Communications Officer

Location: CYP Asia Centre, Sector-12, Chandigarh, India.
Duration: 1 year renewable | Rs 25,000 - 35,000 INR per month
Closing Date: 22 Nov 2012

Please apply with a copy of your CV and a covering letter indicating why you are interested in this post, recent photograph and at least two testimonials from past or current employer/s. Applications must be emailed to r.verma@commonwealth.int or mailed to: Administrative Officer, CYP Asia Centre, Sector-12, Chandigarh-160012, India.

Job Summary

The Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) Asia Centre requires the services of a part-time communications officer to scale up CYP’s visibility and impact through communication strategy and advocacy. The Communications Officer is responsible for setting annual communication targets and contributing to and monitoring, their implementation. In particular, s/he will produce and disseminate materials for communicating information about CYP and its activities; communicate with media, coordinate the content of the CYP’s website and the production of a quarterly e-newsletter; disseminate CYP’s reports and publications; and maintain an updated database of contacts and an effective communication system within the Commonwealth Secretariat and Partner Agencies. S/he will also support and supervise the work done by communications intern besides performing any other task assigned by the line manager.

The Communications Officer will work with colleagues, Youth Affairs Division (YAD), other regional centres (RCs), members and other partners to promote the activities, projects and programmes of CYP with an aim to improve programme quality, delivery and accountability. Through an integrated communication and advocacy plan, s/he will make a direct contribution to informing policy processes and promoting increased coherence between the CYP RCs, Pan Commonwealth office of CYP (YAD) and other divisions of Cemsec under its strategic plan and vision.

Working within The Commonwealth Secretatriat Divisions, the Communications Officer is responsible for setting annual communications targets in line with the 2013-2016 Strategic Plan, as well as contributing to, and monitoring their implementation. S/he regularly seeks feedback from key stakeholders to evaluate the relevance and effectiveness of activities and communication approaches. Working closely with the Communications & Public Affairs Division (CPAD) and Strategic Planning and Evaluation Division(SPED), the Communications Officer will also strengthen Secretariat’s knowledge management system.

With guidance from the Regional Director and Programme Managers, the Communications Officer will lead the Process of formulation and implementation of annual work plan that will contribute to:

• Improved demand for CYP tools, materials and publications;
• Higher volume of leading publications, including evaluations that report on dissemination of information and accountability to beneficiaries;
• Increased volume and improved quality of references to accountability and programme delivery for its stakeholders.

Qualifications and Work Experience

• Advanced university degree or equivalent professional qualification, with at least three years experience in communications, information-based development work and advocacy-related communication.
• Experience in editing and proofreading corporate communication documents for public dissemination.
• Excellent English writing skills and professional skills in English language editing and editorial work. Ability to engage in collaborative work.
• Fully computer literate – skilled and confident user of office applications such as MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, e-mail, calendar applications and internet research. Familiarity with relevant information technology, including website content management experience.

The Communications Officer must have:

• Good written and oral communication skills, conveying messages to different audiences using diverse media; excellent English language ability (written for publication standards and verbal).
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with stakeholders from various institutional arrangements.
• Ability to maintain, nurture and develop existing and new media contacts.
• Ability to analyse complex information from different sources and to synthesise this information into coherent briefs and communication documents.
• Proactive approach to meeting deadlines and delivering results with limited supervision.
• Flexibility, creativity and effectiveness in working collaboratively in a multicultural team representing the diversity of ethnic, religious, racial and cultural components of the Commonwealth.
• Ability to deal with discretion on sensitive issues and to respond positively to challenges.
• Ability to network and to influence effectively.
• Commitment to Commonwealth's vision, YAD/CYP mission and objectives.

Preferred:

• Experience of working with or for coalitions of non-profitable developmental organisations.
• Active knowledge of key international institutions in development work.
• Web-design knowledge and proven ability to solve IT problems.
• Fluency in English. Knowledge of other languages will be an additional advantage.
• Ability to engage in collaborative work.

About the  Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) Asia Centre

The Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) Asia Centre based in Chandigarh, India, is one of four regional CYP Centres of the Commonwealth Secretariat, London, UK. It is one of the pioneer international, intergovernmental agencies devoted entirely to youth development. The CYP Asia Centre is responsible for implementing youth development initiatives and programmes in eight Asian member countries; Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Singapore and Sri Lanka. CYP’s key partner institution in each country is the respective Ministry of Youth Affairs. Young people make up more than 60 per cent  of the population of the Commonwealth. Their wellbeing and development is vital to the success of the Commonwealth and its member states.  The Youth Affairs Division (YAD) of the Commonwealth Secretariat, known as the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP), assists member governments in developing policies and programmes for empowering their young people aged 15–29. 

Work of CYP focuses on areas of major importance to young people across the Commonwealth, based on mandates received from CHOGMs and Commonwealth Youth Ministers’ Meetings (CYMMs). The Commonwealth Plan of Action for Youth Empowerment (PAYE) provides member governments with guidance on creating the optimum enabling environment for young people to participate as equal partners in development and democracy.

All CYP programmes are underpinned by a rights-based approach to development which emphasises accountability, participation, transparency and empowering young people as partners rather than passive recipients of development. CYP operates from a pan-Commonwealth international office in London and four regional centres located in Africa (Zambia), Asia (India), the Caribbean (Guyana) and the Pacific (Solomon Islands).  Youth Affairs Division (YAD) also facilitates and supports the Regional Youth Caucus (RYC), comprising of youth representatives from each Commonwealth member state.  

Further Information

How to apply - Please send a copy of your CV with a covering letter indicating why you are interested in this post, recent photograph and at least two testimonials from past or current employer/s. Applications must be emailed to r.verma@commonwealth.int or mailed to Administrative Officer, CYP Asia Centre, Sector-12, Chandigarh-160012, India.

Full Job Description for Comunications Officer - Commonwealth Youth Programme, India