This position for Yemen Country office and will be based in Amman, Jordan.
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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.
Background
Yemen is a low-income country and the poorest in the Middle East and North Africa region, with a population of approximately 35.2 million people. The Human Development Index of Yemen in 2022 was 0.424, putting the country in the low human development category and positioning it 186th out of 193 countries and territories. It has been projected that if the conflict continues to 2030, human development in Yemen will be reversed by 40 years. Yemen ranks 155th of 156 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index, 2021, of the World Economic Forum, representing vast gender disparities.
Yemen is suffering one of the largest humanitarian and development crises in the world. About 18.2 million people need humanitarian assistance, with 80% of the population living below the poverty line. Over 4.5 million people have been displaced, the majority of which are women and children. Livelihoods of over half of the population were eroded, the social fabric shredded, and institutional resilience weakened. Critical infrastructure – water and sanitation, education, health, telecommunications and transportation – has been damaged or destroyed, adversely affecting public service delivery.
Because of the complex nature of the political situation between the north and the south, and all parties to the conflict, the need for clear and effective communication is extremely important to convey information to Yemenis, donors and stakeholders – among others.
To help effectively convey the messaging and the work of the Country Office, UNDP Yemen is seeking a qualified Communications Specialist (Communications and Advocacy Team Lead) to lead the Communications Team.
Position Purpose
The role of the Country Office Communications and Advocacy Specialist is to adopt UNDP’s global communication strategy to a local context and the Country Office development priorities. Through the production of high-quality communication materials and innovative use of relevantly targeted communication channels, the communications team works collaboratively to position UNDP as a leader in the development arena, promote visibility of UNDP programme outcomes/development results, mobilize support for Sustainable Development Goals in the country, and practice delivery as one UN.
Under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative, the Communications and Advocacy Specialist will lead the Country Office communication and advocacy team as well as communication staff in projects to help successfully advocate for their work within Yemen, as well as helping to position the Country Office as a thought leader in the country, region and internationally.
The Communications and Advocacy Specialistworks in close collaboration with the Country Office programme, operations, and project teams, staff of other UN Agencies, UNDP communications staff in the region and HQ, media, subject matter experts, donors, and civil society to ensure successful implementation of UNDP’s communication and advocacy strategy. UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
1.) Develop and implement internal/external communication strategies and outreach for the Country Office.
2.) Elaborate and implement the country office publications strategy and plan to position UNDP Yemen as a thought leader.
3.) Lead UNDP digital communications in the country office for wider reach through social media, web site, and CO web-based knowledge management system.
4.) Lead the Country Office communications team and provide oversight to project communications staff.
5.) Lead the effort of country office’s knowledge management and dissemination.
Additional tasks:
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Provide supervision and performance management of Country Office communications staff.
Competencies
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
Business Direction Strategy & Systems Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
Business Management-Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment
Business Management & Communication:
General (across the functions) & Event planning/Execution: Ability to plan, manage and execute public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNDP's overall brand and mandate.
Communications, Advocacy Strategy & Implementation: Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change
Communications, Brand & Quality Management: Ability to position a UNDP brand and uphold it to a high level of quality
Communications & Campaign Management: Ability to produce and implement communications and advocacy campaigns which lead to impactful change.
Education
Experience
Language
Disclaimer
Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
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.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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