Background
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the global development network for the United Nations system that is on the ground in 177 countries, with its headquarters in New York, USA.The Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA) leads and supports the organization in cultivating, building and nurturing strategic relationships and alliances that are essential for advancing and successfully achieving the mission of UNDP, that includes partnership development, resource mobilization, communications and governance. These strategic relationships cover a wide range and number of key constituencies and development partners, that encompasses developing countries, existing and prospective donor countries/emerging economic powers, sub-national partners, civil society, multilateral and regional institutions (that includes the International financial Institutions, the European Commission, etc), the private sector, foundations, academia and think tanks, the wider UN system, various inter-governmental bodies, as well as the global, regional and national media. The Bureau also leads and manages the organization’s relationship with its Executive Board that is responsible for UNDP’s governance, as well as in interacting with the different legislative organs of the UN that includes the General Assembly and its various committees as applicable, as well as ECOSOC. To all these ends the Bureau leads the organization in the development and advancement of relevant strategies in engaging with this wide spectrum of partners that is achieved through wide internal and external consultative processes.
To carry out its responsibilities BERA is structured along the lines of clusters as follows: Directorate, Communications (CC); Innovation and Development Alliances (IDAC), Resource Partnerships (RPC), Multilateral Affairs and UN Coherence (MAUC) and the MDG-F Secretariat. In addition, BERA has Representation Offices in 5 major donor capitals and 2 UNDP Centres.
Under the overall direction and guidance of UNDP’s Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy - Communications Cluster (BERA/CC), with a secondary reporting line to the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific (RBAP), the Regional Communications Advisor helps to develop, implement and manage a regional communications strategy in line with the corporate communications strategy, with a particular emphasis on media outreach and mentoring Communications Managers in UNDP country offices in South Asia. He/she works in consultation with his/her counterpart based in Bangkok in covering Asia.
Duties and Responsibilities
Summary of key functions:- Develop, implement and monitor a regional, communications strategy / action plans, as well as a regional communications work plan based on UNDP Corporate and Regional priorities.
- Lead media outreach in South Asia, working closely with international and regional media.
- Facilitate capacity building and knowledge sharing, including mentoring and training communications staff in the region’s country offices and enhancing ability of Senior Management and programme staff in communicating with the media.
- Support UNDP’s business development in the region.
Develop regional communications strategies, based on Regional Bureau objectives and incorporating the goals of the corporate communications strategy, and working closely with international media in the region.
- Develop and implement regional communications strategies based on the Regional Bureau objectives and in line with the corporate communications strategy;
- Monitor and measure the impact of the communication strategy and make adjustments accordingly;
- Prepare and conduct communications needs assessments for the regional bureau for Asia and the Pacific (RBAP), in close consultation with the BERA - Communications Cluster (including for projects, country/regional programmes, projects, corporate change initiatives, etc.); and
- Integrate issue-based advocacy into the communications strategy around key priority areas in the region’s country offices.
- Ensure the promotion and increased understanding of UNDP’s work in the region with special attention on results and impacts achieved through development and maintenance of international media contacts and using new types of media and communication tools as appropriate;
- Promote, advocate and raise awareness around UNDP activities, results, flagship initiatives through a variety of communication vehicles, such as roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews, report launches, etc.;
- Build strong personal relationships with core journalists in the region to establish trustful and reliable connections with key news organizations;
- Explore and utilize innovative and emerging communication tools and new media in support of the communications strategy;
- Proactively market UNDP’s program work in the media by regularly pitching UNDP success stories and placing UNDP experts for interviews and commentaries in print and TV/radio outlets;
- Prepare/draft a range of materials, including talking points for senior managers, press releases & advisories, news briefs, fact sheets for inclusion in media kits and further public outreach;
- Support UNDP senior management with their regional public appearances, communications activities, and arranges and ensures wide media coverage for them. Provide that same support for RBAP senior officials; and
- Develop plans for increasing the profile of the region’s programmes through audio-visual material to broadcast and social media.
Facilitate capacity building and knowledge sharing, including mentoring and training communications staff in the country offices of the region:
- Liaising with country office to communicate success stories and results, offering mentoring and advice when needed;
- Play a key role in coaching and mentoring of Country Office Communications staff, especially in the design and implementation of communications strategies;
- Develop program personnel and key projects personnel capacities in the area of effective external communications and advocacy;
- Assist and guide country office and HQ on responding to reputational management inquiries raised by media and donors. Monitor regional project-specific news and developments to ensure guidance to the Bureau that reflects the best and most current available information;
- Organize and facilitate training workshops on development communications;
- Prepare periodic reports and summaries for the management on regional media activities;
- Contribute to knowledge networks, communications toolkit and communities of practices on communications issues;
- Provide training to CO communications staff and introduce new, cost-effective digital technologies for the more rapid collection and dissemination of footage and pictures from field operations in the Asia and the Pacific region; and
- Support Country Office Communications staff on media development as needed.
- Position UNDP as a substantive thought leader within the development world and promote its mandate, mission and purpose via effective communication;
- Develop and maintain close contacts with multilateral and bilateral donors and the private sector for implementation of the communications strategy, including by organizing roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews, report launches, etc.;
- Create, promote and maintain regional public campaigns that position UNDP and influence the development agenda based on current program and new initiatives;
- Provide strategic advice to senior management on current events and issues relevant to UNDP business opportunities; and
- Enhance understanding and knowledge of journalists and key interlocutors on development issues through substantive regional workshops and training sessions using UNDP reports, data and experts.
The key results have an impact on UNDP’s development and business goals in the region through increased understanding among target audiences on UNDP’s internal efficiency and capacity to deliver. Effective development and implementation of communications strategies will enhance the strategic positioning of UNDP in the region.
Competencies
Corporate Competencies:- Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
- Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP.
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
Functional Competencies:
- Demonstrated ability as a strategic thinker and ability to conceptualize issues and analyze data.
- Ability to conceive and implement communications strategies.
- Strong understanding of outreach and advocacy at the international level.
- Ability to advocate effectively.
- Excellent verbal communications skills.
- Demonstrates excellent ability to write in English.
- Demonstrates good skill in social media use.
- Demonstrates good knowledge of current development issues particularly those pertinent to UNDP’s Practice Areas, as well as key development priorities of the region.
- Proven ability to position issues effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Demonstrates knowledge and experience in media relations at the international level and an in-depth knowledge of the South Asia.
- Creative vision to employ new and different media constructively and innovatively.
Management and Leadership:
- Focuses on impact and result for the client
- Interacts effectively with all levels of the organization
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
- Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors
- Demonstrates exceptional ability to remain calm, in control and good humored even under pressure and tight deadlines
- Demonstrates openness to change
- Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view
- Solicits feedback about the impact of his/her own behavior
Required Skills and Experience
Education:- Master's degree or equivalent in communications, Public Relations, marketing, media relations, journalism, international relations or a development field.
- A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience at the international level in one or more of the following areas: - public relations, communications, journalism, media development-related advocacy, is required.
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience in media relations at the international level and an in-depth knowledge of Asia and the Pacific
- Previous experience with a multilateral or international organization, preferably in the region, is an asset but not required.
- Experience in media development is an asset but not required.
- Computer skills, including knowledge of office software packages.
- Fluency in English is a must
- Knowledge of another UN language is an asset
- Please ensure that you upload your signed UNDP-specific Personal History Form-P-11 (available at http://sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc) in the relevant field of the on-line application. You may also upload your CV/resume with this form.
- Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration. Please note that only applicants who are shorted-listed will be contacted.