UNDP Jobs - 3490- Head of Communications and Advocacy

Head of Communications and Advocacy

Location :

Copenhagen, DENMARK

Type of Contract :

100 Series

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

13-Feb-08 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4 (ICS-11)

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year (renewable)

Languages Required :

English

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

READVERTISED

The Bureau for Resources and Strategic Partnerships was established in 2000. It was created to develop UNDP’s institutional capacity to enhance the strategic partnerships and to strengthen the resource mobilization function. Both are critical to UNDP’s effectiveness and responsiveness as an organization. In January 2005, BRSP was assigned the function of supporting the Administrator on issues relating to UN Reform. In addition, the Communications Office of the Administrator was aligned under the BRSP Management. As a consequence, BRSP redefined its mandate under a new identity as the UNDP Partnerships Bureau (PB).

Nordic countries’ governments, parliamentarians, academics and NGOs play a leading role in the international debate on development policy and aid effectiveness. UNDP’s partnership with the Nordic countries is strong at various levels and Nordic countries are important contributors to UNDP’s core resources.

Duties and Responsibilities

Within the framework of the UNDP Corporate Communication and Advocacy Strategy, under the direct supervision of the Director of the Nordic Office, and under the overall guidance from the Director of the Office of Communications, PB, the Head of Communications and Advocacy plans and manages the work of the NLO.

Management

Direct and supervise the daily work of six professional Communication Officers, one Admin Officer and interns. Three of the six Communications Officers are out-posted in other Nordic capital cities.
Lead the strategic planning process of the unit with focus on results-based management and reporting.
Perform performance appraisal (Results and Competency Assesment) of staff directly supervised.

Provision of Strategic Policy Advice for Communication Advocacy and Resource Mobilization

Closely analyze/monitor Nordic public and political debate on foreign aid in general and attitudes towards multilateral development institutions in particular;
Elaborate strategies and provide policy advice for communication and advocacy;
Provide COA/BRSP with assessments of changing Nordic development priorities for input into UNDP's communication and advocacy policy making and strategy setting;
Advise COA on strategic communication approaches and types of information products needed to respond to Nordic aid climate;
Elaborate strategies and provide policy advice on resource mobilization in Nordic countries;

Constituency Relations

Establish and maintain lines of communication networks with opinion-leaders and decision-makers in the Nordic countries - particularly those in the Ministry of foreign Affairs - and ensure that they are regularly informed of and understand UNDP policy decisions, goals and achievements, through personal dialogue and the supply of relevant information materials;
Represent UNDP in Nordic meetings on information;
Provide Nordic governments with advice on their information strategies vis-à-vis UNDP;
Play advocacy role vis-à-vis the UNDP;
Prepare official visits of UNDP officials to Nordic countries; establish and maintain
personal contacts between UNDP senior staff members and influential Nordic government officials, parliamentarians and key players on the development scene;
Organize and/or lead visits of Nordic parliamentarians and opinion-leaders to significant UNDP-supported projects.
Promote and organize joint seminars, briefings on development issues and other high- profile events with the Nordic Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Nordic parliamentarians and other development institutions within and outside the UN-family, as well as with universities, public schools and non-governmental organizations;
Prepare national launches of the Human Development Report (HDR) in the Nordic countries. Inform and involve government officials and persons from the development scene in the substance of the Human Development Report. This includes distribution of country-specific articles, organizing seminars, facilitating coverage by print and electronic
media, organizing press briefings and ensuring distribution of copies of the report and press kits;
Raise funds from Nordic governments to support HDR launches, distribution and printing and translation of HDR materials into Nordic languages and other advocacy activities to highlight UNDP activities.

Media Relations

Motivate and facilitate coverage of UNDP activities for Nordic media by suggesting topics for coverage; organizing press briefings and seminars on critical issues; issuing press releases; providing background information; arranging for interviews with senior UNDP officials;
Research, arrange with country offices and conduct press tours to programme countries of specific interest to Nordic journalists;
Encourage Nordic governments to fund and support press tours for coverage of UNDP activities;
Chair press conferences on occasion of visit of UNDP Administrator and other high-level officials

Editorial and Publications

Propose, raise funds for and organize the production of Nordic-specific materials on UNDP (e.g., brochure, booklets);
Encourage and facilitate inclusion of material on UNDP in seminars sponsored by other group, as well as the publishing of information on UNDP in the materials they distribute to their constituencies;
Ensure efficient distribution of relevant UNDP information materials within the Nordic Countries.

Competencies

Strong management skills and willingness to work in a team
Proven team-building skills combined with willingness to innovate.
Excellent communications skills and ability to mobilize support for UNDP from a wide range of audience (media, public, private, academic, civil society)
Fluency in English (oral and written) and in one or two of the Nordic languages
Fully up-dated and able to communicate verbally and written on current issues and trends in development policy and policies.
Excellent advocacy/political analysis and networking skills to ensure continuous dialogue with principal partners (government, parliament, civic society, business community, media)

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Masters degree required, preferably in Journalism or Communications or similar subjects

Knowledge and Experience:

A minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience.
Additional specialization/experience in areas of international development and/or management/administration preferred
Demonstrated knowledge of development policy, media relations and information culture and practices in the Nordic Countries
Proven track record in building partnerships and networking with a wide range of partners in the Nordic countries
Sound knowledge and understanding of UNDP policies and hands on experience of the organizational activities and information work.
Familiarity with the working of the UN system and especially of its operational activities for development and communication.
Excellent journalistic abilities in writing articles, press releases, political and country specific analysis, including editorial responsibility for news bulletin and Nordic Office web site - all in Nordic languages.

Languages:

Fluency in English (verbal and written) and in one or two of the Nordic languages.