UNDP Jobs - 64308- Public Affairs Specialist

Public Affairs Specialist

Location :

Tokyo, JAPAN

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

18-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 Representation Office in Tokyo plays a critical role in UNDP’s relations with Japan. UNDP and Japan have developed an important partnership over the past years, involving the Japanese Government, civil society, the private sector, the academic community and other organizations. UNDP-Japan cooperation covers policy dialogue, exchange of views/information and cooperation at the field-level, co-financing of project, joint conferences and seminars joint publicity activities and others.

To enable UNDP to position itself strategically vis-a-vis the full range of Japanese partners, the Public Affairs Specialist supports the Management and spearheads the overall efforts to build partnerships and mobilize an appropriate and sustainable funding base for the UNDP under the guidance and direct supervision of the Deputy Director. S/he develops the Representation Office partnerships building and resource mobilization strategies with non-government donors, leads intelligence and develops strategic partnerships with private sector and civil society.

The Public Affairs Specialist also leads and manages the Partnership and Communication Team (PCT). S/he ensures overall coherence of partnership and communication activities with the Representation Office strategy and the alignment of communication and partnership activities. In addition, he/she maintains a network with colleagues from UNDP, UN Agencies, IFIs, Government officials, private sector and civil society.

The Public Affairs Specialist reports directly to the Director of the Representation Office in Tokyo 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.

Duties and Responsibilities

Coordinate and manage the Partnership and Communication Team (PCT):

Develop and implement the PCT workplan, including outputs, tasks, required resources and responsibilities within the team;
Supervise Public Affairs Assistant and provide guidance and coaching to PCT members, aiming at effective implementation of the work plan;
Provide advice and expertise to the management and other staff on a range of partnership issues, methods, and approaches including ways to enhance the capacity of the UNDP to more effectively collaborate with the private sector toward achieving development goals;
Organize and prepare written outputs, including background papers, reports, articles and inputs to publications in contributing to communications, resource mobilization and partnership building;
Liaise with Regional Bureaux and country offices to ensure UNDP engagement with non-governmental partners; position UNDP to become a priority partner in development.

Formulate and implement UNDP resource mobilization and partnership strategies with non-governmental partners in Japan:

Lead development of strategies and programmes to mobilize private sector and other non-governmental partner resources for development;
Develop and implement scalable private sector engagement projects and initiatives to take forward UNDP’s priorities involving the private sector;
Monitor and analyze programme development and implementation focused on enhancing the role of the private sector in contributing to development goals. Reviews relevant documents and reports on these issues; identifies priorities and problems and ensures follow-up actions;
Strongly position UNDP as a primary partner in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and support engagement with UNDP;
Identify emerging sources of funding in its relationship with non-government donors; assessment of their current usage and potential for the future;
Plan the substantive development of high-level meetings between UNDP senior officials including the Administrator and private sector partners aimed at deepening the collaboration between the private sector and UNDP;
Provide strategic advice for the UNDP-wide network of Private Sector Focal Points; Support to the negotiation of mutually beneficial agreements, compliance with partner requirements;
Provide substantive backstopping to UNDP meetings and events on private sector partnerships by proposing agenda topics, developing background notes, identifying participants, preparing presentations, etc.;
Participate in the UNDP Private Sector Network to develop and oversee implementation of strategies designed to achieve UNDP's mission in the area of business partnerships for development action;
Promote engagement of private sector in the global efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);
Research and analyze information and recommendations on UNDP-business development partnerships; present how the private sector can deepen its contribution to development goals through partnerships.

Formulate and implement UNDP communications strategies in Japan:

Conduct promotional activities to position UNDP as a leader within the development space;
Ensure increased coverage and understanding of the UNDP’s work in the country through development and maintenance of media contacts and providing newsworthy information to national public and media outlets;
Contribute to formatting, packaging and submission of programme initiatives for non-government donor review in close collaboration with COs and concerned Bureaus;
Advocate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promote engagement of Japanese stakeholders in the global efforts to achieve the goals;
Support and guide communication staff in the planning and implementation of communications activities including public events, publications, social media and website;
Manage, promote and disseminate corporate advocacy materials for launching flagship initiatives and publications such as the Human Development Report;
Ensure creation, promotion and maintenance of public information campaigns to national and local media on UNDP activities, results of MDGs, 2030 Agenda/SDGs, etc.;
Assist Goodwill Ambassador’s activities including media outreach.

Facilitation of knowledge building and management:

In collaboration with the BERA, identify and formulate lessons learned and recommendations to be integrated into broader UNDP knowledge management efforts;
Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Competencies

Core 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 Competencies:

Primary:

Partnership:

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

Resource Mobilization:

Ability to identify and organize programmes and projects to implement solutions and generate resources.

Strategic Planning:

Ability to make decisions that align with strategy, vision and mission.

Brand & Quality Management:

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

Secondary:

Risk Management:

Ability to identify and prioritize risks, and organize action around mitigating them

Operational Efficiency:

Ability to identify and execute opportunities to improve operational efficiency.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master degree or equivalent in international development, social sciences, public administration, communications, PR, marketing, journalism, media relations, or the relevant field.

Experience:

Minimum 7 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in development, communications or advocacy, of which at least two years at the international level preferred;
Working experience in UNDP preferred;
Professional working experience in Japanese private sector is an asset.

Language:

Full proficiency and ability to communicate effectively in English orally and in writing;
Ability to communicate in Japanese is desirable.

Other:

Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, good knowledge and experience in handling of web-based management systems (social media);
Good knowledge of advocacy, communication and public relations, preferably in international development area.