Background

The Communications Associate will work for the UNDP country office and for the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office. Under the general guidance of the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Bahrain, the Communications Associate will be directly supervised by the DRR of UNDP for the work related to UNDP, and by the UN Coordination Analyst for the work related to the RC Office.

The Communications Associate supports the formulation and implementation of the communications and advocacy strategies to increase the standing and awareness of UN/UNDP with partners, the media and the public. The Communications Associate promotes a client-oriented approach in UN/UNDP.

The Communications Associate works in close collaboration with the Resident Coordinator, Management Support and Business Development, Programme and Operations teams in the CO, the regional director of UNIC, the UN communications Group in Bahrain, staff of other UN Agencies, UN/UNDP HQs staff (Communications Offices) and Regional Communications Advisor, Government officials, media and civil society.

A communications strategy tightly linked to program priorities helps position the United Nations and UNDP’s Country Office in key development markets as a leader in ways that boost demand for various service lines and increase overall business opportunities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

• Fostering active engagement with resident and non-resident agencies and the requisite follow-up in order to support the overall communication needs for the UN in Bahrain.
• Support to formulation and implementation of internal and external communications and advocacy strategies, support to business development.
• Support to elaboration and implementation of the publications strategy and plan
• Maintenance of websites, databases and knowledge management systems
• Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

Supports, the formulation and implementation of internal, external and UN system wide communications and advocacy strategies, supports business development focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Preparation and conduct of communications needs assessments for the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) and UNDP (projects, country programmes and corporate change initiatives, etc)
• Provision of information for elaboration of UNCT and CO communications and outreach strategy based on the corporate communications strategy.
• Crafting proper branding and messaging, demonstrating the concrete, measurable contributions of the UN family in addressing Bahrain’s development priorities and in achieving tangible results that translate into positive impact in people’s lives.
• Promotion and maintenance of public information campaigns on UNCT activities(including joint programmes), UN reform, results of MDGs, involving other agencies under the leadership of UNIC.
• Development of communication materials for marketing and awareness-raising campaigns, including briefing materials and press releases in coordination with the supervisor.
• Organization of roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews.
• Provision of inputs and researched information in programme formulations to integrate advocacy and communication strategies into all aspects of the UN/UNDP’s development programmes.
• Review of reference materials, identification of reference materials for retention. Maintenance of information database and photo library.
• Support forging a joint UN image through publicizing significance of local UN reform efforts, joint programmes, common services, organization and implementation of joint UN information campaigns (UN Day, World AIDS Day, etc.)
• Tracking latest developments and issues related to the UN and other partners in the media, including social media that require attention and on which the UN system should respond.
• Preparation of inputs for UN documents and publications, as applicable.

 Provides support to the elaboration and implementation of the UN publications strategy and plan focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Provision of inputs and information for elaboration of UN publications strategy and plan based on the corporate publications policy.
• Design and draft UNCT Newsletter or other chosen communication tool.
• Identify storylines for Newsletter or other com tool and drafting of substantive articles contributing to debates on key issues.
• Support the UN Coordination Analyst and the Resident Coordinator with the drafting of speeches and talking points for the RC on inter-agency initiatives.
• Technical supervision of translation/adaptation/rewriting of information received, printing and dissemination of publications and audio-visual materials.  Contact with printers and other suppliers to ensure production.
• Supervision of publications dissemination.

Ensures the design and maintenance of the UN and the UNDP web sites, intranet, social media outreach and UN web-based knowledge management system focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Assistance in the design and maintenance of the UN web sites based on corporate requirements in cooperation with the ICT staff.
• Preparation/checking the content for the web sites to ensure consistency of the materials.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• 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.
• Organization and conduct of training and workshops on communications for development as appropriate.
  

Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• 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

• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively
• Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately
• Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication
• Tailors language, tone, style, and format to match the audience
• Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed

• Actively seeks to improve programmes or services
• Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet clients’ needs
• Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas
• Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks outside the box
• Takes and interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things
• Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches
  

• Shares knowledge and experience
• In-depth knowledge of development issues
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside UNDP
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

• Demonstrates excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to extract, interpret, analyze data and resolve problems
• Ability to supervise and train support staff
• Demonstrates excellent presentation skill
• Uses Information Technology effectively as a tool and resource
  

• Focuses on results and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• University degree or equivalent required, preferably in media relations, journalism, communications, public relations or development-related field

Experience: 

• A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience at the national level in providing communication packages to promote the activities of a social sector organization.  Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.). Experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Language Requirements:  

• Fluency in English and Arabic.

FC: 11300