Closing date: Thursday, 22 January 2015
CONSULTANT - GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
Location : New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Application Deadline : 22-Jan-15
Type of Contract : Individual Contract
Post Level : International Consultant
Languages Required : English
Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start)
02-Feb-2015
Duration of Initial Contract : Four (4) Months
Expected Duration of Assignment : Possibility of extension
Background
The Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA) leads and supports the organization in cultivating, building and nurturing strategic relationships and alliances that are essential for advancing and successfully achieving the mission of UNDP. The UN System Affairs Group (UNSAG) within BERA leads and manages UNDP's engagement with intergovernmental and multistakeholder bodies.
Together with UNDP's Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS), and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), UNSAG provides support to the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (GPEDC). The GPEDC brings governments, private companies, civil society and others together to ensure funding, time and expertise produce maximum impact for development. The Global Partnership provides a space for political dialogue around the implementation of commitments on effective development cooperation and deepening broader engagement of wider development cooperation actors in their efforts to maximize their impact.
Under the guidance and supervision of the Director for UN System Affairs, BERA - and in close coordination with the Team Leader, Effective Development Cooperation and other members of the UNDP-OECD Joint Support Team for the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (GPEDC) - the Communications Officer will act as a communication focal point of the Joint Support Team. S/he will design, update, and implement the GPEDC communications strategy, which is geared to enhancing the visibility of the GPEDC, its impact on the development agenda and engagement with GPEDC by development stakeholders. The Communications Officer may supervise and lead any additional communications consultants.
The consultancy assignment will take place in New York for an initial period of four months with possibility of extension.
Duties and Responsibilities
Design and update the GPEDC's internal and external strategies for communications and outreach.
Implement the GPEDC's communications and outreach strategy, including
- Creation, promotion and maintenance of communications campaigns and materials on the GPEDC's activities and results;
- Supervision of the design and maintenance of the GPEDC web site, social media accounts, and blog; ensuring consistency of messaging and materials;
- Development of content as and when required, for a range of audiences, and dissemination via channels including social media and UNDP internal knowledge networks;
- Lead communications support to GPEDC-related high-level meetings, side events, online events, etc, including organization of press conferences, interviews, online chats, etc as appropriate;
- Solicitation and management of substantive contributions to the GPEDC newsletter, website, and blog, as well as occasional op-eds, etc;
- Maintenance of increased coverage and understanding of the GPEDC's work through regular media and development professional contacts;
- Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing including through the GPEDC community space on Teamworks;
- Management of publication products as necessary;
- Effective supervision of additional communications consultants, as applicable;
- Maintain close contact with communications focal points in the offices of the GPEDC Co-Chairs and Steering Committee members.
- Monitor and assess impact of communications and outreach strategy, and prepare updates to the GPEDC Steering Committee.
Competencies
Corporate Competencies
- Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN's values and ethical standards;
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Functional Competencies
Advocacy
- Contributes to the elaboration of advocacy strategies by identifying and prioritizing audiences and communication means; Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for advocacy work.
Communication
- Excellent and effective communication skills;
- Proven ability to write in a clear and concise manner under tight time pressure and to communicate effectively orally;
- Ability to prepare reports and articulate options, concisely conveying maximum necessary information;
- Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Building strategic partnerships
- Sensitizes partners to the GPEDC's priorities, identifying areas for joint efforts.
Technical expertise
- Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines;
- Continues to seeks new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the team;
- keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
- Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.
Client orientation
- Anticipates client needs;
- Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider;
- Demonstrates understanding of client's perspective.
Required Skills and Experience
Education
- Master's degree in media relations, journalism, or related field.
Experience
- At least 7 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in public relations, communications or advocacy;
- Previous experience with a multilateral or international organization is helpful;
- Experience with providing communications support for high-level policy events in the area of international development;
- Excellent drafting and editing skills in English;
- Demonstrated familiarity with key media organizations and platforms for global development;
- Demonstrated knowledge of the issues and debate related to global development (e.g. post-2015 agenda, effective development cooperation);
- Experience with maintaining websites and managing social media accounts.
Language Requirements
- Excellent command of, and drafting skills in, English is required;
- Knowledge of a second UN language an advantage.
