Communications Associate

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, working in 177 countries and territories. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, UNDP is committed to helping the country through strengthened national and local capacities to carry out political, economic and social reforms and promote development.
In the current programmatic period, UNDP supports the following programme priorities: (a) access to justice and increased human security; (b) reduction of regional, economic and social disparities; (c) sustainable management of environmental and energy resources, and green jobs creation; and (d) access to services and employment opportunities for the most vulnerable. In all areas, there will be an emphasis on conflict-sensitive, integrated and innovative programme design complementing country priorities and tailored to the post-flood recovery needs.

The Rural and Regional Development (RRD) Sector implements projects geared towards decreasing economic, social and territorial disparities through coordinated approach by national and subnational actors, with key goals of stimulating good governance and economic activity, as well as promoting social inclusion at the local level. All interventions are realised in close collaboration with relevant government stakeholders, other UN agencies, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors, private sector and civil society.

In light of the above, and under the supervision of the Local Developmet Programme Manager, the Communications Associate will work in close collaboration with all projects within the RRD Sector, but the following interventions in particular: the EU’s Local Integrated Development (LID) Project; the EU-funded Regional Programme on Local Democracy in Western Balkans (ReLOaD) Programme; and the Swiss Development Cooperation initiative Municipal Economic and Environmental Governance (MEG) Project.
The Communications Associate will also work with partner institutions and organizations, ensuring successful and effective communication and promotion of key local development concepts and results achieved in implementation. The Communications Associate will also ensure the execution of coherent communication in full cooperation and coordination with UNDP’s Communications Unit.

Under the Local Developmet Programme Manager, and in close consultations with ReLOaD Programme Manager and MEG Project Manager, the Communications Associate will have the following key functions:
 

Support the formulation and implementation of the projects’ communications and advocacy strategies and plans:

• Support identification and proposal of communications activities in line with project mandates and work plans;
• Develop communications products and conduct activities that ensure effective communication with targeted audience(s), to include:

- Preparing media advisories and press releases as well as organizing press  conferences;
- Disseminating communications products to appropriate recipients;
- Drafting success stories (human interest stories) and other communications products for distribution via national and local media, websites, social media and via UNDP Headquarters (HQ) and UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (RBEC);
- Maintaining close contact with media representatives in the country, providing support to building partnership with the media;
- Monitoring media and informing designated staff on issues of relevance to the project;
- Providing background information and briefing materials per request.

• Produce periodical and ad hoc reports on communications activities, including media analysis;
• Arrange TV and Radio appearances of designated staff in order to promote Project activities;
• Coordinate communication activities with UNDP Communication Unit and keep Head of Unit informed about potential reputational risks or developments which may affect UNDP’s or donor’s image;
• Support outreach and awareness-raising activities and ensure they are fully aligned with the visibility needs and interests of the EU;
• Support crisis management plans and actions, per instructions of immediate supervisor and in coordination with UNDP’s Communications Unit.

Administrate relevant project website subpages and social media:

• Administrate UNDP and UN sub-websites and social media platforms;
• Support development and implementation of plans for online communications;
• Ensure that the use of online channels is in line with UNDP global guidelines and best practices;
• Develop communications content tailored for online communications.

Photograph, video and produce content to promote the project, its partners and results to the media and other targeted audiences:

• Capture high resolution images of homes, individuals, families, groups, events at field locations related to the implementation of the project;
• Establish and maintain photo archive;
• Document project activities through video (e.g. events, meetings, success stories, etc.);
• Archive/organize video files for future use;
• Support and oversee production and postproduction (including editing) of video materials (all formats) intended for TV broadcast and web video platforms (dissemination via Facebook, Youtube and designate websites).
   

Develop presentations, brochures, public calls and other promotional material:

• Provide support in delivery of creative and innovative ideas for print, web and interactive presentations;
• Provide support to the design process for reports and presentations to be published by the project, using a wide range of media, including photography and computer aided designs;
• Propose creative graphic and technical solutions.

Advocacy/Advancing a Policy-Oriented Agenda/ Supports the preparation of information for advocacy

• Identifies relevant information for advocacy for a variety of audiences;
• Makes research of contacts in the media, government, private sector, donors, other agencies, civil society in other stakeholders for the Programme.

Building Strategic Partnerships/Maintains information and databases

• Analyses general information and selects materials in support of partnership building initiatives.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing/Conducts basic research and analysis

• Researches best practices and poses new, more effective ways of doing things;
• Documents innovative strategies and new approaches.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise/Possesses fundamental knowledge of processes, methods and procedures

• Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding to the position;
• Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks;
• In-depth knowledge of development issues;
• Demonstrates in-depth knowledge of communications issues and production of various communications products;
• Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning;
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
• Able to produce high quality broadcast video on tight deadlines on a variety of different issues and subject matter;
• Excellent copywriting skills;
• Excellent design skills, including typography, layout, colour, user interface and navigation.

Creating Visibility for UNDP/Supporting UNDP’s Capacity to Advocate/Conducts research and gathers information

• Disseminates information and materials related to the tivities;
• Maintains networks and knowledge assets for use in visibility and image activities;
• Demonstrates ability to extract, interpret, analyse data and present it in a comprehensive and reader-friendly way.

Conceptual Innovation in the Provision of Technical Expertise/Conducts research and provides information

• Responds positively to new approaches;
• Ability to extract, interpret, analyse data and resolve problems.

Client Orientation/Maintains effective client relationships

• Reports to internal and external clients in a timely and appropriate fashion;
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines.

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrates/safeguards ethics and integrity; 
• Demonstrates corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Self-development, initiative-taking;
• Acts as a team player and facilitates team work;
• Facilitates and encourages open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
• Manages conflict;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates ability to produce high-quality products while working against short deadlines and in stressful environment;
• Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure
• Creates synergies through self-control
• Learns and shares knowledge and encourages the learning of others. Promotes learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each employee.
• Informed and transparent decision making.

Education: 

• University degree in media and communications, journalism or related field;
• Secondary education with additional three years of experience may be accepted in lieu of a university degree.

Experience: 

• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience delivering communication services to promote the activities of international development organization;
• Experience in producing communication materials (print and online) for a variety of media;
• Good understanding of new and evolving technologies and digital platforms;
• IT Literacy, proficient in the usage of computers and software applications (knowledge of Photoshop, PaintNet, Acrobat, Word, PowerPoint and graphics applications desirable);
• Basic understanding of web development (HTML, PHP, etc) technologies;
• Proven experience in producing interactive web content;
• Proven experience in producing high quality videos and photos;
• Previous experience within the UN System is an advantage.
   

Language Requirements: 

• Fluency in English and official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: 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.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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