Background

In September 2009, the UN Secretary-General designated H.M. Queen Máxima of the Netherlands as his Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA).  As UNSGSA and Honorary Patron of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), Queen Máxima raises awareness and advocates specific policies, investments and actions with governments, regulators, private companies, international institutions and diverse additional stakeholders, all with view of how inclusive financial systems can help to reduce poverty, equalize opportunity and accelerate progress toward numerous development goals.   She does so through country visits, speeches, meetings, convening of stakeholders and other outreach.  This requires careful, comprehensive and rigorous analysis of local conditions, policies, available services and public priorities, as well as the needs of households, enterprises and communities.

The UNSGSA’s work is done in partnership and with wide consultation among the many stakeholders working to advance financial inclusion—and those affected by it. She collaborates closely with an advisory Reference Group of leading international organizations in financial inclusion to share expertise and suggest strategic opportunities that she can advance through advocacy and partnerships. Reference Group members include: Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Better Than Cash Alliance, Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), International Finance Corporation (IFC), UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and The World Bank. The UNSGSA also consults   and/or cooperates with the UN Rome based agencies and the wider UN system, the UN secretariat, UN country teams, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other multilateral organizations, private financial institutions, companies, donors, civil society organizations and the media.

Members of the Reference Group and many other in-country and global partners play an important role in converting advocacy into action.

The UNSGSA also engages with the financial standard setting bodies (SSBs) so that their work takes into account the advancement of Financial Inclusion around the world.

A small team works closely with Queen Máxima and her secretariat in The Hague to coordinate and advance her UN and G20 activities. The Office of the UNSGSA is housed at BERA/UNDP in New York and receives financial support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The incumbent will report to the Director of the office, and will collaborate with the UNSGSA’s staff in The Hague, particularly the press office and the private secretary to Her Majesty.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

• Develop and refine effective communications strategies, tactics, and brand standards. Strengthen communications systems and institute best practices in support of this process;
• Build awareness of the importance of financial inclusion and the work of the UNSGSA among global, national, and UN partners and the wider public. Support and enhance partner engagement and strengthen awareness of UNSGSA brand;
• Conceptualize and create a wide range of content for multiple channels.

Develop and refine effective communications strategies, tactics, and brand standards. Strengthen communications systems and institute best practices in support of this process:

• Regularly assess the Office’s communications needs and priorities and adjust overall communications strategy to support the goal of advancing financial inclusion and raising awareness among global and national leaders and the public;
• Establish and implement content strategy for website, annual report, and other communications tools;
• Develop strategies and annual work plan aligning communications activities with UNSGSA strategies. Detail required resources, priorities, and timelines, monitor progress, and take timely action to ensure objectives are met;
• Analyze risks and opportunities of social media involvement and lead strategy development for passive and/or proactive participation, in close consultation with Office Director and the Special Advocate’s staff in The Hague;
• Expand UNSGSA’s communications toolkit, including: message talking points for the Special Advocate; contact database of strategic communications partners; media tracking system for press, web, and social media coverage, in collaboration with Special Advocate’s press office in The Hague; regular analytics reporting for electronic assets, particularly website and email communications; comprehensive procedure guidelines for using the UNSGSA website, database, email system; photo archive;
• Maintain detailed knowledge of communications trends, innovations, and opportunities, and explore new developments in light of the needs and goals of UNSGSA advocacy. Work closely with UNSGSA colleagues and the Special Advocate’s staff to determine next steps; and
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Director.

Build awareness of the importance of financial inclusion and the work of the UNSGSA among global, national, and UN partners and the wider public. Support and enhance partner engagement and strengthen awareness of UNSGSA brand:

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with counterparts at a broad range of partner organizations on the UNSGSA’s advocacy, and leverage those connections to help expand awareness of the UNSGSA’s messages. Share information with internal and external stakeholders and coordinate with partners to disseminate news where appropriate:
• Identify and prioritize the UNSGSA’s target audiences—within the UN/system, country leaders, NGOs, private enterprise, thought leaders, etc.—and analyze communications strategies that can best galvanize support. Implement targeted strategies in consultation with director;
• Track stakeholder engagement and partner activities, and share information internally on events and media coverage relevant to the office;
• Support media outreach undertaken by Special Advocate’s press office in The Hague. Collaborate with UNDP and other UN partners to strengthen media opportunities and coverage of Special Advocate’s work, especially during country visits;
• Supervise database and help expand contacts list, as appropriate; and
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Director.

Conceptualize and create a wide range of content for multiple channels:

• Write or contribute to preparation of feature and news stories, speeches, talking points, briefs, press releases, letters, and any written content needed by UNSGSA office, collaborating with colleagues and technical experts where appropriate;
• Create UNSGSA’s annual report, the Office’ primary communications tool. Working closely with UNSGSA colleagues and Special Advocate’s office, develop concept; conduct research; draft, edit, fact-check text; work with photographers to commission or otherwise obtain appropriate images; select and oversee outside designer and printer; develop and implement dissemination plan, including email and social media outreach. Throughout process, establish clear and realistic schedules and adhere rigorously to timelines;
• Manage editorial quality assurance—accuracy, clarity, consistency, tone, visual presentation, timeliness—of print and online content, including fact-checking, copyediting, proofreading as needed. Ensure consistency of messaging and branding in line with communications strategy;
• Expand portfolio of UNSGSA general-interest content aimed at non-technical audiences, with a focus on generating compelling stories and examples from the field and spearheading development of assets such as infographics and video;
• Oversee all aspects of UNSGSA website: write and update content, including overviews of country visits, speeches, appearances, and other activities; spearhead and manage any needed structural or design updates, working with external website designers; take lead on adding written and visual content to website using content management system;
• Guide and manage external communications consultants, including web and print designers, photographers;
• Ensure timely statistical review and analysis or all electronic communications, including website, social media, and email, and adapt editorial and outreach approaches accordingly; and
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Director.

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;
• Excellent time- and project-management skills and rigorous adherence to deadlines are essential;
• Collegiality, strong teamwork ethic, discretion.

Technical/Functional:

Primary:

UN System: UN Coordination and Coherence

• Knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply to practical situations.

Representation

• Ability to proactively share UNSGSA knowledge and activities at UN and other venues.

Partnerships/Relationships management

• Ability to engage with other agencies, delegations and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships.

Briefs and Speech writing

• Ability to prepare quality briefs and or speeches.

Communication

• Ability to communicate effectively, creatively, and with cultural sensitivity.  Must be detail-oriented and excel at translating complex technical information into clear, compelling, accurate prose.

Risk management

• Ability to identify and prioritize risks, and organize actions around mitigating them.

Secondary:

Intergovernmental and Multilateral Affairs

• Knowledge of the Intergovernmental bodies and respective mandates and operations.

Knowledge management and sharing

• Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s) in international development, social science, communications, or other related field, with an international focus.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience and proven ability to deliver high-quality work that addresses complex issues in a very tight time frame as well as progressively responsible experience in communications, advocacy, or public relations with international or multilateral organizations, the UN System/UNDP, or other relevant settings;
• Excellent writing and editing skills in English and strategic communications experience are essential, as well as knowledge of issues and major players involved in financial inclusion;
• Experience managing web sites and online communications targeted at international audiences;
• Working knowledge of website content management systems (Concrete5);
• Experience overseeing website design;
• Sound knowledge of issues related to electronic media and social networks, and ability to analyze threats and opportunities. Experience designing, implementing, and analyzing online and social media outreach; and
• Considerable experience overseeing copyeditors, print and web designers, photographers, printers; developing infographics; managing complex projects with multiple contributors. Good knowledge of office software packages.

Language Requirements:

• Excellent command of written and spoken English essential;
• Working knowledge of other UN languages desirable.