Communications Analyst

South Sudan is going through a crisis situation following an armed conflict that erupted in December 2013 and flared in July 2016.  The conflict has resulted in focusing external assistance to South Sudan on humanitarian relief, with little attention to ongoing early recovery, stabilization and development work. In this context, the Communications Analyst will support the Country Office in advocating for recovery and stabilization, and the Secretary-General’s “New Way of Working”.

The Communications Analyst will take ownership of aligning priorities and deliverables of the Communications Unit with UNDP’s new Strategic Plan 2018-2021, the forthcoming UN cooperation framework for South Sudan, as well as the national development strategy. An active presence in the ongoing dialogue around revitalization of the peace process will be of utmost priority, as well as identifying entry points for innovation in the presentation of UNDP’s signature solutions.

A communications strategy tightly linked to programme 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. An integrated innovation strategy helps catalyst Country Office-wide improvements in accountability, reporting results, programme visibility externally with partners, RBA/HQ, media and donors.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of Communications and Innovations Analyst/ Team Leader (P2), the Communications Analyst implements the corporate communications strategy, designs, manages and facilitates the implementation of the Country Office communications and publication strategies which are geared to influence the development agenda, to promote public and media outreach and to mobilize political and financial support for UNDP.

Under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative and direct supervision of the Communications and Innovation Team Leader, the Communications Analyst participates in the implementation of the country office communications strategy, as well as in the design, management, and implementation of the Country Office communications and publication strategies, and promoting public and media outreach.

The Communications Analyst maintains close collaboration and working relationships with the programme and project communications focal points, operations teams, and UN Agencies’ communications working groups. The Communications Analyst supports and promotes CO interventions, activities and enhances the visibility of UNDP.
1.Contribute to the planning and design of internal and external project communications and outreach

• Conduct communications needs assessments for CO programme and projects;
• Facilitate  projects in the preparation and dissemination of comunications products to donors and partners, as well as advocacy, civic education and community awareness campaigns;
• Identifies, maintains and updates a comprehensive media database of leading English and vernacular language journalists, media outlets and publishing houses;
• Monitor print, radio and online press and compile media coverage into regular updates and distribute press briefs to relevant staff;
• Supports identification and procurement of communications tools, equipment, and consultants in coordination with the supervisor; compiles and organizes physical equipment and assets;
• Develops proposals for integration of advocacy and communication strategies into all aspects of UNDP’s development programme in coordination with the supervisor.

2.Ensures implementation of the CO publications strategy and dissemination plan.

• Coordinate’s pipeline of CO publications and dissemination activities in consideration of the unit’s asset production and editorial calendars;
• Provides support to programme and operation teams in publishing;
• Contribute to the CO publication activities, such as drafting articles, content management, norms for publishing, and design;
• Provides expertise and guidance to external service providers such as print service providers, graphic designers, writers, editors, and other specialists, to ensure compliance with UNDP corporate visibility and branding guidelines;
• Ensure administrative arrangements, including recruitment and procurement, for consultancies and external production are closely coordinated with relevant programme and operations staff;
• Collaborates with unit staff to leverage innovative tools and resources to disseminate UNDP programme products and promote the organization’s value proposition.

3. External Relations and Public information.

• Develop and maintain close contacts with National partners/ stakeholders, multilateral and bilateral donors, civil society and private sector for implementation of the CO communications strategy, organization of round-table discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews, launches, high-level events etc;
• Effective responses to inquiries for public information materials;
• Innovative and creative solutions to sensitive or strategic public communications issues;
• Advocacy and promotion of Country Office activities.

4. Ensures appropriate branding and visibility for CO events/activities, publications and collateral.

• Ensures that all Country Office activities/ events are appropriately branded; including all the communication and marketing materials;
• Contributes to the maintenance of the UNDP website, social media, intranet, CO web-based knowledge management systems;
• Supports management of the country office website and social media based on corporate requirements in cooperation with the unit’s staff.

5. Contribute to corporate advocacy and outreach efforts 

Launches and campaigns

• Promotion and maintenance of public information campaigns on issues including UNDP activities, Sustainable Development Goals, and UN reform, under the supervision of, and in coordination with the supervisor;
• Promotion and dissemination of corporate advocacy materials for launching flagship initiatives and publications, such as the Human Development Report, and any other RBA or CO publications.

Outreach

• Increases coverage and understanding of UNDP’s work in South Sudan through provision of newsworthy information to media, partners and donors;
• Provides expert media management via media advisories, press releases, and news stories to support CO launches and major events;
• Develops and maintains a regular schedule of local media appearances and/or engagements for project and programme visibility, as well as awareness-raising campaigns, in coordination with communications unit staff;
• Organizes and implements joint UN information campaigns during international days (UN Day, World AIDS Day, as supported by UN Country Team Communications Group; UNDP RBA and global);
• Ensures access for journalists to subject matter experts in the Country Office;
• Drafts regular external update to partners and donors;
• Supports preparation of donor reports, civic education and community awareness campaigns in collaboration with projects and programmes;
• Identification, where appropriate, of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to CO programme goals and activities.

6. Facilitation of knowledge building and management

• Contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories;
• Support provision of trainings for UNDP staff on internal and external communications for development, with a focus on photography, videography, human interest stories, and working with press.

Perform other duties within incumbent’s functional profile as assigned and deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the office and Organization.

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on creation of effective communications and dissemination of information on UNDP as the lead development agency in South Sudan. In particular, the key results have an impact on the implementation of UNDP South Sudan’s Partnerships and Communications Action Plan, as well as reaching new targets for innovation and collaboration. Communications becomes a strong component of business development at UNDP South Sudan.

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Communications: Advocacy strategy and implementation

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

Communications: Digital Strategy

• Ability to plan the use of resources through digital channels to reach and engage target audiences effectively and to achieve particular objectives

Communications: Media Relations

• Ability to develop media relations across all aspects of media work including relationships with media and preparing media materials such as messages

Communications: Social Media Management

• Ability to represent and promote the UNDP brand in virtual communities and networks

Communications: Web and social media analytics

• Ability to analyze and interpret data and statistics to measure web and social media performance

Business management: Communication

• 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 communication internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Business Management: Monitoring

• Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities, program performance and results.

• Fluency in English is required;
• Working knowledge of Arabic is an added advantage.