Background 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
Office/Unit/Project Description  
 

The UN Secretary-General established the UN SDG Action Campaign to inspire people and organizations from all backgrounds and every part of the world to take actions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, while holding decision-makers to account for progress society-wide. The UN SDG Action Campaign is hosted and supported by UNDP and it is based in Bonn ,Germany with a lean team that marshals rapid support for new initiatives as opportunities arise and provides partners with on-demand strategic creative services that inspire SDG action with an engaged community of activists and concerned individuals.

The UN SDG Action Campaign leverages advocacy to foster transformation because today’s challenges transcend any person, government or organization. The Campaign’s advocacy for change approach inspires hope and champions actions to achieve the SDGs. It calls for rethinking, recalibrating and reimagining economies and societies so that they serve people and the planet.

In order to deliver on its mandate, the UN SDG Action Campaign is seeking to recruit a Communications Specialist to provide support across editorial content development, social media engagement, and Campaign communications, ensuring consistent messaging, visibility, and outreach aligned with the Campaign’s messaging and priorities.

Scope of Work

a)    Lead the Campaign’s Communications and Advocacy Strategies and Workplans
•    Develop and implement communications and advocacy strategies and workplans, including digital strategies, to raise awareness, drive engagement, and build support in line with Campaign priorities. 
•    Lead the communications for flagship events, including the UN SDG Action Awards, and other relevant Campaign events and activities. 
•    Manage editorial planning and content calendars, and craft compelling narratives and messaging across Campaign platforms.
•    Monitor, evaluate, and report on communications activities, capturing lessons learned.

b)    Lead Content Development and Media Outreach
•    Produce high-quality editorial content such as blogs, newsletters, reports, presentations, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and alignment with organizational branding.
•    Oversee the development and dissemination of multimedia content (e.g. videos, infographics and digital art) and compelling storytelling products to drive engagement.
•    Oversee the development and dissemination of creative content, including artistic content and exhibits.
•    Identify media opportunities, prepare press kits, media pitches and coordinate media outreach during campaigns and events.
•    Ensure that all communications and advocacy products adhere to high-quality standards, branding guidelines, and deadlines.

c)    Oversee Content Dissemination across Digital Platforms 
•    Oversee and contribute to the growth of the Campaign’s social media presence on digital platforms ensuring consistency in messaging and branding across all channels. 
•    Oversee the development and maintenance of the Campaign websites, in coordination with relevant colleagues, including managing full digital project lifecycles and annual redesigns.
•    Supervise consultants, external vendors and developers, ensuring efficiency and alignment with UNDP data governance policies.
•    Monitor and analyze performance metrics across digital platforms (social media, newsletters, websites) to evaluate effectiveness and drive steady growth and share reports.
•    Leverage and optimize digital tools to enhance engagement in events.

d)    Oversee the Internal Communication Workflows and Support Strategic Partnerships
•    Oversee and streamline communication workflows between the communications and other workstreams to enhance efficiency, quality, and strategic alignment of Campaign events and initiatives. 
•    Coordinate regular team meetings for content planning and editorial production ensuring timely delivery of assets.
•    Support the engagement and collaboration with strategic creative partners to amplify the Campaign’s advocacy impact.
•    Identify and maximize joint communication opportunities with partners including the UN system and collaborate with external partners, donors, and stakeholders to deliver joint outreach and advocacy initiatives.
•    Support donor and partner engagements by monitoring partner and donor communications and tailored outreach materials.
•    Supervise one PSA Communications Analyst and one PSA Web Developer
•    Supervise consultants as required, including offshore development teams.

e)    Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy relevant to theassigned thematic areas.
•    Ensure project reports capture results, lessons learned and good practices for possible widerapplication.
•    Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on development and project related issues. Support establishment of knowledge platforms for the project, facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the project, and develop knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDP’s engagement in this area.
•    Promote advocacy and opportunities for collaboration in addressing development trends in coordination with the project partners and stakeholders, including relevant UN teams.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary forthe efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

  Institutional Arrangement

The Communications Specialist will report to the Deputy Director and will be given access to relevant information necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment. The Communications Specialist is expected to work at the UN Bonn Office in Germany.

Expected Demonstration of Competencies
 

Core 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

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Thematic Area                  Name                                 Definition 

Business Management:    Communication:    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:    Advocacy strategy and implementation:    Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change
Communications:    Media Relations:    Ability to develop media relations across all aspects of media work including relationships with media and preparing media materials such as messages
Business Direction and Strategy:      System 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
Communications:    Digital content creation:    Ability to coalesce multiple skills to identify a topic to engage intended audiences, decide which form the content should take – e.g., blog, social media, video, paid media, etc. – and produce material to specification and a high level of quality
Communications:    Storytelling:    Ability to convey information in engaging narratives through digital media to achieve communication outcomes
General (across the functions):    Event planning and execution:    Ability to plan, manage and execute of 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.

Required Education, Experience, Skills and Competencies
 

Minimum Education requirements
Advanced University Degree (Master's degree or equivalent)in Communications, Media Studies, Journalism, International Relations, Development or related fields is required. 

Or 

A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree)in the areas stated above,  in combination with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
 

Minimum years of relevant work experience

Minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of experience in developing and implementing communications and advocacy strategies and workplans in the context of the UN system.
 

Required skills 
•    Proven excellent drafting skills including articles, newsletters, web content, blogs and talking points.
•    Proven track record managing media relations and facilitating media engagement for UN teams.
•    Experience in coordinating communications for high-level international events, including UN events.
•    Experience in digital platforms and social media management.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section
•    Experience in digital community building is an asset. 
•    Experience in donor relations and partner engagement is an asset.
•    Substantive knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals and of current international debates and negotiations on major global issues related to the Goals is an asset.
 

Required Language (s): 
Fluency written and verbal communication skills in English 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.
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.