Advocacy and Campaigning Specialist – P3  

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

The UN Secretary-General established the UN SDG Action Campaign to inspire people and organizations from all backgrounds and every part of the world to take actions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, while holding decision-makers to account for progress society-wide. The UN SDG Action Campaign is hosted and supported by UNDP and is based in Bonn (Germany) with a lean team that marshals rapid support for new initiatives as opportunities arise and provides partners with on-demand strategic creative services that inspire SDG action with an engaged community of activists and concerned individuals.

The UN SDG Action Campaign leverages advocacy to foster transformation because today’s challenges transcend any person, government or organization, and although the window for a breakthrough to a more equitable world is still open, it is closing fast. The UN SDG Action Campaign Advocacy for Change approach is aimed at rethinking, recalibrating, and reimagining economies, societies and systems so that they serve people and the planet. Not the other way around.

Position Purpose:

Within the above context, and under overall supervision and guidance of the Deputy Director, the UN SDG Action Campaign is seeking to recruit an Advocacy and Campaigning Specialist, Italy, to provide support in the following areas: coordinate the advocacy and campaigning strategy of the UN SDG Action Campaign in Italy, build and maintain partnerships, and provide partnerships and event organization support to the UN SDG Action Awards.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

Coordinate the advocacy and campaigning plans of the UN SDG Action Campaign in Italy

• Develop, coordinate, and implement an advocacy and campaigning plan for the UN SDG Action Campaign in Italy focusing on the priorities of the Campaign’s new strategy;
• Provide strategic advice on advocacy and campaigning opportunities, activities and approaches in Italy;
• Tailor and adapt UN SDG Action Campaign advocacy and campaigning content and initiatives to the Italian context and roll it out in partnership with relevant stakeholders across sectors;
• Develop and produce advocacy and campaigning tools and materials, including briefing materials, concept notes, and policy content;
• Support the communications efforts of the Campaign, including providing content for social media and other communications channels and platforms.

Build and maintain strong partnerships

• Manage and nurture existing partnerships, including with donors;
• Identify and develop new advocacy partnerships and alliances to enhance the Campaign’s and partners’ visibility; 
• Identify and explore fundraising opportunities and provide strategic resource mobilization advice to the Campaign leadership;
• Liaise with advocacy partners and undertake outreach to civil society organizations and other groups to collaborate on advocacy and campaigning initiatives aligned with the UN SDG Action Campaign priorities and strategy;
• Monitor and help to cross-promote communications and social media content and messages of key partners in Italy and beyond.

Partnerships and event organization advisory support to the UN SDG Action Awards

• Facilitate the liaison with partners in Italy for the UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony, including with the government of Italy, UN partners, Rai and other relevant partners;
• Contribute to the operational efforts for the Awards ceremony at the local level in Italy, including sourcing and liaising with suppliers;
• Advise other elements and workstreams of the Awards Ceremony as required.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:   None
 

Competencies

Core    CoreBehaviouralCompetencies.pdf (undp.org)

Achieve Results

• LEVEL 3:  Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.

Think Innovatively

• LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.   

Learn Continuously

• LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.

Adapt with Agility

• LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands. 

 Act with Determination

• LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.    

Engage and Partner

• LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.  

Enable Diversity and Inclusion

• LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Management  Partnership Management

• Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding

Business Direction and Strategy – System Thinking           

• Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Business Management – Portfolio Management                

• Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment

Communications – Advocacy Strategy and Implementation

• Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change

Business Management – Communications            

• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

Communications – Campaign Management

• Ability to produce and implement communications and advocacy campaigns which lead to impactful change
   

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advance university degree (Master’s university degree or equivalent) in Political Affairs, International Relations, Media and Communications or related fields is required. 
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years (with Master’s degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of professional work experience at national or international level in advocacy and partnerships, including donor relations is required. 
• At least 5 years’ experience in the field working on development cooperation is required. 
• Proven track record in communications on development for institutions at national or international level is desired.
• Familiarity with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs is desired.
• Track record in digital platforms and social media management is an asset.
• Experience and substantive knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals and of current international debates and negotiations on major global issues is an asset. 

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in Italian and English is required.
• Working knowledge of another UN Official Languages is an advantage.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders) 

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. 
 

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