Communications Coordinator

Dhaka

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: Dhaka
Grade: Consultancy - SB-4 (SC8/SC9), Service Contract, Local Contractors Agreement
Occupational Groups:
- Poverty Reduction
- Communication and Public Information
- COMMUNICATIONS
- Managerial positions
Closing Date: Closed

Background

The National Urban Poverty Reduction Programme (NUPRP) is a six-year programme that targets sustainable improvements in the livelihoods and living conditions of the urban poor across towns and cities of Bangladesh. Funded by the Department for International Development (DFID) and the Government of the United Kingdom, it is being implemented by the Local Government Division (LGD) of the Government of Bangladesh together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). At its heart NUPRP is a governance programme. NUPRP seeks to address urban poverty issues not through the direct implementation of infrastructure improvements, or charitable giving to selected urban poor beneficiaries; rather to influence the environment in which poverty reduction policies and thinking take place, and thereby having a potentially much more widespread and lasting effect.

In order to bring about improvements in living conditions and the livelihoods of the urban poor, NUPRP’s task is to work together with national and local governments, empowering urban poor communities to understand issues and advocate for their needs, and to improve urban governance overall. Ultimately the design and implementation of pro-poor policymaking and planning will rely on key stakeholders of the programme, that include urban poor communities, civil society, the private sector, and local and national governments. This programme sees its goal to develop tools, methods, and facilitate processes that can help to build capacity, experience, and confidence to do that, at the community, city, and national-levels.

NUPRP will reduce urban poverty through both direct, and indirect, means, and in doing so positively improve the lives of over four million of Bangladesh’s urban poor. NUPRP will work in twelve cities during a first phase (2016-2018) and up to 36 cities in total by the end of programme (2021). These towns and cities range in size and location, from tertiary and secondary cities, to the large city corporations, and are spread all over the country. As such NUPRP will be touching the lives of people in different urban poverty contexts, all throughout Bangladesh.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Communications Coordinator will be responsible for implementing the NUPRP Communications Strategy and Knowledge Management Strategy. S/he will also be responsible designing communications and knowledge products and conducting outreach activities for NUPRP.

Summary of Roles and Responsibilities:

Lead a review of NUPRP’s draft Communications Strategy and KM strategy
Lead the planning, design, and dissemination of internal and external communications and outreach strategies for NUPRP, in order to achieve strategic goals
Coordinate with NUPRP M&E team for the planning, the timely preparation, production, and completion of required reports for external and internal stakeholders
Implement NUPRP’s Knowledge Management Strategy, in coordination with partner organizations, and facilitate knowledge building, and knowledge sharing, internally and externally.

The following section describes the duties under each of these categories.

Lead the planning, design, and dissemination of internal and external strategies for NUPRP communications and outreach

Develop implement and monitor the programme communication and visibility plan
Facilitate better understanding among partners about NUPRP’s progress and achievements through the programme’s communications
Identify and promote best practices and lessons learned, directly linked to programme goals and activities
Adhere to DFID, and UNDP, guidelines on communications and visibility, ensuring adherence to media and communication standards at all times.
Liaise with UNDP Bangladesh Country Office Communications unit closely.
Develop and maintain a database of contacts of, and build institutional relationships with, partner organizations and stakeholders in order to strategically communicate the programme’s goals and achievements
Advise NUPRP management regarding NUPRP visibility and image, with recommended next steps
Establish and maintains strong professional network with government officials, multilateral and bilateral donors, civil society and private sector, media organizations and personnel; ensuring effective responses to their enquiries
Prepare NUPRP Project communication templates, press releases and presentation materials
Organize media briefings, press conferences, interviews, especially for launch of Programme, flagship initiatives, studies and publications
Organize workshops, seminars, conferences, and other events that advance the programme’s goals and urban poverty reduction efforts.
Get the approval on press release, media briefing and related media outreach materials from Country Director/Senior management under the supervision of Project manager and Communication unit of Country office
Supervise the development and production of communications materials, and instruments, that promote NUPRP’s work in Bangladesh, including the NUPRP website, published materials, and social media accounts, and assist in the production and documentation of reports and visibility materials of all components of the programme. Design and preparation of the content for the web sites and social media presence ensuring consistency of the materials.
Maintain the NUPRP website, social media accounts and provide input to the NUPRP micro-site on the UNDP Bangladesh website.
Undertake field visits to gather stories, information and results related to the programme to support the development of communication products.
Ensure active social media presence of NUPRP, UNDP Bangladesh and partners in both English and Bangla
Effective responses to inquiries for public information materials and have innovative and creative solutions to sensitive or corporately strategic public communications issues

Support NUPRP’s M&E team in the timely preparation, production, and completion of required reports for external and internal stakeholders

Develop a structured reporting work plan in collaboration with M&E Specialist for NUPRP, taking into consideration all external requirements (donors, government) and internal requirements (UNDP).
Coordinate with M&E and other programme staff to ensure the timely collection of relevant data and information for the production of required programme reports.
Design and prepare the visual presentations of various NUPRP reports.

Implement NUPRP’s Knowledge Management Strategy and facilitates knowledge building and knowledge sharing internally and externally

Identify and synthesizes best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme goals and objectives from reports, studies, reviews and other programme documents, communicating these to internal and external stakeholders and partners in appropriate mediums and media
Work closely with programme M&E to identify other programme knowledge, including trends and lessons to inform management decisions on changes in programme policies and direction;
Facilitate knowledge creation, building, and sharing within the programme, capturing this in appropriate formats for sharing internally and externally with stakeholders and partners
Develop concepts, approaches, and any other activities required for effective lessons learning and sharing within NUPRP and amongst partners.
Promote a culture of learning, and knowledge sharing for NUPRP.

Impact of Results:

The key results have an impact on creation of effective communications and knowledge products and the dissemination of information on NUPRP as UNDP’s global development network. In particular, the key results have an impact on implementation of NUPRP and UNDP Bangladesh’s communications and publication strategies, as well as reaching resource mobilization targets. High quality information material and well-organised public events will enhance NUPRP and UNDP Bangladesh’s position as a strong thought-leader in urban poverty reduction.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Promotes UN’s values and ethical standards (tolerance, integrity, respect, results orientation, impartiality)
Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP’s Country Office
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Functional Competencies:

Management and Leadership

Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
Provides inspiration and leadership to staff

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Capability to engage in team-based management, experience of leading workshops and being a resource person
Ability to lead results-based management and reporting
Ability to oversee timely project implementation and to provide the necessary trouble shooting to keep project implementation on schedule
Ability to formulate and manage budgets and work plans
Ability to implement new systems and affect staff behavioural/ attitudinal change

Knowledge Management and Learning

Promotes knowledge management and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development
Excellent communication skills (written and oral): Sensitivity to and responsiveness to all partners, Respectful and helpful relations with all UN/UNDP staff

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree in Mass Communications, Journalism or equivalent degree.

Experience:

Minimum 6-7 years of experience, which must include a minimum of three (03) years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in communications.
Experience of developing Information, Education, Communication (IEC) materials, content development, copy editing is essential;
Experience in originating and editing written content for media and the general public to be disseminated through press or other online outlets.
Experience in developing social media platforms for project/organization and managing social media activities.
Excellent ICT and advance computer skills in relevant areas is essential;
Experience in f using communication equipment and desktop publishing software (e.g. camera, Adobe In Design etc. etc.) for making presentations, communications/knowledge products, info graphics etc.;
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in media relations and/or advocacy campaigns at the community, municipality and national levels, using traditional and social media, and a variety of platforms required;
Demonstrated understanding of urban poverty issues;
Previous experience in a multilateral or UN organization is a strong asset
Experience in implementing knowledge management principles in organisations.

Knowledge and Skills:

Ability to think clearly and analytically.
Ability to plan own work, setting priorities and completing it under pressure or when faced with competing demands.
The numerical ability to make budgets and to monitor costs.
Use of computer, graphics software such as Adobe InDesign, social media for reporting, presentation and financial control

Personal Qualities:

A strong commitment to gender sensitive, inclusive and pro-poor urban development work.
A commitment to UNDPs approach and values.
Ability to work with a multi-disciplinary team.
Consultative and empowering management style and willingness to learn from others
Willingness to travel project towns as required