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In line with UNDP’s corporate guidelines for external engagement and positioning, the Regional Bureau for Arab States (RBAS) manages its online presence, including its website and social media platforms as the principal vehicle for providing up-to-date information and news relevant to its work in the region to a wide range of external clients.
Managed within UNDP’s corporate template and content management system, the RBAS external website serves as a bilingual (Arabic & English) “portal” providing integrated information, content and knowledge services on all aspects of regional work and activities. It also serves as the backbone for all social media based communication on Facebook, X, Instagram, Flicker, LinkedIn and YouTube. To capture audience attention and engagement, it has become critical that content for all those platforms be more visual, increasingly incorporating high-quality infographic, photographic and videographic elements.
Since the launch of its current iteration in 2012 (and subsequent upgrades and redesign efforts), the RBAS website and associated social media accounts have grown organically and have been managed through intermittently engaging individual contractors on ad-hoc contractual arrangements, through a combination of office-based and later home-based engagements, overseen by the Regional Communication Advisor for Arab States, based in UNDP’s Amman Hub.
The online presence of RBAS is an essential part of the bureau’s overall outreach effort. Considering the continuing demand for keeping this presence up to date, expanding its outreach and rendering its engagement more strategic, there is a need to hire a Multimedia, Online and Digital Communication Officer.
Duties and Responsibilities The Multimedia, Online and Digital Communication Officer primarily develops online information and services that help UNDP-RBAS stakeholders increase their awareness, knowledge and understanding of UNDP’s policy, advocacy and thought leadership work and initiatives in RBAS and their results.
S/he contributes towards the development of communications strategies and specific initiatives with an emphasis on online content—incorporating visual elements, to enhance the visibility of UNDP-RBAS and increases its impact.
The Multimedia, Online and Digital Communication Officer will work under the overall editorial responsibility, guidance and remote supervision of the Strategic Communications Advisor for Arab States, based in the NY-HQ office of RBAS.
The Multimedia, Online and Digital Communication Officer will be responsible for the following deliverables:
- Develop and execute an overall content strategy for the online presence of RBAS, ensuring seamless convergence between the website as the principal content repository and social media platforms.
- Prepare an editorial calendar for RBAS online content, including website and social media content, in consultation/coordination with RBAS Directorate (including CO support Desk) in NY; the Regional Hub in Amman; projects under the Regional Programme; and RBAS COs.
- Regularly review websites and social media platforms of country offices (CO) in RBAS for corporate compliance and for providing support and advice on web production best practices. Also, monitor CO content updates— collecting and publishing, as appropriate, CO data, content, photos, videos on the RBAS website and social media platforms.
- Keep regular contact with the Online & Digital Communication team in UNDP HQ, responding to their queries and collecting and sending information required on RBAS and CO online presence. Disseminate materials related to corporate campaigns to COs in RBAS, providing translations into Arabic, when necessary and feasible. In addition, liaise with HQ on testing design and user experience in Arabic.
- Monitor and report on the effectiveness of RBAS online communications platforms, employing corporate approach to online analytics and tools used for such purposes.
- Provide online communication support for key events and meetings, including featuring related materials on the website and social media platforms, including live streaming and live posting, where appropriate.
- Explore different innovative tools for content creation and regularly update the team with new trends and potential opportunities to strengthen UNDP digital media existence.
- Prepare and research daily headlines capturing the key headlines in the Arab States.
- Adapt global editorial content including press releases, social media posts, stories, articles, etc. to Arabic.
- RBAS Regional Website Management (both English and Arabic versions – fully mirrored where possible)
- Regularly review RBAS website design and functionality; makes recommendations to improve design and functionality and ensure quality implementation. Ensure that information on the RBAS web site is presented in an attractive and easily accessible way.
- Regularly produce regional multimedia stories (print supported by photos and videos) highlighing the work of different country offices in the region.
- Provide support to country offices by giving them trainings on how to use the website, the content management system and backstopping their websites when the communication officer is on leave.
- Prepare, write, edit and regularly update on the RBAS website, multimedia content for all corporately required pages (e.g., Project, Event, Publication and News pages, including press releases, stories, speeches and opinion articles) for key RBAS activities, initiatives and events, in accordance with corporate template, which is regularly evolving with the #NextGenUNDP.
- Manipulate and upload photos, videos, documents on the digital assets to be used in Arabic & English pages.
- Create, maintain and update special visibility pages for UNDP RBAS key partners/donors, highlighting key areas of partnership and collecting and collating work and results covered under those specific partnerships.
- Research, generate and link to RBAS website photo-based stories and posting them on Medium and Exposure platforms related to key events and issues, and as relevant to UNDP-led global campaigns.
- Management of RBAS Regional Social Media Platforms
- Design and manage campaigns on RBAS social media platforms related to key corporate and RBAS priorities.
- Manage RBAS corporate X accounts including @UNDPArabStates (in English), and @UNDPArabic and support the RBAS RD corporate account – generating, translating and posting content related to key RBAS events and issues, and as relevant to UNDP-led global campaigns.
- Research, generate and edit content, including pictogram (photos and captions), infographics and short info- videos, to post on Facebook related to key events and issues, and as relevant to UNDP-led global campaigns.
- Create, catalogue and organize in an attractive and easily accessible way video libraries/playlists on RBAS YouTube channel, based on videos materials (including animated infographics) obtained through the RBAS CO and regional projects focal points.
- Create and organize, in an attractive and easily accessible way, visual assets archive on Flicker and Instagram, based on still visual materials (e.g., photos, and infographics/pictogram cards/Carousels) obtained through the RBAS CO and regional projects focal points. All still visual assets to be categorized around UNDP signature solutions and must be compliant with UNDP meta-data requirements.
- Expand reach of UNDP Arab States LinkedIn presence, reaching out to stakeholders and professional networks of key importance to UNDP in the Arab region and disseminating UNDP knowledge, perspectives and opportunities and tapping into the same from relevant external stakeholders.
- Expand reach of UNDP Arab States presence on Threads.
- Write scripts and produce videos in English, Arabic and French –with subtitles as relevant— for posting on RBAS social media platforms (including CO support)—including RBAS videos and Arabic versions of corporate videos.
- Produce visual banners, presentations and promotional collateral materials for key events for RBAS.
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 Multimedia, Online and Digital Communication Officer reports directly to the Strategic Communications Advisor for Arab States, who in turn, reports to the Partnerships and Communications Team Lead at the Regional Bureau for Arab States, HQ.
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 Definition
Communication Web production & development Ability to design, code, develop and create a website or web page
Communication Social Media management Ability to represent and promote the UNDP brand in virtual communities and networks
Communication Writing & editing Ability to create and/or edit written content in Arabic, English and French for multiple platforms including web-based
Communication Web and social media analytics Ability to analyze and interpret data and statistics to measure web and social media performance.
Communication Multimedia production Ability to create and combine images, text and audio-visuals to produce multimedia content
Communication Digital asset management Ability to use digital asset management (DAM) systems to effectively store, share and organize digital assets such as images, videos and other media
Business Management Working with Evidence and Data Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making
Required Skills and Experience Min. Education requirements
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent from an internationally accredited university ) in Journalism, Business Communication, New Media, International Affairs or other related field of study.
OR
A first level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Min. years of relevant work experience
Applicants with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in the above relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in online content development, maintenance and management, preferably with Adobe Experience Manager.
Required skills
Experience in the usage of computers and MS Office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.).
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section
Proven knowledge of Social Media platforms and online graphic design tool; especially Facebook, X, YouTube, Flicker and Instagram.
Prior experience in international development and Knowledge of the mandate and work of UNDP, desirable.
Required Language(s)
Proficiency in both Arabic and English is required (reading, writing, speaking and comprehension).
Knowledge of French is strongly desired.
Professional Certificates None. 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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