Job Title: National Communication Expert
Requisition ID: 1544
Grade: SB4 - Local Professional (Junior & Mid Level)
Country: Congo, The Democratic Republic of the
Duty Station: Lubumbashi
Category: National Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Contract Duration: 6 months (with possibility of extension)
Application deadline: 4-Jan-2023
Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
Only nationals or permanent residents of the country of the duty station are considered
eligible.
Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.
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.
DIRECTORATE OF SDG INNOVATION AND ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION (IET)
Under the overall direction of the Director General, and in close collaboration with all organizational
entities within UNIDO, in particular the Office of Change Management (ODG/CHM), the Office of
Legal Affairs and Compliance (ODG/LEG), the Strategic Planning and UN Engagement Division
(ODG/SPU), and the Office of Evaluation and Internal Oversight (EIO), the Directorate of SDG
Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET), headed by a Managing Director, is responsible for
the development of innovative UNIDO services in the areas of agro-industry and agribusiness,
sustainability standards and fair production, and climate-relevant or climate-improving
technologies. It is also, in collaboration with ODG, responsible for developing innovative technical
cooperation concepts, identifying new sources and means of finance and entering into new
partnerships with a broad range of relevant stakeholders.
The Directorate houses the Divisions of Coordination and Integration Support (IET/CIS), Quality,
Impact and Accountability (IET/QUA), Agribusiness and Infrastructure Development (IET/AGR),
Innovative Finance and International Financial Institutions (IET/IFI), Fair Production, Sustainability
Standards and Trade (IET/PST), Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), and Climate and Technology
Partnerships (CTP). The Directorate also ensures close coordination and collaboration among the
Divisions and relevant entities in the Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations
(GLO) and the Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS).
Division of Fair Production, Sustainability Standards and Trade (IET/PST)
Under the overall guidance of the Director General, the direct supervision of the Managing Director,
Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET), and in close coordination with
other organizational entities within UNIDO, the Division of Fair Production, Sustainability Standards
and Trade (IET/PST) develops and implements an innovative service package in response to
UNIDO's mandate for fair and responsible local industrial production and trade with a particular
focus on building the required skills and capacities and foster a conducive business operating
environment to ensure that such production and trade are as inclusive as possible, promoting –
among others – the development of human capital through vocational training and industrial skills
development. In collaboration with IET/IFI, IET/PPP, TCS/SME, TCS/CPA, and GLO/MSR, the
Division will conceptualize and negotiate such services and raise funds from Member States,
development partners, IFIs, and the private sector to coordinate their effective implementation and
devise ways in which their implementation can be brought to scale.
This will include cross-cutting and sector-specific initiatives for sustainable supply/value chain and
skills development in industrial sectors where UNIDO has, over the years, accumulated expertise,
such as agro-industries, fisheries, textiles, leather, light manufacturing, health, mining, automotive
and pharma and others. It will do so through close engagement with Member States, private sector
associations, industrial enterprises, international quality, standards and trade-related governing
bodies, other UN Agencies (e.g. ILO), development partners, NGOs and consumer associations, as
appropriate, ensuring solid and operational partnerships.
Skills Development and Fair Production Unit (IET/PST/SFP)
The Skills Development and Fair Production Unit supports Member States in integrating into the
emerging global systems of fair and sustainable trade. To this end, it leverages partnerships with
the private sector to enhance employees' skill sets to become the sources driving the sustainable
transition. The Unit also promotes learning, concepts and norms to augment the attractiveness of
industrial employment for youth and women under transparent, fair and social working conditions.
The Unit also deploys foresight and planning instruments to guide Member States in developing the
industrial skills in future cohorts of industrial employees and respond to re- and up-skilling
requirements of actors in a sustainable value chain.
PROJECT CONTEXT
The National Communication Expert will be recruited under the project “Support for training and
skilled employment in the heavy equipment sector of the Democratic Republic of the Congo” (SAP
2
10117).
This Public-Private Development Partnership (PPDP) project between the Governments of the DRC
and Sweden, Volvo Group, Epiroc and UNIDO aims at increasing the number of Congolese staff,
especially young men and women, employed in technically skilled positions in the Heavy-Duty
Equipment and Commercial Vehicles (HDIECV) industry in the DRC. The intervention is designed to
improve the relevance and quality of TVET in the HDIECV sector and to ensure that experienced
and new Congolese professionals are equipped with marketable skills that enhance their
employability.
To this aim, the project will support two vocational training centers with upgraded facilities, learning
equipment and modernised curriculum. These “Centers of Excellence” will establish proof of concept
for PPDPs as an aid delivery modality which effectively promotes youth employment through
demand-driven industrial skills training and contribute to improving skills development and labour
market systems’ efficiency.
The intervention applies the Market Systems Development (MSD) approach to maximise scalability
and sustainability. The project will promote systemic change through evidence-based policy
dialogue with relevant governmental authorities to stimulate supportive responses and will
encourage private sector engagement in Technical and Vocational Education and Training
(TVET) governance and delivery in other geographic areas, VTCs and/or trades.
The project design is informed by the market analysis, market/labour and training needs
assessment, and stakeholder engagement conducted under SAP# 190404 (see more information
here).
The project document is publicly available from here.
The National Communication Expert will implement the project’s communication strategy ensuring
the engagement of the project’s stakeholders (Congolese youth, TVET institutions, private and
public sector actors) is maximised. He/she will be responsible for developing engaging digital and
print content (social media posts, success stories, newsletters, press releases, promotion materials)
and for analyzing and reporting on the project’s communication activities.
The successful candidate will have a proven track record in implementing communication
campaigns, writing press releases, social media planning and have a strong understanding of DRC’s
media landscape.
Under the supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor and with guidance from an International
Communication Expert, the Expert will report to the Project Manager/Allotment Holder and will be
responsible for the following specific tasks:
Main duties
Concrete/
measurable
Expected
duration
Location
outputs to be
achieved
Strategic Communication planning
Implement the communication
strategy, in close coordination with
the HQ-based International
Communication Expert, with the
objective to raise awareness of the
project and increase stakeholder
engagement.
Communication
strategy effectively
implemented and
stakeholder
30%
Lubumbashi,
DRC with
missions as
required
(including to
Kolwezi)
engagement
strengthened (>100
email contacts for
newsletter identified)
Build connections with key
influencers, potential partners and
media professionals and identify
innovative ways to expand the
project’s reach.
Support the organization of events,
site visits and workshops and
ensure they have effective media
coverage.
Monitor and evaluate
communication activities and
provide a monthly report on
progress.
Liaise with colleagues and project
stakeholders to identify upcoming
opportunities and ideas for a digital
editorial calendar.
Proactively identify communication
synergies and innovative
opportunities for events and
networking.
Content development
Newsletter
50%
Aligned with UNIDO and project
partner guidelines, create high-
quality digital content and support
cross-promotion of content on
external partner channels.
Interview beneficiaries and project
(quarterly), photo
and video success
stories (> 2 per
month), social media
posts (> 4 per
month) prepared and
stakeholders to develop high-quality effectively
success stories (around 2 per
month).
distributed.
Draft a quarterly newsletter (in
French and English), highlighting
the projects key achievements and
learnings, and ensure it is widely
distributed.
Create social media posts, press
releases, media interviews, reports
and other materials.
Capture photographs for success
stories and to document project
activities.
Work with designers and video
editors to produce engaging videos.
Training & capacity development
Provide regular training to national
project counterparts to improve
their communication efforts, help
them adopt communication / social
media best practices and increase
the quality of content.
Training provided to
VTCs and project
beneficiaries,
communication
efforts enhanced,
PPTs prepared.
20%
Support project staff in preparing
key note speeches and powerpoint
presentations.
MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Education: Advanced university degree in Communications, Journalism, International Relations,
Political Science, Marketing, or similar is required.
Technical and Functional Experience:
A minimum of three (3) years practical experience in the field of communications, public
affairs, advertising or other related field is required.
Experience developing and implementing nationwide campaigns and social media strategies –
using tools and metrics to properly capture reach is required.
Experience in drafting engaging content (social media posts, press releases, newsletters) in
English and producing multimedia content (such as postcards, audiograms, short videos,
etc.), incl. technical knowledge of using tools like Canva, Adobe Suiteand Wochit or other
similar tools is required.
Familiarity with the media landscape in the DRC, including a network of media contacts is
desirable.
Knowledge in the field of strategic communications, innovative marketing and communication
practices, ideally within an international organization is desirable.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, ability to convey complex messages
succinctly and diplomatically are required.
Experience in graphic design tools (Canva, Adobe Suite, Adobe Express), photography and
video production highly desirable.
Experience and proficiency in using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
and internet.
Understanding of government plans and policies on TVET and youth employment an asset.
Languages: Fluency in written and spoken French and English is required.
REQUIRED 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
This appointment is limited to the specified project(s) only and does not carry any expectation of
renewal.
Employees of UNIDO are expected at all times to uphold the highest standards of integrity,
professionalism and respect for diversity, both at work and outside.
Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for
jobs at UNIDO.
All applications must be submitted online through the Online Recruitment System.
Correspondence will be undertaken only with candidates who are being considered at an
advanced phase of the selection process. Selected candidate(s) may be required to
disclose to the Director General the nature and scope of financial and other personal
interests and assets in respect of themselves, their spouses and dependents, under the
procedures established by the Director General.
Visit the UNIDO website for details on how to apply: www.unido.org
NOTE: The Director General retains the discretion to make an appointment to this post at
a lower level.
Notice to applicants:
UNIDO does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in
connection with the application or recruitment process. If you have received a solicitation for the
payment of a fee, please disregard it. Vacant positions within UNIDO are advertised on the official
UNIDO website. Should you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be
recruiting on behalf of UNIDO and requesting payment of a fee, please contact:
