Outreach and Advocacy Adviser (LICA 9)

Result of ServiceThe goal of this function is to contribute to the development and implementation of a communications and media relations strategy to ensure visibility and the effective promotion of the programme. Work LocationGaborone, Botswana Expected durationOne year, with possibility of extension Duties and ResponsibilitiesBACKGROUND: The Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access (ATCMA) SADC programme is implemented jointly by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC). UNIDO is a specialized agency of the United Nations with a unique mandate to promote, dynamize and accelerate industrial development. UNIDO’s vision is a world without poverty and hunger, where industry drives low-emission economies, improves living standards, and preserves the liveable environment for present and future generations, leaving no one behind. Its work is concentrated on three focus areas: ending hunger by helping businesses from farm to fork; stopping climate breakdown by using renewable energy and energy efficiency to reduce industrial greenhouse gas emissions; and supporting sustainable supply chains so that developing country producers get a fair deal and scarce resources are preserved. ITC is the joint technical cooperation agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization (WTO) in charge of the sustainable promotion of trade and exports from developing countries and economies in transition. The ITC aims to make micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in developing countries more competitive in global markets, accelerate economic development and contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Thus, the organization contributes to creating jobs along product value chains and promising services sectors, especially for young people and women. The position is located in the Office for Africa (OA), Division of Country Programmes (DCP), working from the International Trade Centre (ITC) Gaborone Office, Botswana. DCP/OA is responsible for coordinating and managing the development and implementation of several multidisciplinary trade-related technical assistance projects in Africa and coordinates ITC partnership with the SADC Secretariat. The EU-funded Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access (ATCMA) Programme is a continent-wide initiative aimed at sustainably increasing intra-African and EU-Africa trade. In addition to a continental component, the programme foresees five regional components in the ECOWAS, COMESA, SADC, ECCAS and EAC regions, building on existing or previous regional programmes (WACOMP in West Africa, MARKUP in East Africa, PIQAC in Central Africa, RECAMP and SIPS in Southern Africa). The overall focus of this four-year ATCMA SADC Programme is to address market access challenges faced by selected value chains in the West Africa region, through two pillars: 1. Supporting countries to benefit from trade opportunities by enabling them to conform with standards and technical regulations, requiring quality infrastructure and conformity assessment services, as well as by streamlining regulatory and procedural frameworks at the regional and national levels. The programme will help the African countries to benefit from trade opportunities by being able to conform with standards and technical regulations, which requires establishing efficient testing, certification and accreditation mechanisms that conform to the requirements of the SPS and TBT agreements and benefit from international recognition. It will also strengthen governmental institutions in their capacity of creating a more conducive business environment for MSMEs. 2. Maximizing MSME export potential and access to new markets by overcoming constraints or developing enablers like value addition, and export capacities: In order to maximise MSMEs export potential and support them to enter new markets, the Programme will also address other market access constraints or enablers: enhance value addition and export capacities through marketing, labelling, branding strategies, sustainability and environmental issues, technology transfer and processing for export, business promotion through market linkages and capacitate trade and investment support institutions. Support will be provided both at institutional and policy level, as well as at private sector level, with a primary focus on selected key export-oriented regional priority value chains. Particular focus on intra-African exports as well as exports to the EU will be given, so regions can fully exploit their trade-driven growth potential, with a view to contribute to sustainable growth and jobs creation. The ATCMA SADC programme is thematically structured into five components leading to 5 outputs as follows: In relation to Specific Objective 1: • Output 1.1: Market access barriers identified and reduced • Output 1.2: Strengthened quality compliance and standards • Output 1.3: Value-chain revision mechanism facilitated In relation to Specific Objective 2: • Output 2.1: Enhanced value addition and diversification • Output 2.2: Enhanced SME capacities and opportunities for business and export To ensure an overall coherent umbrella ATCMA framework, coordination and complementarity between the Continental component and sub-regional components will be ensured throughout the overall programme implementation. RESPONSIBILITIES: Under the direct supervision of the ITC Programme Coordinator and in close collaboration with the UNIDO Industrial Development Expert and the Regional Programme Manager, the Adviser will be responsible for the following duties: • Contribute to the development and implementation of a programme communications strategy aligned with the programme’s objectives, including an analysis of target audiences, key messages, distribution channels, and performance indicators, in line with the ATCMA overall communications strategy and with gender equity principles. • Contribute to and report on the organization of advocacy and outreach meetings with SADC Secretariat, EU, UNIDO, ITC and other partners and beneficiaries in order to streamline communication process within the programme, align visibility materials and establish action plans. • Contribute to the production of videos, infographics, and photos highlighting the programme’s results, successes, and beneficiary testimonials, creating and maintaining a database of programme´s visual content. • Contribute to the drafting and production of communications products, such as press releases, media invitations, brochures, newsletters and news articles on the activities and outcomes of the programme, based on content provided by ITC and UNIDO experts. • Assist in the preparation of an editorial calendar for social media posts related to the programme and manage the accounts while ensuring audience engagement. • Contribute to the development of content to be published in relevant websites and support its dissemination through social media platforms. • Create and maintain a database of press contacts and institutional partners to enhance the dissemination of information about the programme. • Assist in the planning and coordination of press conferences, briefings, and media events to increase the visibility of programme activities and results; organize media coverage of programme activities • Engage with print, radio, television, and online media to promote workshops and events organized under the programme. • Monitor, analyse, and report on communications approaches, activities and strategies to assess their performance and effectiveness and make adjustments as necessary: • Monitor press publications and compile press reviews following each media engagement. • Keep abreast of the latest trends in communications and maintain expertise in relevant and emerging technologies. • Work in collaboration with the SADC Communications and Public Relations Unit aligned with SADC Policies on Communication. • Performs other duties as required. NOTE – The selected candidate must be available for duty travel for short periods Copyright : The personnel has to ensure that s/he has obtained the necessary permissions with regard to intellectual property rights required to perform his/her services under this consultancy contract and for the subsequent dissemination by ITC in any form. Documentary proof is to be submitted to ITC. Should any license fee be due for the use of copyrighted materials of third parties, the Consultant shall request the prior written permission from ITC. S/he has further to ensure to obtain accreditation to event(s), if required. Qualifications/special skillsEDUCATION: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, digital communications or related field. Note: A first-level university degree in the areas mentioned in combination with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. EXPERIENCE: A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area Experience with international development organizations and/or European Union as donor, in particular in Africa, is desirable Experience in data analytics, data visualization or related area is desirable. COMPETENCIES: ITC core values: Professionalism, Integrity, Respect for Diversity Professionalism: Knowledge of MS Office. knowledge of Enterprise Resource Planning software (SAP), content management systems (SharePoint) collaboration platforms (MS Teams) and shared task tracking tools is desirable Ability to perform a broad range of administrative functions, e.g., budget/work programme, human resources, database management, etc. Ability to apply knowledge of various United Nations administrative, financial and human resources rules and regulations in work situations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches. Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology. LanguagesFluency in English and French, (both oral and written) is required; Knowledge of Portuguese is desirable. Additional InformationThis contract will be administered on behalf of ITC by UNOPS. This vacancy is open for locally residing Botswana nationals. Applicants must be authorized to work in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.