Research, Information and Communications Advisor Career Opportunity

The Government of Kenya and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Kenya Country Office invites applications from suitably qualified persons for the position of Research, Information and Communications Advisor in the Ministry of State for Planning, National Development and Vision 2030.

Job title: Research Information and Communications Advisor
Vacancy Number: 2008-10-001
Type of Appointment: Service Contract Level 5
Recruitment type: National Project Professional Officer
Location/ Duty Station: Nairobi/ Kenya
Organizational Unit: Empowerment Unit
Closing date: 11 November 2008

1. BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION

The Ministry of State for Planning, National Development and Vision 2030 is charged with the overall responsibility for the formulation, coordination and implementation of national development policies.

To effectively discharge this mandate, the Ministry, in partnership with the UNDP will support an advisory position to provide overall and comprehensive information and communications support to the Ministry, particularly during the implementation of Kenya's long term policy blueprint, the Kenya Vision 2030 and its first medium term plan 2008-2012.

The aim of the Kenya Vision 2030 is to create "a globally competitive and prosperous country with a high quality of life by 2030". Aiming at propelling the country to a middle income status by 2030 the vision will be operationalised through 5 year successive Medium Term Plans (MTP), the first of which is the 2008-2012.

The first Medium Term Plan 2008-2012 succeeds the Economic Recovery Strategy for Wealth and Employment Creation 2003-2007 and identifies the key policy actions and reforms as well as Programmes and projects that the Grand Coalition Government envisages to implement in the next five years.

The position of a Research, Information and Communications Advisor will strengthen the provision of professional information and communications needs to the Ministry and includes the development of an overall ministerial Information Education and Communications (IEC) strategy to strengthen the campaign, dissemination, advocacy and the information-sharing objective of the Vision 2030.

As outlined in the 1st MTP, an integrated and comprehensive IEC strategy will contribute to rallying the nation behind the overall objectives of the MTP and the Vision 2030. The position itself, would provide necessary expertise in development and implementation of this strategy, editorial and publications development leadership as well as the capacity to guide the Ministry in the conceptualisation and development of the full range of communication products and activities that will ensure that Kenya Vision 2030 becomes an integral part of the Kenyan culture.

Contributions under the position aims at strengthening the Ministry's capacity to communicate its economic policy imperatives under the overall framework of Kenya Vision 2030 and appropriately talking of broad related policy streams. It is expected that the assistance will contribute to enhancing the Ministries public profile through both the print and electronic media, but even more so in the development and production of communication products that define and underline the national policy environment.

2. SPECIFIC TASKS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION
The responsibility under the position will require the person to serve as a core team member in the planning and execution of key ministry activities and projects, and the person will be expected to provide training, leadership and direction in this particular area of expertise and as when the need arises.

The specific tasks, functions as well as deliverables for this position will include the following:

1. Provision of leadership in the development and implementation of an overall Information Education and Communications (IEC) Strategy that will support the national dissemination, advocacy and information sharing objective of Kenya Vision 2030;

2. The provision of leadership in the development of appropriate policy and communications guidelines as well as key Vision 2030 messages that will assist the Ministry and its leadership in mounting a coordinated, professional campaign and dissemination of the key Vision 2030 policies, priorities and the unfolding progress;

3. The provision of high level professional communications advice/support in the development and production of key ministerial policy publications; web content and all other related communication products;

4. The provision of advisory support to other Ministry departments and directorates in the planning and execution of communications activities that help in the delivery of their various mandates in line with Vision 2030;

5. The provision of leadership in conceptualising related small¬time communications researches that lead to proactive and timely engagement with the mass-media, including response mechanisms;

6. The provision of advisory support in the development and execution of a framework for the proper distribution system for ministerial communication products as well as a Monitoring and Evaluation system for the impact of communication activities;

7. The conceptualisation and organisation of relevant capacity-building programmes that enhance the capacity of the ministry to effectively champion Kenya Vision 2030 and its related policy streams;

8. In addition the person will be expected to contribute to and participate in a number of activities, such as membership to various implementing committees and taskforces, within the Public Sector and key Government institutions, and supervision of assignments and tasks as directed by the Minister and the Permanent Secretary.

3. EXPERTISE, COMPETENCIES AND ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION
This is a senior advisory position that works closely with the top organs of the Ministry of State for Planning, National Development and Vision 2030. It therefore calls for a commensurate level of maturity, excellent interpersonal skills as well as excellent academic credentials that is coupled with extensive professional and hands-on experience.

A) EDUCATION
An advanced degree (at least master's degree) in any area of the humanities and social sciences coupled with knowledge and experience of the public/ international sector in a policymakirlg environment.

B) WORK EXPERIENCE
A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in providing strategic analysis and policy advice, including experience in complex public sector and international organizations required.

C) COMPETENCIES

I) Professionalism:

• Ability to support and position the Ministry's leadership to achieve its overall vision and objectives;
• Excellent analytical and strategic thinking abilities;
• Capacity to synthesize and communicate complex issues clearly and effectively;
• Experience with conducting, supervising or commissioning of research is desirable;

II) Planning and organizing:

• Ability to advise on and implement activities consistent with agreed strategies within the context of the Ministry's •mandate;
• Ability to identify strategic issues, provide analysis and solve problems;
• Ability and experience in conducting effective networking and communications with the media, NGOs, government officials, international institutions, private sector, etc.;
• Discretion and sound judgment in applying expertise to highly complex and/or sensitive issues;
• Strong diplomacy skills;

III) Communication:

• Highly developed communication (spoken, written, public speaking and presentation) skills, including ability to present sensitive issues/positions;
• Manage and advise on external relation;
• A conceptual and strategic mind with an exceptional ability to prepare messages for a variety of targeted audiences;
• Production/publication of policy documents as well as the ability to craft official policy statements;

IV) Teamwork:

• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals;

V) Accountability:

• Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments;
• Operates in compliance with Ministry's regulations and rules;

VI) Language

• For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required.
  
• Knowledge of Swahili is desirable.

VII) Other skills

• Extensive hands-on experience with todays multi-media environment and an ability to take charge and give direction in the professional areas of print, electronic, publications and web media in order to advance the overall ministerial communications objective.
• Fully proficient in computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications, e.g. word processing, presentation and graphics software, databases, Internet, etc required.

4. REMUNERATION
The remuneration for this position shall be determined on the basis of individual experience and qualifications, and in accordance with the criteria and earnings set by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for similar advisory positions and levels of responsibility.

5. SUPERVISION AND REPORTING
The holder of this position shall report directly to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of State for Planning, National Development and Vision 2030, but will also be expected to answer to, and work closely as directed with the Minister responsible. He/She will on a day to day basis be expected to be working closely with the various Heads of Directorates and Departments as well as other staff in the ministry.

6. TERMS OF SERVICE
The Incumbents to these positions shall be entitled to an attractive remuneration package commensurate with their qualfications and experience, which will be negotiated with the successful applicants.

This is a non-staff contract under the Service Contract modality of hiring of the UNDP. Individuals engaged under a SC serve in their individual capacity and not as representatives of a government institution, corporative body or other authority external to UNDP.

Therefore the incumbents shall not be considered as staff of UNDP, the UN system or the Government and therefore are not entitled to any diplomatic privileges, or to any other special status or conditions.

Duration
The successful applicants shall be recruited for a period of twelve (12) months, with annual renewal depending on satisfactory performance and availability of funds, for the duration of the project.

7. APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Interested candidates who meet the above qualifications may send their applications to email address jobs.ke @ undp.org, quoting the vacancy number and post title on the subject line. Applications should have a cover letter, curriculum vitae, information on current remuneration package, names and contacts of three referees. Internal candidates should submit an updated United Nations Personal History form (P.11) and their two most recent performance appraisals.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

• The position is open to suitably qualified Kenyan citizens .only
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered
• Only those candidates who are short-listed for interviews will be notified

UNDP is an equal opportunity employer and strives to achieve an overall balance in its staffing patterns

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