Date of issue: 02 October 2009 / ISDR/C/25/2009
Title:Consultant (Communications; Campaign development)
Location:Geneva, Switzerland
Duration:two months
Vacancy Notice number: ISDR/C/25/2009
Deadline for applications:9 October 2009
Start Date:1 November 2009
United Nations Core Values:
Integrity ● Professionalism ● Respect for diversity
Background:
The International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) is a multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder platform to enable societies to increase their resilience to natural, technological and environmental disasters and to reduce associated environmental, human and economic and social losses. A range of United Nations organizations and international partners participate in cooperation with Governments and civil society organizations. In adopting ISDR, the United Nations General Assembly (Res/54/219) also endorsed the establishment of the ISDR secretariat (UNISDR).
The implementation of the ISDR is supported by a secretariat lead by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction. The main functions of the secretariat are policy coordination, advocacy and information/knowledge management, at the international and regional levels, to ensure synergy between disaster reduction strategies and those in the socio-economic and humanitarian fields.
In January 2005, the World Conference on Disaster Reduction adopted the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters. The Hyogo Framework constitutes the essential guide for implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction and represents the key policy framework for reducing risk and strengthening community resilience. Gender perspectives are explicit in the Hyogo Framework for Action as a cross-cutting issue.
As part of its mandate and advocacy efforts, UNISDR takes the lead in coordinating biennial World Disaster Reduction Campaigns. These campaigns aim to raise awareness, mobilize action, and harness existing practices to reduce loss of life, and protect the livelihood and social and environmental assets of communities and nations from disaster impacts. The focus of the 2010-2011 world Campaign will be on “Urban Risk Reduction” and aim at enhancing the resilience of cities through three main objectives:
-Increase awareness about urban risk among different stakeholders, including urban leaders and communities – Communications/Advocacy dimension
-Obtain commitments at local and national level to reduce urban risk in a sustainable way by increasing investments within existing development budgets – Political dimension
-Facilitate the implementation of disaster risk reduction measures in urban planning (e.g. building codes) – Technical dimension
The Campaign will be run over a period of two years, from 2010 to 2011. During these two years, a series of events, projects and products will be organized and developed to target 1000 cities including small, medium sized and large cities.
Functions/Responsibilities:
The UNISDR is looking for a consultant in public relations, marketing and advertisingwhich will, with a limited budget develop, formulate, create and launch a two years communication strategy for a global campaign on Safer cities.
Main tasks
The selected company will have to:
1) Work closely with the Urban risk task team set up by the UNISDR and in particular its communication focal points
2) Research and advice the UNISDR on a communication strategy for the campaign (defining main targets, messages and the why and how of the campaign) including the three elements of the campaign: political, technical and advocacy
3) Propose a 15 page creative brief providing a strategic plan of communication for the next two years
Expected results
- Write a detailed two years communication plan to preposition, launch and position the campaign
- Write main messages for banners, PSA and contents for press kit and websites
- Prepare a communication plan for the main global launch in Shanghai
Expected outcomes:
- A 15 page solid document proposing a creative brief for the campaign by End of November
- A draft press kit by 15 December
- PSA messages and contents for multi media products by end of December
- Detailed plan for the launch in Shanghai in May 2010
Competencies:
Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.Professionalism: Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks; demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment; 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.Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards.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; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
Qualifications:
Education: Advanced university degree preferably in communications, journalism, international or public relationsor other related field or the equivalent combination of academic qualifications and experience in related area.
Experience: Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the areas associated with this consultancy (particularly on communications strategy, campaign development, or other related area.
Language: Fluency in written and spoken English is essential; knowledge of a second official UN language is an advantage.
Other skills: Excellent records and substantive experience in launching campaigns in at least one of two similar projects; some knowledge of disaster risk reduction or similar field; familiar with United Nations agencies and at least one or two similar projects done with the UN; excellent professionalism and ability to produce professional quality products; be dynamic, creative and original; able to deliver products adapted to different cultural environments
Diploma of completed University degree may be requested in due course.
Applicants will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration.
Please email the following documents to the ISDR secretariat at :
- Cover letter, explaining why you consider yourself qualified and motivated for this particular position.
- Completed P-11 Form
It would be appreciated your stating your full name and the ISDR vacancy notice number (ISDR/C/25/2009) as the subject in your e-mail of application.
Please note that applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.