UNDP Jobs - 60472- Regional Communications Specialist/RBA

Regional Communications Specialist/RBA

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

17-Oct-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year

Languages Required :

English French

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

Regional Communications Specialists are responsible for overseeing and implementing UNDP’s regional communications strategy, aligned to the Organization’s corporate goals and priorities. They promote, market and position UNDP’s regional work at the global level, while at the same time providing strategic guidance and messaging.

Based in UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Africa (RBA) in New York, the Regional Communications Specialist provides strategic guidance to UNDP management in New York and senior officials based on the continent. He/she reports to the Director of the Bureau, providing him with timely support on media relations, interviews and messaging, op-eds, publications and other products. In addition, he/she works closely with economists and experts, offering advice on how to disseminate UNDP/RBA’s knowledge products, including its flagship reports.

The Communications Specialist at RBA works closely with the Regional Communications Advisor based in Addis Ababa and with the Communications team in the Bureau for External Relations and Advocacy (BERA), in supporting and advocating for UNDP’s Africa work at the global level. In addition, he/she works closely with partnership advisers and donor relations experts from across the organization to support the bureau’s resource mobilization and advocacy efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities

Develop and oversea the implementation of a regional external communications strategy:

Develop and oversee the implementation of a regional communications strategy based on corporate communications goals and priorities, in collaboration with the Regional Service Center in Addis Ababa and BERA;
Assess the impact of the communication strategy and make adjustments accordingly;
Integrate issue-based advocacy into the communications strategy around key priority areas relevant to Africa; and
Ensure key results and relevant success stories are incorporated into strategic communications outreach.

Lead international media outreach:

Liaise directly with UN correspondents and international media outlets based in the United States and elsewhere to increase the global visibility of UNDP’s Africa work;
Promote, advocate and raise awareness around UNDP activities, results, flagship initiatives through a variety of communication vehicles, such as roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews, report launches, etc.;
Promote UNDP’s Africa work with special attention to results and impact through media outreach, using new media, including social media platforms and communication tools as appropriate; Proactively market UNDP’s programme work by regularly pitching UNDP success stories and placing UNDP experts for interviews and commentaries in print and multimedia outlets;
Draft and/or edit a range of materials, including press releases & advisories, news briefs, fact sheets for inclusion in media kits and further public outreach;
Ensure articles, press releases, stories, blogs and publications are posted on the UNDP Africa regional website and contribute to the overall direction of the webpages;
Monitor and analyze media coverage in the region and share information with the Regional Bureau and the BERA HQ Communications Group;
Provide communications support to UNDP senior management visiting the region; and
Foster outreach partnerships with new media, innovation groups and social media influential who can help UNDP achieve its global and regional objectives.

Market UNDP’s Africa work globally:

Project UNDP as a substantive thought leader within Africa, promoting its mandate, mission and purpose via effective communication, promoting UNDP’s principles as a tangible value proposition with regional audiences;
Work closely with economists and experts in the bureau to market UNDP/RBA publications, including the upcoming Africa Human Development Report and position UNDP Africa as a thought leader in major conferences and other opportunities for external communication;
Support key relationships with HQ partners through targeted outreach and advocacy. In collaboration with BERA HQ/ NY and the Regional Service Centre (RSC) Regional Partnership Specialist in Addis Ababa, increase coverage and understanding of UNDP’s Africa work through strategic media and/or donor outreach using innovative communication tools and various types of media including digital and social media;
In collaboration with BERA HQ and the RSC Regional Partnership Specialist, and based on their close understanding of regional expertise, guides the production of results-based communications materials for distribution to donors and other key constituents;
Support regional public campaigns that promote UNDP and influence the development agenda based on current program and new initiatives.

Strategic guidance and training:

Provide direct support to the Regional Director on messaging, positioning and interview techniques. Work with him to produce op-eds and speeches, organize interviews and support his country visits and attendance of flagship conferences and events;
Where needed, assist senior officials working in Africa with their own media outreach efforts and provide strategic training to them in close collaboration with the communication team at BERA;
Liaise with the Regional Communications Advisor in Addis Ababa to guide country offices on timely responses to reputational management inquiries raised by media and donors, in close consultation with the Communications Group at HQ; Develop, recommend and issue responses to negative press about UNDP mitigating risk to institutional reputation;
Work with various RBA units on how to share information internally. Provide advice and feedback on writing, positioning and presentation.

Competencies

Core:

Innovation:

Ability to make new and useful ideas work Level 4: Originate (Peer Regarded Lead Expert).

Leadership:

Ability to persuade others to follow Level 4: Originate (Peer Regarded Lead Expert).

People Management:

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction Level 4: Originate (Peer Regarded Lead Expert).

Communication:

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform Level 4: Originate (Peer Regarded Lead Expert).

Delivery:

Ability to get things done Level 3: Apply & Adapt (Recognized contributor with demonstrated ability).

Technical/Functional:

Primary:

Marketing:

Ability to communicate the value of a product or service.

Media Relations:

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

Brand and Quality Management:

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

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.

Strategic Planning:

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

Partnerships:

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

Secondary:

Learning and Development:

Knowledge of enterprise learning and development issues, concepts, and principles, and ability to apply them to enhance the fulfillment and performance of employees.

UN System:

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

Training:

Ability to ascertain need, plan, design, and execute training.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master's degree or equivalent in communications, Public Relations, marketing, media relations, journalism, international relations, development or another relevant field;
First degree is acceptable with 9 years of relevant work experience.

Experience:

A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience in one or more of the following areas: public relations, communications, journalism or advocacy, of which 3-5 years at the international level required;
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in media relations and/or advocacy campaigns at the international level, using traditional and social media, multi-media and a variety of platforms required;
Good understanding of Africa’s development challenges and priorities; and
Understanding of international development issues and previous experience with a multilateral or UN organization is a strong asset.

Language:

Fluency in French and English is required.