UNDP Jobs - 40168- Online Communications Specialist

Online Communications Specialist

Location :

Bangkok, THAILAND

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Dec-2013

Application Deadline :

20-Sep-13 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

1 year

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 Asia-Pacific Regional Centre (APRC) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is an out-posted unit within the UNDP Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific (RBAP).

The overall priority of the UNDP Asia-Pacific Regional Centre is to strengthen development results by:

Providing UNDP Country Offices (COs) in Asia and the Pacific with easy access to knowledge through high quality advisory services based on global applied research and UNDP lessons learnt;
Managing and efficiently implementing regional programmes, projects and funds;
Building partnerships and promoting regional capacity building initiatives, which allow UNDP, governments and other development partners to identify, create and share knowledge relevant to solving urgent development challenges;
Strengthening the UN coordination results by providing support to the regional team of heads of UN agencies, funds and programmes.

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Head of the APRC Management Support Unit and in close cooperation with the Regional Communications Advisor, Online Communication Specialist will contribute to the implementation of UNDP’s corporate strategy for the web. Acknowledging the critical role of internet-based communications, the UNDP is implementing a comprehensive digital strategy that includes the implementation of a global content management system and enhanced engagement through social media.

The Online Communications Specialist will be tasked with mapping, creating, editing and producing material for the regional Asia-Pacific web site using the global system. Additionally, the Specialist will create a culture in the RBAP/APRC of engagement through the online channels, specifically web sites, blogs, Twitter and Facebook.

The Online Communications Specialist works in close collaboration with the APRC Knowledge, Innovation and Capacity Team, the Regional Communications Advisor, UNDP Regional Centers, Country Offices and UNDP HQ staff.

Duties and Responsibilities

Editing and producing the website and other online content

The Online Communications Specialist will be responsible for ensuring the editorial content and quality of the UNDP Asia-Pacific site and that they meet the corporate requirements, particularly around transparency.
Specifically, s/he will work to:

Oversee migration of the UNDP Asia-Pacific website to the new UNDP corporate website template, by producing material for the upgraded site;
Regularly draft new content and edit existing website content provided by program units, ensuring that the presented text is user friendly, easy to read and presented in a concise manner;
Create and execute a plan to engage stakeholders inside and outside of the Regional Centre via digital channels beyond the website, such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr;
Actively search for stories and content to be presented in the UNDP Asia-Pacific website across the region and in close interaction with UNDP COs in the region;
Work in close collaboration with the Regional Communications Advisor on media advisories, press releases and press outreach for flagship launches, events and programme results as per agreed annual workplan for RBAP/APRC.

Communicating regional Asia-Pacific project results

The Online Communications Specialist will be responsible for communicating regional project results to the external audience in the clear, understandable and concise manner.

Specifically, s/he will work to:

Ensure close collaboration between communications and knowledge management efforts vis-à-vis promotion and dissemination of regional experiences and good practices in development cooperation and communication for development;
Support the development and implementation of regional external communications and publication strategy based on corporate communications and publication policies;
Develop and implement the annual communication plan of action for APRC;
Craft sound communications and advocacy messages;
Contribute to drafting presentations, press releases and speeches promoting the APRC’s work, results and achievements;
Contextualize and package key messages, talking points and briefing notes for clarity and consistency;I
dentify and develop for publication storylines, substantive articles, press releases and other promotional material on key regional development issues;
Produce effective advocacy and outreach materials e.g. fact sheets, brochures, including progress results reports and annual report as necessary;
Ensure all of the above are gender sensitive, drawing on gender sensitive communications nad advocacy approaches;
Identifies and develops new communications partnerships and media alliances to enhance the visibility and cement APRC as a thought-leader; supports and nurtures existing partnerships.

Share knowledge and provide training

The Online Communications Specialist will be actively collaborating with the program teams to ensure communication initiatives are an integral part of the overall program and project strategy.

Specifically, s/he will work to:

Provide advice and support to APRC staff in integrating communication components into their regional and country projects and country advisory activities, including systematization of communications as a business process for effective programming and delivery of results;
Support media collaboration with partner agencies to advocate for APRC’s products and work in the region;
Analyze the feedback from UNDP COs and external discussions on latest trends in on-line communication;
Provide communications and writing training and guidance to APRC staff as necessary.

Editing services and support to drafting documents

Provide English language editing services to APRC program teams to ensure that the key program documents, outreach material and website content meets UNDP standards.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Excellent English language writing and editing skills;
Excellent communication and advocacy skills;
Previous experience with managing various on-line media;
Knowledge of web content systems and social media;
Knowledge of gender sensitive advocacy and communications strategies;
Good understanding of online communications needs and excellent attention to detail.

Client Orientation
Contributing to positive outcomes for the client

Anticipates client needs;
Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider;
Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing
Developing tools and mechanisms

Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms.

Core Competencies:

Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents;
Building support and political acumen;
Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
Building and promoting effective teams;
Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards;
Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations or other related fields of disciplines.

Work Experience:

Master's degree holder: minimum 5 years of demonstrated professional experience in the field of journalism, communications, external relations, public affairs, public relations or corporate communications, inclusive of at least 3 years of progressive responsibility over online communication content development, placement and monitoring;
Bachelor's degree holder: minimum 7 years of demonstrated professional experience in the field of journalism, communications, external relations, public affairs, public relations or corporate communications, inclusive of at least 3 years of progressive responsibility over online communication content development, placement and monitoring;
Prior experience working with development organization and/or for development projects;
Demonstrated professional knowledge, understanding and usage of various online communication channels and media;
Demonstrated experience with using various online communication channels and media for advocacy and outreach;
Demonstrated practical experience and use of CQ5.

Language Requirements:

Proficient in spoken and written English.