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 SDG Action Campaign is a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General hosted by the Executive Office of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and based in Bonn, Germany. The Campaign is mandated to convene, campaign and catalyze by accelerating SDG action.
The Campaign’s Advocacy for Change approach aims at systemic transformation by rethinking, recalibrating, and reimagining economies and societies so that they serve people and the planet, while inspiring SDG action and sending a message of hope and possibilities.
The UN SDG Action Campaign facilitates convening spaces and supports the engagement of civil society organizations and other key stakeholders in relevant dialogues and processes, with a focus in the areas of financing for development, gender equality, climate action, sustainable food systems and justice and peace. Additionally, the Campaign lends its advocacy and communication support to key partners including through open-source advocacy campaigns, SDG media dialogues, SDG digital art exhibits to inspire action and engage new audiences and tap into humanity’s creative power for good. And the UN SDG Action Awards programme, the Campaign’s flagship initiative, serves to identify and celebrate exceptional changemakers and initiatives that are making a difference towards the 2030 Agenda.
Duties and Responsibilities
Within the above context, and under overall supervision and guidance of the Policy and Partnerships Specialist (P4), the UN SDG Action Campaign is seeking to recruit a Creative Communications Specialist to provide support across the following areas:
• Develop and implement creative communications strategies to enhance the visibility and positioning of the UN SDG Action Campaign.
• Produce creative SDG advocacy and campaigning assets in line with the Campaign’s key messages and policy priorities.
• Identify partnership opportunities with likeminded entities and networks in the creative sector and across other constituencies including civil society and youth groups.
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
1) Coordinate the creative campaigning work of the UN SDG Action Campaign
- Coordinate the branding, creative direction and implementation of creative advocacy campaigns on the SDGs, in line with the messaging and policy priorities of the Campaign.
- Design creative campaigning packages to be adapted and rolled out by partners, including toolkits, briefs, pitch decks and guidelines.
- Lead on providing creative SDG campaigning and advocacy support to key partners from the UN, civil society, creative sector and other relevant constituencies.
- Develop analogue and digital engagement and activation strategies, such as asset co-creation and influencer engagement.
2) Provide strategic advice on the communications and digital work of the Campaign
- Guide and support the development and implementation of creative communications and advocacy strategies in line with the messaging and policy priorities of the Campaign.
- Coordinate the outreach and digital promotion of Campaign events and activations, including the UN SDG Action Awards.
- Work closely with colleagues working on policy and digital strategy to develop and maintain digital platforms – websites, social media platforms, and tracking their performance.
- Support the social media work of the Campaign, ensuring consistency of messaging, creativity and impact across all channels.
- Support the Campaign’s digital strategy development and implementation.
- Provide strategic creative communications advice to senior management.
3) Coordinate the partnerships of the UN SDG Action Campaign with the creative sector
- Coordinate the outreach to the creative sector and the mapping out of relevant partners for collaboration on SDG advocacy.
- Identify key opportunities for collaboration with partners in the creative sector, including relevant events and milestones.
- Coordinate the liaison with partners form the creative sector and the organization of Campaign events with key partners;
- Contribute to provide visibility to Campaign partners, including donors, across social media and other digital platforms.
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: Junior Communications Analyst (IPSA)
Competencies
Core Competencies – UNDP Core Competencies can be found
here.
- 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
People Management
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Communications – Advocacy strategy and implementation:
- Ability to create and implement communications and advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change
Communications – Brand & quality management
- Ability to position the UN SDG Action Campaign brand and uphold it to a high level of quality
Communications – Campaign management
- Ability to produce and implement communications and advocacy campaigns which lead to impactful change
Communication – Social Media Management
- Ability to represent and promote the UNDP brand in virtual communities and networks
External Relations & Advocacy / General across the function – Event planning and execution
- Ability to plan, manage and execute of public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNDP’s overall brand and mandate.
Partnership management – Relationship 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 – Systems 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
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Communications, Media Studies, Journalism, International Relations, Development or related fields is required. Or
- 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 progressively responsible experience in strategic advocacy campaign direction, three of which should be in the United Nations and with a focus on the SDGs, is required.
- Demonstrated experience forging partnerships with the creative sector, including for international advocacy events and initiatives on the SDGs, is required.
- Excellent knowledge of the Adobe Creative Suite and working knowledge of Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop is an asset.
- Prior experience working with the creative sector is an asset.
- Experience in digital platforms and social media management is desirable.
Language:
- Fluency in English is required with excellent communication skills, both spoken and written.
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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