Partnerships and Communications Specialist

Details

Mission and objectives

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System. It serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a continuous spectrum of in-depth local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan. The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UN Guiding Principles) is widely recognized as the most authoritative, normative framework guiding efforts to reduce or eliminate the adverse impact of business operations on human rights. Experts have described it as the single most important innovation in promoting sustainable business practices in the last 25 years – a role that is reinforced by its inclusion as one of the Means of Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda).

Context

Structured within UNDP’s Regional Service Centre for Africa (RSCA) in Addis Ababa, the Directorate oversees the management of the RSCA. The Directorate provides strategic direction to the RSCA and ensures that the work of all units is coordinated and working towards the same goal. The RSCA serves as an extension of the New York based Regional Bureau for Africa on the continent. Anchored in its main location in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the RSCA also operates from other locations of Nairobi, Pretoria and Dakar. The various locations focus on different areas but works as integrated unit though regular consultations and sharing of information to keep each other abreast of the issues ensuring coherence in approach. The Volunteer will work with the Directorate Team under the supervision of the Coordination Specialist to support partnerships, communications and knowledge management. The Volunteer will support the RSCA partnerships mapping to better understand the strategic areas of focus for improved resource mobilization. The Volunteer will also support the development and implementation of a robust communications to better inform RSCA partners and stakeholders of its activities and results. In this role, the Volunteer will also support the communications activities of the RSCA and the Regional Programme related to knowledge product launches, thought leadership and positioning of UNDP in the region. The Volunteer will also support enhancement of a RSCA Knowledge Gateway on SharePoint as a platform for knowledge sharing, knowledge creation and knowledge documentation.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Coordination Specialist, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: a) Partnership Management: • Identify potential partners and develop strategic partnerships to support the RSCA's goals. • Facilitate the development and maintenance of partnerships with external counter-parts including JICA through effective communication and collaboration. • Coordinate partnership activities, including meetings, workshops, and joint initiatives. • Monitor and evaluate the performance of partnerships and provide recommendations for improvement. b) Communication Management: • Implement a comprehensive communication strategy to enhance the RSCA’s visibility and reputation. • Create and disseminate engaging content through various channels, including social media, website, newsletters, and press releases. • Coordinate internal and external communication activities, ensuring consistency of messaging and branding. • Monitor and analyze the effectiveness of communication efforts and make necessary adjustments. c) Knowledge Management: • Implement a knowledge management system to capture, organize, and share infor-mation within the organization. • Facilitate the collection and documentation of best practices, lessons learned, and success stories. • Promote knowledge sharing and learning among staff members and partners. • Ensure the security and confidentiality of sensitive information.