1. National and Local governments follow a gender sensitive and climate resilient approach in their urban planning and budgeting processes.
2. Municipal women officials have leading roles in including women’s voices in local planning and budgetary processes for gender and climate responsive development.
3. Municipalities in Nepal have increased number of gender sensitive and climate resilient projects in their planning process.
4. Municipalities and national knowledge institutions jointly collaborate in generating and sharing knowledge on participatory and inclusive urban planning and gender and climate sensitive initiatives.

Functional and Reporting Relationship
Under the overall supervision of the Habitat Programme Manager (HPM), UN-Habitat Nepal, with dayto-day support to and guidance from the Project Coordinator of the Cities 4 Women project, the Communication Assistant will be responsible in the planning, designing and implementation of the communication activities of the “Cities 4 Women” Project aligned with the project Log Frame. Guided by the overall project agreement between UN-Habitat and USAID and UNOPS/EU, Communication Assistant will work in close collaboration with the project team and coordinate with partner organizations including national, provincial, and local government officials, NGO, communities, UN agencies etc., aligned with donor’s requirements and to lead the overall communication components of the UN-HABITAT Nepal.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Guided by UN-Habitat communication policies, assist in developing a communication plan for the project activities, .
2. Guided by Project Communication and Outreach Strategy, assist in preparing communication, advocacy and promotional materials, project briefs, bulletins, discussion materials, press release, social media content, infographics, photo, video and best practices documentation, review of the publication and dissemination through relevant and wider media networks.
3. Maintains a media network and contacts with civil society, to promote a better understanding of the project and to support advocacy efforts.
4. Contribute to regular news updates on the official website and newsletters for visibility of the Projects through regular communication mechanisms (social media, national and local media and various outlets)
5. Guided by corporate branding work with project team/consultants/implementation partners for the development and dissemination of project findings, advocacy tools, and other products through local and global networks.
6. Representation of UN-Habitat in UN Communication working groups as a focal point.
7. Provide support to Implementing Partners in their project-related communication and related products.
8. Assist in developing a plan for the storage and dissemination of publications to relevant partners and collaborate with the IT and Documentation Assistant for its execution.
9. Ensure all knowledge products are gender and social inclusion sensitive.
10. Perform other related duties as assigned by the HPM and the Project Coordinator.

Qualifications:
Education: Certificate level / Plus 2 (intermediate) with Journalism, Development Communication, Mass Communication, or the related field. Or
Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, Development Communication, Mass Communication, or the related field.

Knowledge, Skills and Competency

• Professionalism: Familiar with the issues of inclusive urban planning, land, livelihood and climate change will be an additional asset; An established track record in communication management of similar nature; Good human relations skills, especially the ability to relate to a wide range of team members and partners; Progressive thinking, ability to work as part of a team and also to achieve work outputs with limited supervision, and a pro-active, energetic and innovative approach to work;.
• Teamwork: Able to work both independently and as part of a team and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization. Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. The candidate
  needs to have experience of working with multiple stakeholders including government, civil society and other partners.
• Planning & Organizing: The candidate should be able to develop clear goals that are consistent with the agreed strategy; able to adapt to a new task and work context quickly and finish all duties within the given timeframe.
• Client orientation: Experience in working with government institutions at national and local level is an advantage. Capable of working in a team and undertaking initiative to ensure smooth relations and open communication within the team and with partners to provide due visibility is required. Professional and courteous attitude and demonstrated ability to work effectively in a stressful environment.

Years of Experience

• Minimum 5 years of working experience for Certificate level in development communication, mass media, mainstreaming journalism or journalistic research, social media handling, content development, audio/visual production or the related work.
• Experience in designing communication materials (paper/video/audio) for mainstream and social media, story writing based on evidence collection, analysis and production of knowledge products.
• Knowledge in the field of inclusive urban planning, livelihood and climate change or related issues and cross-cutting issues such as GESI, LNOB are desirable.
• Training, meetings, community consultation & workshop facilitation skills are desirable.
• Experience of working with the government stakeholders and the local government in the new federal structure.
• Experience of working with UNITED NATIONS system and other international organizations/ projects will be considered as an advantage

Languages

• Excellent command (written and spoken) in English and Nepali language is required.

Computer skill

• Good working knowledge of computer programs including Web.
• design and management, MS Word, Excel, Power Point, in design,
• Canva, photoshop and audio-visual editing software.
• Good hand skills with camera, recording, video shooting and editing
• Good typing and editing skill in Nepali are desirable

CLICK HERE to download the detailed job description of the post.

Submission of Application

• Completed UN Personal History Form (P11). Download from https://unhabitat.org.np/career/career-detail/p11-form.
• A Statement of Interest and suitability (a cover letter) for the position.
• All applications should be submitted on careers@unhabitat.org.np.
• Indicate the position title in your e-mail subject.
• Please note that applications received after the closing date stated below will not be given consideration. Only short-listed candidates whose applications meet the above criteria will be contacted for an interview. In line with UN-Habitat policy on gender equity, applications from female candidates will be particularly welcome. UN-Habitat regrets its inability to reply individually or attend to telephone queries on the advertised posts.
• Deadline for applications: 29 FEB 2024

Note: The post is subject to local recruitment. (Open to Nepalese Citizens Only)

Workforce diversity:

UN-Habitat is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodation to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to unhabitat.nepal@unhabitat.org.np

UN-Habitat has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the UN-Habitat workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to UN-Habitat any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment, and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, UN-Habitat will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

Source: Kantipur Daini, 16 February 2024

Tagged as: Communications Assistant, Lalitpur, NGO INGO