UNSDCF SL Communications Strategy 2020-2023

Introduction

The United Nations (UN) system in Sierra Leone comprises 21 agencies, funds and programmes, each with its own mandate and specialized field of expertise and working collaboratively Leaving No One Behind. The UN in Sierra Leone is led by the Resident Coordinator (RC), who is also the Designated Official for Security (DO).

The role of the UN is to support the Government of Sierra Leone to implement its National Development Plan in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals which is presently, Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan (2019-2023), as well as other internationally agreed development goals and treaties including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To support the Government’s plan, the UN developed the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2020-2023, which guides the work of the UN in Sierra Leone through capacity development, technical assistance, policy guidance, programming support, and coordination internally as well as with the Government, donors, national authorities, civil society organizations, the media, nongovernmental organizations and local communities. Underlying the work of the UN in Sierra Leone are the values enshrined within the UN Charter and Universal Declaration of Human Rights among other key globally agreed upon Resolutions and Protocols governing development.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the strategy is to support the implementation of the UNSDCF through communication activities, strengthen interagency cooperation, ensure consistency of messaging, and increase the profile and transparency of United Nations activities at the national level. A joint communication strategy strives to position the United Nations country team as efficient, effective and results oriented.

OVERALL OBJECTIVE

In support of the implementation of the UNSDCF, the main objective of the strategy is to raise awareness and enhance visibility on key SDGs priorities in the country and Agenda 2030 though coordinated channels of communication to deliver a common message. Taking the communication context and key target audiences into consideration, the communication will guide the United Nations Communication Group (UNCG) to focus on achieving the main communication objective. The outcomes below will support the overall goal. The implementation of this plan will depend on commitment from UNCT members, the UNCG as well as on available resources and support from senior management.