Background

UNDP’s Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery (BCPR) is supported by a Directorate team which supports the Bureau Director to lead strategic policy direction of UNDP with its mandate for Crisis Prevention and Recovery (CPR) – including the implementation of specific projects/ programmes and management of the UNDP Thematic Trust Fund (TTF) for CPR.

 The Directorate oversees strategic management and coordination of the Bureau, ensuring efficient implementation and coherence through, inter alia, information sharing, convening and managing internal and cross-Bureau meetings, joint trainings and intra-Bureau planning events.
 
The Directorate is headed by a Chief of Staff who reports to the Bureau Director. The Chief of Staff ensures coherence and coordination of all Directorate staff, including assistants to senior management in substantive divisions and Geneva. Within the Directorate an ‘External Relations Team’ – managed directly by the Chief of Staff – takes the lead on CPR donor relations, resource mobilization and donor reporting (in close liaison with UNDP’s Partnership Bureau) and overall external communications and advocacy for the Bureau.
 
Under the overall supervision of the BCPR Director, the Special Assistant provides day to-day support implementing the Bureau’s CPR mandate. This is accomplished by providing strategic support to strengthen the country teams, in collaboration with UNDP Regional Bureaux and the UN system, in their capacity to respond to crisis situations, as well as disaster prevention and mitigation and post-conflict recovery. The Special Assistant is the primary point of contact for all meetings, missions, conferences, etc. and related reporting undertaken by the Bureau Director.
 
In this context, BCPR seeks the services of a Consultant (Writer/Editor) to support the Directorate in writing and editing internal and external communication material and backstopping the Special Assistant who is also the focal point for all CPR issues with the Executive Office of the UNDP Administrator.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Staff and in close collaboration with the Communications Specialist and the Special Assistant to the Director, the consultant:

  • Supports the Communication Specialist in developing and implementing news focused communication strategies and media outreach through the UNDP Office of Communication using a broad range of media, including but not limited to video, radio, press, web pages, and social media
  • Drafts and edits content for UNDP’s website on crisis prevention and recovery;
  • Supports social media initiatives;
  • Edits briefing notes, background documents, letters and other corporate communication material for the Director and Deputy Directors, as requested;
  • Develops and edits crisis prevention and recovery related outreach material, including speeches, for the UNDP Administrator and Associate Administrator, as requested;
  • Prepares/and/or contributes to the preparation of speeches and talking points in close coordination with technical teams for the Director, Deputy Directors and other senior managers;
  • Reviews and analyzes key documentation as requested;
  • Drafts correspondence for the Director as requested;
  • Serves as rapporteur at bureau meetings (e.g. the annual retreat, all staff meetings, etc.) when requested;
  • Researches background briefs and material on CPR issues as needed
  • Drafts the bureau’s annual report, and supports in the editing of the report once compiled;
  • Draft and edits media releases, media advisories; op-eds, web stories and other written outreach material as required;
  • Collects and drafts stories illustrating the results of BCPR-supported work;
  • Drafts and edits issue briefs, results pagers, fast facts and brochures;
  • Edits donor related documents as requested by donor relations staff; and
  • Provides any other support to the Directorate as needed 

Expected outputs:

  • A minimum of four success stories/projects and initiatives drafted for the website per month
  • A minimum of two Fast Facts, Results, and/or Issue Briefs revised or developed per month
  • A minimum of two speeches drafted per month
  • Coherent messaging of UNDP’s position and results in crisis prevention and recovery are effectively conveyed via outreach materials
  • A minimum of two op-eds/our perspective blogs drafted per month.
Institutional arrangement
  • The writer/editor consultant will be supervised directly by the Chief of Staff, in close collaboration with the Communications Specialist and the Special Assistant to the Director
  • The writer/editor consultant is expected to work with the External Relations Team of BCPR and liaise with relevant staff in BCPR, in the Office of Communications, in other UN agencies, and with external partners/stakeholders as required 
  • The consultant shall work on site, and is required to bring their own laptop
Duration of the work
  • The contract shall commence in June, for an initial period of three months, with the possibility of an extension, which is dependent upon performance and budget availability
  • Payment will be issued on a monthly basis upon satisfactory receipt of a Certificate of Payment and time sheet.

Duty Station

  • The writer/editor consultant will be based in the Directorate of the Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery, UNDP HQ, New York. The consultant is not expected to travel
  • The writer/editor is expected to physically report to the office and work on-site. Some home based work will be permitted
  • The incumbent will be expected to work normal office hours, with occasional late nights and weekend work required.

Summary of selection process

  • Appraisal of candidates prior relevant experience (based on details included in the CV and covering letter) and previously published material (20%); appraisal of technical skills through a writing test (50%); interview (30%);

Competencies

  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
  • Strong team player with belief in UNDP’s mission and mandate
  • Excellent coordination and organizational skills
  • Ability to multi-task to meet simultaneous deadlines, follow-up on story leads, and be able to deliver high-quality products while able to work independently with medium to minimal supervision from supervisors
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Creative and confident pitching communication ideas and strategies
  • Excellent attention to detail
  • Excellent communicator, writer and editor
  • Excellent fact-checking skills
  • Emotional intelligence

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • Advanced university degree or equivalent qualification in communications, journalism, public relations, advertising, development, international relations, social sciences, public administration, or related fields
Experience:
  • At least three to five years of experience in communicating complex development results to a broad audience. This must include experience in writing and editing to a high standard for a public audience
  • Experience in a wide range of media, preferably including social media
  • Experience with the United Nations system, with development or humanitarian work. Experience in developing countries will be considered an asset
  • Design, layout and photo editing skills, and a working knowledge of design programmes, such as Photoshop, Adobe Creative Suite, Adobe CQ5 and Adobe Indesign 5.5 or 6 will be considered an asset

Language:

  • Fluency in English, both oral and written, is required. Working knowledge of other UN official language(s) (preferably French and/or Spanish) is an asset

Mandatory for application package

  • Cover letter containing (1) applicant's financial proposal (preferred daily rate); (2) names, phone number and e-mails of three references; (3) earliest start date
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • 3-6 writing samples of previously published material showcasing the applicant's writing style and highlighting themes relevant to UNDP's work in crisis prevention and recovery
  • Optional: Other previously published material that demonstrates other relevant skills (such as layout or design work, infographics, on-line links to videos made, etc.)
  • Please submit the mandatory application package to Leilei.phyu@undp.org

Note:

The selection process for shortlisted candidates will comprise of a technical exam (a writing test), a verbal interview, and an appraisal of the incumbent’s prior experience.