Title:  National Communications Expert

​Requisition ID: 3675 
Grade: SB5 - Local Professional (Mid-Level & Senior) 
Country: Ghana 
Duty Station: Accra 
Category: National Consultant 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Contract Duration: 3 months
Application deadline: 2 May 2024

Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
Only nationals or permanent residents of the country of the duty station are considered eligible. 
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.
 

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability. The mission of UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declaration adopted at the fifteenth session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2013 as well as the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the eighteenth session of UNIDO General Conference in 2019, is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in Member States. The relevance of ISID as an integrated approach to all three pillars of sustainable development is recognized by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will frame United Nations and country efforts towards sustainable development. UNIDO’s mandate is fully recognized in SDG-9, which calls to “Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”. The relevance of ISID, however, applies in greater or lesser extent to all SDGs. Accordingly, the Organization’s programmatic focus is structured in four strategic priorities: Creating shared prosperity; Advancing economic competitiveness; Safeguarding the environment; and Strengthening knowledge and institutions.

Each of these programmatic fields of activity contains a number of individual programmes, which are implemented in a holistic manner to achieve effective outcomes and impacts through UNIDO’s four enabling functions: (i) technical cooperation; (ii) analytical and research functions and policy advisory services; (iii) normative functions and standards and quality-related activities; and (iv) convening and partnerships for knowledge transfer, networking and industrial cooperation. Such core functions are carried out in Divisions/Offices in its Headquarters, Regional Offices and Hubs and Country Offices.

Each of these programmatic fields of activity contains a number of individual programmes, which are implemented in a holistic manner to achieve effective outcomes and impacts through UNIDO’s four enabling functions: (i) technical cooperation; (ii) analytical and research functions and policy advisory services; (iii) normative functions and standards and quality-related activities; and (iv) convening and partnerships for knowledge transfer, networking and industrial cooperation. Such core functions are carried out in Departments/Offices in its Headquarters, Regional Offices and Hubs and Country Offices.

The Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), headed by a Managing Director, oversees the Organization's development of capacities for industrial development as well as industrial policy advice, statistics and research activities and the Organization's normative contribution to Member States and global development community in achieving the SDGs. The Directorate also ensures the application of strategies and interventions for sustainable industrial development related to Environment, Energy, SMEs, Competitiveness and Job creation, as well as Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence. Through coordination in-house and with Member States and industry stakeholders, it ensures that the services provided in these areas contribute toward effective and appropriate technical, business and policy solutions and are focused on results and on realizing any potential for scaling up and positioning UNIDO as a leading platform for industrial development in developing countries and global fora.

The Division of Circular Economy and Environmental Protection (TCS/CEP) contributes to greener and more circular industries and products by minimizing both resource use along value chains and the emission of pollutants to the environment. The Division promotes just transitions to circular economies, reduced release of pollutants into the environment and other green industrial and economic approaches to help Member States to grow economically while simultaneously addressing the three planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. It does so by supporting resource efficiency increases in the manufacturing and use of products along value chains and during the life cycle of the product; by reducing or eliminating the emission of non-fuel-related greenhouse gas emissions; and by assisting in achieving the objectives of and compliance with multilateral environmental agreements. In doing so, its activities further improve competitiveness, as well as the development of and access to markets, particularly for SMEs. This contributes to climate-neutral, resilient, pollution-free industrial development, supporting co-existence that is in harmony with nature.

The Division acts as the focal point in UNIDO for various multilateral environmental agreements and multilateral co-operation in the field of the environment, including the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer; the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants; the Minamata Convention on Mercury, and emerging international, legally binding instruments such as the instrument to End Plastic Pollution; the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), and other partnerships such as the Green Growth Knowledge Platform (GGKP), the Partnership for Action for Green Economy (PAGE), the Green Industry Platform (GIP) and other relevant international initiatives and conventions. The Division coordinates its advisory and service delivery with the services offered by other technical departments, and other relevant organizational entities of UNIDO.

This position is located under the Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency Unit (TCS/CEP/CER) which is responsible for supporting capacity development to scale up and mainstream the production of sustainable products and adoption of circular and resource-efficient cleaner patterns of consumption and production along value chains, circular economy policies, programmes and practices, including circular business models that improve the profitability of industries while creating social and environmental benefits. In addition, it promotes nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches for inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) that support the co-existence of industries in harmony with nature. In addition, it facilitates the design of sustainable products made with fewer materials, with greater durability, reliability, reparability, reusability and recyclability, and supports the deployment of new business models that improve environmental performance.

PROJECT CONTEXT

Project 210154 "Ghana Circular Economy Centre" will create a Circular Economy Centre that will serve as the hub to enable an effective environment for the circular economy in Ghana, by bringing together actors to coordinate and mobilize support to scale up successful circular economy business and technology concepts. The Centre will assist Ghanaian organizations and small-scale entrepreneurs, to develop and deploy innovative circular economy technology solutions in their businesses and social enterprises while generating environmentally sustainable employment in Ghana. It will also mobilize financing from the private sector for the commercialization of successful piloted technologies. Capacity building and training activities will specifically focus on the needs of women and youth to encourage their full participation in the circular economy. The Centre will ensure that workers within key industries, such as waste management, agro-processing, agriculture and plastics, and particularly the informal sector, can take advantage of new circular economy opportunities. Through policy briefs and advocacy materials, the Project will provide evidence to policymakers to enable a just transition to a circular economy in Ghana.

Working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, the Centre will be based in an established institution to be determined during the course of the project. The Host Institution for the Centre and Value Chain Lead institutions will provide the requisite local expertise, quality testing, prototyping and laboratory facilities and a core focus on innovation, entrepreneurship and technical skills.

The Project will develop locally designed circular economy technologies and models that can be scaled within the country and West African region, and increase Ghana's industrial competitiveness from material productivity and resource efficiency. Beyond its contributions to Ghana's economic growth and climate action, the initiative will reinforce Ghana's leadership in West Africa. Ghana is one of the fastest growing economies on the continent, currently chairing the ECOWAS, hosting the African Continental Free Trade Agreement Secretariat, and positioning itself to become a regional leader in waste and plastic pollution management. Private sector resources and expertise will be leveraged through investment and collaboration on high-impact solutions, to stimulate sustainable economic growth in support of development.

The Project will coordinate with and complement the Global Environment Facility funded project 190244 "Establishing a circular economy framework for the plastic sector in Ghana".

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

In the framework of the Ghana Circular Economy Centre Project, and under the overall guidance of the Project Manager at UNIDO Headquarters in Vienna as well as in close cooperation with the National Technical Experts involved in the project implementation, the expert will be responsible for the following main duties.

1. Develop an effective project communication strategy supported by a communication plan.
2. Elaborate a database of supported persons, institutions, enterprises and stakeholders.
3. Build up a photographic/video catalog of activities related to the project.
4. Provide advice and guidance to project staff on communication matters. Develop concepts for a number of promotional tools to create better visibility and prompt participation from all stakeholders.
5. Support the realization of project activities (incl. trainings, seminars, workshops) in terms of visibility, design, promotion, communication, etc.
6. Organize initiatives and plan visibility events or press conferences.
7. Create accounts on social media portals to disseminate project information including events, workshops and results (e.g. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, as required).
8. Update website with new and useful content using the website content management system.
9. Develop quarterly newsletter and dissemination strategy for printed and electronic materials.
10. Identify and select qualified media houses.
11. Identify and create promotional materials for specific target audience/beneficiaries, stakeholders and general public.
12. Support the project team in preparing narrative reports, presentations and in formatting various documents, retrieval of project data and graphical design of documents for steering committee meetings and other meetings with project beneficiaries.
13. Monitor implementation of communication strategy, including website traffic, recipients of communications, etc.
14. Draft content (e.g. press releases) for mass media or project electronic media and web pages.
15. Collect/receive information from project partners and assist in synthesizing and communicating relevant information to stakeholders. Assist in ensuring proper circulation of relevant information to staff and stakeholders.
16. Store and retrieve key information e.g. reports, documents, pictures and information from project partners. Manage in-house library and Project literature.
17. Communicate internally with staff at all levels, as necessary, and communicate externally as may be necessary, in relation to project visibility.
18. Any other project-related assignment provided by the Project Manager, including submission of final report to UNIDO.

.MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education:

Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in the area of communication, publishing or closely related field, is required.

Technical and Functional Experience:

• At least five (5) years of professional experience in communications or publishing is required.
• Experience in technical cooperation communication is required.
• Prior demonstrated familiarity with environmental issues, such as experience with resource efficient and cleaner production, circular economy, global value chains, MSMEs or other related areas of work, is required. 
• Experience with graphic design, photography, videography, and media management software (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Canva, Mailchimp, etc.) is required.
• Experience with web content creation and management tools like WordPress, Drupal, and/or Joomla is desirable.
• Experience in researching and analyzing information independently, making linkages with the strategic vision of the Organization and recommending solutions is desirable.

Languages:

Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of the local language is required.

REQUIRED VALUES AND COMPETENCIES

Core values:

WE LIVE AND ACT WITH INTEGRITY: work honestly, openly and impartially.

WE SHOW PROFESSIONALISM: work hard and competently in a committed and responsible manner.

WE RESPECT DIVERSITY: work together effectively, respectfully and inclusively, regardless of our differences in culture and perspective.

Key competencies:

WE FOCUS ON PEOPLE: cooperate to fully reach our potential –and this is true for our colleagues as well as our clients. Emotional intelligence and receptiveness are vital parts of our UNIDO identity.

WE FOCUS ON RESULTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: focus on planning, organizing and managing our work effectively and efficiently. We are responsible and accountable for achieving our results and meeting our performance standards. This accountability does not end with our colleagues and supervisors, but we also owe it to those we serve and who have trusted us to contribute to a better, safer and healthier world.

WE COMMUNICATE AND EARN TRUST: communicate effectively with one another and build an environment of trust where we can all excel in our work.

WE THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AND INNOVATE: To stay relevant, we continuously improve, support innovation, share our knowledge and skills, and learn from one another.

This appointment is limited to the specified project(s) only and does not carry any expectation of renewal.
Employees of UNIDO are expected at all times to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity, both at work and outside. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for jobs at UNIDO.

All applications must be submitted online through the Online Recruitment System. Correspondence will be undertaken only with candidates who are being considered at an advanced phase of the selection process. Selected candidate(s) may be required to disclose to the Director General the nature and scope of financial and other personal interests and assets in respect of themselves, their spouses and dependents, under the procedures established by the Director General.

Visit the UNIDO website for details on how to apply: www.unido.org

NOTE: The Director General retains the discretion to make an appointment to this post at a lower level.

Notice to applicants:
UNIDO does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. If you have received a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Vacant positions within UNIDO are advertised on the official UNIDO website. Should you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of UNIDO and requesting payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unido.org