Manager Communications - UNDP (Apply by: 11 May 2014)

Location: New Delhi (Placed within the Ministry of Rural Development ), INDIA

Application Deadline: 11-May-14

Additional Category: Poverty Reduction

Type of Contract: Service Contract

Post Level: SB-3

Languages Required: English

Duration of Initial Contract : One Year (Extendable)

Background

The Government of India launched the “National Rural Livelihood Mission” (NRLM) in June 2011 after restructuring its flagship scheme “Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana” (SGSY). This had been done in view of the shortcomings pointed out by various independent evaluation/research studies and recommendations by various committees and the experience of implementation of the programme over the last ten years. The NRLM functions in a mission mode for target based time bound delivery of outcomes following a demand driven approach which would allow the states to formulate their own poverty alleviation plans on the basis of available allocation, resources and skills. The Budget requirement for NRLM is Rs. 20, 000 crore for the 12th plan.

Aajeevika Skills is a sub-mission under NRLM. It has evolved out of the need to:

• Cater to the occupational aspirations of the rural youth who are poor; and
• To diversify incomes of the rural poor.

UNDP is partnering with the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) for the “Governance and Accelerated Livelihood Support” (GOALS) project which will focus on strengthening the effectiveness of key MoRD programmes to improve sustainable livelihoods in areas affected by left-wing extremism, helping improve the efficiency, accountability and inclusiveness of MGNREGP and NRLM; and helping “green” MGNREGP, NRLM and IAY. 

As part of its support to NRLM, UNDP is looking for a dynamic individual for the position of Manager, Communications for Aajeevika Skills. 

Summary of Key Functions:

The Manger, Communications cell will work under the guidance and supervision of the Head – Marketing and Communications / Head-Operations and Programme Analyst, UNDP. The incumbent will be primarily responsible for supporting Aajeeika Skill in devising communication strategies and multi-media communication content that will help to establish Aajeevika Skills as an aspirational brand amongst its various stakeholders including corporates, skill training and placement agencies, government, political parties, donor agencies, and centrally the rural youth who are the target of the program.  The incumbent will work towards attainment of the results envisaged by Aajeevika Skills to the required standards of quality and within the constraints of time and cost. 

For this, s/he will ensure that Aajeevika Skills:

• Delivers on its objectives; and
• Achieves its goals at state and district levels.

S/he will undertake any other task assigned by the Joint Secretary, Aajeevika Skills and Programme Analyst, UNDP.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Manager – Communications will pay a key role in ensuring that Aajeevika Skills  is well recognized as the benchmark program in the skill sector   and it maintains a high profile and reputations amongst its partners.

Thematic Responsibilities:

• Support the continual development and execution of a strong and effective communication and outreach strategy;
• Build demand for Aajeevika Skills amongst the rural youth of poor families and amongst emplyers and skillig and placement partners;
• Lead the content creation , design and management in all of Aajeevika Skills communication channels including digital , print , multi-media and social media;
• Create and manage production of all types of marketing materials and Information, Education and Communication materials such as brochure, newsletters , presentations, briefing notes for senior officers , media releases and others;
• Be the custodian of Aajeevika Skills knowledge repository;
• Liaise and coordinate with all teams at HQ and states to prepare periodic knowledge works , communication and marketing materials including collation of Best Prcatices;
• Provide support to the partnership team;
• Organize Events, meets , workshops and participate in meets to promote Aajeevika Skills;
• Also help develop plans to facilitate smooth internal communication including use of effective online collaboration tools for dispersed teams as well as learning and development initiative of internal teams;
• Other tasks that may be assigned from time to time.

Operational Responsibilities:

• Develop strategic and annual action plans for the Unit as well as resource plans;
• Develop TORs and procurement documents for contracting communication and marketing agencies;
• Supervise timely and effective deliverables from contracts;
• Provide technical support state communications team;
• Ensure timely and effective preparation of Budgets for the Unit, monitor budgets and related financial reporting;
• Conduct events and capacity building / training workshops;
• Design, develop and disseminate related outreach materials;
• Fulfil reporting requirements of the program;
• Any other related matter.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:-

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise:

• Knowledge about  Skilling sector;
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and  different communication media;
• Good communication, interpersonal and presentation skills, with an ability to work in a multi-cultural environment;
• Ability to work independently and also with high team spirit.

Building Strategic Partnerships:

• Peoples’ orientation and the ability to work with people;
• Establish, build and sustain effective relationships, partnerships and alliances, advocate effectively and communicate sensitively;
• Strong networks across diverse sectors at leadership levels;
• Result-orientation and ability to develop strategic approaches;
• Identifies problems and propose solutions;
• Demonstrates extremely strong influencing and facilitation skills.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing:

• Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things;
• Builds staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
• Shares knowledge across the organization and builds a culture of knowledge sharing and learning.

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrates/safeguards ethics and integrity;  
• Builds and promotes effective teams using mentoring and conflict resolution skills;
• Works as a team member;
• Facilitates and encourages open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
• Demonstrates corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Ability to work independently and under pressure;
• Schedules activities to ensure optimum use of time and resources; monitors performance against development and other objectives and corrects deviations from the course;
• Self-development, initiative-taking;
• Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking;
• Approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.  

Required Skills and Experience

Education:   

Graduate degree in any field. Specific qualification graduate or masters degree in the field of Mass Communication, Journalism and other specific IEC fields would be an asset.

Experience:  

• A minimum of 4 years of experience in  development sector;
• Experience in communications for education/ skilling sector would be desirable;
• Experience in handling PR / marketing events;
• Proven experience in design and development of communication content independently for newsletters, brochures, presentations or website;
• Experience in orienting / training / counselling of students and prospective clients;
• Experience in internal communication strategies and activities.

Language: 

• Fluency in English and Hindi is essential;
• Knowledge of regional language(s) would be an asset.

Others:

Willingness to travel extensively.

Remuneration package is Rs. 70,389 per month (taxable). 

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

For Apply Visit: https://jobs.undp.org/cj_apply.cfm?cur_job_id=46054