Visibility and Communications Officer

In support of the Government of Zimbabwe, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has embarked on the implementation of a five-year Country Programme Document (CPD) 2022-2026.

UNDP focuses on areas that have a multiplier effect through a targeted build-up of capacities, policies, the creation of dialogue space, and scalable downstream interventions. Proposed downstream interventions will seek to provide platforms for citizen engagement in democratic processes and facilitate access to skills, knowledge and new technologies for increased income generation.

In so doing, UNDP Zimbabwe renders its support through the following three programmatic areas:

1. Democratic Governance
2. Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Livelihoods
3. Climate Change and Resilience Building

UNDP works to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, and protect the planet through the sustainable development of nations, in more than 170 countries and territories. We help countries develop strong policies, skills, partnerships and institutions so they can sustain their progress. In Zimbabwe, UNDP is working for a Zimbabwe that is empowered and more resilient to create and sustain growth that will improve people’s lives. We focus on areas that have a multiplier effect through a targeted build-up of capacities, policies, the creation of dialogue space, and scalable downstream interventions.

UNDP Zimbabwe is working with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in Zimbabwe to support the government of Zimbabwe attain its climate goals through the Climate Adaptation Water and Energy Programme (CAWEP). The CAWEP programme aims to support vulnerable communities and institutions’ adaptation and resilience capacity to climate shocks. Through this programme UNDP and FCDO is supporting the development of climate resilient, water and renewable energy infrastructure in vulnerable communities of Zimbabwe to enable (i) continued access to water for productive and household use, including during droughts and floods, and (ii) improved access to clean and affordable energy to support economic activities with the intention of supporting more sustainable livelihoods’ outcomes. The project will align and contribute towards the Government of Zimbabwe's (GoZ) climate change priorities outlined in various strategies, such as its National Development Strategy.

Against this background, the UNDP Zimbabwe Country Office is seeking a Communication officer to support the Project Manager and the other project team members in the communication, implementation, and provision of technical support to the relevant government stakeholders and project participants to achieve the desired project results. The Communication Officer will report to the Project Manager and will work in liaison with the UNDP CO communication team, Partners and Government-nominated project focal points.

Under the direct supervision of The Project Manager, with oversight support from the Nature, Climate, and Energy Team (NCE) team leader. the UN Volunteer will provide support to the implementation of the projects Climate Adaptation, Water and Energy Programme (CAWEP). The UNV will undertake the following tasks:

• Generate and continuously update all project site profiles
• Capture and disseminate project stories, lessons learnt, best practices and project knowledge Products.
• Assistance in the project and UNDP hosting public events such as roundtable discussions, seminars, press conferences, briefing sessions, and interviews, conferences, publicity/outreach events, campaigns and promotional opportunities.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of a communications and knowledge management system for the projects.
• Support social media engagements, including at least weekly releases via UNDP global social media platforms.
• Lead the timely development of project visibility and communications materials
• Support timely project reporting writing and editing.
• Any other related tasks may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs:

• Effective support to the development and implementation of the projects visibility Communications Strategy and Action Plan;
• High-quality visibility communication, reports and information materials as well as well-organized public events that enhance UNDP's position as a strong development partner;
• The UNV gains increased knowledge in climate change adaptation, mitigation, energy and water issues and has gained interest and increased understanding of the development work carried out by UNDP and partners;
• The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs); K Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment; and
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.