UNDP Jobs - 53079- Communications Associate

Communications Associate

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Starting Date :

01-Apr-2015

Application Deadline :

31-Jan-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

GS-6

Duration of Initial Contract :

One (1) Year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One Year (Renewable)

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

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. Within BERA, the Communications Group leads and manages external communications through strategy, media, digital communications, marketing, branding and global storytelling.

Reporting to the Manager, Media and Advocacy, the Communications Associate is responsible for supporting the team in positioning UNDP’s work in priority areas worldwide through multimedia platforms. He/she is responsible for formatting and distributing communication materials, monitoring media coverage, using social media, helping to organize meetings and events, and supporting the implementation of global campaigns and press launches. He/she is expected to have good administrative skills and strong written and verbal communications skills.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide substantive support to media and advocacy activities undertaken by the Team:

Monitor incoming media queries and forward them to relevant Media and Advocacy Team members or to the Spokesperson’s Unit as appropriate;
Prepare, format, proofread and distribute press releases and other materials produced by the Team on traditional and social media platforms and ensure timely posting to the UNDP web site, in close consultation with the Online Communications Team;
Develop, organize and update on an on-going basis the Group’s media contact databases to ensure easy access of targeted media lists;
Research background information and coordinate media coverage of key events such as press conferences, report launches and briefings, ensuring availability of relevant press materials (press kits, fact-sheets, background information, etc.);
Create, maintain and update a calendar of events for the Media and Advocacy Team;
Provide media monitoring for the Group, using available platforms and search engines, and act as focal point for the News Monitoring Service contracted by UNDP; and
Provide social media support as needed.

Support to knowledge building and knowledge sharing:

Participate in corporate trainings for Communications and/or Operations staff at HQ and share knowledge with colleagues; and
Collaborate closely and on an on-going basis with the pool of Communications Associates to acquire and share knowledge through undertaking of common projects, trainings and/or backing up functions across Teams.

3Provide Operations-related support to the Media and Advocacy Team:

Provide administrative support to the Team as needed, including preparation of travel, payment of invoices in Atlas and other operations-related duties as required; and
Act as leave monitor for the Team.

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.

Technical/Functional:

Primary:

Media Relations:

Ability to form and maintain meaningful working relationships with various members of the media.

Quality Assurance:

Ability to perform administrative and procedural activities to insure that quality requirements and goals are fulfilled.

Marketing:

Ability to communicate the value of a product or service.

Partnerships:

Ability to engage with other agencies and forge productive working relationships.

Public Relations:

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

Secondary:

Knowledge Management:

Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge

UN System:

Knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.

Strategic Planning:

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

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Completion of Secondary Education;
A University Degree in Communications, Economics, Political Sciences and/or Social Sciences would be desirable, but it is not a requirement.

Experience:

Minimum of 6 years of relevant experience; familiarity with the UN system preferred;
Excellent administrative and computer skills, including Microsoft Office;
Knowledge of data base systems;
Good research and writing skills; and
Familiarity with the Communications/media environment.

Language:

Fluency in English is required;
Working knowledge of another UN language an asset.

Other:

Familiarity with Microsoft Office Package required;
Familiarity with using social media platforms required; and
Knowledge of business management software systems an asset.