GPN ExpRes Profile – Communications  

Duty Station: Multiple
 

Successful applicants should:

• Have a Master’s degree with a minimum of five years’ experience in the respective field relevant to the ToR or possess seven years’ experience with a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• Be prepared for potential deployment to crisis settings with short notice.

Additionally, specific preferences include:

• Proficiency in Arabic, French, or Spanish, with Russian and/or Portuguese considered advantageous.
• Encouragement is particularly extended to female applicants. In addition to candidates from the Global South.

Qualification:

Master’s degree in media relations, journalism, publishing.
 

WHAT IS COMMUNICATION?

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Team Leader, Management Support and Business Development, the Communications Specialist in a large Country Office implements the corporate communications strategy, designs, manages and facilitates the implementation of the Country Office communications and publication strategies with a view to influence the development agenda, to promote public and media outreach and to mobilize political and financial support for UNDP.
 

The Communications Specialist supervises and leads the communications personnel of the country office and has a strong regular working relationship with the Regional Communications Manager. The Communications Specialist also works in close collaboration with the Business Development, Programme and Operations teams, personnel of other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs.
 

Personnel (Communications Office) and Government officials, international and local media, subject matter experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UNDP communication strategy implementation.
 

A communications strategy tightly linked to program priorities helps position the Country Office in key development markets as a thought leader in ways that boost demand for various service lines and increase overall business opportunities.

SCOPE OF WORK, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED WORK

Summary of Key Functions:

• Planning and design of internal and external strategies for communications and outreach.
• Elaboration and implementation of the publications strategy and plan
• Supervision of the design and maintenance of the UNDP website, intranet, CO web-based knowledge management system.
• Support to business development.
• Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing
• Effective management of the Communications Office and supervision of Communications personnel.

1. Ensures planning and design of internal and external strategies for communications and outreach focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Planning and elaboration of communications needs assessments for CO (projects, country programme and corporate change initiatives, etc.)
• Elaboration of the CO communications and outreach strategy based on the corporate communications strategy.
• Constructive and timely advice on inclusion of communications components in programme formulations to integrate advocacy and communication strategies into all aspects of UNDP’s development programme.
   

2. Ensures elaboration and implementation of the CO publications strategy and plan focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Elaboration and implementation of the CO publications strategy and plan based on the corporate publications policy.
• Identification and development of storylines for publications and substantive articles contributing to debates on key development issues.
• Coordination and management of all CO publication activities, including content management, norms for publishing, design, liaison with printers and other suppliers to oversee production and supervision of publications dissemination.
   

3. Supervises the design and maintenance of the UNDP web site, intranet, CO web-based knowledge management system focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Design of the office web sites based on corporate requirements in cooperation with the ICT personnel.
• Supervision and preparation of the content for the web sites ensuring consistency of the materials.

Launches and campaigns

• Creation and promotion of campaigns to local and regional media that position UNDP and influence the development agenda based on current programme and new initiatives.
• Management, promotion, and dissemination of corporate advocacy materials for launching flagship initiatives and publications such as the Human Development Report.
• Creation, promotion, and maintenance of public information campaigns on UNDP activities, results of MDGs, UN Reform, etc. in association with other personnel from Business Development Team.
   

Outreach

• Promotional activities to position UNDP as a leader within the development space.
• Increased coverage and understanding of the UNDP’s work in the country or practice area through development and maintenance of media contacts and providing newsworthy information to national public and donors.
• Formatting, packaging, and submission of programme initiatives for donor review in close collaboration with programme personnel.
• Development and maintenance of close contacts with government officials, multilateral and bilateral donors, civil society, and private sector for implementation of the communications strategy, organization of roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews, launches, etc.
• Forging of a “one UN” image through publicizing the significance of local UN reform efforts, joint programmes, common services. Organization and implementation of joint UN information campaigns (UN Day, World AIDS Day, etc.).
• Ensured access for journalists to subject matter experts.
• Regular newsletter to donors, donor reports, civic education, and community awareness where appropriate to support projects.

   

4. Supports the business development focusing on achievement of the following results:

Public information

• Effective responses to inquiries for public information materials.
• Innovative and creative solutions to sensitive or corporately strategic public communications issues.
• Advocacy and promotion of UNDP mandate, mission, and purpose.

   

5. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country goals and activities.
• Monitor practices, and project-specific news and developments in order to ensure guidance to the office that reflects the best and most current available information.
• Provides advice and support to UNDP inputs to CCA, UNDAF, CPD and other documents
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories.
• Organization and provision of training, consultancy, and advice to UNDP personnel on communications.

6. Ensures effective management of the Communication Office and supervision of the Communications team focusing on achieving the following results:

• Effective management of the Communications Office, including preparation of the workplan, management of translations and contractual matters.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION:

At UNDP, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UNDP recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNDP, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UNDP’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UNDP personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference checks.

Requirements and skills

Global Call

-Communications

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