Prepare and conduct communications needs assessments for the country office (e.g., for projects, the country programme, and corporate change initiatives).

Draft and edit the country office communications and outreach strategy based on country office strategic priorities and the UNDP External Communications Action Plan.

Provide communication input during the project and programme formulation stage to integrate communication needs and strategies in all aspects of UNDP development program.

Maintain increased coverage and understanding of the UNDP’s work in the country or practice area through local and global media stories as guided by the UNDP External Communications Action Plan.

Provide support in implementing country office digital communication strategy.

Generate content for the web site and other social media platforms to ensure consistency and better outreach.

Collect and package information for donor review in collaboration with programme staff and supervisor to support campaign and advocacy initiatives.

Organize roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews, launches to engage stakeholders.

Support “One UN” agenda in line with UNDP’s Campaign and Advocacy agenda.

Ensure access of journalists to subject-matter experts and UNDP spokespeople; and provide newsworthy information to the national public.

Identify and develop storylines for publications, and draft substantive articles that contribute to and generate conversations on key development issues.

Coordinate and manage the country office publication activities, such as content management in line with corporate guidelines.

Liaison with and maintain a database of contact details for journalists.

Promote CO partnerships and business development

• In close coordination with Programme colleagues and direct guidance of SMT, lead on partnership management in the CO including keeping a good and timely track record of all fundraising opportunities in of the office, following up on due diligence of the new partners as well as other activities related to effective management of UNDP partners in the country.
• Packaging and submission of programme initiatives for donor review in collaboration with programme staff and UNDP senior management.
• Promotion and maintenance of public information campaigns on issues including UNDP activities and Sustainable Development Goals.
• Promotion and dissemination of corporate advocacy materials for launching flagship initiatives and publications such as the Human Development Report as well as any other reports.
• Maintenance of increased coverage and understanding of the UNDP’s work in the country or practice area through local and global media stories as guided by the UNDP External Communications Action Plan, provision of newsworthy information to national public and, where possible, donors.
• Ensure access to journalists to subject-matter experts and UNDP spokespeople.
• Drafting/production of regular updates to donors.
• Preparation of donor reports, civic education and community awareness where appropriate to support projects.
• Effective responses to inquiries for public information materials.

Facilitate effort of country office’s knowledge management and dissemination. 

• Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country goals and activities.
• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories.
• Provide training, consultancy, and advice to UNDP staff on internal and external knowledge management.
• Maintain UNDP’s Intranet on country office activities for internal knowledge sharing; and share relevant knowledge products with external stakeholders through corporate website.
• Work with the Programme teams to ensure all knowledge products are captured, updated, readily available and in the right order, as and when necessary.
• Required Skills and Experience
  Education:
  • Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Communication, Journalism, International Relations, Public Administration, or related field is required, or
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying  experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
  Experience:
  • Minimum of 2  years (with masters degree) or 4 years (with bachelors degree)  of relevant experience at the national or international level in public relations, advocacy, or communications.
  • Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.). and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems such as ERP is required..
  • Experience and knowledge of publishing, graphic design, video editing, and social media tools is an advantage.
  • Excellent understanding of international development issues and knowledge of the UN system
  • Demonstrated IT skills
  • Professional editing and copywriting skills, including articles, reports, social media content, press releases
  • Effectively promote CO partnerships and business development (fundraising opportunities, collaborate on programme submissions, engage in public information campaigns, disseminate advocacy materials)
  • Excellent time management skills
  • Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
  • Computer literate in standard software applications and ability to use current social media and web 2.0 tools.

  Language Requirements

  • Fluency  in English of duty station is required
  • Fluency in the national language of the duty station is required for local staff
  • Knowledge of another UN language is desirable