Communication Expert

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 Departments/Offices in its Headquarters, Regional Offices and Hubs and Country Offices.

The Directorate of Digitalization, Technology and Agri-Business (DTA), headed by a Managing Director, coordinates and mainstreams the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) in its technical cooperation, strategic, normative activities aiming at fostering the inclusive and sustainable development in the era of 4IR. The Directorate creates new and innovative technical cooperation deliverables in the areas of trade, investment, technology innovation and agro-industry and agri-business. The Directorate comprises the Department of Digitalization, Technology and Innovation (DTI) and the Department of Agri-Business (AGR).

The Department of Agri-Business (DTA/AGR) provides a range of technical cooperation services to assist developing countries add value to the output of their agricultural sector and generate employment opportunities in off-farm activities for rural communities, thereby contributing to increased food security and a sustainable reduction of poverty. The department provides support for the development of agri-business corridors in developing countries in collaboration with International Financial Institutions. The Department drives the Organization’s mandates of creating shared prosperity and advancing economic competitiveness. It supports initiatives to build human capital and raise total factor productivity through focused vocational training and industrial skills development activities. With its programmes, the Department addresses the root causes of migration and helps alleviate migration pressures at the origin.

This position is located under the Agro-Industries and Industrial Skills Development Division (DTA/AGR/AIS), which provides a range of specialized services and knowhow to address the specific needs of Member States in the industrial processing of nonfood agricultural produce and technical skills development to provide their populations with sustainable livelihoods.

PROJECT CONTEXT:

In view of the long-term structural challenges that Lebanon is facing as well as the profound effects that the subsequent crises are having on its economy, there is ongoing need to support job creation and inclusive economic growth especially for women and youth in the most disadvantaged areas. The Productive Sectors Development Program (PSDP), co-lead by UNIDO and FAO and implemented with UNDP, ILO, UNWOMEN and UNICEF presents a comprehensive approach to supporting the manufacturing (agro-food) and agriculture sectors in Lebanon, identified as having a high potential for job generation for women and youth.

The PSDP was designed to include interlinked activities on the Macro, Meso and Micro levels and present a flagship example for joint service delivery and for promoting the “Delivering as One” approach between the implementing UN agencies. Building on its long-term experience in supporting the agro-food sector in Lebanon, UNIDO’s role on the Meso level is to set up an export promotion centre which will work directly with 25 private sector exporters (50% women-led) on meeting quality standards, integrating product innovation and marketing, and facilitating knowledge sharing and B2B partnerships at the national and international levels. On the micro Level, UNIDO will be providing technical support and training to 15-20 MSMEs and agriculture cooperatives (50% women led), as well as more than 500 individuals (75% women) in value chains that have high potential for job generation for women. The program is supported by the Lebanon Recovery Fund and will be implemented within 3 years.

DUTY STATION: Beirut, Lebanon
DURATION: 45 working days

Main Functions

Under the guidance and supervision of the Project Manager (DTA/AGR/AIS) at the UNIDO Headquarters, and the project coordinator at the field office, the Communication Officer will be responsible for supporting the project team in highlighting, promoting and raising awareness on the programme activities and the work of the beneficiaries through developing the proper communication strategy and its relevant materials.

More specifically, the Communication Officer will carry out the following duties:
- Review and update the communication plan developed for the project taking into consideration the activities highlighted in the workplan and the general communication plan of the PSDP developed by the RCO;
- Develop communication calendar including the needed material to promote the programme and the work of the beneficiaries in order to position women business owners and employees as champions of long-term sustainable gender inclusion in agro-business;
- Create UNIDO identity for PSDP programme;
- Liaise with relevant specialized media, universities, and specialized economic centres in Lebanon to promote the programme as an example of joint UN collaboration and inclusive and sustainable industrial development. This includes preparing project presentations;
- Identify target local media (magazines, newspapers, radio stations, websites, and TVs);
- Review and provide inputs on all communication material related to the programme and provided by RCO communication plan as requested;
- Prepare the content for the social media posts for PSDP and post them on UNIDO’s platforms. This include the coordination with designer, photographer, videographer and others, if necessary;
- Liaise with UN agencies and coordinate on the common material, which highlight their joint work;
- Develop all type of communication materials/tools as needed by the project and HQ (quarterly newsletter, social media posts, Press releases, stories for the blogs, visuals, articles, success stories short videos, posters, etc.) to promote and highlight the project achievements in Arabic and English.

Core 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.

Minimum Requirements

Education

Advanced university degree in Journalism and Information, Communications, Marketing, or other relevant discipline with a specialization in communication, is required.

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is required. Working knowledge of another official UN language, particularly French, is desirable.

Field of Expertise

• A minimum of three (3) years of practical experience in communication is required.
• Familiarity with the UN mandate and activities in Lebanon as well as with Lebanon’s current socioeconomic context is required.
• Prior experience under UN-implemented programmes is an asset.

Applicants are encouraged to include a cover letter in their.