Strategic Communications Assistant (Middle East Weapons of Mass Destruction Free Zone Project)

General Information: 

Supervisor: Confirmation of satisfactory service delivery by the ME WMDFZ Project Coordinator. 

Terms of engagement: 9 months contract. 

Proposed remuneration: Standard Editing/Comms work: USD 203/day, not to exceed 47 days, up to a maximum of USD 9,541. 

Payment terms: Upon submission of monthly invoices indicating 1. UNIDIR activity for which work was performed; 2. Exact title or description of work; 3. Number of days for each individual work assignment. 

Affiliation: Non-Resident Consultant with no travel requirement. 

Responsibilities of the consultant and schedule of proposed work 

The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) is an autonomous institution within the United Nations that conducts independent research on disarmament and related problems, particularly international security issues. The vision of UNIDIR is a stable and more secure world in which States and people are protected from the threat of arms-related violence. The role of UNIDIR is to support Member States, the United Nations and policy and research communities in advancing ideas and actions that contribute to a more sustainable and peaceful world. UNIDIR is based in the Palais des Nations, Geneva. 

UNIDIR’s Middle East Weapons of Mass Destruction Free Zone (ME WMDFZ) Project is looking for a Strategic Communications Assistant to assist with the implementation of project activities, with a major focus on strategic communication. The ME WMDFZ Project has four objectives: 

1. Assisting in mitigating regional WMD proliferation trends; 

2. Encouraging regional security arrangements and arms control, non-proliferation, and disarmament norms and processes;  

3. Developing a more in-depth understanding of the relationship between the ME WMDFZ and current regional and international developments; and  

4. Promoting an effective, verifiable, inclusive, and sustainable ME WMDFZ.  

Under the direct supervision of the Project Coordinator, the Strategic Communications Assistant will provide support to the development of materials related to the project and other programmed activities. The Strategic Communications Assistant will perform the following duties while promoting a client, quality and results-oriented approach: 

• Support development of social media strategy, and support development of in-house communications products and presentations; 

• Manage and update project webpage; 

• Support in the coordination of the digital analytics and impact analysis for the ME WMDFZ project; and provide support for the Institute and programmes with analytics and metrics as needed; 

• Support the team for the development of online interactive tools; 

• Support team members in organizing and executing virtual meetings; 

• Update and support team databases; 

• Assist in producing presentations, briefs, promo booklets and materials related to the project; 

• Perform other duties as requested by the supervisor. 

Performance Indicators 

The consultant will be evaluated at the end of this contract. Performance indicators include: 

1. Outputs are delivered on time; their quality and impact are considered satisfactory by the ME WMDFZ Project Coordinator. 

2. Engagement is professional, team oriented and positive. 

3. The consultant demonstrates the core values of the UN (Professionalism, Integrity, and Respect for Diversity) in the discharge of their duties. 

Qualifications and Experience 

Education  

• Master’s degree in international relations, political science, history, Middle East studies, or international law is required. 
• Bachelor’s degree with additional two years of experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced university degree. 

Work Experience  

• A minimum of two (2) years of communications or related experience is required. 

• Demonstrated experience/interest in Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation and/or Middle East studies highly desirable; 

• Organization and coordination skills is required; 

• Ability to work with computer and office software packages (MS Office 2003 and/or newer versions) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages is required. 

• Demonstrated skills in qualitative and quantitative analysis; WordPress; Squarespace; Drupal; Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM); keyword and search query research; graphic design; web development; Adobe Creative Suite; iMovie; Google Analytics, Google Search Console, Google AdWords  

• Proficiency in proficiency in HTML, CSS, R and RStudio, JavaScript is an asset 

• Proven track record of developing and employing strategies to grow social audiences and accomplish client goals (demonstrated by year-over-year/month-over-month metrics which evidence this). 

• Some experience in UN system organizations, preferably related to disarmament and arms control and the Middle East, is highly desirable. 

• Knowledge of gender issues or experience with gender mainstreaming in a field relevant to the position is desirable. 

Language (s) 

For this assignment, fluency in English (both written and oral) is required. Knowledge of French or regional working language (Arabic, Hebrew or Persian) is desirable 

Competencies 

• Planning and organizing:  Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. 
• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. 
• 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. 
• 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. 

Confidentiality  

All internal discussions pertaining to UNIDIR’s work are confidential. The consultant will sign a separate confidentiality clause.  

Property Rights:  

The United Nations shall be entitled to all intellectual property and other proprietary rights including, but not limited to, patents, copyrights, and trademarks, with regard to products, processes, inventions, ideas, know-how, or documents and other materials which the Contractor has developed for the United Nations under the Contract and which bear a direct relation to or are produced or prepared or collected in consequence of, or during the course of, the performance of the Contract, and the Contractor acknowledges and agrees that such products, documents and other materials constitute works made for hire for the United Nations. However, to the extent that any such intellectual property or other proprietary rights consist of any intellectual property or other proprietary rights of the Contractor: (a) that pre-existed the performance by the Contractor of its obligations under the Contract, or (b) that the Contractor may develop or acquire, or may have developed or acquired, independently of the performance of its obligations under the Contract, the United Nations does not and shall not claim any ownership interest thereto, and the Contractor grants to the United Nations a perpetual license to use such intellectual property or other proprietary right solely for the purposes of and in accordance with the requirements of the Contract. At the request of the United Nations, the Contractor shall take all necessary steps, execute all necessary documents and generally assist in securing such proprietary rights and transferring or licensing them to the United Nations in compliance with the requirements of the applicable law and of the Contract. Subject to the foregoing provisions, all maps, drawings, photographs, mosaics, plans, reports, estimates, recommendations, documents, and all other data compiled by or received by the Contractor under the Contract shall be the property of the United Nations, shall be made available for use or inspection by the United Nations at reasonable times and in reasonable places, shall be treated as confidential, and shall be delivered only to United Nations authorized officials on completion of work under the Contract.  

The general conditions of contracts for the services of consultants or individual contractors are annexed to the UNIDIR contract document and form an integral part of the contract document.  

Contact details 

For any queries regarding the above, please contact: 

Anne-Laure Souissi-Sans 

Project Coordinator, ME WMDFZ 

1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland 

sans@un.org