Historique

Under the guidance and supervision of the Business Development and External Relations Adviser, the Business Development and Communications Associate provides support to the development and implementation of UNCDF business development strategy, including communications and branding; resource mobilization; and strategic partnerships, especially with LDCs, and related initiatives of the Business Development unit. The incumbent also provides administrative support to the unit in general.

The incumbent works closely with the Programme Division to support business development initiatives, maintaining on the intranet the information on business development and resource mobilization tools, templates, policies/procedures, lessons learned and intelligence and providing relevant, instant and up-to-date information, to take advantage of marketing and resource mobilization opportunities, especially at the regional and country office levels.  S/he also works with the finance associate in the Operations Division to obtain up to date information on contributions received. The incumbent prepares briefs for UNCDF management on donor issues and relationship status. The incumbent supports the Communications Specialist to ensure the website is regularly updated and relevant.

The Business Development and Communications Associate works with external actors, including the media, to organize special events, press briefings and meetings, promoting UNCDF and its business lines to expand LDC coverage and other business development objectives, as outlined in the UNCDF Business Plan.

Devoirs et responsabilités

Summary of key functions:

Under the guidance and supervision of the Business Development and External Relations Adviser, the Business Development and Communications Associate:

• Provides support to the implementation of UNCDF’s Business Development, Communications and Branding Strategy which guides the work of the UNCDF Partnerships and Communications Unit (PCU);
• Provides support to managing Executive Board relations. 

More Specifically, the Communications Associate will provide support to:

• Donor (private and public) intelligence research and updates;
• Maintaining the intranet donor reporting portal;
• Donor relations: Arranging and following-up on donor consultations and donor missions - Donor correspondence, including disbursement requests for donor funds, certifying the receipt of donor funds and  thank-you letters to donors, etc.;
• Donor agreements: Support in advising Programme Units, regional and country offices on selection of, and clearance of agreements, including joint programme agreements;
• Advice on joint programmes (structuring, fees, choice of modality, templates and related legal documents);
• Maintaining agreement catalogue (originals and intranet);
• Tracking and projection of income, in collaboration with the finance associate in the Management Support Unit (MSU) to obtain up to date information on contributions received;
• Drafting of presentations and graphics on income;
• Conference service support;
• Other tasks as directed.

Communications/Branding Strategy: Supports the development and implementation of UNCDF’s communications and branding strategy, focusing on achieving the following results:

• Timely response to request from the country office and regional levels for communication material in support of business development opportunities;
• Arrangement of publicity, advocacy, knowledge-sharing events and promotional opportunities, especially at UN events;
• Support to increased quality and quantity of media coverage on UNCDF, including in UN media;
• Soliciting inputs and  support to maintenance of contents of UNCDF internet websites, including drafting/editing contents and uploading information;
• Monitoring number of accesses to the site and preparing analysis report;
• Support to the writing, translation development, design and production of communication outputs and press releases and distribution to UNDP country offices, UNCDf regional and country offices and stakeholders and partners;
• Support to training of UNCDF staff members and interns in effective communications and branding of UNCDF;
• Capturing, recording and sharing of lessons learned on business development and communications with UNCDF colleagues;
• Maintenance and support to expansion of UNCDF intranet, ensuring that it functions as a knowledge sharing tool.

Executive Board (EB) Relations:

• Assisting with EB planning and documentation;
• Assisting during EB sessions;
• Liaise with UNDP EB secretariat.
  

Compétences

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP/UNCDF’s mission, vision and values;
• Treats all people fairly and without favouritism;
• Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

• Basic knowledge of desktop publishing and web design and editing tools;
• Knowledge of communications and branding, external relations and outreach,  conference and special event organization;
• Good oral and written communication skills.

Teamwork:

• Contributes effectively in team-based activities;
• Works positively to built team morale and consensus;
• Displays positive and constructive attitude.

Relationships:

• Builds strong partner and client relationships, using interpersonal skills to network effectively;
• Focuses on impact and results for the client, promoting and living by an ethic of client service;
• Understands and anticipates evolving client needs;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.

Task Management:

• Produces quality outputs in a timely manner;
• Analyzes problems carefully and logically, leading to fact-based and practical recommendations;
• Develops creative solutions to challenging situations.

Communications:

• Writes clearly and convincingly, adapting style and content to different audiences;
• Speaks clearly and convincingly;
• Listens actively, acknowledging and responding constructively to other points of view.

Building and Sharing Knowledge:

• Provides support and advice to others;
• Actively builds deep knowledge in business development and communications/branding matters;
• Effectively applies existing knowledge to improve performance;
• Supports knowledge sharing in the office.

Learning and People Development:

• Pursues personal development, incorporating feedback, acting on learning plan, and testing newly acquired skills
• Supports learning environment in the office.

Qualifications et expériences requises

• Completion of secondary education;
  
• Specialized training in business development and/or communications.

Experience:

• 7 years progressively more responsible experience in such areas as communications/branding;
  
• External relations, conference and special events organization;
• Experience in website management and desktop publishing.

Language:

• Fluency in English or French;
• Fluency in the other language desirable.