National Consultant - Communications & Outreach Consultant

Background

UNDP Lao PDR:

Guided by the global UNDP Strategic Plan (2022 – 2025) and UNDP Country Programme for Lao PDR (2022 – 2026), UNDP in Lao PDR works closely with the line Ministries, mass organizations, civil society, development partners, and the private sector at both national and sub-national levels in pursuit of the national socio-economic development priorities defined in Lao PDR’s five-year National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UNDP’s work is strongly focused on the provision of policy advice and technical support to the Government of Lao PDR in the design and implementation of national legislation and strategies across four broad Priority Pillars – (1) inclusive growth and reduced inequalities, (2) UXO clearance and risk education, (3) natural resources, climate change and disaster risk reduction, as well as (4) effective, responsive, and accountable governance.

UNDP has a long history working in Lao PDR. UNDP’s comparative advantage has been its ability to work closely with a very broad range of government and local-level institutions at all levels. The new UNDP country programme is aligned with the 9th NSEDP and is anchored in UNDP’s long-term partnership with the Government of more than three decades. The new programme builds on the achievements of the previous CPD that saw the incorporation of the SDGs into the national planning architecture. It will aim to support Lao PDR recover from the economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and continue its transition from LDC status, with a particular emphasis on supporting inclusive growth and reducing inequality.

UNDP Lao PDR, Governance Unit:

The UNDP’s programming on effective, responsive and accountable governance, inter alia, focuses on the provision of policy advice and technical support to the Government of Lao PDR to (1) enhance the rule of law, access to justice, and protection of human rights, (2) strengthen people’s participation in decision-making through increased access to information and political representation, (3) enhance public administration reform through institutional capacity-development and implementation of the Government’s decentralization policy (Sam Sang Directive).

Being the largest global development knowledge network with particular institutional expertise on governance, UNDP in Lao PDR co-chairs the Governance Sector Working Group (along with co-chairing the Public Sector Improvement Sub-Sector Working Group and Legal and Institutional Oversight Sub-Sector Working Group) of the Round Table Process, a national mechanism to coordinate the implementation of the NSEDPs and SDGs across the governmental institutions, development partners, CSOs and the private sector.

The position will be based in in the UNDP Lao PDR Country Office in Vientiane.

OBJECTIVE

Under the supervision of the Head of Governance Unit, the Communications consultant will be responsible for supporting the programme team to ensure effective media and communications products are developed, and that outreach and advocacy activities support the implementation of the UNDP Lao PDR’s Governance programme. The consultant will provide communications support to the Governance Unit team members and projects to ensure UNDP Lao PDR can fulfill its mandate in providing technical and financial support to the Government of Lao PDR

Duties and Responsibilities

SCOPE OR WORK

The successful applicant will be expected to be responsible for the following:

Planning and design of strategies for communications and outreach
Design and preparation of communications materials to be disseminated through a variety of media outlets as well as online platforms and networks
Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing
Project support through other communication activities

Planning and design of strategies for communications and outreach focusing on the achievement of the following results:
Preparation and conduct of communications needs assessments for the Governance Unit;
Drafting, editing and reviewing of project communications and outreach strategy for social media;
Integrate advocacy and communication strategies into all aspects of Governance Unit projects through both web-based and traditional media as appropriate.

Involved with the design and preparation of communications materials to be disseminated through a variety of media outlets as well as online platforms and network:
Bring fresh ideas and creative approaches to generating public support for related events and activities to promote the Governance Unit’s activities;
Lead/support the development of short videos depicting project activities and ensure content is high quality, appropriate and compelling;
Edit and produce web, social media and media content (text and photos/graphics);
Develop social media packages for important days in Governance Unit calendar;
Monitor and provide regular analytics on social media channels. Map the social media platforms for UNDP Governance Unit and conduct an impact analysis on social media outreach where possible.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing focusing on the achievement of the following results:
Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to project goals and activities;
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories;
Advise Governance Unit colleagues based on data analysis on how to leverage social media platforms for events, conferences, and public events;

Provides other project support through other communication activities:
Support the preparation of messages and materials for advocacy at high level dialogues, public events and media interviews by UNDP Management;
Ensure branding and donor visibility on events and related materials;
Coordinate with other projects teams on multi-unit and agency campaigns;
Perform other functions as may be assigned consistent with qualifications and experience.

Competencies

Skilled usage of computers and office software packages, including Microsoft Teams

Required Skills and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in communications, outreach, community development or a related discipline.
Minimum 6 months (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience working on communications and/or development issues in Lao PDR
Experience of supporting governance project events, and communications
Experience of working directly with UN agencies working on communications for gender equality, responsible business and rule of law.

LANGUAGE :

Excellent command of written and spoken English