UNDP Jobs - 79043- Executive Writer

Executive Writer

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

11-Jun-18 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

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

External communications by UNDP’s Administrator is critical to help UNDP achieve its new Strategic Plan goals, contributing to raising the organization’s profile, influencing policy, engaging stakeholders, mobilizing resources and increasing impact for governments and communities. An outstanding writer to provide communications support to UNDP’s Administrator is a vital part of amplifying UNDP’s thought leadership and elevating UNDP’s profile in global dialogues on sustainable human development and Agenda 2030, eradicating poverty and reducing inequalities, and fighting climate change.

The Executive Writer is responsible for developing high-impact communications for the organization’s Administrator. This position requires strategic thinking, political judgment and intense intellectual curiosity and rigor, with the ability to write consistently sparky, creatively expressed, thought-provoking materials on a variety of topics in a range of formats under pressure and tight deadlines. The Executive Writer will be part of a small executive communications team in the Executive Office reporting directly to the Administrator.

Duties and Responsibilities

Works with the Administrator, Chief of Staff, and Executive Office Staff as well as the Communications Group to develop and produce content for the Administrator’s communications materials

• Lead on the drafting of English-language articles, op-eds, think pieces, blogs, speeches, statements, quotes, and other writing for the Administrator, consistently producing high quality, engaging prose well-tailored for appropriate audiences and platforms and consistently reflecting the voice, tone, style and views of the Administrator.

• Adapt style and tone to suit different specialized and general audiences, such as program and donor country government representatives and policymakers, youth, media, international financial institutions, corporate and NGO leaders and development practitioners.

Monitor, research and critically analyze current and emerging global policy and cultural trends and issues; undertake original research on a range of development topics as needed as well as soliciting inputs from across the organization.

Analyze complex information, including statistics, financial information and other qualitative and quantitative data; deploy data strategically and compellingly; present data in succinct and persuasive text.

Coordinate with the Executive Office and the Communications Group to extract key messages from the Administrator’s statements, articles and other written material for UNDP’s Communications to amplify through multiple channels including digital, social media, media pitching and other platforms, with accuracy and consistency in messaging and voice of the Administrator across all content.

Competencies

Core Competencies

Innovation - ability to make new and useful ideas work

Leadership - ability to persuade others to follow

Communication - ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Delivery - ability to get things done

Operational Efficiency - ability to identify and execute opportunities to improve organizational efficiency

Technical/Functional Competencies

Primary

Writing/editing - originating and/or editing written content for media and the general public to be disseminated through press or other online outlets

Brand & Quality Management - ability to position a UNDP brand and uphold it to a high level of quality

Marketing - ability to communicate the value of a product or service

Data Analysis - ability to evaluate, transform and model data to derive relevant findings- undertake & provide analysis of data to advocate for policy solutions and assess global trends

Priority setting - ability to scan and synthesize diverse sets of information to arrive at strategic priorities and positioning recommendations

Secondary

Digital/Online/Emerging Technologies - ability to identify and oversee strategies for engaging with multiple audiences through a variety of internet, social media and mobile communications platforms.

Knowledge Management - ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism or another relevant field

Experience: At least five years of demonstrated writing experience, including in advocacy, government, journalism, criticism, speechwriting, blogging, opinion pieces and/or other formats or contexts.

Demonstrated ability to translate complex and technical messages into plain language for audience appeal and impact.

Demonstrated track record of performing excellently under pressure and adhering to strict deadlines while maintaining a sophisticated understanding of organizational and external contexts.

General understanding of geopolitics and international affairs, as well as interest in human development, poverty, environment, human rights and other related issues, with international experience.

Excellent judgment and strong people skills.

Language Requirements: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Other UN languages are an asset.

*Please note that this position is open to all individuals meeting the minimum academic and experience requirements, including internal UN candidates currently at a lower grade level.