UNDP Jobs - 50454- Deputy Director, Communications

Deputy Director, Communications

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

09-Nov-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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. 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.

Background

Effective communication, both internal and external, is paramount in advancing UNDP’s image with constituents, as well as the public at large. Strategic communications at the country, regional and global levels helps UNDP achieve its critical Strategic Plan goals, contributing to raising the organization’s profile, influencing policy, engaging stakeholders, mobilizing resources and increasing impact. The Communications Group is a vital part of advancing strategic communications across the organization, attracting positive attention, strengthening recognition of UNDP’s work and raising the profile of the organization.

The Deputy Director, Communications is a key position within the organization to assist the Director, Communications in ensuring strategic and effective communications, helping to oversee the development and implementation of the UNDP’s communications strategy and its alignment with UNDP’s Strategic Plan; and to shape organizational Communications priorities and improve our branding, marketing, messaging and public positioning. Reporting to the Director, Communications, s/he supports the Director on all aspects of group management and operations and shares management responsibility for Team Managers and all Communications personnel outposted to other offices within HQ and globally, working hand in hand with the Director to oversee the overall function and management of the Group.

Duties and Responsibilities

Works across UNDP to develop and implement communications strategy and planning

With the Director, Communications, works closely with all UNDP’s Bureaux and offices to develop an organization-wide communications strategy and plan, helping to improve UNDP’s capacity to communicate UNDP’s programmatic work and thought leadership to the public at large and to donors, governments, and influential audiences;
Coordinates communication efforts across Bureaux and other UN agencies, funds and programmes;
Under the leadership of the Director, develops and monitors corporate communications priorities, goals, and outcomes.

Manages the development and implementation of major UNDP advocacy/media/outreach projects and campaigns

In support of the Communications Director and working with the team leaders in the Communications Group, provides ongoing strategic direction, advice and guidance on UNDP advocacy, media relations, events and multimedia products;
Contributes to and monitors the implementation of UNDP marketing and outreach campaigns and the recruitment, management, and deployment of Goodwill Ambassadors and other high-profile supporters;
Ensures that media relations and media outreach are consistent and high-quality and are focused on priority media markets and outlets, contributes to managing reputational risk and responding to negative coverage;
Oversees cross-team collaborations on major advocacy/outreach campaigns in key policy/thematic areas.

Oversight of marketing and branding

Under the guidance of the Director of Communications and working closely with the Manager, Marketing and Outreach, assists in monitoring brand quality and coordinates brand development and marketing initiatives with a special focus on coordinating support for Resource Mobilization and donor-related communications products and support;
Ensures quality and consistency in the development and roll out of training tools and toolkits covering all aspects of communication, facilitating capacity-building for UNDP staff in HQ, regional hubs and country offices;
Helps to institutionalize quality control practice of corporate communications materials produced in HQ, regional hubs and country offices.

Support to UNDP’s online and digital strategy and implementation

With the Manager, Online & Digital, contributes strategic advice and direction on digital communications, platforms, channels and applications including contributing to identifying and developing new directions and initiatives;
With the Manager, Online & Digital, oversees quality and consistency regarding social media strategy and implementation;
Assists in overseeing integration between all digital communications platforms, channels and applications in line with other aspects of communications across the teams.

Under the direction of the Director, Communications, ensure effective management of Communications Group staff

Under the leadership of the Director, Communications, oversee the development, implementation, and monitoring of Communications work plans, ensuring they are aligned to the UNDP Strategic Plan and the strategic objectives of UNDP;
Coordinates with the Bureau of Management on UNDP’s commitment to the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI);
Under the leadership of Director, Communications, manage day-to-day the Communications staff in HQ, and those posted to Regional Hubs and Representation Offices, including in the recruitment, performance and career management processes;
Lead the collaboration between the Communications Group three primary teams (Media & Advocacy, Online & Digital, and Marketing & Outreach) and build a high-functioning, cooperative Communications Group management team;
Oversees and manages the day-to-day Bureau operation in relation to the financial, procurement and general administration aspects.

Competencies

Core competencies:

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work.

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow.

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.

Delivery

Ability to get things done.

Strategic Planning

Ability to make decisions that align with strategy, vision, and mission.

Technical/Functional competencices:

Primary:

Brand & Quality Management

Ability to position a UNDP brand and uphold it to a high level of quality.

Marketing

Ability to communicate the value of a product or service.

Multimedia writing/editing

Originating and/or editing written content for media and the general public to be disseminated through press or other online outlets.

Digital/Online/Emerging Technologies

Ability to identify and oversee strategies for engaging with multiple audiences through a variety of internet and mobile communications platforms.

Public Relations

Ability to manage the spread of information between the UNDP and the public.

Priority setting

Ability to scan and synthesize diverse sets of information to arrive at strategic priorities and positioning recommendations.

Secondary:

Data Analysis

Ability to evaluate, transform and model data to derive relevant findings- undertake & provide analysis of data to assess Org performance and or global trends.

Knowledge Management

Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge.

Capacity Development

Ability to strengthen and maintain the capabilities of individuals, societies, organizations and governments to set and achieve development objectives over time.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

First degree required;
Advanced university degree in communications, journalism or other relevant field preferred.

Experience:

A minimum of 10 years of experience of professional experience in communications, journalism, advocacy, or campaigns with increasing responsibilities in administration and management, with a demonstrated track record of successfully managing multiple people, processes and projects in a complex environment;
Proven excellence in people management is a core requirement of this position;
Proven ability to effectively manage high profile global communications initiatives and campaigns, with particular experience on issues related to new communications technologies, branding and marketing, outreach to diverse global and national audiences, resource mobilization and donor or customer relations; and a proven track record of success in generating and garnering media coverage for international development or international relations issues;
Demonstrated planning and organization skills to effectively implement corporate strategic communications plans and deliver results;
International and developing country experience and perspective, including field experience in international development contexts, is strongly preferred.

Language requirements:

Fluency in English;
knowledge of a second UN language desirable.