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 UNDP Global Centre for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development (the ‘UNDP Global Centre’) aims to identify, co-design and share innovative and technological solutions for sustainable development. We aim to catalyse new insights, partnerships and action on the ground in the countries where UNDP works. Our areas of focus are: Sustainability and Climate Resilience, Smart Cities and Urbanisation, Digital Inclusion, Sustainable Finance, and Digital Public Goods. We aim to leverage expertise in Singapore, as well as across the network of 90+ UNDP Accelerator Labs, and from experts and partners around the globe.
The UNDP Global Centre is a joint initiative of the Singapore Government and UNDP, currently being led by a small team that is focused on programme and partnership development – both with the public and private sector in Singapore and international partners (including the above UNDP network). Our Singapore Government partners are the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, the Public Service Division, the Ministry of Communications and Information, the Infocomm Media Development Authority, the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and the National Research Foundation. The UNDP Global Centre was setup in 2018 and is currently within its latest programme cycle, running between 2023 and 2025.
The Centre emphasises connecting policymakers, practitioners, think tanks, business, and other relevant stakeholders for learning and sharing of best practices on the themes of technology, innovation, and partnerships for sustainable development. We collaborate with governments worldwide through the following:
- Agile Policy Development Support: Supporting governments in defining the policies and regulations needed for the digital and innovation economy, and providing guidance and methodologies to assist governments on agile policymaking for the digital economy
- Research and Thought Leadership: Providing research, analysis, and insights on emerging technologies, including integrating the experiences of UNDP Country Offices and Regional Bureaus with foresight and horizon-scanning
- Partnership and Global Ecosystem Building: Catalysing global and national digital and innovation ecosystems that are committed to digital inclusion and fostering collaborations with different players in the digital inclusion space
- Knowledge Exchange and Capacity Building: Collecting local intelligence and grassroots innovations and ensuring that lower-income countries are equal participants in global discussions and explorations of digital inclusion.
Based in Singapore, the UNDP Global Centre is keen to leverage the country’s ecosystem as a ‘Living Lab’ and to share applicable learning, insights, policies and innovations to support and catalyse the development of other countries around the world. This includes amplifying Singapore’s important development initiatives, including the Government of Singapore’s leadership of the Forum of Small States, its successes in the Singapore Cooperation Programme in countries across the region, and the country’s extensive global engagement in priority digital areas – including the governance of artificial intelligence.
The role will drive the UNDP Global Centre’s external engagement with the Singapore innovation ecosystem and also shape the communications and outreach approaches and channels for the Centre’s global audience. The Communications and Marketing Associate will also support the Director of the UNDP Global Centre in shaping and operationalising a Communications Strategy to support the Centre in delivering across its four areas of agile policy development support, research and thought leadership, partnership and global ecosystem building, and knowledge exchange and capacity building. Responsibilities will include creating content for social media and other communications channels, assisting with event planning, authoring or co-authoring blogs and other content, and managing the UNDP Global Centre website (including sourcing content updates and other materials and contributions from across the team).
Duties and Responsibilities
a) Content Creation and Management
- Support UNDP Global Centre programme teams in ideating all forms of content, including, but not limited to, blogs, videos, podcasts, infographics, newsletters, white papers, reports, and other thought leadership products.
- Develop graphic and visual content – including images, videos, and other materials – on an ongoing basis that follows the UNDP brand guidelines and supports and enhances all communications.
- Manage vendor relationships related to larger or outsourced content partnerships, including report development, event management, or other relationships.
b) Development of Communications, Engagement, and Outreach plans
- Identify opportunities to engage the innovation ecosystem in Singapore, through working with UNDP Global Centre programme teams to broaden and amplify their partnerships.
- Develop and maintain a calendar of events and other tactical engagement opportunities – across internal and external channels – to deepen communications and outreach efforts.
- Help strengthen and maintain the overall brand positioning of the UNDP Global Centre.
c) Ensure Communications Plan and Strategy Delivery
- Work with the Director of the UNDP Global Centre to plan communications and outreach activities, and to support the development of an initial Communications Strategy for the UNDP Global Centre.
- Establish, review, and report key metrics for the UNDP Global Centre’s digital and communications efforts, including website and social media analytics.
- Ensure the consistent and professional delivery of high-quality communications outputs.
d) Facilitate Event Management and Support
- Work with UNDP Global Centre programme teams to ideate event concepts.
- Support in creating and disseminating event-related communications materials and collateral – including invitations, flyers, and posters.
- Support the team in the organisation and management of online and in-person events.
- The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement:
The Communications and Marketing Associate will be based at the UNDP Global Centre for Technology, Innovation, and Sustainable Development in Singapore.
Competencies:
Core:
Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
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
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Communications, Campaign Management- Ability to produce and implement communications and advocacy campaigns which lead to impactful change
Communications, Creative direction and copywriting – Ability to creatively communicate concepts in an engaging and simple way
Communications, Marketing- Ability to communicate the value of a product or service
Communications, Social media management-Ability to represent and promote the UNDP brand in virtual communities and networks
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
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in International Relations, International Affairs,International Development, Political Science, or related field is required, or
A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree
Experience:
Upto 2 years (with master’s degree) or 2 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in international development or related fields is required.
Required skills:
- Proven experience in developing written and visual communications materials for international development organisations.
- Proven experience using visualisation tools, such as Canva.
- Experience supporting the organisation of events and communication campaigns
- Experience in establishing and reporting communications analytics, including social media reporting.
Desired skills:
- Prior work experience at or familiarity with the work of UNDP and/or other UN agencies.
- Experience in supporting the development and/or operationalisation of communications strategies.
- Knowledge of Singapore-based and relevant media or communications outlets.
Required Language(s):
Fluency in English is required.
Disclaimer
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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