Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Country Director, the Communications Specialist implements the corporate communications strategy, designs, manages and facilitates the implementation of the Country Office communications and publication strategies with a view to influence the development agenda, to promote public and media outreach and to mobilize political and financial support for UNDP. The Communication officer will chiefly provide communications support to the development projects run by the Country Office.
The Communications Specialist supervises and leads the communications project staff of the country office and has a strong regular working relationship with the Regional Communications Manager. The Communications Specialist also works in close collaboration with the Programme and Operations teams, staff of other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff (Communications Office) and Government officials, international and local media, subject matter experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UNDP communication strategy implementation.
A communications strategy tightly linked to program 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.
Duties
Ensures planning and design of internal and external strategies for communications and outreach for the CO development programme focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Planning and elaboration of communications needs assessments for CO (projects, country programme and corporate change initiatives, etc)
- Elaboration of the CO communications and outreach strategy based on the corporate communications strategy
- Constructive and timely advice on inclusion of communications components in programme formulations to integrate advocacy and communication strategies into all aspects of UNDP’s development programme
- Active and effective participation in the One UN Communication team
Ensures elaboration and implementation of the CO development programmes publications strategy and plan focusing on the achievement of the following results:
- Elaboration and implementation of the CO publications strategy and plan based on the corporate publications policy
- Identification and development of storylines for publications and substantive articles contributing to debates on key development issues
- Coordination and management of all CO publication activities, including content management, norms for publishing, design, liaison with printers and other suppliers to oversee production and supervision of publications dissemination
- Active and effective participation in the One UN Communication team
Supervises the design and maintenance of the UNDP web site, intranet, CO web-based knowledge management system with an emphasis of country programme achievements and progress, focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Design of the office web sites based on corporate requirements in cooperation with the ICT staff
- Supervision and preparation of the content for the web sites ensuring consistency of the materials
- Active and effective participation in the One UN Communication team
Supports the business development focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Creation and promotion of campaigns to local and regional media that position UNDP and influences the development agenda based on current programme and new initiatives
- Management, promotion and dissemination of corporate advocacy materials for launching flagship initiatives and publications such as the Human Development Report
- Creation, promotion and maintenance of public information campaigns on UNDP activities, results of MDGs, UN Reform, etc. in association with other staff from Business Development Team
- Active and effective participation in the One UN Communication team
- Promotional activities to position UNDP as a leader within the development space
- Increased coverage and understanding of the UNDP’s work in the country or practice area through development and maintenance of media contacts and providing newsworthy information to national public and donors
- Formatting, packaging and submission of programme initiatives for donor review in close collaboration with programme staff
- Development and maintenance of close contacts with government officials, multilateral and bilateral donors, civil society and private sector for implementation of the communications strategy, organization of roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews, launches, etc
- Forging of a “one UN” image through publicizing the significance of local UN reform efforts, joint programmes, common services
- Organization and implementation of joint UN information campaigns (UN Day, World AIDS Day, etc.)
- Ensured access for journalists to subject matter experts
- Regular newsletter to donors, donor reports, civic education and community awareness where appropriate to support projects
- Active and effective participation in the One UN Communication team
- Effective responses to inquiries for public information materials
- Innovative and creative solutions to sensitive or corporately strategic public communications issues
- Advocacy and promotion of UNDP mandate, mission and purpose
- Active and effective participation in the One UN Communication team
Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country goals and activities.
- Monitor practices, and project-specific news and developments in order to ensure guidance to the office that reflects the best and most current available information.
- Provides advice and support to UNDP inputs to CCA, UNDAF, CPD and other documents
- Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories.
- Organization and provision of training, consultancy and advice to UNDP staff on communications.
- Active and effective participation in the One UN Communication team
Ensures effective management of the Communication Office and supervision of the Communications team focusing on achieving the following results:
- Effective management of the Communications Office, including preparation of the workiplan, management of translations and contractual matters
- Active and effective participation of UNDP in the One UN Communication team and One UN joint communications activities
Requisites
- Creates effective advocacy strategies
- Contributes to the elaboration of advocacy strategies by identifying and prioritizing audiences and communication means
- Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for advocacy work
- Sensitizes UN Partners, donors and other international organizations to the UNDP’s strategic agenda, identifying areas for joint efforts
- Promotes UNDP’s agenda in inter-agency meetings
- Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches
- Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms
- Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines
- Continues to seeks new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the unit
- Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally
- Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments
- Develops promotional activities based on monitoring/evaluation information identifying areas requiring higher visibility
- Develops messages for use by UNDP staff when working with partners, internationally and nationally
- Reviews documents and materials intended for use within and outside the organization in order to ensure consistency and validity of messages
- Creates effective global advocacy messages/strategies
- Contributes to the elaboration of a global advocacy strategy by identifying and prioritizing audiences and messages
- Leverages different experiences and expertise of team members to achieve better and more innovative outcomes
- Anticipates client needs
- Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service providers
- Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective
- Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents
- Building support and political acumen
- Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation
- Building and promoting effective teams
- Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication
- Creating an emotionally intelligent organization
- Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards
- Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning
- Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member
- Fair and transparent decision making
- Calculated risk-taking
- Master's degree in media relations, journalism, publishing
- 5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in public relations, communications or advocacy
- Previous experience with a multilateral or international organization is helpful but not mandatory
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, good knowledge and experience in handling of web-based management systems
- Fluency in the English and Portuguese
Notes
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.