Communications Advocacy and Partnerships Specialist

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Resident Representative, the Communications, Advocacy and Partnerships Specialist of the MCO implements the corporate communications strategy, designs, manages and facilitates the implementation of the MCO’s communications and publication strategies with a view to influence the development agenda, promote public and media outreach and mobilize political and financial support for UNDP. 

The Communications, Advocacy and Partnerships Specialist supervises and leads the communications team of the MCO and has a strong regular working relationship with the Regional Communications Adviser. He/she works in close collaboration with the MCO Policy Advisor, Programme, Operations and project teams, staff of other UN Agencies, UNDP Communications staff in the Region and HQ, government officials, international and local media, subject matter experts, donors, and civil society to ensure successful implementation of UNDP’s communication strategy. 

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Lead Strategic Advocacy and Campaigns: 

• Develop and implement advocacy strategies to advance UNDP’s mission and strategic goals.
• Identify key advocacy opportunities and platforms at national, regional, and global levels.
• Coordinate and facilitate the production of advocacy materials, including policy briefs, reports, and multimedia content.
• Manage and promote advocacy activities and disseminate corporate advocacy materials to publicize UNDP mandate/mission, flagship initiatives, and key publications.
• Create, promote, and maintain public information campaigns on issues including UNDP activities, Sustainable Development Goals, and UN Reform.
• Push UNDP’s Campaign and Advocacy Agenda in MCO’s UN Communications Group to ensure alignment with the “One UN” agenda

Develop Partnership Engagement and Donor Relations: 

• Identify, establish, and maintain strategic partnerships with stakeholders including governments, civil society organizations, private sector, academia, and other UN agencies.
• Foster relationships with donors, ensuring continuous engagement and communication to secure funding and support for UNDP projects.
• Develop and maintain close contacts with government officials, donors, civil society, and private sector as part of the MCO communication strategy

Lead on the Communication Strategies and Outreach:

• Plan and elaborate communication needs assessments for the MCO (projects, country programme, and corporate change initiatives).
• Lead the communication programme in the MCO and work closely with MCO senior management and communications personnel in Fiji, Solomon Islands, and the Micronesia offices.
• Develop a yearly communications action plan in line with the overarching strategy.
• Provide constructive and timely advice on the inclusion of communications components in programme and project formulations.
• Promote and facilitate increased coverage and understanding of the UNDP’s work in the Pacific through local and global media stories.

Lead the Publications and Digital Communications:

• Elaborate and implement the MCO publications strategy and plan based on the corporate publications policy.
• Identify and develop storylines for publications and substantive articles that contribute to and generate conversations on key development issues.
• Coordinate and manage all MCO publication activities, including content management in line with corporate guidelines.
• Liaise with journalists and other communication counterparts for better UNDP visibility.
• Design the MCO strategy for digital communications.
• Maintain close contact with the global web management team to ensure the design of the MCO’s website is in line with corporate requirements.
• Supervise the content for different digital platforms, including the MCO website and social media, to ensure consistency of materials.
• Monitor public engagement on different social media platforms.• 

Oversight on Knowledge Management and Dissemination:

• Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country goals and activities.
• Provide substantive and sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice, including corporate communications repositories.
• Organize and provide training, consultancy, and advice to UNDP staff on internal and external knowledge management.
• Oversee maintenance of UNDP’s Intranet on MCO activities for internal knowledge sharing.
• Share relevant knowledge products with external stakeholders through the corporate website.
• Work with the Programme teams to ensure all knowledge products are captured, updated, readily available, and in the right order as 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 fields of study 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 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in public relations, advocacy, or communications.
• Previous communication experience with multilateral or international organizations is an asset.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with international media and organizations involved in evidence-based research on social policy and development programmes, and advocacy efforts is required.
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages, multi-media technologies in creating multimedia content and working with graphic and video production tools is required.
• Experience in creating and implementing advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change is desired.
• Experience in managing communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels is desired.
• Experience in working in a multicultural environment is highly desirable.
• Experience in working with multiple stakeholders including government, donors, media and public is an asset.
• Experience in journalism and public relations is an asset.

Language:

• Fluency in English is required, (Exceptional written and verbal communication skills are required (in English), with the ability to convey complex information clearly and effectively to various stakeholders.
• Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

Source: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/24601