Description:

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in about 170 countries and territories, working with national counterparts on solutions to global and national development challenges.

In the programme countries, UNDP supports stabilization, state-building, governance and development priorities in in partnership with the host governments, the United Nations system, the development partners and other partners to help the country to achieve sustainable development by eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, accelerating structural transformations for sustainable development and building resilience to crises and shock.

UNDP has been a trusted development partner of the Maldives for close to 45 years, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, reduction of inequalities and exclusion in areas such governance, environment protection, climate change mitigation and adaptation. In each of its thematic areas of work, UNDP at the request of its national partners provides relevant policy advisory support, technical assistance, advocacy, and knowledge to help Maldives achieve its global commitment on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). With Maldives’s transition to an Upper Middle Income Country Status, Official Development Assistance from traditional donor sources has been on the continuous decline. UNDP is therefore working with its national partners to identify and tap into alternative and innovative financing mechanisms for development. This process involves broadening outreach and forging wide- ranging partnerships with stakeholders - including other UN agencies, the government, the private sector, philanthropic foundations, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and International Finance Institutions to advance the country’s development strategies and objectives. We are looking for people who are enthusiastic, motivated, and committed to making a positive contribution to development in the Maldives. Under the guidance and supervision of the UNDP Maldives Communication Officer, the Communications Assistant supports the implementation of the communications and advocacy strategies of the UNDP Maldives Office to increase the standing and awareness of UNDP with partners, the media and the public. The Assistant promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. The Assistant works in close collaboration with programme, projects ad operations staff in the Country Office (CO) and with UNDP HQs staff to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery. The post also includes providing operational and administrative support to the Communication portfolio ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work.

Background:

UNDP Maldives employs a strategic approach to communications, with the aim of increasing visibility and public awareness of our work as well as strategically addressing the specific gaps and challenges we face in bridging the information divide between UNDP, partners, communities, and the wider public at large. Our approach is to able to attract and support the engagement of diverse stakeholder groups, including youth, civil society, national and international partners etc. Our communications activities also support effective advocacy and aim to strengthen and expand partnerships locally and internationally.

The Communications Assistant will specifically help UNDP to sensitize people to the work and mandate of UNDP. In turn, UNDP aims to provide meaningful opportunities for people to be directly exposed to UNDP’s work and mandate, and to assist them in honing skills and applying their knowledge in a development context.

The successful candidate is invited to join a team of dedicated development professionals whose primary role is to support the Maldives to achieve the 2030 Agenda.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  1. Provide support in the management of UNDP Maldives’ social media presence and website
  2. Provide support to the development of UNDP Maldives communications and advocacy materials
  3. Provide media relations support to UNDP Maldives
  4. Support to events and initiatives
  5. Administrative and Operational Support to Communications Unit
  6. Assist any other related duties as may be deemed necessary.

Functions/ Key Results Expected:

1.Provide support in the management of UNDP Maldives’ social media presence and website

  • Assist in the website management process
  • Assist in content creation and maintenance of Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and other platforms
  • Assist in social media and website analytics.

2.Provide support to the development of UNDP Maldives communications and advocacy materials

  • Assist as part of Editorial Team of publications such as Island Life magazine, to coordinate with units to obtain and collate information, assist in drafting and design perspectives, and coordinate with consultants and printers to ensure all steps of production and post-production are met, and publications marketed and disseminated 
  • Draft stories, articles, press releases, blogs and other communication materials in English and Dhivehi for use across platforms
  • Photography, videography and graphic design support

3. Provide media relations support to UNDP Maldives

  • Assist in collating a comprehensive and up-to-date media and partners database
  • Assist in media and partner coordination as and when required
  • Assist in media monitoring

4. Support to events and initiatives

  • Provide logistical and other support to events and initiatives as and when needed, including reporting

5. Administrative and Operational Support to Communications Unit

  • Assist in day-to-day administrative, operational and any other support as required

6. Assist any other related duties as may be deemed necessary.

  • Assist in day-to-day administrative, operational and any other support as required

Institutional Arrangement:

Under the direct supervision of the Communications Officer, with overall guidance by the UNDP Resident Representative, the Assistant will be working closely with the Communications team in day-to-day functions, and primarily in undertaking the deliverables outlined above.

Core Competencies:

Core

Achieve Results:

LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work with minimal supervision, 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 and Technical Competencies:

Thematic Area

Definition

Innovative Thinking

Ability to make new and useful ideas work. Adept with complex concepts and challenges convention purposefully. Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.

Administration & Operations

Knowledge of ERP systems, information technology with experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Communication

Ability to 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

Engagement Effectiveness

Performance and data analysis and sharing lessons

Knowledge Facilitation

Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally

Customer Satisfaction/Client Management

Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer services strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests.

Digital Awareness and Literacy

Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skillful grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed.

Required Skills and Experience

Minimum Education Requirements

 Secondary education, bachelor's degree is not a requirement but will be given due consideration. 

Minimum years of relevant work experience

 4-years of work experience with Secondary education, 1 year of work experience with bachelor’s degree in a relevant area 

Required skills
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Content writing experience for all media platforms: editorial, content writing and research experience focused on UN-thematic areas, published body of work including press releases, articles, blogs, infographics, newsletters
  • Proven social media and social networking expertise
  • Experience with digital and online communications, including content creation and management of social media, websites and online platform management
  • Translation skills – English/ Dhivehi and vice versa
  • Experience in event management
  • Experience in media relations and publicity
  • Demonstrated experience and keen eye for graphic design
  • Experience in photography and making basic videos and other communications content
  • Experience in administrative roles: in procurement, logistics and administration is desirable
  • Good working knowledge of information technology with experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems
  • Ability to make new and useful ideas work. Adept with complex concepts and challenges convention purposefully.
  • Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform. Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement. Meets goals and quality criteria for delivery of products and services.
  • Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of professionals towards common goals

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

 Experience in working in the development sector (national and/or international) is highly desirable.

Required Language(s)

Proficiency in English and Dhivehi

Professional Certificates

NA

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

  • Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
  • Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
  • Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
  • Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

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.

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