Background

Instructions to Applicants: Click on the "Apply now" button. Input your information in the appropriate Sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation. Upon completion of the first page, please hit "submit application" tab at the end of the page. Please ensure that CV or P11 and the Cover letter are combined in one file.

The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.

A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.

Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.

 

Office/Unit/Project Description

The Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA) is responsible for positioning UNDP as the world’s leading global development network, promoting its global authority and thought leadership on sustainable development and the interconnected issues of poverty, inequality, and climate change. BERA leads and supports UNDP in building and nurturing strategic relationships and alliances essential to achieving its mission.

The Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy is positioned around three service lines; Public Partnership; Advocacy, Marketing and Communications; and Private and Finance Partners, all working in close collaboration and coordination under the guidance of the Directorate and with the support of the Management Support Unit and Strategic Analysis and Engagement team.

The Advocacy, Marketing and Communications Group (AMCG) leads on strategic communications for UNDP, covering digital communications, brand and marketing, campaigns and advocacy, media strategy and outreach, internal communications and innovative and digital partnerships.

As part of UNDP Corporate Anti-racism and Racial Discrimination advocacy objectives, BERA is leading on the development and roll-out of an internal anti-racism and discrimination (ARD) campaign to achieve positive change in the areas of: organizational culture; policies, procedures and practices; and monitoring and accountability.

In close collaboration with colleagues in BERA and UNDP’s Anti-racism and Discrimination Advisory Group,  and under the guidance of BERA’s Internal Communications Specialist and Advocacy Specialist, the Internal Communications and Anti-racism Specialist will bring to life exciting and engaging internal and external ARD campaigns, including ensuring the development of communications assets and supporting colleagues to join the campaign (and journey) in all UNDP offices throughout the world. The Specialist will also be responsible for launching a series of Anti-racism and Discrimination Toolkits to encourage and support interactive and engaging dialogue across the organization. 

The Specialist will also be expected to contribute to other communications initiatives, as needed.

 

Institutional Arrangement

The consultant will be working under the direct supervision of the Internal Communications Specialist and the Advocacy Specialist, under the overall guidance of the Senior Management of the Advocacy, Marketing and Communications Group in BERA.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

1) Coordinate the launch of an Anti-racism and Discrimination Dialogue (ARD) Toolkit which has been developed to support and encourage learning and discussion.  The Toolkit will require a series of graphic and multimedia assets to support the launch, implementation and communication throughout the organization.

  • Manage the design of the ARD Dialogue Toolkit including assets to support implementation with the UNDP Brand and Marketing team
  • Organize the launch and rollout of the ARD Dialogue Toolkit across 145 countries, 5 regions and 3 languages.  This includes ensuring that the toolkit and assets are easily available for translation to a wide range of languages and contexts
  • Deliver dialogues in toolkit to headquarters (New York)
  • Support regional and country offices to amplify ARD toolkits locally

2) Implement the ARD Internal Communication Plan and develop a detailed workplan

  • Refine and finalize UNDP’s draft ARD internal communications plan
  • Based on the finalized internal communications plan,  develop and execute a detailed workplan including an active and engaging internal communications campaign on anti-racism across the organization
  • Ensure external communication campaigns and efforts are clearly communicated inside the organization

3) Implement ARD External Communication Plan to support existing campaign efforts in the UN System

  • Refine and finalize UNDP’s draft ARD external communication plan
  • Based on the finalized detailed external communications plan, develop an external communications workplan to amplify existing ARD activities, initiatives, events and campaigns within the UN System.

4) Deliver UNDP Diversity Week to celebrate and promote the rich diversity of UNDP staff

  • Refine and finalize plan for UNDP Diversity Week, including a detailed workplan to deliver and execute
  • Manage the graphics, designs, assets and materials in collaboration with UNDP Brand and Marketing team to implement an active and engaging Diversity Week.
  • Organize, manage and deliver events, stories and activities related to Diversity Week

5) Support additional internal communication initiatives

  • Support other internal communication efforts as needed

Competencies

Core

Achieve Results:

LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

Think Innovatively:

LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously:

LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning

Adapt with Agility:

LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination:

LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously

Engage and Partner:

LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:

LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Thematic Area

Name

Definition

Communications

Advocacy strategy and implementation

Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change

Communications

Campaign management

Ability to produce and implement communications and advocacy campaigns which lead to impactful change

Communications

Digital strategy

 

Ability to plan the use of resources through digital channels to reach and engage target audiences effectively and to achieve particular objectives

Communications

Creative direction and copywriting

Ability to creatively communicate concepts in an engaging and simple way

Digital & Innovation

 

Co-creation

 

Ability to design and facilitate a process that enables a diverse group of stakeholders to solve a common problem, develop a practice, or create knowledge together. Ability to embrace diversity, work with a diverse group of stakeholders understand their interests, perspectives and views and tap into to them as a source for creativity. Ability to facilitate processes and create conditions that are open for diverse inputs, stimulate collaboration and sharing.

Digital & Innovation

 

Behaviour change communication/communication for development

Knowledge of appropriate digital communication methodologies for development and behaviour change, and ability to apply them practically

Digital & Innovation

 

Story telling

 

Ability to empathise with people's perceptions, motivations, feelings and mental models and craft narratives to build an emotive argument for change accordingly. Ability to present data, insights or information in compelling ways to mobilise resources, talent or action. Ability to choose media and channels that is fit for purpose to reach specific target audiences.

HR - Talent management

 

Diversity and inclusion

Ability to design and deliver diversity and inclusion approaches; ability to integrate diversity and inclusion considerations into the specific people and organisational strategies, policies and initiatives; knowledge of the theory and methods to mitigate biases and eliminate discrimination; knowledge of practical ways to increase participation of under- represented groups in the workforce; knowledge of inclusive workplace practices and behaviours

Required Skills and Experience

Min. education requirements

  • Master’s degree in Communications, Advocacy or a related field, or
  • a Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant experience.

Min. years of relevant work experience

  • Minimum of five years of relevant work experience in the field of communications and/or advocacy, including experience in internal communications for anti-racism and discrimination and/or diversity and inclusion initiatives for candidates with a Master’s degree and a minimum 7 years’ experience with a Bachelor’s degree.

Required skills

  • Superior written and oral communication skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts related to anti-racism and DEI in a clear and persuasive manner, tailored to a range of audiences;
  • Substantive experience and background on anti-racism and diversity equity inclusion work.
  • Exceptional interpersonal and networking skills, including the ability to interact with staff at all levels;
  • Experience in designing and delivering advocacy or behaviour change campaigns related to anti-racism or DEI.
  • Proven ability to organize and facilitate online meetings or events, both in terms of content and logistics;
  • In-depth understanding of internal communications tools and best practices;
  • Proven technical competence in producing content, as well as proven competence in coordinating the production of content in a variety of formats;
  • Experience in developing and delivering communication guidance and training materials, including for translation into different contexts or languages;
  • Experience in editing and proofing content;
  • Demonstrated ability to work in high pressure environments and with tight deadlines;
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and creatively;

Desired skills and experience in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

  • Work experience in an organization similar in size and complexity to UNDP, or in a UN System Country Office setting is desirable.
  • Substantial experience in a dedicated internal communications role.

Required Language(s)

  • Fluency in written and spoken English. Working knowledge of French or Spanish will be considered an asset.