Background
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Ensures planning, design, and implementation of internal and external strategies for communications and advocacy plans for the Country Office focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Preparation and conduct of communications needs assessments for CO (projects, country programme and corporate change initiatives, etc).
- Analysis of requirements and synthesis of proposals on ways to integrate advocacy and communication strategies into all aspects of UNDP’s development programme during programme formulations.
- Conceptualize, develop and manage both internal/external communication and advocacy plans for the Country Office.
- Drafting/editing of CO communications and advocacy strategy based on the corporate communications strategy.
- Write articles and stories for advocacy and the press and the speeches and statements for the Senior Management in various issues.
- Lead organization-wide efforts at communicating core messages about UNDP goals/thrusts and programmes/projects and provide article, recommendations and guidance to concerned staff on development of specific topics.
- Inform management of public attitudes/concerns of different groups and organizations (including donors, media and project partners) that UNDP deals with.
- Through collaboration with the different UNDP teams, finds opportunities to promote programmes and activities through the effective use of relevant media (traditional and new). This will also entail exercising creativity in packaging information to make it relevant to various target audience.
- Monitor and evaluate communication objectives/outputs for effectiveness through periodic audience surveys, media scanning/analysis and other mechanisms.
- Proactively conduct research to develop and publish articles to effectively communicate UNDP to its various publics.
- Manage and direct publicity arrangements in support of the communication and advocacy plans and strategies that promote/support UNDP programs and activities.
- Develop and encourage partnerships between Programme/Administrative staff and media bureau services for media and advocacy support in relation to implementing internal/external advocacy messages and strategy.
- Arrange/conduct programmes for contact between the organization representatives and the public, such as setting up speaking engagements, preparing speeches, planning/organizing conventions, making films, slides or other visual presentations, etc. dealing with advertising companies/production houses as necessary.
- Effectively liaise with a group of core journalists.
- Implementation of the CO publications strategy and plan, based on the corporate publications policy.
- Identification of storylines for publications and drafting of substantive articles contributing to debates on key development issues.
- Coordination and management of CO publication activities, such as content management, norms for publishing, design, etc.
- Contact with printers and other suppliers to ensure production and ensure publications dissemination.
- Coordinate the preparation of annual reports, monitoring of the MDGs, consolidation of monitoring reports and reviews, and annual updating of situation analyses.
- Develop the contents of newsletters or e-news and manage its preparation, decide what will appeal to readers, assign topics to staff, and oversee production of publication.
- Manage the strategic dissemination of UNDP country, regional and global knowledge products.
- Supervision of the design , management, maintenance and continuous development of the Country Office website, intranet and information database based on corporate requirements in cooperation with the Website Manager
- Preparation of the content for the websites to ensure consistency of the materials.
- Promotion and maintenance of public information campaigns on UNDP activities, UN Reform, results of MDGs, in association with other.
- Promotion and dissemination of corporate advocacy materials for launching flagship initiatives and publications such as the Human Development Report.
- Packaging and submission of programme initiatives for donor review in collaboration with programme staff and supervisor.
- Maintenance of increased coverage and understanding of the UNDP’s work in the country or practice area through regular media contacts and provision of newsworthy information to national public and, where possible, donors.
- Organization of roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews, launches, etc.
- Forging of a “one UN” image through publicizing the significance of local UN reform efforts, joint programmes, common services. Organization and implementation of joint UN information campaigns (UN Day, World AIDS Day, etc.)
- Ensured access for journalists to subject matter experts.
- Drafting/production of regular newsletter to donors.
- Preparation of donor reports, civic education and community awareness where appropriate to support projects
- Effective responses to inquiries for public information materials.
- Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country goals and activities.
- Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories.
- Provision of training, consultancy and advice to UNDP staff on communications for development.
Competencies
- Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
- Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism
Knowledge Management ad Learning:
- Shares knowledge and experience and contributes to UNDP Practice Areas
- Encourages office staff to share knowledge and contribute to UNDP Practice Areas
- Develops deep knowledge in Practice Areas
- Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
- Ability to implement communications and publications strategies
- Ability to advocate effectively
- Communicates sensitively and effectively across different constituencies
- Demonstrates excellent ability to write and communicate orally with accuracy and professionalism
- Good knowledge of current development issues particularly those pertinent to UNDP’s Practice Areas. Ability to conceptualize issues and analyze data
- Demonstrates strong IT skills
- Focuses on impact and result for the client
- Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
- Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
Required Skills and Experience
- Masters degree in Media Relations, Journalism, Publishing, Marketing, Communications or development-related field
- 2-3 years experience (post-Master's degree) in communication and advocacy, including, media relations, and journalism. Working knowledge of development organizations is an advantage.
- Working knowledge of website development and database management through, among others, the use of MS applications and design tools.
- Excellent writing skills, preferably with experience in writing feature articles. Creative in both the written and visual medium.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Excellent organization and planning skills.
- Understanding of UNDP thrusts, policies and procedures, an advantage but not required.
- Have strong established network and/or linkages with the various UNDP publics as well as the media and press.
- Fluency in the English and national language of the duty station