UNDP Jobs - 61695- Communication Officer

Communication Officer

Location :

New Delhi, INDIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

25-Nov-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

Six Months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Six Months

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

Remuneration package is Rs. 116,169/- per month (taxable). UNDP also offers additional benefits which include medical insurance coverage and limited pension reimbursement for contract holder and encourages work life balance.

UNDP strives to have a workforce which reflects diversity and gender balance, and applies an equal opportunities approach. UNDP does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS status. All selection is on merit.

The Government of India, in keeping with its reform agenda has constituted a new National Institution for Transforming India, NITI Aayog that has replaced the Planning Commission instituted in 1950, in order to better serve the needs and aspirations of the people of India. NITI Aayog serves as the ‘Think Tank’ of the Government of India, and is expected to provide both directional and policy inputs. The NITI Aayog aims to provide Governments at the Central and State levels with relevant strategic and technical advice across the spectrum of key elements of policy. This includes matters of national and international import on the economic front, dissemination of best practices from within the country and other nations, infuse new policy ideas and to provide specific issue-based support. An important evolutionary change from the past is to evolve a shared vision of national development priorities, sectors and strategies with the active involvement of States in the light of national objectives, towards cooperative federalism.

In September 2015, at the 70th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the Sustainable Development Summit was held, where 193 countries including India adopted Sustainable Development Goals that succeed the Millennium Development Goals. These are a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and tackle climate change by 2030. The Sustainable Development Agenda offers a template for development cooperation for all countries- developing and developed- for the next 15 years. As the principle think-tank of the government of India, NITI Aayog is also entrusted with responsibility of contextualizing the SDGs with the national development agenda.

Keeping the above in mind, as a new Institution, NITI Aayog is developing the necessary resources, knowledge, skills, that will reinforce its ability to act with speed, to provide the strategic policy vision for the government, and to deal with contingent issues. NITI Aayog requires the services of a communications professional to drive its communication and outreach strategy aimed at strengthening its brand, communicating around key messages promoting the idea of cooperative federalism; planning and executing a series of activities.

around the first anniversary of the NITI Aayog and supporting communications efforts around generating awareness and understanding of the Goals and encourage people’s engagement in translating the SDGs in India.

Impact of Results
The key results have an impact on creation of effective communications and dissemination of information on NITI Aayog to key stakeholders in India including central and state governments; civil society; academia; media and general public.

Duties and Responsibilities

The post will be under the overall supervision of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and will work closely with the Head of UN Resident Coordinators office, India in day-to-day functioning. As this is a full-time position she/he cannot hold any other assignment during the contract period.

Summary of Key Functions:

Plan and implement internal and external strategies for outreach for NITI Aayog, including for the celebration of the first anniversary in January 2016
Plan, coordinate and execute high profile events and develop products to commemorate the first anniversary of NITI Aayog
Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing
Strengthen the online presence of NITI Aayog
Manage social media outreach including channels such as facebook; twitter and LinkedIn

1. Plan and implement internal and external strategies for outreach for NITI Aayog including the celebration of the first anniversary in January 2016, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Preparation and conduct of communications needs assessments for NITI Aayog
Drafting/editing of CO communications and outreach strategy based on the corporate communications strategy.
Support integration of advocacy and communication strategies into all aspects of NITI programme formulation and execution
Draft and edit a wide range of materials, including media articles, blog posts, web content, brochures and presentations.

2. Plan, coordinate and execute high profile events to commemorate the first anniversary of NITI Aayog

Develop and execute a series of high-profile events to mark the first anniversary of NITI Aayog on 1 January 2016
Develop outreach products for the anniversary
Coordinate with partners including mygov, state governments, media, civil society and other partners, for execution of the outreach strategy

3. Facilitate knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned from across states
Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories.
Provide training, consultancy and advice to NITI Aayog staff on communications

4. Strengthen online presence for NITI Aayog focusing on achievement of the following results:

Write and edit reader-friendly web content aimed at increasing website traffic
Keep abreast of digital media trends and identify new opportunities to increase the visibility of NITI Aayog’s work on online platforms. Advise management on appropriate action/responses

5. Manage social media outreach including channels such as facebook; twitter and LinkedIn

Design and implement creative social media plans
Boost followers and engagement on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and other relevant channels
Effectively manage and lead social media campaigns to strengthen NITI Aayog’s brand awareness and key messages among target audiences at key moments, in collaboration with communications teams from members and partners
Design and implement a social media campaign on the Sustainable Development Goals in India
Coordinate the development of innovative campaign assets, such as graphics, animated infographics and other visuals
Increase in-house social media usage

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy/Advancing a Policy-Oriented Agenda preparing information for advocacy

Identifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating NITI Aayog’s mandate
Maintains a functioning network of contacts with a variety of stakeholders to promote a better understanding of NITI Aayog’s mandate

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Basic research and analysis

Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things
Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approaches

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

Fundamental knowledge of own discipline

Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the position
Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks
Working knowledge of software tools including photoshop; indesign and or free online tools such as pixlr Creating Visibility for NITI Aayog

Research and data analysis

Promotes awareness of NITI Aayog’s centrally to development through dissemination of information and materials
Maintains networks and knowledge assets for use in visibility and image activities

Client Orientation

Establishing effective client relationships

Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion
Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines
Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients

Core Competencies:

Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity
Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment
Self-development, initiative-taking
Acting as a team player and facilitating team work
Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively
Creating synergies through self-control
Managing conflict
Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.
Informed and transparent decision making

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Professional degree in media, journalism and public relations

Experience: 4 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in public relations, communications or advocacy. Previous experience of working with government is desirable. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, good knowledge and experience in handling of web-based management systems, including social media.

Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Hindi