Development Coordination Officer-Programme Communications and Advocacy

1. Coordinate strategic advocacy and programme communication
2. Support partnership building and media relations
3. Lead digital communications
4. Support publications and branding management

Coordinate strategic advocacy and programme communication in support of the UNDAF.

• Provide guidance and supp01t to the RC/UNCT in designing, implementing and monitoring the UN joint advocacy and communication strategy, promoting the UNDAF as the primary instrument for the planning and implementation of UN development activities in the country, in support of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;
• Provide strategic advocacy and communication advice to the Resident Coordinator (RC) and UN Country Team on the 2030 Agenda and to boost impact of programmatic objectives under the UNDAF;
• Promote advocacy and communications as a tool for a participatory approach to UNDAF implementation and monitoring, reflecting views and priorities of people, including those left farthest behind;
• Monitor media in the areas related to the UN's mandates and programmes in the country, as well as other issues relevant to the UN brand and positioning;
• Advise the RCIUNCT on public messaging and media outreach, and help manage reputational risks or crises around sensitive issues;
• Provide timely advice to the RC/UNCT, Programme Management team and Results Groups on potential issues concern and risks related to communications and advocacy, and suggest corrective actions;
• Guide and support the UN Communications Group in its support throughout the stages of the UNDAF cycle;
• In collaboration with the UN Communications Group and the UN programme management team (or equivalent), and in coordination with the RCO staff on data management and results reporting, develop annual communication plan to publicize and communicate results with a focus on the UN's development impact;
• Advise and support the RCIUNCT in projecting UN's image effectively and accurately as well as promoting transparency and accountability;
• Provide technical support to ensure that communication performance indicators are identified, incorporated, monitored and reported on throughout the UNDAF cycle.

​Support partnership building and media relations

• Engage key traditional and non-traditional partners, including government, civil society, private sector, development partners and others new as well as traditional actors on the collective 2030 Agenda and the related role and impact of the UN’s work in country;
• Support RC/UNCT in significantly expanding public outreach on the 2030 Agenda and the UN’s role and impact in country;
• Promote public engagement on the UN's role and work in country, including through programme visits showcasing the UN's development impact;
• Regularly liaise with other partners for content development, information exchange, collaborative communication efforts, and innovative communication and advocacy tools;
• Review communication experiences and share findings with country, regional and HQ communication colleagues so that best practices benefit UN's communication work.
• Maintain close working relationships with the media, including editors and joumalists in key national and international news outlets and develop, maintain and update media relations contact list/database;
• Draft official briefing materials, talking points, speeches, statements, op-eds and prepare presentations as necessary;

• Manage digital external platforms such as the UN country team website as well as UN social media presence (Facebook, Twitter account etc.);
• Develop and implement a digital content strategy and manage the development of key communication products (e.g. human-interest stories, photography, video, animations, etc.).

​Coordinate publications and branding management

• Support the RC/UNCT on matters of production of joint UN publications ensuring high quality standards and the correct application of the UN branding guidelines;
• Advise RC/UNCT on the use of the UN joint brand at country level across UN products, both offline and online.

• Ability to make new and useful ideas work
• Level 5: Creates new and relevant ideas and leads others to implement them

• Ability to persuade others to follow
• Level 5: Plans and acts transparently, actively works to remove barriers

• Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
• Level 5: Models high professional standards and motivates excellence in others

• Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
• Level 5: Gains trust of peers, partners, clients by presenting complex concepts in practical terms to others

• Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement
• Level 5: Critically assesses value and relevance of existing policy / practice and contributes to enhanced delivery of products, services, and innovative solutions

• Master’s degree in international development, communications, journalism, public administration, business administration, public policy or other relevant political/social sciences.

• At least 7 years of progressive responsible expereince in programme communications and advocacy or partnership development in the contect of development cooperation or related area is required.
• Experience in coordinating and maintaining synergy with development partners and the UN system

• Proficiency in English. Working knowledge of other UN language desirable 

• Non-Smoking environment 

Important applicant information

All posts in the GS categories are subject to local recruitment.

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