Communication & Pipeline Coordination Associate

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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.

As an island nation, Sri Lanka s highly vulnerable to climate change and disasters. UNDP has been assisting the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) since 1967 to achieve sustainable human development in economic, social and environmental fronts. Working closely with the GoSL at national, regional and local levels, Climate and Environment Team (CET) of UNDP is building up institutional, legal and individual capacities to respond to the effects of climate change and natural and manmade disasters, by exploring the potential of renewable energy and resource efficiency in production and consumption, while supporting reform and modernization of the environmental management systems and protecting our biodiversity.

Given the evolving development trajectory in the country; owing to COVID19, there is an acute need to develop strong technical proposals and concept notes that will take forward the UNDP 2.0 agenda and the policy and program priorities determined for 2021. Government of Sri Lanka, with the assistance of UNDP, is aiming to secure funding from the donor agencies to facilitate a greater preparedness for climate-related extreme weather conditions and events and reduce the loss of lives and social assets, reduce losses and damages in critical climate-sensitive rural production and service sectors of communities vulnerable to climate change impacts. In this backdrop, CET is in the process of developing concept notes and full proposals to acquire new funding and partnerships.

Under the overall guidance of the Team Leader and direct supervision of the Programme Quality and Design Analyst, the Communication and Pipeline Coordination Associate will assist in developing concept notes and full proposals to acquire new funding and partnerships for the CET. The Associate will also be responsible in coordination and implementation of CET’s advocacy strategies, communications, publication and knowledge management as well as in information management, which are geared to influence the development agenda, raise awareness of UNDP’s work among key audiences, including the public, government, the international community, donors and media, and mobilize resources and support for its work.

The Communication and Pipeline Coordination Associate, as a member of CET, will work in close collaboration with the programme, operations, policy and project teams in CET and field offices in improving the effectiveness and efficiency of UNDP’s support to Sri Lanka through successful information management and outreach. The Associate will also need to liaise with and contribute to UNDP’s regional and global communication efforts, and work closely with the UNDP Regional Bea Partnerships and Engagement Team, local media, Government and other development partners to ensure the successful implementation of the UNDP advocacy strategy.

Developing concept notes and full proposals to acquire new funding for CET/Country Office.

• Assisting and coordinating with the policy and programme teams in developing concept notes and project proposals.
• Identify sources, gather, and compile data and information for the preparation of documents, guidelines and other material as required for project proposal formulation.
• Support to develop and strengthen the Country Office pipeline for resource mobilization in line with the UNDP 2.0 offer.
• Conduct regular meetings with programme, project, operations, and policy teams to keep the senior management updated on new funding opportunities.
• CET focal point to sister UN agencies and other NGOs in developing joint concept notes and full proposals.
• Overall coordination in securing funding/proposal development from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Global Environment Facility (GEF), Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMA) Facility, European Commission (EU) and other development partners, donors and funding opportunities.

Build and implement the CET Advocacy and Communications strategy

• Plan, design and coordinate communication activities in line with the objectives of CET’s publications, advocacy, knowledge management and information management strategy.
• Update, develop, produce and distribute UNDP publicity and promotional material, including fact sheets and project sheets, working closely with the relevant teams, handling the design, printing and editing of the material.
• Working closely with Environmentally Sensitive Areas Project, Climate Promise Project, Biomass Energy Project, Integrated Water Management Project, and policy team to ensure the promotion and dissemination of advocacy and publicity material, publications, among key audiences and stakeholders, including Government, non-governmental partners, the private sector, donors etc.;
• Maintain an updated contact list of key audiences and partners.
• Initiate and engage in field visits to gather material for creating awareness and promotional activities.
• Plan, design and coordinate communications activities, outreach and media monitoring for CET.
• Undertake advocacy, public information and communication activities in collaboration with the Country Office Communications Team.
• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for planning and knowledge building within project and partnership development.

Provide inputs and assistance for the preparation of documents and undertake necessary coordination

• Prepare briefing materials, including talking points, PPT presentations & etc. for related events and meetings.
• Working together with the programme, project and the Policy & Engagement teams to identify, compile and edit content of documents & communication materials to be shared with the senior management and stakeholders.
• Liaise with the Country Office Communications Team to update information management systems and social media platforms on project related activities including project awareness and visibility, summaries, press releases and other relevant materials.
• Liaise with the Country Office Gender Team to integrate the gender aspect to the knowledge products developed by CET.
• Attend relevant discussions, conferences, workshops, working groups, interagency coordination meetings, and other forums and circulate notes for file on topics discussed.
• Conduct regular meetings with programme, project, operations and the Policy & Engagement teams to keep track of issues and activities for communications purposes and provide support as needed.

Partnership strengthening and developing opportunities

• Add value to projects and resource mobilization through developing partnerships with non-traditional stakeholders.
• Manage and strengthen the existing partnerships with private sector companies.
• Strengthening partnerships with television networks, radio networks, print media companies and independent think tanks to create awareness and disseminate information.
• Research events, publications and announcements, to track and screen opportunities for possible UNDP interventions and identify trends that will drive partnership opportunities.
• Maintain close collaboration and working arrangements with relevant stakeholders such as Government entities, Local authorities, Non-Governmental Organizations, United Nations agencies, etc. to enhance coordination.
• Liaise with the Country Office Policy and Engagement (P&E) Team in rolling out the advocacy work of CET.
• Build strong internal partnerships ensuring the alignment of cross-functional teams to achieve Organization objectives.

Impact of Results

The achievement of the key results will positively impact UNDP’s ability to support and influence the development agenda in Sri Lanka, promote progress and key messages to partners, the public and media through effective communications and dissemination of information on UNDP’s mandate, programmes and priorities. This will help to build and strengthen strategic partnerships in the region, promote greater transparency and accountability, and support resource mobilization.
 

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s Mission, Vision and values
• Understands UNDP system reforms and UNDP’s programme activities
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Functional Competencies:
Knowledge Management and Learning

• Excellent communication skills in English (both written and oral)
• Knowledge of marketing and communication principles and strategies
• Creativity to communicate in different ways
• Strong organization skills and ability to work with little supervision
• Enthusiastic, professional, cooperative as well as a demonstrate initiative and commitment to achieving professional information management standards.
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and supplies newly acquired.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to implement communications and publications strategies
• Advocates effectively
• Communicates sensitively and effectively across different constituencies
• Excellent communication skills, excellent writing skills
• Ability to conceptualize issues and analyze data
• Demonstrates strong IT skills

Leadership and Self-Management

• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Remains calm and in control under pressure
• Builds relationships with internal and external partners
• Demonstrate openness to change and ability to manage complexities

Education and minimum experience

• Secondary level qualification required. (G.C.E. Advance Level) with 6 years of progressive experience at the national or international level in international relations, public relations, journalism, mass media, communications, advocacy, project management and development, resource mobilization in environmental protection/conservation and/or development sector.

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in International Relations, Public Relations, Laws/LLB, Environmental Studies, Development Studies, Journalism, Mass Media, Communications or in any relevant subject with 1 year’s progressive experience at the national or international level in public relations, communications, advocacy, project management and development, resource mobilization in environmental protection/conservation and/or development sector.

• Previous experience with a multilateral or international organization is desirable.

• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, good knowledge and experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Sinhala. Ability in Tamil is preferable.

Important applicant information

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

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.

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