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.
Job Purpose and Organizational Context
The United Nations Joint SDG Fund endeavours to turbocharge the 2030 Agenda by addressing the fragmentation of the UN’s global response. The Fund assists countries in regaining lost ground by identifying and financing catalytic actions to accelerate sustainable development. The Fund leverages collective capacities, networks, and resources of the UN development system, brought together under the leadership of Resident Coordinators to support Governments and local communities in priority areas based on their national needs. The United Nations has established a new initiative aimed at supporting governments accelerate progress towards the 2030 Agenda towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by supporting the following: (i) Identifying and activating SDG “accelerators” that are policy levers that unleash rapid progress across different goals and targets at the same time, based on data, assessments and analysis carried out with national and international partners; (ii) Bringing the United Nations development system together to deliver results, and having the Resident Coordinator lead this process; and (iii) Facilitating SDG Financing with both public and private sector partners, through unlocking policy bottlenecks, de-risking investments through testing project feasibility, and connecting partners to investments that then need scaling up, and unblocking significant additional financing for the SDGs.
To manage this initiative a Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) with a dedicated Fund Secretariat has been created. Under the guidance and supervision of the Head of the Fund Secretariat, the Communications Specialist manages the Fund Secretariat’s digital communications, media relationships and vendors, as well as facilitating communication and knowledge sharing.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Working under the supervision of the Head of Communications, Joint SDG Fund Secretariat, develop and implement internal/external communication strategies and outreach for the Fund.
- Manage the Fund Secretariat’s digital communications.
- Work with UN country teams to ensure full coverage of the Joint SDG Fund activities and the generation of new content.
- Maintain Joint SDG Fund presence in public dialogue where appropriate.
- Develop relationships with key partners to maximize visibility and traffic to Joint SDG Fund platforms and to maximize the distribution of content.
- Coordinate the production and publishing of daily content (text, images, video or HTML) that support and engage audiences in a meaningful way.
- Execute the unit’s communications related operational activities in accordance with the Internal Control Framework issued by the Executive Coordinator and within the context of UNDP’s regulatory framework (such as the Financial Regulations and Rules and the UNDP Programme and Operations Policy and Procedure Manual).
2. Manage media relationships/partnerships for the Fund.
- Promote optimum visibility of Joint SDG Fund activities through effective media relations, placement and distribution of information material and creative partnerships with bi-lateral, multi-lateral and non-governmental organizations and the private sector.
- Foster and maintain strong working relationships with international, regional and national and news organizations.
- Develop and maintain a database of journalists and a Joint SDG Fund mailing list. Maintain contact information, materials and relationships with journalists and media outlets covering print, TV, radio, web etc. in varied countries, and within UN HQ, UN Agencies.
- Provide access for journalists to subject-matter experts and relevant donor/country team spokespeople.
- Provide effective responses to inquiries for public information materials and ongoing advocacy and promotion of the Joint SDG Fund’s mandate.
- Produce communication products and materials to support the work of the Joint SDG Fund for a wide variety of media and donor and government partners.
- Coordinate the writing, development, design, production and dissemination of publications – particularly relevant news releases through print and video, utilizing the resources of Joint SDG Fund partners, and pitching pieces for publication when possible; and
- Provide editorial input into all forms of varied publications, reports and website updates as needed.
- Edit and write talking points for senior level officials.
- Host webinars with UN country teams on thematic areas of the High Impact initiatives
- Manage contracts and suppliers for communication activities.
3. Lead the efforts of communication knowledge management and knowledge sharing.
- Advise and support the development of storytelling, visibility and outreach for Joint SDG Fund work;
- Guide in the preparation and implementation of communication tools and materials and advise on how these can be operationalized.
- Develop communication messages into existing Joint SDG Fund initiatives linked to communication/ knowledge sharing efforts; and
- Maintain close contact with communications focal points in the UN system, as well as to support outside knowledge networks and communities of practice linked to SDG financing.
4. Perform other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Joint SDG Fund Secretariat.
Institutional Arrangement
The Communications Specialist will report to the Head of Communications, Joint SDG Fund Secretariat.
Competencies
| Core | |
| 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
| Thematic Area | Name | Definition |
| Communications | Media Relations | Ability to form and maintain meaningful working relationships with various members of the media |
| Digital Innovations | Multimedia writing/editing | Ability to originate or edit written content for media and the general public to be disseminated through press or other online outlets |
| Partnership Management | Partnerships | Ability to engage with other agencies and forge productive working relationships |
| Communications | Public Relations | Ability to manage the spread of information between the UNDP and the public |
| Communications | Knowledge Management | Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge. |
| Business Direction & 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. |
| Communications | Strategic Planning: | Ability to make decisions that align with strategy, vision, and mission. |
Required Skills and Experience
Minimum Education requirements
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Science, Communications, Journalism, or related field is required, or
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in Social Science, Communications, Journalism, or related field.
Minimum years of relevant work experience
- Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant work experience in the field of communications preferably at an international level is required.
Required skills
- Experience in designing communications strategy and materials, public advocacy campaigns, editing articles, and human-interest stories.
- Experience in sharing stories and creating boards for social media posts.
- Ability to form working relationships with web designers/coders in updated the website, graphic designers and videographers for visuals and merchandise.
- Proven ability to shape messages and stories for media placement.
- Experience managing and working with teams of people particularly in civil society engagement.
- Experience in the use of computers applications and software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) as well as web-based management systems.
Desired additional skills and competencies
- Proven experience and familiarity with using Drupal.
- Proven experience and familiarity with INFF.
- Experience and Knowledge of private sector engagement.
- UN field experience is a strong asset.
Required Language(s)
- Fluency in English is required.
- Working knowledge of other UN languages is desirable.
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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