Organizational Context

Transparency, mutual accountability, and national ownership of development cooperation have become increasingly important in international development. UNDP currently holds key roles in the Secretariats of both the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation and the International Aid Transparency Initiative, enabling the organisation to contribute at all levels to policy discussions in this field. With its unique structure and broad reach across 177 countries UNDP is well placed to respond fully to the high standards of transparency demanded by programme countries and donors alike and to support programme country governments through promoting timely access to comprehensive information on development cooperation flows.

The International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) was launched at the Accra High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness (2008), and seeks to address the current challenges facing a range of development stakeholders (donors, programme country governments, emerging economies, private sector, foundations, civil society, academia) in the sharing and use of information on development cooperation. Since September 2013 UNDP has co-hosted the IATI Secretariat together with UNOPS, the governments of Ghana and Sweden, and Development Initiatives for a three year period.

2015 is a critical year for IATI. IATI is accelerating support to its members and publishers in meeting their Busan commitments on transparency to “implement a common, open standard for electronic publication of timely, comprehensive and forward-looking information on resources provided through development co-operation.” IATI has also achieved critical mass of publishers reporting their information to the IATI standards. IATI, through UNDP, will build upon its support to partner countries to ensure that available information on development cooperation can be used as part of their budget cycles. IATI also has a great potential to contribute to ongoing global processes and discussions on post-2015. Building on the outcome of the first evaluation of IATI (due to be completed by the end of the first quarter) IATI must itself prepare for changes in priority in the future. Effective communication support plays a critical role to strengthen the IATI Secretariat contribution to IATI in this critical junction.

 UNDP is seeking to recruit a IATI Communication and Outreach Specialist to work full-time as a member of the IATI Secretariat. Under the guidance of the Global Policy Advisor, Effective Development Cooperation and working with the IATI Coordinator, the incumbent will support the implementation of IATI joint programme, lead communications including developing the IATI Annual Report 2015, and outreach to new and current members. He/She will also contribute to increasing the impact of UNDP work in Transparency and Effective Development Cooperation at the country and global levels. 

Functions / Key Results Expected

Summary of key functions:

• Communications strategy and implementation;
• Outreach to partner country members;
• Analytical and technical support to the  Effective Development Cooperation portfolio and to UNDP’s work on Transparency at the country level;
• Contribution to knowledge exchange and capacity development in transparency and effective development cooperation.

Communications and outreach to new members, including production of the IATI Annual Report (2015):

• Lead IATI’s communications activities, regularly updating its communications strategy in line with fresh objectives and developing a range of informational materials to promote IATI among different audience types;
• Creation, promotion and maintenance of communications campaigns of the IATI results, impacts and activities;
• Supervision of the design and maintenance of the IATI web site, social media accounts, and blog; ensuring consistency of messaging and materials, including developing content as and when required and  sourcing news items to broaden visibility and awareness of IATI among existing and potential new members through existing channels such as its public website and Twitter accounts;
• Lead the production of IATI’s flagship publication, the Annual Report (2015), including consultation with members to develop material, drafting of large sections, and managing the work of editors, proofreaders, translators, designers and publishers;
• Lead communications support to IATI related side events, online events, including organization of press conferences, interviews, online chats as appropriate;
• Solicitation and management of substantive contributions to the IATI newsletter, website, and blog, as well as occasional op-eds, etc;
• Maintenance of increased coverage and understanding of the IATI’s work through regular media and development professional contacts.

Outreach to partner countries members:

• Support outreach activities with potential new members from UNDP programme countries;
• Conduct partner country consultation and outreach activities including thematic or regional workshops, to support their engagement with IATI governing bodies and to ensure that the primary needs of partner countries are reflected in the IATI standard.

Analytical and programmatic support to UNDP’s work on Transparency at the country level:

• Support mainstreaming of the IATI standard and the Busan principles and commitments into country-level work and initiatives that improve the quality of information on development cooperation in programme countries;
• Support development of country analytical work and knowledge products that demonstrate the impacts of the improved quality of information on development cooperation at country level;
• Support colleagues in UNDP Regional Bureaux and country offices are informed of UNDP’s role in IATI and provide support to them in extending outreach to national governments to promote IATI implementation and utilization of IATI data;
• Support UNDP’s Regional Centres, Country Offices and UNCTs in raising awareness and stakeholder buy-in to IATI at the programme country level.

Knowledge exchange activities in Transparency and Effective Development Cooperation:

• Support (sub)regional and regional learning on transparency and effective development cooperation through exchange of good practices on the implementation of IATI standard, AIMS, SSC and other best practices;
• Regularly contribute to development cooperation effectiveness knowledge platforms, including Teamworks and community of practice sharing best practices and results;
• Document and manage development cooperation effectiveness knowledge generated and actively support its publication and dissemination.

Impact of Results

The key results will have an impact on the overall performance of the International Aid Transparency Initiative and Effective Development Cooperation portfolio, ensuring programme country consultation and engagement in the design of the IATI standard as well as in its implementation and utilisation at the country level. They also help to strengthen UNDP’s image and position as a trusted capacity development partner for both governments and development partners in the areas of transparency, mutual accountability and other areas of development cooperation.

Corporate competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling the UN/UNDP’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.

Technical/Functional Skills:

• Demonstrates the capacity to plan, prioritise and deliver tasks on time to meet goals in a highly pressurised environment;
• Excellent analytical, organisational and writing skills;
• Strong ability to coordinate a globally dispersed team working to deliver a single project;
• Keen awareness of the current global discourse on development effectiveness and transparency;
• Advanced computer skills in common office programmes and desktop graphic design software;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;

Relationship Management:

• Demonstrated ability to engage well in cross-sector and matrixed teams;
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.

Education:

• Masters degree or equivalent in development, public administration, communications or relevant development-related studies.

Experience:

• At least 5 years experience in the field of development cooperation, or public administration;
• Demonstrated experience leading communications activities;
• Experience developing major publications;
• Prior experience with UN/UNDP agencies or other international organizations; and
• Relevant experience in emerging and developing countries will be an asset.

Language:

• Fluency in English and another UN language.

Note:

UNDP especially encourages women to apply and values geographical diversity in its workforce.

Due to the large number of applicants for UNDP positions, UNDP regrets that it is unable to inform unsuccessful candidates about the outcome or status of the recruitment process.