Communications Officer

Preamble:

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers. In most cultures volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UN Volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities.

In all assignments, UN Volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive.

1. UNV Assignment Title: National UNV Communications Officer

2. Type of Assignment: National UN Volunteer

3. Project Title: UNODC Country Program in Vietnam

4. Duration: 1 year

5. Location, Country: Ha Noi City, Viet Nam

6. Expected Starting Date: As soon as possible

7. Brief Project Description: Communication and policy advocacy activities to ensure adequate and appropriate messaging of UNODC activities in a framework of One UN in Vietnam.

8. Host Agency/Host Institute: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) – Viet Nam Country Office

9. Organizational Context:

The mission of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is to contribute to the achievement of security and justice for all by making the world safer from drugs, crime, corruption and terrorism.

UNODC is mandated to assist Member States in strengthening the Rule of Law and Justice in order to ensure proper enforcement of legislation and policy documents and due legal protection to the people, especially to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.

UNODC country programme for 2012-2017 translates this vision into a platform for action in Viet Nam and gives strategic direction to the UNODC Country Office in its future work. In line with UNODC mandates, this country programme responds to these challenges through five inter-related sub-programmes: (i) transnational organized crime and illicit trafficking; (ii) anti-corruption and money laundering; (iii) terrorism prevention; (iv) criminal justice; and (v) drug demand reduction and HIV/AIDS.

UNODC in Viet Nam is part of the One UN and as such has contributed to the strengthened Rule of Law, Legal and Judicial framework in the country.

10. Type of Assignment Place: assignment with family

11. Description of tasks:

Under the overall oversight of the Country Manager and direct supervision of the Program Specialist, and in cooperation with the UN Communications Team, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Support UNODC events, workshops and forums by developing communications plans aligned with UNODC Annual W ork Plan and the One Plan for 2012-2016.
• Facilitate UNODC - media and community relations and ensure all media coverage of UNODC is monitored and reported to staff and the regional office.
• In coordination with the UN Viet Nam Communications team, write press releases, media advisories and assist the Program Specialist or other Program Officers in drafting speeches when needed.
• Support internal communication within UNODC and with the regional office in Bangkok by circulating a list of upcoming dates to office staff on a monthly basis and updating office notice board.
• Provide technical support to the Program Specialist in implementing UNODC activities, including generating research studies and policy activities carried out by UNODC.
• Photograph/coordinate photography and develop written stories and /or press releases at UNODC events and field missions.
• Manage a photo bank and hard and soft filing for archiving of photos, stories and press coverage.
• In liaison with the UN Communications Team and the UNODC Program Specialist maintain up to date information on UNODC activities on the UN Viet Nam, and UNODC country, regional and HQ websites, as well as prepare advocacy materials, as required;
• Undertake other activities as requested by UNODC Country Manager and Program Specialist.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to:

• Strengthening their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and taking active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark IVD);
• Getting acquainted with and building on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Reflecting on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
• Contributing articles/write-ups on field experiences and submitting them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assisting with the UNV Program for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promoting or advising local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encouraging relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever
• technically

12. Results/Expected Output:

• The UNODC communications plan and policy advocacy activities are implemented with quality and in a timely fashion, with the support from the UNV International Program in order to ensure adequate and appropriate messaging of UNODC in Vietnam.
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

13. Qualifications/Requirements:

Education background:

• Relevant undergraduate degree, and preferably with Master’s degree, in journalism, development or related fields

Work experience:

• At least one year of relevant working experience in communications and media;
• Relevant working experience in Gender and other social/development issues;
• Understanding the UNODC mandate; strong conceptual, understanding and analytical skills on issues under UNODC mandate, as they link with poverty and human development;
• Knowledge of relevant gender issues in Viet Nam or other Asian countries is an asset;
• Previous volunteer experience is desired;
• Work experience with another international organization would be an asset.

Competencies:

• Strong communication, advisory, networking and advocacy skills
• Strong analytical and conceptual thinking
• Excellent written and presentation skills (English)
• Ability to adapt in a new working environment and work in a multi-cultural team and to deliver
• under resource constraints
• Ability to cope with pressure/meet deadlines

Computer skills:

• The necessary computer skills with competence in MS Word, MS Excel, Power Point, Netscape/MS Outlook and internet research are required

Language skills:

• Fluency in English is essential;
• Knowledge of Vietnamese is an asset.

14. Living Conditions:

The incumbent will live in Ha Noi which has most of the economic and social amenities at a reasonable cost. Depending on living arrangements, housing can be expensive. Security is good. Ha Noi has a humid, tropical climate and monsoons. Summers, between May and September, are very hot with plenty of rain, while winters, from November to March, are cold and relatively dry.

15. Conditions of Service

A 12-month contract with possible extension; monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA) intended to cover housing, basic needs and utilities, equivalent to 10,029,815VND, Settling-in-grant (if applicable), life, health and permanent disability insurance, moving cost (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.

16. Application

Interested candidates are encouraged to send detailed curriculum vitae with letter of application in English by the latest June 15, 2014 to Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Hien at [email protected].

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.