UNDP - UN Millennium Campaign Jobs: Kick Out Poverty Campaign Co-ordinator

The United Nation's Development Programme (UNDP) office in Kenya, wishes to invite applications from interested and qualified candidates, for the following position on behalf of the United Nations Millenium Campaign (UN MC) office in Nairobi.

Vacancy No. 2009-0-006

Post Title: Kick Out Poverty Campaign Co-ordinator

Type of Appointment: Service Contract Band 4

Recruitment type: National Project Professional Officer

Location/Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya

Duration of Assignment: 12 months with a possibility of extension

Starting Date: October / November 2009

Direct Supervisor: Africa Deputy Director


Background

In the year 2000, all 189 governments of the world agreed to meet eight goals that will end extreme poverty by 2015 - The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs are a unique international agreement that are time-bound, measurable and have the public commitment of every Head of State in the world.

All eight MDGs are achievable by 2015, but only if governments live up to their promises.

The Millennium Campaign is the inter-agency of the United Nations formed to mobilise citizens around the world to advocate with their governments to meet the Millennium Development Goals.

Working in more than 30 rich and poor nations, the Campaign partners with non-profit non-governmental organizations and civil society in general from the international to the local level to inspire grassroots movements toward the achievement of the MDGs.

The UN Millennium Campaign Africa works with civil society organizations, parliamentarians, local authorities, youth, media, faith-based organisations and the private sector.

For the first time ever, Africa will host the FIFA World Cup in Johannesburg, South Africa. The World Cup in 2010 offers a fantastic opportunity for mass mobilization for the MDGs.

The World Cup could be used as a platform to organise many memorable public mobilisation actions and re-position the MDG campaign strategically both within Africa and globally.

From a communications perceptive the concept offers a great opportunity to get media coverage and ultimately raise the profile of the campaign. Prior to the World Cup the UNMC plans to launch a pan-African campaign under the theme: "Kick Poverty out ol Africa".

The Africa Office will invite all National Campaigns to carry out activities linked to the proposed theme. The campaign will aim at putting impetus behind the campaign for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

Organizational Context

Under the over-all guidance and supervision of the Africa Deputy Director of the UN Millennium Campaign, the Kick Out Poverty Campaign Coordinator will work with partners across the continent to identify opportunities for leveraging on the upcoming FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

The principal role of the Kick Out Poverty Campaign Coordinator will be to contribute to the development and coordination of the implementation of the "Kick out poverty" campaign.

The candidate will be expected to contribute to the development of a pan-African engagement strategy for the World Cup whose overall objective will be to highlight the issue of poverty in Africa and use the World Cup as a platform for holding world leaders accountable for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

Based in Nairobi, with frequent travel to Johannesburg, the Kick Out Poverty Campaign Coordinator is required to quickly become knowledgeable of the status of the Millennium Development Goals in Africa and foster the key stakeholders involved in the World Cup including FIFA, UN offices across the continent as well as key partners in the region/country.

The Kick Out Poverty Campaign Coordinator must be familiar with print, electronic and web media dynamism and capable of undertaking strategic communications and public relations for the UN Millennium Campaign.

Description of Responsibilities:

Functions/Key Results Expected

1. Facilitate the production and implementation of a Kick Out Poverty Campaign strategy focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Produce and operationalise "Kick out Poverty" advocacy and campaign strategy across Africa.
• Actively support the development of national actions plans for the Kick Out Poverty Campaign.
• Support national fundraising initiatives to support proposed activities.
• Identify partnership opportunities for the campaign.
  
• Understand media dynamism and public relations as well as perform as a spokesperson on key issues related to MDGs, as and when required under instructions.

2. Contribute to the planning and designing of strategies for communications and media outreach:

• Design and implement a communication and outreach strategy for the "Kick Out Poverty Campaign.

3. UN Inter-Agency Collaboration and Partnership with Key Constituencies:

• Strengthen inter-agency collaboration, particularly with various UN specialized agencies and UN Country Teams in order to implement joint national campaign strategies.
• Explore further sustainable partnerships with private sector, civil society, youth and media in support of the Campaign.
• In conjunction with the communication team members of the UN Millennium Campaign and the UNCT produce communication tools for the campaign. Ensure high quality delivery and accountability.

Key Results Expected

• Strategic MDG Campaign and Advocacy Plan with high impact messages;
• Increased and regular exposure of the Kick Out Poverty Campaign and the MDGs through coordinated and sustainable alliances with media and through systematic release of news articles and feature stories using Quad Media (TV, radio, print, and internet) and events management.
• Strengthened advocacy campaigns to influence policy environment to support increased action towards addressing the MDGs least likely to be achieved.
• Enhance multi-sectoral support for the MDG advocacy campaigns at national and local levels by linking with networks with government, private sector and civil society organizations to advocate for policies and increased funding for social sectors and MDGs less likely to be realized.
• An up-to-date and effective input into the campaign website, with clear messaging.
• Information materials for broadcast, print and web-based posting.
• Well-managed events across Africa.

Competencies

• Strong understanding and knowledge of development issues and campaigning experience.
• Willingness to work for ambitious advocacy programme and ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to advocate for achievement of MDGs and provide technical support on communication strategy.
• Actively work towards continuing personal learning and development.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Proficiency in the use of the internet and PC applications.
• Strong attention to details and the ability to work under great pressure and tight deadlines.
• Proven ability to
  

1. take initiative and work independently with limited supervision in a multicultural team environment;
   
2. prioritize and multi-task in an organization transcending national boundaries and multiple time zones.

Terms of Service

The incumbent to this position shall be entitled to an attractive remuneration package commensurate with their qualifications 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.

Recruitment

Qualifications Education:

• Advanced Degree in social sciences, communications, journalism, public relations, political science, humanities or other related field.

Experience:

• At least 4 years relevant experience in campaigning, media, public relations-related field and/or communications with a reputable organization.
• Ability to plan effectively and apply in-depth sound technical knowledge and skills in campaigning, media, public relations and events management and communications strategy development.
• Proven track record to engage and mobilize key constituencies at the national and local level (e.g. with civil society, media, private sector and local authorities).
• Excellent analytical, writing and communication skills with the ability to conceptualise, articulate and debate issues related to MDGs.
• Ability to build partnerships and manage high-level communications with FIFA, the private sector, media, NGOs, government officials, the UN System in the region and others.
• Good interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills, understanding of African culture and customs are an advantage.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in spoken and written English/French.

Application Procedure

Interested and qualified applicants should submit their job applications and updated CVs - giving details of education and professional experience, as well as names, addresses and day-time telephone numbers and email addresses of three referees to jobs.ke @ undp.org on or before Friday, 18th September 2009

Additional Considerations

1. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
2. Acknowledgements will be sent only to applicants who strictly meet the requirements of the position.
3. Everything being equal, women candidates shall be given preference.

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