Democratic Republic of the Congo: International Consultant Humanitarian Reporting and Information Management

1. Overview, Justification and Background: Various evaluations and studies of UNICEF’s work show that a systemic approach in advocacy, fundraising and in Information Management for visibility should be undertaken across the different levels of the organization and in the country to help UNICEF playing its role as advocate and champion for child rights. For several years the DRC country office lacked an emergency communication plan that included critical information in emergency programming with clearly defined objectives and activities. The irregular flow of information on emergency activities and programmes created lack of awareness at different levels on what UNICEF DRC was doing in terms of humanitarian response. Under the supervision of the Chief Emergency Section, UNICEF in Kinshasa and in close collaboration with the Communication section, the consultant will provide technical assistance to the UNICEF DRC team in the field of emergency communication, information management, and reporting.

2. Tasks , Duties and Responsibilities The Humanitarian Reporting and Information Management Officer will be responsible for the collection and production of communication material related to the humanitarian situation and response (SITREP, briefing note,…) and for the information exchange of humanitarian related communication material with UNICEF Regional Office and HQ and with donors and will support the emergency team in reporting activities and resource mobilisation. The Humanitarian Reporting and Information Management Officer will support the emergency section on the following:

Humanitarian advocacy communication (to the Humanitarian Community involving our partners):

• Design, implement, monitor and evaluate a system of information between UNICEF and its partners to strategically communicate on key programmatic activities to the DRC Humanitarian Community (HAG…). Ensuring visibility of our programme interventions and to advocate on critical humanitarian issues. • Promote a communication method/system that includes/integrate the outcomes of our tracking result system (Activity Info). Work with the Information Management Officer based in Goma to refine key information systems and products related to Emergency programs; • Contribute to the development and reinforcement of already existing humanitarian web tools in order to enhance UNICEF/Partners visibility and advocacy capacity. Resource mobilisation and reporting:

• Prepare information on request for UNICEF partners and donors, including national committees to support fundraising activities;
• Produce, disseminate quality materials aimed at resource mobilization;
• With input from programmatic sections, draft project/programme reports; • Manage the annual CER (Consolidated Emergency Report) process with Emergency unit and other sections – including compiling, reviewing/editing all content through to finalization; • Support the Emergency section to compile data for multisectoral proposals to be submitted.

Communication towards Government:

• Provide internal office support to programme staff on the production of quality advocacy, information and communications materials to strengthen programme visibility related to the humanitarian situation and response.

Internal UNICEF communication

• Work to ensure that Headquarters, the Regional Office and donors are provided with relevant materials (fact sheets, articles, country statistics) for UNICEF communication and advocacy initiatives; • As required, assist with emergency communications, including SITREP and appeal proposals; • As required, prepare background communication and advocacy materials for briefings and visits of media, goodwill ambassadors, donors, national committee representatives and other special interest groups.

In collaboration with the communication section, general communication activity (internal and external):

• Research, draft and edit general communication materials (articles, press releases, human interest stories, fact sheets and others) for both traditional and modern media (including UNICEF websites) for advocacy, social mobilization and resource mobilization activities related to the humanitarian situation and response. • Organise field visits to develop communication material related to the humanitarian situation and response activities through field visits, and consultation with partners and programme staff

1. Expected outputs of the consultancy

i. A documentation has been shared internally and externally, relating UNICEF’s emergency/transition activities, based on data collected via ActivityInfo and any other M&E system. ii. The Emergency Consolidated Report is compiled and shared. iii. Support is provided to programmes coordinator for reporting and editing donors report. iv. Briefing notes/two-pagers on emergency programmes are prepared/updated to be submit to donors. v. Good quality, monthly updates and quarterly SITREP are shared. vi. On request, prepare good quality documentation for advocacy, fundraising, briefing and communication purpose.

1. Qualifications and Competencies:

The incumbent who will be recruited at L2 level should comply with the following:

a) Education: University degree in Communications, Public Relations, International Development; or equivalent professional work experience in the communication/information management area, combined with and advanced university degree in a related discipline.

b) Work Experience: Minimum of two years professional work experience in communications, public relations, advocacy and/or social development, of which two years should be in developing countries. Fundraising experience will be an asset. Previous experience in the DRC is preferred, in particular on emergency response and information.

c) Languages: Fluency in English and French. Local language will be an asset.

d) Competencies:

• Excellent communication, planning and organizational as well as presentation skills • Knowledge of current theories and practices in communication, research, planning and strategy, and the role of media • Ability to research, analyse, evaluate and synthesize information • General ability to draft clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written and oral form; specific skills in writing communication materials for traditional and electronic media • Current knowledge of development and/or relief related issues, policies, as well as procedures in international development cooperation. • Proven ability to effectively manage relationships with media, representatives, government officials, and other UNICEF partners • Proven skills in communication, networking, advocacy and negotiation • Knowledge of computer systems, internet navigation and various office applications, specifically interactive digital media • Proven ability to work as part of a team

1. Supervision

The Humanitarian Reporting and Information Management officer will work under the supervision of the Chief, Emergencies/Transition. The post is Office-based in Kinshasa with frequent travel within the country.

1. Duration and Timing

A temporary contract of six months is being offered, with the possibility of extension for up to a total of 364 days, dependent on continuing need, performance, and availability of funding. Timing – need is urgent, earliest possible start date is desired.

Interested and suitable candidates should ensure that they forward their applications (a cover letter, CV, and signed P11 form which can be downloaded at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc), quoting the consultancy reference VA/2016/SSA/001 on or before 15 January 2016 to: Email address: skatajunga@unicef.org and smichel@unicef.org