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The United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA), the Leading UN organizations in Reproduce Health and Populations and Development, is recruiting personnel for this post in the Zonal Office at the State

NATIONAL PROGRAMME ASSOCIATE

Post Level: ICS 07

Type of Contract: Service Contract

Duration; One Year, with possible renewal subject to performance

Under the supervision of the Head Zonal offices the national programmes Associate will support the design, and design, plan and contribute to the effective management of UNFPA’s activities in advocacy and communication management.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Participate in the identification and formulation of the country programme and component projects by compiling and analyzing information in the subject areas of UNFPA assistance to the Government.

2. Develop and assists in the implementation of proactive, coherent advocacy and communication strategies to promote UNFPA’s mandate in Reproductive Health, Population and Development, and Youth and improve Agency’s visibility

3.

Analyze and interprets the political, social and economic environment relevant to population and development, reproductive health, gender and youth and identifies opportunities for UNFPA’s advocacy and communication initiatives/interventions.

4. Keep abreast of new policy developments and strategies in RH, P & D, Gender and Youth domains and analyzes policy papers, strategy documents, national plans and development frameworks and prepares briefs and inputs for policy dialogue and technical assistance.

5. Take lead under the directive of the Head of Office in advocacy and resource mobilization by preparing relevant documentation, i.e. project summaries, speeches, donor profiles and participate in donor meetings and public information events, analyze and maintain information and databases on donors and develop database of project profiles for presentation to donors.

6. Prepares and communicates relevant information for evidence-based advocacy for office use. Maintains a functioning network of contacts in the media and civil Society to support advocacy efforts and takes opportunities for advocating for UNFPA’s mandate

7. Establishes, maintains and utilizes a broad network of contacts to keep abreast of issues and to share information.

8. Analyzes selected materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders.

9. Conduct and participate in field monitoring visits, participate in review meetings and evaluation missions and prepare regular inputs to status and progress reports. Analyze basic factors affecting the achievement of results, recommends corrective actions and follow up on recommendations.

• Provide support to the programme implementation by organizing review meetings, reviewing quarterly work plans and proposing corrective actions, as necessary for the Zonal Office.

• Facilitate programme financial management by reviewing and participating in the processing of government requests for advances and direct payments for the Zonal Office.

• Guide project personnel on national execution and programme policies and procedures.

• Coordinate and prepare annual travel plan and field monitoring visits for the Zonal Office.

• Contribute to the creation and sharing of knowledge by synthesizing and documenting findings and lessons learned success stories and best practices, strategies and approaches of the Zonal Office.

• Adapts and disseminates advocacy and communication materials to identified target audiences

• Functions as office main link with the media

. Develops partnerships with individuals, groups and organizations whose support is essential to

The Achievement of UNFPA’s advocacy and communication objectives

Performs any other duties as may be required for achieving programme objectives

Functional Competencies

• Results-based programmes development and management.

* Innovation and marketing of new approaches

• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/Building strategic alliances and

Partners

. Advocacy/Advancing a policy oriented agenda

• Resource mobilization:

Corporate Competencies

*Knowledge sharing/continuous learning

*Integrity/commitment to mandate

*Valuing diversity

*Working in teams

*Communicating information and ideals

*Conflict and self management

*Empowerment/developing people/performance management

*Analytical and strategic thinking

*Results orientation/commitment to excellence

*Appropriate and transparent decision making

Qualifications and Experience

Possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication. Journalism, International Relations, Social Sciences or related fields.

Possess at least 10 years of Experience in advocacy and communications, public relations or journalism.

Possess at least 3 years experience in development of advocacy and communication strategies for development work.

Exposure to international development activities will be a strong asset.

Advocacy and Communications Skills required

*Professional and effective written and oral communication skills in English

*Knowledge of how to gain access to the media by making an issue newsworthy

* Creative response to opportunities in programmes with integrated media, communication and advocacy plans and actions

*Excellence in originating and preparing written material such as issue briefings, technical materials, manuals as well as layouts for use in various communication media

* Ability to edit the work of others to professional written communication standards

* Proficiency in current office software applications is mandatory

Related Programme Skills for all Posts

Because the nature of work of all the above cited posts are programme focused, involving other groups and various time lines and activities, related skills of good time management, managing deadlines and good team relationships are essential. Knowledge of the UN system is desirable for all posts.

METHOD OF APPLICATION

Applications (with a functional e-mail address and mobile numbers) should include a covered letter and detailed curriculum vitae (CV) attached as one file in MS WORD format only. Application should be address to;

The UNFPA Representative, Abuja and forwarded to nigeria.rep@unfpa.org on or before 29 January, 2009. Each application should be clearly marked for each position as follow;

1. Programme Analyst (Gender) NOB (ICS 09)

2. Programme Analyst (RH) NOB (ICS 09)

3. Media Associate ICS07

4. National Programme Associate (Umuahia) ICS 07

5. National Programme Associate (Abuja) ICS 07

Please note that UNFPA will respond only to those applicants in whom it has a further Interest. Kindly alto note that only applications sent by e-mail will be accepted. Qualified women are encouraged to apply.

UNFPA reserves the right to appoint at the indicated or lower level and prior to the closing date