Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), acting as the implementing agency of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), is supporting the Serbian Government, particularly the Ministry of Environmental Protection, in the preparation and implementation of the GEF funded projects such as: GEF8 "Green Cities Transformation – Smart, Sustainable, and Low-Carbon Urban Solutions in the Triangular Metropolitan Area" and GEF7 “Reducing Community Carbon Footprint by Circular Economy Approach in the Republic of Serbia”

The GEF8 project will support pilot interventions aimed at the green, digital, and nature-positive transformation of these three cities, promoting sustainable urban development. These interventions will focus on: (i) enhancing multi-sectoral resource and energy efficiency through decarbonization and circular business models, (ii) implementing integrated intra and inter-city spatial planning to strengthen resilience and sustainability, and (iii) preserving natural capital and biodiversity. The expected outcomes will offer valuable insights, especially for medium-sized and smaller cities such as Novi Sad and Zrenjanin, by fostering a polycentric approach and developing tailored solutions.

The project is designed to help these cities achieve their green goals, focusing on waste management improvements to: (i) reduce greenhouse gas emissions and minimize soil and water pollution from leachate, (ii) reduce air pollution, and (iii) enhance green infrastructure and ecosystems to preserve global natural capital, support the sustainability of peri-urban landscapes, and promote nature-based solutions. These interventions will also increase the resilience, connectivity, and health of citizens.

A key element of the project is promoting public-private partnerships, particularly for communal services such as waste management, wastewater treatment, drinking water plants, and urban lighting. It will also focus on green procurement, blended finance, and access to finance. To engage local communities, businesses, civil society organizations (CSOs), and research institutions, the project will incorporate an online participatory platform, facilitating transparent identification of urban challenges and participatory solutions mapping.

Additionally, the project will include a knowledge management component aimed at raising awareness among the general population, establishing the Sustainable City Partnership Initiative, and maintaining an exchange of information with the Global Platform for Sustainable Cities.

Having all the above mentioned in mind, UNDP is seeking a communication professional to assist the UNDP Project Manager in the activities related to increasing media outreach and visibility of the vertical funded projects.

UNDP Serbia employs a strategic approach to communications, with the aim of increasing visibility and public awareness of our work, to ensure continuous and efficient information flow and communication with partners, communities, and the wider public at large. We strive to attract and support the engagement of diverse stakeholder groups, including youth, civil society, national and international partners. Our communications activities also support effective advocacy. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the UNDP Project Manager, and in cooperation with the UNDP Serbia Communications Team, the Communications Associate will be responsible for:

Communications Planning and implementations

• Assist in the organization of public information and advocacy activities.
• Develop draft press releases, talking points and agendas.
• Monitor Projects’ media coverage and prepare reports on media impact accordingly, per each Project public event.

Administration

• Handle all administrative matters including payments for Communications-related products/events; monitoring of the Projects’ Communications budget.
• Maintain a filing system on all communications-related activities.
• Provide translation from English to Serbian and vice versa when needed.

Contribute to knowledge management and dissemination.

• Compile knowledge products from project and ensure they are properly archived. 
• Upload content on Internal database and website. 
• Work with suppliers/vendors as and when necessary,

Institutional Arrangement

The Communications Associate will work under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager and support the GEF Project teams to provide efficient and effective communication services. The Communications Associate will also work closely with the UNDP Serbia Communications team, to ensure that Projects’ communications are aligned with UNDP Serbia key messages and overall Communications approach.

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 improvements to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes   
• 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 relationships  towards others, forms positive            
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional and Technical Competencies:

Business Development 

• Knowledge Generation:
  • Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. 
  • Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. 
  • Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.              

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.
• Communications:      
  • 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

• Photo production:       
  • Ability to create, edit, organize and coordinate photographic material           
• Web and social media analytics:
  • Ability to analyse and interpret data and statistics to measure web and social media performance         
• Web production and development: 
  • Ability to design, code, develop and create a website or web page 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary education is required.
• University Degree (Bachelor´s degree) in Communications, Journalism,Public Relations, Television, Graphic Design, or any other related field of study will be given due consideration but is not a requirement.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years (with Secondary Education) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in communications at the national or international level.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in website management including posting of content.
• Proven experience in developing communication materials and managing media relations. 

Desired Skills:

• Experience in posting information on social media platforms, especially   Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, LinkedIn, and good knowledge of all these platforms.
• Experience in handling administrative tasks.
• Experience in managing communication and visibility within projects.
• Experience in development and implementation of communication strategies.
• Proven experience in preparation and organization of events/conferences.

Required Language(s):

• Fluency in Serbian and English is required.

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.