The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a United Nations organization tasked with helping countries eliminate poverty and achieve sustainable economic growth and human development. Headquartered in New York City, it is the largest UN development aid agency, with offices in 170 countries.

Job Summary

Part of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), the role of the OCHA Liaison Office to the African Union (AU) and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (OCHA-AULO) is to facilitate the OCHA partnership with the African Union, including its eight Regional Economic Communities and Mechanisms (RECs/RMs) and the UNECA on humanitarian action in Africa. The goal of the partnership is to make humanitarian action more effective, strengthen resilience, enhance the predictive, preventive and response capacities of AU humanitarian initiatives and mechanisms and showcase replicable best practice and Africa’s humanitarian tradition.

The OCHA-AU Partnership is based on a 2010 Memorandum of Understanding in three areas: (1) Coordination of humanitarian assistance (2) early warning, disaster preparedness and response and (3) advocacy for the protection of civilians affected by conflict and natural disasters. The MoU is implemented through a mutually agreed multi-year to Plans of Actions. The AULO works with the African Union Commission, RECs/RMs and more than 47 other stakeholders accredited to the AU for a more enabling environment and inclusive humanitarian action in Africa through coordination, liaison, and partnership.

Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the AULO Head of Office and in conjunction with Public Information staff in OCHA Offices in the region countries, the PIO will perform the following duties:

• Initiates and sustains professional relationships with key constituencies. Participates in selecting the information transmitted to those key constituencies. Finds new and creative ways of sharing information with all stakeholders.
• Develop and implement a communications and advocacy strategy to ensure greater visibility and reach on humanitarian issues emanating from key crises on the continent.
• Coordinate with PIOs in the region and AU partners, in support of Public Information activities around the ongoing crises on the continent. Acts as focal point on specific issues, monitoring and reporting on developments, responding to inquiries, etc.
• Ensures implementation of information programs to publicize humanitarian issues and/or major events in the region and with AU partners including monitoring and reporting on progress, taking appropriate follow-up action,
• Monitors and analyzes current events, public opinion, and press, identifies issues, and trends, and advises management on appropriate action/responses.
• Undertakes activities to promote media -coverage (e.g. press conferences, interviews, press seminars and other special activities) of humanitarian issues and/or major evet1ts, to include development of a media strategy and action plan, initiating pro-active media outreach efforts, proposing and arranging press conferences/media coverage, disseminating materials and consulting with press on approach/story angle and other information requests, undertaking appropriate follow-up action and analyzing and reporting on the impact of coverage.
• Produces or oversees production of a specific type or types (e.g. print, broadcast, etc.) of information communications products (e.g. press kits, press releases, feature articles, speeches, booklets, brochures, backgrounders, audiovisual materials, radio spot program.), to include proposing topics, undertaking research., determining appropriate medium and target audience, preparing production plans, writing drafts, obtaining clearances, and finalizing texts, editing copy, and coordinating design approval, printing procedures and distribution.
• Performs other Pl functions as required.

IV. Impact of Results

• High quality public information processes, outputs and products are produced in a timely manner.
• Humanitarian partners have information and materials on the humanitarian situation, the regional response, advocacy needs for humanitarian engagement, support for regional partnership and messaging for humanitarian priorities.
• The AU and continental partners receive consolidated and clear information on the humanitarian crises and response.

1. Professionalism
2. Communication
3. Team work

V. Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Commitment
• Drive for results
• Embracing Diversity
• Integrity
• Self-awareness and self-regulation
• Teamwork

Functional Competencies:

1. Professionalism
2. Communication
3. Team work

Job Requirement

Education: Advanced University degree or bachelor’s degree in public information, Journalism, International Relations, Public Administration, or related experience required

Experience:

• A minimum of five years for an advanced degree and seven years for a bachelor’s degree of direct relevant working experience with the UN, NGO, or government agency required.
• Experience with crisis communications required.
• Experience in the implementation of public information activities in humanitarian emergencies required.
• Humanitarian experience in the field (actual setting where a mission and. or project is being implemented) in emergency situations (complex emergency or natural disaster) is desirable

Language and other skills:

• Fluency in written and spoken English, and proficiency in the language of the duty station required. Knowledge of French would be and advantage