Background
Under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative and direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative, the Communications Officer will play a pivotal role in implementing UNDP’s corporate communications strategy at the country level. This includes designing, managing, and facilitating the communication and publication strategies for the Country Office and its projects. The Communications Officer will ensure that communication efforts effectively influence the national development agenda, enhance public and media outreach, and mobilize political and financial support for UNDP’s initiatives.
S/he works in close collaboration with the Programme and Operations teams in the Country Office, staff of other UN Agencies, UNDP Communications Group staff (Regional Communications Adviser and HQ), Government officials, national and international media, Private Sectors, and civil society.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative and direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative, the Communications Officer will work closely with the UNDP Programme Analysts to produce the communication material. In particular, will:
Implement Internal/External Communication Strategies and Outreach:
- Prepare and conduct communications needs assessments for the country office (projects, country programme, corporate change initiatives);
- Draft and edit the country office communications and outreach strategy based on the country office strategic priorities and the UNDP External Communications Action Plan;
- Provide communication input during project and programme formulation to integrate communication strategies into UNDP’s development program;
- Maintain increased coverage and understanding of UNDP’s work in the country or practice area through media stories, in line with the UNDP External Communications Action Plan.
Implement Strategic Communications
- Provide guidance and recommendations to senior management on sensitive communication matters, ensuring alignment with organizational values and the external political context;
- Identify and mitigate risks associated with public statements, press releases, and other external communications, particularly those with political implications;
- Ensure that all communications reflect a nuanced understanding of political and social dynamics, tailoring messages for diverse stakeholder groups, including government officials, civil society, and international organizations;
- Facilitate dialogue with stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and maintain trust in politically sensitive environments;
- Monitor media and political developments that could impact UNDP’s communication strategies, preparing timely updates and recommendations for the Country Office;
- Evaluate the impact of strategic communications to inform future messaging and adapt to evolving political and social contexts.
Implement the Country Office Publications Strategy:
- Identify and develop storylines for publications, drafting articles that generate discussions on key development issues;
- Coordinate and manage country office publication activities, ensuring content management aligns with corporate guidelines;
- Liaise with journalists and maintain a database of contacts.
Provide Technical Support to Digital Communications:
- Support the implementation of the country office’s digital communication strategy;
- Generate content for the website and social media platforms, ensuring consistency and maximizing outreach.
Implement UNDP Campaign Initiatives:
- Promote and maintain public information campaigns on UNDP activities;
- Collaborate with programme staff to collect and package information for stakholders reviews, supporting campaign and advocacy initiatives;
- Organize stakeholder engagement events like roundtable discussions, press conferences, and interviews;
- Support the “One UN” agenda in line with UNDP’s Campaign and Advocacy efforts;
- Ensure journalists have access to subject-matter experts and UNDP spokespeople, providing newsworthy information.
Facilitate in leading Knowledge Management and Dissemination:
- Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned relevant to programme goals and activities;
- Contribute to knowledge networks and corporate communications repositories;
- Provide training, consultancy, and advice to UNDP staff on knowledge management;
- Maintain the UNDP Intranet for internal knowledge sharing and ensure relevant knowledge products are accessible to external stakeholders via the corporate website;
- Collaborate with Programme teams to ensure all knowledge products are captured, updated, and readily available.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement
The Communications Officer will report to the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Kuwait.
Competencies
Core 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
Thematic Area Name External Relations & Advocacy Communications
Brand & quality management External Relations & Advocacy Communications
Creative direction and copywriting
External Relations & Advocacy Communications Writing and editing
External Relations & Advocacy Communications Advocacy strategy and
implementation
Required Skills and Experience
Min. Academic Education - Master’s degree or equivalent in Communications, Social or Political Sciences, International Relations, International Development, Conflict Resolution, Peacebuilding or related field (required).
- A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master’s degree.
Min. years of relevant Work experience - A minimum 2 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional experience in communications, graphic design, public information, knowledge management in the field of international relations or development.
- Experience working with diverse range of partners, including international organizations, international and domestic NGOs, government and private sector institutions is desired.
Required skills and competencies - Excellent writing and communication skills in English, with demonstrated experience in developing written material i.e. reports, talking points, speeches, notes, etc., in the political and/or development field.
- Experience in knowledge management and information-sharing, including in developing/managing online knowledge platforms or communities of practice.
- Experience in planning and coordination in a multi-stakeholder context, including the organization of events.
- Strong theoretical and practical background in graphic design, including the use of Adobe software or similar; at least 3 examples of previous works to be listed.
- An in-depth understanding of the Kuwaiti communication market is essential.
- Previous experience with the United Nations and UNDP is an advantage
- Kuwaiti nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.
Desired additional skills and competencies - Demonstrated knowledge and practical implementation in communications of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the focus areas of – People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership;
- Knowledge of UNDP/UN reports and documents and drafting requirements is desirable;
- Good understanding of social media and online tools, as well as the use of graphic design or video editing tools is an asset.
Required Language(s) (at working level) - Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills in both Arabic & English are required.
Professional Certificates - Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Right to select multiple candidates
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.
Scam alert
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
