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Job Description
INT-200-07-P004-01-V (July 2009)
1. General information
Title:
Duration:
Date Required:
Duty station:
Associate Expert in Water and Sanitation Information and
Communications
1 year (with possible extension for another year)
as soon as possible
Zaragoza, Spain with possible travel abroad
2. Supervision
Title of the supervisor:
Chief of Communication and Outreach Branch, Division
for Sustainable Development, Department of Economic and
Social Affairs, United Nations
Content and methodology of the supervision:
The supervisor in consultation with the Associate Expert will contribute to the
organization and the activities of the United Nations Office to Support the International
Decade for Action “Water for Life” 2005-2015.
3. Duties, responsibilites and output expectations
The Associate Expert will provide assistance to the United Nations Office to Support the
International Decade for Action “Water for Life” 2005-2015.
Under the supervision of the Coordinator of the United Nations Office to Support the
International Decade for Action “Water for Life” 2005-2015, the successful candidate
will perform the following tasks:
Substantive work

Support the establishment of the project, including logistical and administrative
arrangements which will be required to make the project operational;

Assist in building a communication strategy for the International Decade for Action
“Water for Life” 2005-2015;

Enhance the visibility of the United Nations system actions in the area of water and
sanitation;

Complement public advocacy campaigns at strategic levels;

Assist countries/stakeholders in accessing and/or providing information about options
available to accelerate the implementation of the water and sanitation agenda;

Assist coordinate with UN-Water members about the activities and progress of
implementation of the International Decade for Action “Water for Life” 2005-2015.
Coordination support:

Assist in organizing the work of UN Office and the various
meetings/workshops/conferences to be held under the auspices of the International
Decade for Action “Water for Life” 2005-2015;

Research, collect and prepare all information and documentation needed to establish
an effective communication strategy;

Report to the Office Coordinator on all activities undertaken under the auspices of the
Decade for Action through quarterly progress report indicating evolution and possible
obstacles and solutions proposed;

Organize workshops, select speakers and raise awareness through press relations and
various media including video, printed publications, television and radio for
disseminating major findings related to the Decade;
o Set up electronic networking linkages with the relevant partners to promote what
and how the United Nations system could contribute to accelerating progress;
o Outreach to other professional groups and educational professionals with an
interest in the major themes of the Decade;
o Communicate the results of existing studies on best practices pertaining to
specific themes;
o Maximize the potential of existing know-how and experience gained over the last
decade;

Promote and encourage partnerships, water dialogue and knowledge exchange at all
levels.
Anticipated added value
The added value expected from the Associate Expert will be in the form of:
a) Enthusiastic and dynamic input in the establishment and operation of the United
Nations Office to Support the International Decade for Action “Water for Life”
2005-2015 and the UN activities in Zaragoza.
b) Promoting the exchange of knowledge and experiences in the field of water
resources and water project management.
c) Increasing the organizational capacity of the United Nations Office.
d) Increasing coordination between the UN offices in Zaragoza, and New York.
4. Qualifications and experience
Education:
Advanced university degree in the field of environmental or
development studies with some focus on water-related
issues.
Work experience:
Training and/or experience in the field of communications
or public relations. Previous experience in an international
organization is a great advantage and experience organizing
events in an international setting would also be welcome.
Languages:
Excellent communication skills in English. Knowledge of
Spanish highly desirable and knowledge of other UN
official languages would be an asset.
Other skills:
The successful candidate should demonstrate a strong
motivation for development issues, ideally with previous
experience on water issues in an international organization
setting.
UN competencies:
The candidate should possess excellent communication and
organization skills, responsibility and creativity as well as
ability and thrive in an international and multidisciplinary
team. Ability to think creatively and critically. Keen sense
of and strict adherence to integrity, professionalism and
respect for cultural diversity.
5. Learning elements
At the end of the assignment, the Associate Expert will be able to:


Participate in the programming of an international project and in the follow-up of its
budget, according to UN standards;
Coordinate effectively between offices and various institutions;





Set up an effective communication and advocacy strategy;
Assist in the organization and animation of activities to improve the visibility of
existing information and UN projects in the field of water;
Take initiatives and use creativity to promote information dissemination;
Identify and propose solutions for solving daily organizational problems;
Produce regular progress reports on the management of events and activities.
6. Background Information
The United Nations General Assembly, in December 2003, proclaimed the years 2005 to
2015 as the International Decade for Action 'Water for Life'. The primary goal of the
'Water for Life' Decade is to promote efforts to fulfill international commitments made on
water and water-related issues by 2015. This project aims at sustaining the global
attention and political momentum in favor of the water and sanitation agenda at all levels
during the Decade. This ten-year project will be executed by DESA and implemented in
two-year phases. The first phase (2006-2007) will focus on creating conditions and
paving the way for advancing the implementation of the Decade’s agenda in subsequent
phases. Activities of the first phase are grouped under four components: institutional
development, advocacy and outreach, capacity-building, and research and
communication. While contributing to DESA efforts in coordinating and following up
the implementation of the water and sanitation agenda, the project will work closely with
many initiatives and networks, both within and outside the United Nations system.