Communication Specialist

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are core principles at United Nations Development Programme (UNDP):  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

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.

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP's policy work carried out at HQ, Regional Hubs, and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.

Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP's Strategic Plan. BPPS's staff provides technical advice to Country Offices, advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government, and civil society dialogues, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas. BPPS works closely with UNDP's Crisis Bureau (CB) to support emergency and crisis response. BPPS ensures that issues of risk are fully integrated into UNDP's development programmes.  BPPS assists UNDP and partners to achieve higher quality development results through an integrated approach that links results-based management and performance monitoring with more effective and new ways of working.  BPPS supports UNDP and partners to be more innovative, knowledge and data driven including in its programme support efforts.

The 2030 Agenda for SDGs and the pledge to leave no one behind reflect the interconnectedness of health and sustainable development, including widening economic and social inequalities, the climate crisis, rapid urbanization, the continuing burden of HIV and other infectious diseases (e.g., malaria, tuberculosis), the growing burden of non-communicable diseases and the emergence of health threats. The scope and scale of delivering health and well-being for all demands innovative partnerships and financing. As affirmed in the Political Declaration of the 2019 High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage (UHC), the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) and others are critical partners for delivering on the health-related goals of the 2030 Agenda.  Stronger Collaboration, Better Health: Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-being for All outlines how a dozen multilateral health, development, and humanitarian agencies, including UNDP, the Global Fund, Gavi and others will collaborate to be more efficient and effective in supporting countries to deliver UHC and achieve the health-related SDG targets. 

UNDP’s partnership with the Global Fund, in line with UNDP’s HIV and Health Strategy 2022-2025: Connecting the Dots, makes a vital contribution to UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2022-2025, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the SDGs and the pledge to leave no one behind. 

As a long-standing partner of the Global Fund, UNDP’s value proposition lies in providing an integrated package of development solutions to strengthen institutions to deliver health services. Through its contributions as interim Principal Recipient (PR) and provider of technical assistance to Global Fund grants in 53 countries since 2003, UNDP’s provision of integrated policy, implementation and capacity development support to countries has yielded significant health and development results in challenging operating environments. Proactive risk management and investing in sustainability are the cornerstones of UNDP’s portfolio management approach in supporting to countries with significant national capacity constraints to manage large-scale health programmes. By providing technical assistance to national counterparts during all phases of implementation, strengthening legislation, policies and regulatory frameworks, and building capacities across key functional areas, including financial management, health information systems, procurement and supply chain management, UNDP is able to deliver results whilst sustainably transitioning to national entities. UNDP’s track record as PR over the last 17 years and capacity to deliver in challenging operating environments has been critical for strengthening its positioning as a health implementation support partner.

In Zimbabwe, UNDP is the Principal Recipient (PR) for the HIV grant and is also providing Support Services (Fund Administration) to the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) as the continuing PR for the Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria grants. The HIV grant for 2024-2026 aims to contribute towards the achievement of the vision and goals of Zimbabwe National HIV Strategic Plan, 2021-2026. For effective implementation of the Global Fund resources, UNDP Zimbabwe has established a separate Program Management Unit (PMU) within the Country Office that is responsible for the day-to-day overall programme management of the HIV grant. Under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative and Deputy Resident Representatives, the PMU is responsible for a range of functions including coordination with country stakeholders (particularly the MoHCC and the National AIDS Council (NAC)), financial management and reporting, compliance with Global Fund and UNDP policies, rules and procedures risk management, procurement of health products, other goods and services, and  strengthening the national pharmaceutical and laboratory supply chain systems, including the Solar for Health (S4H) initiative. The Global Fund grant is implemented in accordance with UNDP rules, policies and procedures, the grant confirmation, corporate agreements with the Global Fund and in close coordination with the national partners, including NAC, MoHCC, national disease programmes, NatPharm, NGOs, CSOs, communities, donors, technical partners and UN entities and the Global Fund (Local Fund Agent, (LFA)) and Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM).   

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager and in close cooperation with the communication unit of the CO and the UN System, the Communication Specialist will ensure communications strategies, media relations and organizational outreach efforts are aligned with corporate communications policies and initiatives. He/she will also collaborate with HHD Group and GPN colleagues to support the coverage of  the activities and special events organized for the GF funded programs.

Scope of work: 

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Project or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the Communication Specialist will:

Summary of Function:

• Lead the development and implementation of communication and outreach/advocacy strategies and plans; 
• Lead the development and dissemination of advocacy materials with the following key responsibilities; 
• Manage media relations for the CO with the following key responsibilities; 
• Facilitate knowledge building and sharing.

1. Lead the development and implementation of communication and outreach/advocacy strategies and plans, with a specific focus on media with the following key responsibilities:

• Develop an annual communications work plan and budget: 
• Conduct communication needs assessments for the GF projects;
• Design, develop, and implement communication and outreach/advocacy strategies, including media strategies; 
• Monitor and analyze print and social media and prepare reports;

2. Lead the development and dissemination of advocacy materials with the following key responsibilities:

• Develop and produce communication and advocacy instruments and materials, including briefing materials, press releases, and articles and coordinate its dissemination through effective channels;
• Support the the engagement and supervision of video producers and other communication specialists to produce audio/ visual material on UNDP’s work; 
• Support the development of brochures, factsheets, stories from the field to inform media and general public at the regional level;
• Provide support to CO communication team with timely content update on the GF funded programme;
• Liaise with HHD/HIST Communication focal point to ensure adequate coverage of activities and advocacy initiatives at corporate level and in connection with GF.

3. Manage media relations for the CO with the following key responsibilities:

• Support relationship building with press in country; maintain and update database of relevant press;
• Respond timely and clearly to media inquiries and to a variety of inquiries and information requests; prepare related correspondence; identify topics, background information, news-related development and coverage of interest;
• Organize roundtable discussions, press conferences, and briefing sessions with press.

4. Facilitate knowledge building and sharing:

• Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme and activities and ensure exchange of information;
• Provide training and workshops on communication and advocacy as appropriate.

5. Constant monitoring and analysis of the operating environment for infrastructure works:

• Develops and maintains comprehensive risk management logs for all civil work projects as appropriate;
• Maintains a comprehensive price index for key construction materials for all regions of Zimbabwe for precise cost estimation;
• Conducts routine market surveys and pre-qualification of Contractors to ensure updated supplier databases;
• Conducts performance evaluation for all conducted civil works and maintains scores in centralized database.

Institutional Arrangements

The Communication Specialist Will report to the Project Manager.

Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands.

Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found on the dedicated site.

Technical/cross-Functional Competencies

Business Development

• Knowledge Generation
  • Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.

Business Management

• Communication
  • Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels;
  • Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skillfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed.

Digital and Innovation

• Behavior change communication/communication for development
  • ​​​​​​​Knowledge of appropriate digital communication methodologies for development and behavior change, and ability to apply them practically.

External Relations and Advocacy

• Advocacy strategy and implementation
  • Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change.
• Media Relations
  • Ability to develop media relations across all aspects of media work including relationships with media and preparing media materials such as messages.
• Digital Strategy
  • Ability to plan the use of resources through digital channels to reach and engage target audiences effectively and to achieve particular objectives.

Health

• HIV/AIDS
  • Knowledge of access to treatment and quality services, policy and principles and strategic and/or practical situations for communicable and non-communicable diseases.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced University Degree (master’s or equivalent) in communications, journalism, social sciences or any other relevant field is required.

OR

• A first level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the relevant field with an additional of 2 years of relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level in international development, journalism, communications and/or a related discipline.

Required skills:

• Proven experiences on producing contents on social media, promotional materials and communication products;
• Experience in working with media and establishing networks.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the competencies section:

• Previous experience in working with UN or NGOs or international organizations is an asset;
• Experience in working in a demanding environment with the skills of dealing with crisis communications is an asset;
• Experience on knowledge products and research skills is an asset;
• Previous working experience on health – related matters is an asset;
• Knowledge of Global Fund is an asset;
• Proven skills/experience in updating website, social media, graphic designs, producing audio-video materials;
• Good interpersonal and team building skills/experience;
• Proven experience in drafting report, news, stories, policy updates.

Language:

• Fluency in spoken and written English is required.

Disclaimer

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam warning

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.