Somalia: Public Information Analyst - Two Positions (Open to Somali Nationals Only)

Organizational Context

The humanitarian situation in Somalia remains fragile. OCHA’s role is to support humanitarian actors to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches the people who need it in a timely and effective manner. OCHA’s support includes reporting on the humanitarian situation and raising awareness on humanitarian needs and gaps in the provision of assistance. OCHA will continue to:

1. Advocate for access to basic services, especially water, sanitation, education and health for vulnerable communities, including the collection, analysis and dissemination of information to humanitarian partners, and negotiation of access.

2. Support the government efforts and humanitarian organizations in advocating for humanitarian assistance and protection services for people in vulnerable circumstance.

3. Coordinate the implementation of humanitarian public information in Somalia with UN agencies and programmes, national and international NGOs and local authorities/communities as appropriate, with focus on strengthening the cluster approach.

4. Contribute to enhancing a protective environment that respects the human rights of all, including IDPs, returnees and minority clans.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Communication, with guidance from the Deputy Head of Office and Head of Office, the Public Information Officer will play a key role in ensuring the primary objectives of OCHA Somalia are met.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Conceptualize, draft and edit stories for external communications products and internal reports

• Compile and process data from a wide variety of sources and prepare a range of reports, humanitarian briefings and other information products for public dissemination.

• Draft stories for the Humanitarian Bulletin and support all aspects of its production, including fact checking, proofreading and quality control.

• Edit and draft OCHA web stories and content for publications as required.

• Compile and draft OCHA Somalia internal reports based on input from various sources.

• Draft daily situation updates as required.

1. Collect, organize and disseminate latest information/data on the humanitarian situation in Somalia

• Proactively identify new publications/releases and other sources of information and ensure their dissemination to appropriate staff and partners.

• Monitor progress of and obtain all major publications dealing with Somalia, and ensure their distribution and filing within the unit/office.

• Research/analyze and organize data required for internal and external reporting, including reporting on media coverage and political, security and socio-economic factors affecting humanitarian and development programmes in Somalia.

• Actively contribute to the development and regular update of coordination and information tools, including OCHA Somalia website, information fact sheets and OCHA photo database, including through supervision of public information intern and by serving as focal point for information shared with the Information Management Unit.

• Collaborate closely with OCHA sub-offices and information counterparts in other UN agencies and NGOs to ensure accurate and effective information dissemination on humanitarian issues in Somalia.

• Coordinate inputs for OCHA Somalia products (such as snapshots, dashboard, situation updates, flash updates) and edit/redraft as necessary (liaise with OCHA information management and cluster coordinators).

• Maintain photography database including substantive captions for photographs to be used in information products and other OCHA functions.

• Facilitate substantive development of briefing material as well as in the preparation of power point presentations.

1. Support coordination of strategic communications groups

• Oversee updating of all OCHA Somalia public information mailing lists.

• Participate in the regular communications officer’s group meetings and contribute to the group’s activities as required, brief PI and management as necessary

• Participate in planning, organising and provide detailed and accurate minutes of coordination and communications meetings as required.

• Represent OCHA at meetings as required.

1. Support media relations through engagement with Somali and regional media

• Support the office in maintaining relations with Somali and international media.

• Oversee maintenance of all media lists and media contact information and take lead in preparing media advisories.

• Support communications staff in organizing local and international media trips and briefings.

• Serve as focal point for organizing special events, including the launch of key publications such as the Humanitarian Response Plan,.

• Monitor and support capacity-building activities to help the local media better report on UN work.

• Produce, or encourage journalists to cover, human interest stories in collaboration with communications staff.

• Support as necessary on social media tools and development.

• Conduct daily media monitoring of national and international news sources to supplement other UN offices’ monitoring, ensuring senior management are apprised of humanitarian issues in the international media.

1. Build capacity and awareness on the importance of accurate and timely reporting

• Support and hold reporting training for OCHA staff when necessary.

• Support field colleagues with basic drafting and reporting, as well as story idea generation as requested.

Impact of results

The key results have an impact on the overall efficiency of UNOCHA delivery including improved business results and client services.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy

• Identifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating UN’s priorities

• Maintains a functioning network of contacts with a variety of stakeholders to promote a better understanding of OCHA’s work and to support advocacy efforts

Building Strategic Partnerships

• Maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up-to-date on partnership related issues

• Analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

• Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things

• Documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches

Resource Mobilization

• Collects, researches and analyzes information on resource mobilization and utilization, drafts reports and documents and maintains information/databases on potential and actual donors and donor funded projects

• Provides data and information needed for preparation of fund raising activities and resource mobilization documents ensuring needs of donors are met

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

• Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things

• Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approaches

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

• Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the position

• Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks

• Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning

• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments

• Demonstrates in-depth understanding and knowledge of the current

Client Orientation

• Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion

• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines

• Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients

Core Competencies

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity

• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment

• Self-development, initiative-taking

• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work

• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively

• Creating synergies through self-control

• Managing conflict

• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.

• Informed and transparent decision making

Recruitment Qualifications

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in International Relations, Communications, Journalism or any related field. A first-level university degree may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree with four years of relevant experience.

Experience:

• Minimum two years of relevant experience at the national or international level in public relations, communications or advocacy preferably in humanitarian/dev¬elop¬ment reporting and communications work (minimum four years with Bachelor degree)

• Experience working with UN agencies or International NGOs.

• Excellent communication, drafting and analytical skills with attention to detail.

• Good team player with ability to work under pressure with minimum supervision and with respect for diversity.

• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, good knowledge and experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and knowledge of Somali is required

Applications to be submitted online at: https://jobs.partneragencies.net/erecruitjobs.html?JobOpeningId=21271&hrs_jo_pst_seq=1&hrs_site_id=2