Contract type/Duration:

Fixed-term appointment / One year contract renewal

Post level:

M-12

Work Location:

Office of the MRC Secretariat in Vientiane, Lao PDR

Division/Section: 

Initiative on Sustainable Hydropower (ISH), Planning Division (PLD)

Key Responsibilities

CORE TASKS (PRIMARY)

• Act as communication focal point for the ISH and collaborate with the MRC Communication Section on all relevant matters. Liaise with the MRC Communication Section with regards to contact with and use of the media and with information officers in other relevant organisations;
• Collaborate in the production of an ISH Communication Strategy document for ISH based on an assessment of a basic communication needs undertaken which will be supported by a concise stakeholder analysis. This ISH Communication Strategy must show clearly how it is a component of the overall MRC Communication Strategy – and that it takes maximum advantage of opportunities to communicate the sustainable hydropower message working with the other MRC Programmes communication strategies such as the BDP stakeholder engagements;
• Act as quality control and provide technical advice on the streamlining of publication output of the ISH. Edit and assist on production of the ISH publications, such as technical reports, booklets, report cards, leaflets, posters etc., produced following MRC publication and quality standards and MRC procedures;
• Advise on messaging and strategies for ensuring consistent dissemination of agreed messages;
• Monitor, evaluate and report on the progress of the implementation of that communication plan;
• Update, populate, and improve the ISH websites on regular basis. This involves working closely with the staff of ISH and the International Cooperation and Communication Section (ICCS) as to comply with their communication trends and requirement;
• Assist ISH Programme Coordinator and ISH Team with the necessary arrangements for workshops and meetings events including meetings for Programme coordination, the Advisory Committee;
• Take notes in a meeting and produce the Minutes in timely manner with high accuracy;
• Collaborate with ISH staff to promote communication and public participation activities at demonstration and study sites and communication activities targeted at different key stakeholders with a focus on women and youth;
• Collaborate with ISH staff to propose and implement conferences, meetings workshops and events as one of the methods to reach the target groups as defined in the communication plans;
• Work with all Divisions of the MRC to promote internal awareness raising and consistent messaging within the topics covered by the ISH as a cross-cutting initiative;
• To perform other relevant duties as assigned by the ISH Programme Coordinator;

 SECONDARY TASKS

• Contribute to the development of networks in the region for ongoing promotion of sustainable hydropower. Promote and share knowledge of the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment tool to a range of stakeholders at the meeting, seminar, and any events attended. Design activities/events to support member countries in promoting and sharing of information and knowledge on the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment tool to support its widespread use;
• Support ISH Programme Coordinator and ISH National Coordinators to build a team with strong competency base (personal and organisational) in the application of Hydropower Sustainability Assessment tool and practice, including develop and train facilitators and national consultants who can support member countries on their chosen Hydropower Sustainability Assessments/activities;
• Maintain the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment documentation including RSAT part of the ISH website. Assist ISH Programme Coordinator in finalising RSAT Version 4 document, developing Hydropower Sustainability Assessment training materials and promotional material as necessary, gathering and documenting including case studies relevant to the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment topics and best practices;
• Assist ISH Programme Coordinator with technical input to the translation process of the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment works, reports and activities as well as associated guidance communications and website materials;
• Provide on-going liaison with the NMC, ISH National Coordinator, key agencies, provincial agencies, river basin organisations, and other stakeholders to convene ECSHD consultations, MRC Member Country national and regional consultations;
• Assist in the design, planning, and facilitation/co-facilitation of national and regional workshops for the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment to contribute to knowledge transfer as required - including identify and conduct analysis in the LMB country of priority basins, stakeholders, institutional opportunities, data and information sources for Hydropower Sustainability Assessment assessments – deliver/participate in the workshop and report on workshop outcomes with assistance of national and international consultants as required.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• University degree (minimum Master Degree) in communications, public relations, journalism, social science, or other related fields;
• Fifteen years of varied experience with minimum of five years practical working experience within the area of communications, public relations, journalist, editing, community development, capacity building, and/or stakeholder engagement are highly desirable;
• Experiences with communications, publishing, or capacity building field;
• Experiences with the support national dialogue processes and interact at senior levels of government and with a range of other stakeholders, including civil society groups is essential;
• Ability to lead participatory processes, dialogue and conflict resolution with a diversity of stakeholder groups at different levels in cross cultural and bi-lingual settings;
• Familiarity with web-based information services, graphic design, printing, and production of display materials is an advantage;
• Adequate knowledge and experience related to large infrastructure projects such as hydropower, natural resources management or similar is an advantage;
• Work experience with international organisations and excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills are preferable;
• Good sense of initiative and sound judgment;
• Excellent command of both written and spoken English language is necessary;
• Ability to work in an international environment and to travel regularly in the riparian countries;
• Working experience and/or knowledge of one or more riparian languages (Khmer, Lao, Thai, Vietnamese) would be an advantage.

Application procedures:

Only nationals of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam are eligible to apply. The application should include (i) a cover letter outlining clearly how the candidate meets the requirements of the position, (ii) a detailed CV, and (iii) MRC Personal History Form. The position title and section/division must be indicated in the cover letter.

Closing date for applications:

15 May 2015

The job description can be downloaded from the Downlaod box on the right of this page. Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply. Only short-listed candidates will be notified.

The application should be sent to the National Mekong Committee in the applicant's home country, (addresses are in the right column of this page)