Background Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at 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. The Communications Analyst will be part of the UNDP India Country Office Communications and Partnerships team supporting the Action for Climate and Environment (ACE) portfolio.
The Communications and Partnerships team at UNDP works to strengthen internal and external communications and build strategic partnerships to deliver results at scale and speed to meet the Agenda 2030. The unit is responsible for developing effective and agile communication and partnership strategies to support the development needs of our partners and stakeholders and promote understanding of UNDP’s work in India. The unit delivers communication campaigns that support our diverse priorities, showcases our stories of change, engages media, leverages digital and multimedia for enhanced outreach engagement and advises on reputation management and crisis communications. The Communications and Partnership unit works in close collaboration with programme and project staff across the country, other UN agencies, governments, donors, private sector, civil society and media to deliver on the vision and outcomes in the Country Programme Document.
ACE provides thought leadership on cross-cutting environment and sustainable development issues in India, to ensure that UNDP’s mandate of convening development partners in support of the national development agenda is amplified by internal knowledge, research, and stand-out policy advice and programme implementation, informed by a commitment to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. These are supported by a framework of renewed partnerships and blended finance solutions, a pool of financial and technical resources for greater impact and scale, and South-South cooperation.
Reporting To: The Communications Analyst will work under the direct supervision of the Head Communications and Partnerships, (FT/NOC) and will work with Senior Advisor and Team Leader, ACE (FT/NOD).
Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe incumbent will lead the internal and external communication, partnerships and knowledge management of the ACE portfolio and support the corporate Communications and Partnerships unit. S/he will be responsible for developing and implementing the strategy and workplan of the portfolio, designing campaigns, engaging media, generating high-quality written and audio-visual content, preparing communication documents like talking points, policy briefs, briefing notes, forging partnerships, mobilizing networks and managing comms operations – in line with the CO communications strategy and workplan. S/he will support preparation of pitch presentations/ documents for potential donors including proposals and presentations and assist in development of corporate engagement strategy.
The incumbent will spend 60 percent of staff time on leading the work related to communications for Climate Change, Disaster Resilience, Natural Resource and Chemical Management unit and 40 percent of time on communications and partnerships led by UNDP India’s corporate communications and partnerships unit.
The incumbent will perform duties with respect to the following to ensure effective implementation of the projects:
Ensure planning and implementation of internal and external strategies for communications and outreach focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Draft and finalize communications and outreach strategies for the portfolio, in close coordination with state teams and in line with the corporate communications strategy.
- Planning and executing portfolio communications need assessments and integrate findings in work plans activities.
- Integrate advocacy and communications into all aspects of portfolio programmatic planning and reporting.
- Support documentation of the portfolio, in consultation with the concerned state teams and project colleagues – for internal and external communications.
- Identifying and writing impact stories for outreach and advocacy contributing to debates on key development issues.
- Coordination and management of all portfolio publication activities, including content planning and dissemination
- Ensure assurance for high-quality communication and knowledge products and integrate dissemination plans with CO plans.
- Enhance visibility of the portfolio through traditional and digital media integration, engagement and outreach.
- Identifying and assessing potential risks related to communications and advocacy of the portfolio and supporting the head of communications in drafting corrective actions.
- Supporting the senior management to highlight and promote thought leadership.
Facilitate knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Develop communications products to generate awareness of programme objectives and to share updates with beneficiaries and other local stakeholders.
- Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country goals and activities.
- Build capacities of concerned state teams through developing standard dissemination tools and templates for greater outreach in multiple languages and formats.
- Mobilizing networks for greater visibility, outreach, research and knowledge management outcomes.
Support business development focusing on achievement of the following results:
Events and campaigns:
- Planning and integrating campaigns and outreach in the corporate communication plan – in coordination with the Head of Communications and Partnerships.
- Promoting public information campaigns and key messages on the portfolio.
- Supporting high visibility events for the portfolio and the UNDP CO.
- Organize roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews, and advocacy events.
- Develop and disseminate corporate advocacy materials for amplifying success stories and key achievements of the concerned projects and initiatives
Outreach
- Identifying opportunities for increased media engagements to promote UNDP’s ACE work – media interviews, op-eds, feature articles, media partnerships, in collaboration with the corporate communications unit
- Support donor reporting and ensure donor visibility for the portfolio, in consultation with the corporate communications unit.
- Promoting and disseminating advocacy materials to promote portfolio and CO’s flagship initiatives and publication, in collaboration with relevant partners and media.
- Support state teams and implementing partners for outreach activities, as and when required.
Effective management of portfolio comms unit:
- Ensuring close and timely supervision of portfolio communications staff for high-quality delivery, in direct consultation with Head – Communications and Partnerships and Head – ACE.
- Building capacities of portfolio communications staff on reporting, media engagements, branding, social media engagements.
- Ensure effective and smooth operational functioning, including procurement and finance.
Competencies Core competencies:
- Achieve Results: Level 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
- Think Innovatively: Level 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
- Learn Continuously: Level 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
- Adapt with Agility: Level 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
- Act with Determination: Level 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
- Engage and Partner: Level 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
- Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Level 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Business Management
- Communications. Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels
Communications
- Digital Strategy. Ability to plan the use of resources through digital channels to reach and engage target audiences effectively and to achieve objectives.
- Media Relations. Ability to develop media relations across all aspects of media work including relationships with media and preparing media materials such as messages
Business Management
- Project Management. Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Digital & Innovation
- Data analysis. Ability to extract, analyze, and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision making
2030 Agenda
- Planet. Environment: Environmental and social impact assessments, including data collection and analysis
Required Skills and Experience Education:
- Advanced University Degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Communications, Social Sciences or related field is required.
OR - A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
- Experience of leading communications in the development sector or corporate communications, particularly in managing environment, climate projects/portfolio
- Experience in written and oral communications
- Knowledge of developing audio-visual communication products.
- Experience in social media communications.
- Experience in working/liaising with government on environment related projects.
- Prior work experience in the UN or international organizations related to projects in the field of communications
- Experience in leading climate communications for international organizations.
Required languages:
- Fluency in English and Hindi is required.
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