UNDP Jobs - 64067- Communication Specialist (Partnership and Policy)

Communication Specialist (Partnership and Policy)

Location :

Washington, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

10-Mar-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

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

The Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA) is responsible for UNDP’s external relations and advocacy functions. The Bureau leads and supports the organization in cultivating, building and nurturing strategic relationships and alliances that are essential for advancing and successfully achieving the mission of UNDP. These relationships encompass a wide range and number of key constituencies and development partners, that includes programme countries, existing and prospective donor countries/emerging economic powers, multilateral institutions such as the IFIs, the European Commission, civil society, the private sector, foundations, academia and think tanks, the wider UN system, various UN inter-governmental bodies, as well as global, regional and national media. The Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy comprises the Directorate, including a Strategy and Innovation Unit, and the following groups: Communications; Resource Partnerships and UN System Affairs. In addition, BERA has Representation Offices in five major donor cities: Brussels, Copenhagen, Geneva, Tokyo and Washington.

The mission of the UNDP Washington Representation Office (WRO) is to enhance the U.S. Government’s understanding of and support for UNDP and its work and to contribute to resource mobilization. In this regard, the WRO seeks to:

Build understanding and support for UNDP’s role and programs among substantive and functional specialists in the U.S. Congress and the Executive Branch;
Inform the wider Washington, DC community, including NGOs, academic and Think Tank experts, diplomatic officials, the Bretton Woods institutions, private sector representatives and media regarding UNDP’s role, programs and impact on global development;
Assure the transparency and accountability of UNDP to U.S. government agencies and Congressional committees who oversee and fund the organization;
Contribute to an increase in core and non-core resources while aiding in the diversifying of UNDP’s funding base.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Director of the Washington Representation Office (WRO), the Partnerships, Policy and Communications Adviser supports corporate partnerships strategy; provides strategic/operational advice to the WRO partnerships outreach, communications, and publication strategies to inform key US Government and other key stakeholders about UNDP’s role in global development; promote support for UNDP’s mission and programs; and ensures implementation of the WRO’s partnerships, communications, outreach, and publications strategy targeting governmental, non-governmental, media, and other relevant communities and networks—primarily in Washington, DC, and the United States.

The Communications, Partnerships & Policy Adviser takes the lead in developing and maintaining strategic partnerships with US-based think tanks and foundations, NGOs, Washington-based multilaterals such as the GEF, IDB, and World Bank Group, along with civil society organizations and NGOs; the Adviser also maintains relations with key US-based media organizations and social media channels, and a compelling online presence for the Washington RO. In consultation and collaboration with colleagues based in Washington, New York, and around the world, he or she works with senior management to devise strategic communications—including events, launches, blogs, op-eds, Web stories, news releases, and social media—of interest in the United States and beyond, with the aim of highlighting UNDP's unique and specific contributions to ending poverty, advancing human development, and building resilient, peaceful societies in which prosperity is shared and opportunities are accessible to all.

The Partnerships, Policy and Communications Adviser reports directly to the Director of the Representation Office in Washington D.C. and for corporate planning purposes liaises with the Directors of Communications and Partnerships in New York as required in order to ensure coherence on common vision and goals.

The Communications, Partnerships, & Policy Adviser also supports EXO and HQ Communications in identifying media and outreach opportunities, drafting speeches/blogs/talking points/Web content etc., for the Administrator and other senior staff. Provides support in risk and reputation management.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Advise on US Partnership strategy: Provide strategic partnerships and advocacy advice to the Director and senior management; proactively identify potential partners, advocates, influencers, and emerging stakeholders;
Support HQ partnerships, policy and communications efforts;
Plan and implement communications and outreach strategies;
Act as media and public information liaison for WRO;

Advise on US Partnership strategy:

Through media, Government (Congress and Executive Branch), NGO, think tanks, foundations, academic institutions, and multilateral organizations, help communicate and advocate support for UNDP’s substantive work in relevant practice areas of strategic interest to the United States in particular and other development partners more broadly;
Provide regular analysis of US Government global development and foreign policy priorities. Support conceptual and political underpinning to UNDP’s Washington’s work with updates as needed on US Government (Executive Branch and Congress) development and foreign policy priorities (thematic, regional, and programmatic) as distilled from the President’s National Security Strategy, the President’s global development strategy (PSD7), the QDDR, the US SDG strategy, major policy statements, Congressional Foreign Assistance reform proposals and other efforts; and identify convergence with UNDP’s own strategic priorities;
Provide strategic/substantive advice in support of the efforts of the Washington Office and UNDP HQ to enhance existing partnerships and develop new alliances.
Identify opportunities for developing new partnerships with key US Government (Executive Branch) and, as appropriate, non-governmental entities (including the private sector) based on shared policy and/or operational priorities and needs.
Assists in elaborating strategies to develop potential new partnerships with the US Government

Support HQ partnerships, policy and communications efforts:

Provide advice and recommendations to HQ partnerships and communications staff on effective messaging, positioning, and tactics to reach key Washington and US constituencies; This would include drafting of Briefing Notes, Key Messages and background information;
Disseminate corporate advocacy materials related to flagship initiatives and publications, such as the Human Development Report;
Support and assist with global promotional activities and public relations campaigns to position UNDP as a global development leader;
Draft materials and lead on specific global communications projects upon request of UNDP Communications Group;
Participate in weekly global communications conference call and provide weekly updates on communications activities to UNDP Communications Director; and
Assist UNDP partnerships and communications officers around the globe with Washington-related inquiries and information;
Conduct missions to program countries, as necessary, to produce unique online, advocacy, and editorial content in support of UNDP corporate communications (e.g. news stories, social media, photos, podcasts, blogs, op-eds, and briefings for congressional and executive branch staff, NGOs, experts, etc.);
Conduct missions to UNDP HQ as needed to support global communications and outreach efforts in routine or surge capacity at the discretion of senior management;

Plan and implement communications and outreach strategies:

Assess communications needs and priorities for the WRO;
Prepare, update, and adapt WRO communications and outreach strategy based on UNDP's corporate needs and priorities as well as the unique priorities and demands of US-based stakeholders;
Provide regular strategic advice on how to adapt and sharpen UNDP’s messaging, outreach, and advocacy focusing on Government institutions (Executive Branch and Congress), media, key influencers, multilaterals, and Washington -based NGOs/think tanks;
Contribute constructive and timely advice to integrate advocacy and communication strategies into all aspects of UNDP’s Washington activities;
Design and maintain WRO web site and other communications channels, such as Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook; provide relevant content to UNDP corporate channels;
Propose and implement UNDP WRO outreach activities such as public speeches, roundtables, panel discussions, and joint events with key US-based partners;
Develop and maintain productive contacts with government officials, NGOs, journalists, and other key Washington policymakers and identify targets of opportunity and vehicles to communicate with these constituencies;
Monitor closely US public opinion and emerging technologies for communicating with key constituencies, partners, and stakeholders;
Collaborate as appropriate with other UN offices in Washington, DC.
Design (based on corporate requirements), maintain, and regularly update WRO Web site;
Prepare Web content and draft regular electronic newsletter; and
Develop electronic updates for distribution to target audiences.

Media and public information liaison for WRO:

Proactively advise WRO colleagues on media relations and handle media inquiries;
Pro-actively share and/or devise guidance for UNDP WRO colleagues on media/social media best practices, including blogging and other channels, consistent with best practices for international civil servants broadly;
Develop and maintain media contacts and lists, with support from UN HQ and its media databases;
Proactively identify and manage potential reputational risks, in consultation and collaboration with UNDP colleagues globally;
Work to ensure uptake of UNDP communications products/stories by major US media outlets, blogs, and key influencers, including research organizations and branches of the US Government;
Act as media and public information liaison for the WRO and serve as Spokesperson for WRO, as needed;
Write and distribute media advisories, news releases, and other materials, and design and organize media events, as appropriate, to promote activities of the WRO, to Washington-based and other US-based media, particularly those with decisive influence in areas and among constituencies of unique interest (e.g. Washington Post, Washington Times, Politico, Bloomberg, Reuters, NPR, National Journal, Council on Foreign Relations blogs, CQ, etc.);
Devise new outreach materials of unique and specific interest to US constituencies, under direction of the Washington WRO Director, e.g. writing compelling profiles or arranging media interviews with UNDP staff and leveraging appropriate communications channels to disseminate these (such as alumni networks, LinkedIn, global development blogs, etc.);
Provide and arrange for media outreach activities such as interviews or press briefings for visiting UNDP officials;
Facilitate access for journalists to UNDP subject matter experts;
Provide effective and timely responses to public information inquiries.

Competencies

Innovation:

Ability to make new and useful ideas work.

Leadership:

Ability to persuade others to follow.

People Management:

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.

Communication:

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.

Delivery:

Ability to get things done.

Technical/Functional

Primary

Brand and Quality Management:

Ability to position a UNDP brand and uphold it to a high level of quality.

Partnerships:

Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships.

Relationship Management:

Ability to engage with other parties and forge productive working relationships.

Representation:

Ability to productively share UNDP knowledge and activities (at UN and other venues).

Multimedia writing/editing:

Ability to originate or edit written content for media and the general public to be disseminated through press or other online outlets.

Secondary:

Learning and Development:

Knowledge of enterprise learning and development issues, concepts, and principles, and ability to apply them to enhance the fulfillment and performance of employees.

UN System:

Knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master's degree in communications or other relevant field. First degree is acceptable with additional years of relevant work experience.

Experience:

Minimum 7 years’ relevant experience at national or international level in public relations, media, communications, and/or advocacy, including experience in Washington, DC would be an asset;
Proven crisis communications, strategy, and risk management experience;
Previous experience with a multilateral or international organization, NGO, or think tank preferred. Proven record of teamwork and outstanding results, excellent judgment, and first-rate writing and editing skills;
Familiarity with areas of demonstrated high priority to development partners—e.g., conflict/fragility, jobs, climate change, and gender equality—is highly desirable;
Understanding of global development policy framework, objectives, and funding environment strongly preferred;
Key results will include more robust and resilient partnerships with a range of US-based constituents, partners, and stakeholders, and effective communication and dissemination of information about UNDP as the UN’s global development leader. These will notably include a strong contribution to the work of the Washington RO in elevating and deepening understanding among US government officials of UNDP’s unique contributions as a development partner.

Language:

Fluency in English is required;
Knowledge of another UN working language is an asset;
Excellent (publishable) written and spoken English are essential.

Other:

Experience with computers and office software packages, good knowledge of and experience with Web-based content management systems, is essential.