Vanuatu based Consultant – Part-time Communications Mentor

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. And we never give up.

For every child, a future

The Water Sector Partnership 2017-2021 between UNICEF and New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) supports Department of Water Resources (DoWR) to: (1)strengthen the WASH evidence base, information management and understanding of the water related risks facing rural ni-Vanuatu; (2) operationalize the National Implementation Plan (NIP); (3) pilot the Capital Assistance Programme (CAP) for funding a limited number of priority water projects; and (4) strengthen the DoWR’s institutional and technical capacity for them to become a high functioning department that effectively implements the NIP to achieve the goal of 100% access to safely managed drinking water by 2030. One of the areas that required further support to strengthen the internal DoWR is its capacity in planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting on communication activities of the department in support of the 4 objectives.

At the request of the Vanuatu Department of Water Resources (DoWR), UNICEF is hiring a communications mentor. The purpose of this consultancy assignment is to strengthen DoWR capacity to create a plan and implement routine communication activities. This consultancy will specifically build the capacity of DoWR M&E unit communications & water quality officers as well as provincial staff to communicate with donors, partners and water users.

How can you make a difference?

The consultant with technical expertise in communication, will mentor, provide training and support the DoWR communications officer to:

Understand roles and responsibilities of current communication arrangement in DoWR
o Create and follow quarterly workplans inline with the DoWR annual business plan
o Facilitate routine coordination between DoWR, MoH, MoET, Climate Change, NDMO and other relevant communications officers
o Outline current flow of information and current dissemination routes

Address poor water quality results
o Design a strategy to disseminate poor water quality results to stakeholders currently shared at: https://exchange.riscon.solutions/dowr/reporting/dashboards/dwqt-dashboard/
o Develop a campaign to motivate communities to use filters based on preliminary research done for DoWR on water treatment options
o Create a workplan, budget and Terms of References to address implement campaign

Create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
o Consult relevant stakeholders
o Draft communications team standard operating procedures for routine DoWR communication activities such as: website, social media, press releases, global WASH days, water system openings, and contacting media outlets using practical communication channels
o Conduct training for heads of sections and provincial officers on the SOPs as well as

Develop information, education and communication (IEC) plan
o Review existing IEC materials at: https://mol.gov.vu/index.php/en/advocate-awareness,
o Identify gaps in the current advocacy materials
o Create a workplan, budget and Terms of References to address identified gaps

While this consultancy is intended to build the DoWR staff capacity, it may require direct creation of materials by the consultant. It may also be necessary for the consultant to directly initiate activities and communication.

This consultancy will be housed at the DoWR offices but may require travel to remote islands, despite uncomfortable boat and road journeys, limited communication options, and basic living conditions. Given current international COVID related borders restrictions, it is possible that only individuals currently inside Vanuatu will be considered for this position. In order to promote professional and timely behaviour by example, the consultant will create and agree to specific times when they will report and work in the DoWR office.

The consultant will report to the WASH Specialist who is based at UNICEF but provides overall guidance and support to works that the consultant will do with DoWR. From Suva, the WASH Chief will also be involved in oversight of the alignment of the work with UNICEF commitments as per the WASH Strategy and donor commitments to MFAT.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in degree in journalism, communications or other relevant field
• At least 7 years of experience in communications
• English and Bislama communication skills
• Experience mentoring, teaching and building capacity
• Experience writing press releases, contacting media (newspaper, TV and radio) and managing social media accounts
• Experience developing communication campaigns, drafting IEC materials or creating habit formation strategies
• Experience writing standard operating procures, creating communications related workplans and budgets
• Proven communication skills in cross-cultural contexts
• Ability to operate at a high level, in a complex, changing environment, anticipate risk and respond flexibly to changing circumstances
• Strong computing skills, including graphics software
• Understanding of gender and child protection issues

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

DETAILED WORK ASSIGNMENT 

Work Assignment Overview
Tasks/Milestone:	Deliverables/Outputs:	Timeline
Report 1 including daily log for 10 days per month and workplan for first three months	Invoice with list of link to key achievements	1 month after signing contract
Report 2 including: a) daily log for 10 days per month b) update on workplan for DoWR communications activities and c) new workplan for next three months	Invoice with list of link to key achievements	4 month after signing contract
Report 3 including: a) daily log for 10 days per month, b) update on workplan for DoWR communications activities and c) new workplan for final three months	Invoice with list of link to key achievements	7 month after signing contract
Report 4 including: a) daily log for 10 days per month, b) update on workplan and c) final report on DoWR communications activities	Invoice with list of link to key achievements	11 month after signing contract