UNDP Jobs - 56934- Communications Specialist, Celebrity Relations

Communications Specialist, Celebrity Relations

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Sep-2015

Application Deadline :

05-Jul-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

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. The Media & Advocacy Team in the Communications Group supports strong media outreach, public events, and other multimedia advocacy tools. The Team is responsible for news, story and photo/video/multimedia production and celebrity management, helping to raise UNDP’s global profile and strengthen UNDP’s positioning among key donors, partners, policymakers and public audiences.

The Communications Specialist, Celebrity Relations is part of the Media and Advocacy Team. Reporting to the Media and Advocacy Manager, he/she is responsible for managing communications initiatives and opportunities related to UNDP’s Goodwill Ambassadors and other celebrity supporters to contribute to UNDP’s visibility, advocacy and resource mobilization.

Duties and Responsibilities

Organize and manage the Goodwill Ambassador Programme day-to-day:

In collaboration with the Manager, Media & Advocacy and the Director and Deputy Director of Communications, lead BERAs Goodwill Ambassador portfolio and manage the relationships for existing global Goodwill Ambassadors. Develop and implement strategies and workplans for their engagement with UNDP;
Develop communications plan and edit communications materials, including speeches and talking points, press kits, fact sheets, infographics and multimedia products, relevant to Goodwill Ambassador events, appearances, participation in campaigns, with partners and other communications outreach. Position Goodwill Ambassadors on social media platforms; and
Organize relevant press events and media moments, and position UNDP senior staff and Goodwill Ambassadors in press launches and media coverage.

Expand and strengthen the Goodwill Ambassador Programme:

Develop and implement comprehensive corporate communications planning for recruiting and managing Goodwill Ambassadors and other celebrity supporters including developing targets for outreach and impact, and integrating Goodwill Ambassadors into resource mobilization efforts;
Develop networks for UNDP in high-profile global artist and celebrity relations management sectors in order to identify and recruit potential new Goodwill Ambassadors in multiple fields;
Onboard new Goodwill Ambassadors and actively manage their engagement with UNDP;
Work as the HQ coordinator with the UNDP Geneva Office for the Match Against Poverty and European-based sports Goodwill Ambassadors, helping to strengthen the Match Against Poverty into an integrated communications and resource mobilization initiative and incorporate sports-related Goodwill Ambassadors into other UNDP communications and advocacy efforts; and
Organize, guide and plan field missions with Goodwill Ambassadors and manage their engagement with UNDP’s donors and partners.

Support UNDP offices with celebrity management and artist relations:

Provide advice and guidance to Country Offices and Bureaus on recruitment and management of national or regional GWAs.
Plan with Country Offices and other Bureaus to connect global UNDP Goodwill Ambassadors to strategic national or regional efforts as appropriate.

Support the wider work of the Media and Advocacy team as and when required. Specific duties and responsibilities may include:

Plan and implement communication steps to place UNDP in international media outlets (and in national outlets in key countries); help to shape messages and stories and pitch them to journalists and editors;
Initiate, draft and edit a range of communications materials, including press releases, news articles, op eds, fact sheets, and multimedia products for media kits and further public outreach;
Work with other Bureaux to identify media moments and produce communications content to help promote UNDP as part of this; and
Be part of any on-duty rota systems that the Media and Advocacy Team has in place.

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.

Multimedia writing/editing:

Ability to originate or edit written content for media and the general public to be disseminated through press or other online outlets.

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:

Advanced degree in relevant field of communications, journalism, arts, social science, or related field;
First degree acceptable with additional years of experience in relevant field.

Experience:

7 years of work experience required in the field of communications, celebrity management, marketing, public relations, journalism or other relevant field;
Experience working in or with the entertainment industry/talent management field and demonstrated track record of artist/celebrity relationship management required, preferably in a social cause-related role;
Outstanding skills in communications, and understanding of media, multimedia and social media required;
Experience with media/marketing for special events strongly preferred;
Understanding of international development; international relations; or environmental and/or other relevant issues strongly preferred; and
Demonstrated ability to thrive within a complex multicultural and multinational environment strongly preferred.

Language:

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