Communication Officer

Eligibility criteria

Minimum age: 25 years old. Nationals of the country of assignment are not eligible, except the assignments in Headquarters duty stations.

Description of task

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Regional Programme Communications Specialist or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Communications Officer will:

1. Plans and facilitates printed & digital communication including UNDP/RSCA’s web site, social media, intranet, CO web-based knowledge management system

• Develops and maintains external and internal digital communications platforms such as the UNDP/RSCA website, official UNDP/RSCA country team social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, etc.), Intranet and on-line collaboration platforms, etc
• Design of the office web sites based on corporate requirements in cooperation with the ICT staff.
• Plans and facilitates the development and implementation of a digital content strategy and contributes to the development of key communications and advocacy products (e.g. human-interest stories, multilingual and multimedia content, etc.).
• Supervision and preparation of the content for the web sites and social media platforms ensuring consistency of the materials.
• Conducts exercises exploring the applicability of new and emerging tools and techniques to digital communications and advocacy activities to reach a wider, younger audience.
• Monitor and evaluate the dissemination of advocacy and communication material to target audiences and impact of the same.
• Monitor and analyze media coverage in the region and share information with the RBA and BERA Communications;
• Draft and/or edit a range of materials, including press releases & advisories, news briefs, fact sheets, multimedia human interest stories for inclusion in media kits and further public outreach;
• Design and develop high quality flyers, publications, infographics, banners, roll ups and other graphic design products to support the Institute’s academic, research and policy dialogues activities.
• Deliver creative and innovative products for print and web use.

1. Develop regional communications strategies, based on Regional Bureau objectives and incorporating the goals of the corporate communications strategy, and working closely with international media in the region.

• Develop and implement regional communications strategies based on the Regional Bureau objectives and in line with the corporate communications strategy;
• Monitor and measure the impact of the communication strategy and make adjustments accordingly;
• Prepare and conduct communications needs assessments for the regional bureau for in close consultation with the Regional Communications Specialist and Regional Programme Coordinator
• Integrate issue-based advocacy into the communications strategy around key priority areas in the region’s country offices.

1. Lead media outreach in Africa, working closely with international and regional media:

• Ensure the promotion and increased understanding of UNDP/RSCA’s work in the region with special attention on results and impacts achieved through development and maintenance of international media contacts and using new types of media and communication tools as appropriate;
• Promote, advocate and raise awareness around UNDP/RSCA activities, results, flagship initiatives through a variety of communication vehicles, such as roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews, report launches, etc.;
• Build strong personal relationships with core journalists in the region to establish trustful and reliable connections with key news organizations;
• Explore and utilize innovative and emerging communication tools and new media in support of the communications strategy;
• Proactively market UNDP/RSCA’s program work in the media by regularly pitching UNDP/RSCA success stories and placing UNDP/RSCA experts for interviews and commentaries in print and TV/radio outlets;
• Prepare/draft a range of materials, including talking points for senior managers, press releases & advisories, news briefs, fact sheets for inclusion in media kits and further public outreach;
• Support UNDP/RSCA senior management with their regional public appearances, communications activities, and arranges and ensures wide media coverage for them.
• Develop plans for increasing the profile of the region’s programmes through audio-visual material to broadcast and social media.

1. Facilitate capacity building and knowledge sharing, including mentoring and training communications staff in the country offices of the region:

• Liaising with country office to communicate success stories and results, offering mentoring and advice when needed;
• Play a key role in coaching and mentoring of UNDP/RSCA’s Communications staff, especially in the design and implementation of communications strategies;
• Develop program personnel and key projects personnel capacities in the area of effective external communications and advocacy;
• Organize and facilitate training workshops on development communications;
• Prepare periodic reports and summaries for the management on regional media activities;
• Contribute to knowledge networks, communications toolkit and communities of practices on communications issues;
• Provide training to UND/RSCA’s communications staff and introduce new, cost-effective digital technologies for the more rapid collection and dissemination of footage and pictures from field operations in the Asia and the Pacific region; and
• Support UNDP/RSCA’s Communications staff on media development as needed.

1. Support UNDP/RSCA’s positioning and business development in the region:

• Position UNDP/RSCA as a substantive thought leader within the development world and promote its mandate, mission and purpose via effective communication;
• Develop and maintain close contacts with multilateral and bilateral donors and the private sector for implementation of the communications strategy, including by organizing roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews, report launches, etc.;
• Create, promote and maintain regional public campaigns that position UNDP/RSCA and influence the development agenda based on current program and new initiatives;
• Provide strategic advice to senior management on current events and issues relevant to UNDP business opportunities; and
• Enhance understanding and knowledge of journalists and key interlocutors on development issues through substantive regional workshops and training sessions using UNDP reports, data and experts.

Qualifications/Requirements Required degree level: Bachelor degree or equivalent Education - Additional Comments:

Bachelor’s degree in communications, Public Relations, marketing, media relations, journalism, international relations or social since field

Required experience: 24 Months Experience remark:

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in media relations at the international level and an in-depth knowledge of Africa
• Previous experience with a multilateral or international organization, preferably in the region, is an asset but not required.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, good knowledge and experience in handling of web-based management systems
• Practical background in graphic design including Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe InDesign software.
• Experience in producing flyers, infographics, banners, roll ups and branded materials for conferences, events and social media campaigns.
• Experience in formatting publications e.g. books, policy papers, journals, official reports, etc.
• Experience in photo editing is desirable
• Experience in media development is an asset but not required.

Language skills:

• English(Mandatory), Level - Fluent
• French(Optional), Level - Working Knowledge

Area of expertise: Journalism, mass media and broadcasting, Web and graphic design, Other communications related experience Area of expertise details:

• A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience at international level in one or more of the following areas: public relations, communications, journalism, media development-related advocacy.
• Experience in social media management and web development is required

Driving license: No Application procedure:

* Not yet registered in the UNV Talent Pool?

Please first register your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/signup. Important: After creating your account, complete all sections

of your profile and submit it. Then go to ‘My Page’ at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/mypage and click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink.

Lastly, select the special call to which you would like to apply.

* Already registered in the UNV Talent Pool?

Please first update your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/profile. Then go to ‘My Page’ at

https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/mypage and click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink to select the special call to which you would like to

apply.

Application deadline: 28 February 2021