Background
General ContextEncompassing 45 countries, the Regional Bureau for Africa is UNDP’s largest Regional Bureau, with almost one third of the countries in crisis or post-crisis situations. To help the Africa region overcome its development challenges, UNDP’s strategic goal in Africa is to develop the region’s capacity to promote pro-poor growth and accountability, as a strategy for accelerating its progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Achieving this strategic goal requires a refocusing of UNDP’s resources in the region on capacity development, and strengthening its own internal capacity in required substantive and managerial areas. The RBA Strategy and Management Review conducted in mid-2006 recommended far-reaching managerial changes for UNDP in Africa to achieve this goal, including by enhancing its standards of efficiency and accountability in a number of key functions including: i) Innovative region-wide strategic thinking, advocacy and partnerships; ii) translation of corporate and RBA strategies and goals into successful capacity development results on the ground; iii) more strategic partnerships and support to UN reform; and iv) continuous upgrading and enhancement of in-house substantive and managerial effectiveness and accountability.
Specific Post Context:
Among the cross-cutting issues the RBA Strategy and Management Review felt needed to be addressed urgently was inadequate communication both within the Bureau and between the RBA HQ and its external clients. The recommendation made by the Review to formulate and implement a Communications strategy for the region is currently being implemented in collaboration with the UNDP Office of Communications (OC). That strategy includes the creation of a Communications function within the Bureau to strengthen internal and external communications at HQ and regional levels. The present function, which will be located at Headquarters, will complement the RBA focal point function already existing in the OC as well as two communications advisers for Africa located in Johannesburg and Dakar.
Liaising closely with the Office of Communications, the Communications Specialist contributes to the implementation of a communications strategy for the Bureau focusing, among other things, on creating a UNDP Africa brand within parameters set by the corporate brand, and in line with the recommendations of the RBA Review. Under the day-to-day supervision of the Chief of Staff and Head of the Directorate, he/she will lend communications support to all units at RBA HQ as part of the broader internal communications and advocacy strategy of the Bureau, including specifically, message development on the priorities of the bureau and speech-writing support to the Director. The Communications Specialist collaborates closely with the OC RBA focal point and out-posted OC Regional Communications Advisers, as well as with UNDP Country Office Communications Officers in order to ensure coherence of the messages being communicated as well as their alignment with broader corporate advocacy goals. He/she also lends direct support to the Director in his/her capacity as Chief Advocate for the Bureau to facilitate his/her role.
Duties and Responsibilities
Management Functions:This post does not have direct line subordinates. However it will, from time to time, be responsible for managing staff on a project or task and activity basis. Where such management functions become necessary, they will be performed in line with established UNDP principles, rules and regulations governing the management of human, financial and material resources assigned to projects.
Key functions:
Design and implementation of RBA’s internal communications strategy, which includes information-sharing among RBA staff, between RBA and the broader UNDP, and ensuring knowledge building and sharing;
Design and implementation of RBA’s external communications strategy through support to development of messaging on RBA’s priority areas, web content, writing of articles and drafting of speeches and statements to enhance UNDP’s image, credibility and positioning in Africa;
Maintain close collaboration with the Office of Communications, Regional communications advisors and communications officers in country teams to ensure timely message development, advocacy on UNDP priority areas in Africa and reputation management.
Design and implementation of RBA’s internal communications strategy, which includes information-sharing among RBA staff, between RBA and the broader UNDP, and ensuring knowledge building and sharing;
- Conducts communications needs assessments for RBA in close consultation with the Office of Communications and regional communications advisors
- Liaises with the IT Strategy Analyst to ensure relevant and up-to-date content on the intranet and websites/ workspaces managed by RBA
- Supports the formulation of regional and country-level communications strategies, and ensuring alignment with RBA and corporate communications policy
- Provides support to RBA staff in drafting materials on best practices and lessons learned for wider consumption
- Provides internal communications support to the Director of RBA and other senior RBA officials, and to Resident Representatives in the region
- Supports the development of internal presentations for RBA headquarters.
- In partnership with the OC, provides ongoing sensitization sessions to RBA staff on advocacy and communications as required
- Participates in Senior Management Bureau meetings in order to assist and advise on communications and outreach
- Works with the Chief of Staff on the dissemination of knowledge products and good practices
Expected results:
High-quality and timely communications processes within and products from the Bureau and exposure of RBA activities within UNDP, further enhancing RBA’s profile, image and credibility with its partners.
Design and implementation of RBA’s external communications strategy through support to development of messaging on RBA’s priority areas, web content, writing of articles and drafting of speeches and statements to enhance UNDP’s image, credibility and positioning in Africa.
In close collaboration with the OC and the regional communications advisors:
- Develops drafts statements for the RBA Director and other RBA senior staff;
- Supports the drafting and editing of news and advocacy products including press releases, advisories, fact-sheets, brochures, articles, briefs and updated information and stories to inform media, key partners and the general public of RBA’s programming initiatives and results for dissemination through the web and other effective channels;
- Liaises with the OC to ensure that the work of RBA is highlighted in vehicles such as press releases and websites (www.undp.org as well as sites maintained by UNDP’s country offices),the corporate publications (including UNDP’s Illustrated Annual Report), UNDP Bulletin (the corporate online internal newsletter for staff), etc.
- Edits and coordinates production and dissemination of larger RBA publications and ensures that they adhere to UNDP Publications Policy and branding guidelines
- Designs and manages the implementation of an RBA communications strategy to support the Capacity Development for Pro-poor Growth and Accountability Strategy, outlining clear goals, deliverables, timelines, budget and performance indicators
- Works closely with the other Divisions (Policy and Strategy Division, Country Operations Division, UN Support and Partnerships) and with OC to identify newsworthy information for dissemination;
- In cooperation with the OC, develops and manages business relationships with external providers of communication resources, specifically editors, graphic designers and other vendors as needed
- Develops and manages positioning opportunities for RBA’s new Capacity Development for Pro-poor Growth and Accountability Strategy in close collaboration with OC and UN Support and Partnerships Division
- In coordination with the OC, be available to handle media queries as required
- Provides communications expertise and recommendations on major projects as needed
Expected results:
Enhanced positioning of UNDP RBA priorities in the public sphere, and specifically among UNDP partners.
Maintain close collaboration with the Office of Communications, Regional communications advisors and communications officers in country teams to ensure timely message development, reputational management and advocacy on UNDP priority areas in Africa.
- Positions the RBA Director and other senior UNDP officials as key spokespersons on the region with regards to emerging trends in development in the region.
- Ensures clear and timely responses are harvested from within RBA and the Resident Representatives in the region to address media inquiries on reputational issues and corporate positions.
Expected Results:
Improved strategic positioning of UNDP in Africa as a responsive and accountable development partner of choice on issues relating to transparency, the Millennium Development Goals and other UNDP priority areas.
Impact of Results
The success of the incumbent has a major impact on the positioning of UNDP in Africa and its Capacity Development for Pro-poor Growth and Accountability Strategy within UNDP, across UN agencies and in the development world at large. The results are critical for the cultivation of UNDP’s own partnership profile vis-à-vis other development partners. The incumbent makes decisions regarding information leaving the Bureau and is responsible for getting the information right in order to protect the integrity of the Bureau.
Competencies
Corporate Competencies:- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability. The candidate selected will be required to take UNDP’s mandatory training on the UN Programme on the Prevention of Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Abuse of Authority within two months of their assuming their functions in this position.
General
- Ability to advocate and provide policy advice
- Thorough knowledge of communications and in-depth knowledge of the Africa region
- Knowledge of development issues
- Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, applies newly acquired skills
- Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office
- Possesses strong project management skills
Functional Competencies:
Communications
- Writes clearly and convincingly, adapting style and content to different audiences
- Speaks clearly and convincingly, demonstrating strong presentation skills in meetings
- Listens actively, acknowledging and responding constructively to other points of view
- Demonstrates analytical and advocacy skills
- Cognitive ability to think at a strategic level
- Capacity to transform policy recommendations into action plans for implementation
- Excellent networking capabilities
- Ability to remain calm, in control and good humored even under pressure and tight deadlinesDemonstrates web content management skills.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:Masters degree in International Affairs, Development, Journalism, Communications or related area; or substantial years of experience.
Experience:
A minimum of 7 years of communications and/or management-related experience at the international level, preferably in a Communications/Media environment. Sound understanding of UNDP’s mandate and policies; Proven experience in using communications services and tools. Good knowledge of UNDP rules and policies.
Language Requirements:
High level of proficiency in English and French required.
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this post.