Project Officer/Communication, outreach and marketing - Green City Project

Moldova Sustainable Green Cities project is a project that intends to catalyze investments in low carbon green urban development based on integrated urban planning approach, by encouraging innovation, participatory planning and partnerships between a variety of public and private sector entities. 

The strategy of the project is to create, launch and support a new institutional mechanism called “Green City Lab” (GCL) as a vehicle for encouraging and supporting new innovative measures and approaches in addressing the urban development challenges and barriers

The Green City Lab will be set up during the first two years of the project however it is expected to transition to an independent selfsustaining entity, operating on a commercial basis, that does not rely on technical assistance funding alone, so that by the end of the project it can continue to operate and grow.

To achieve this status, the Green City Lab will need to forge new partnerships and alliances and generate revenues and carbon savings from other sources, beyond this project. In this respect, close co-operation with the key stakeholders of the project, including Chisinau municipality, relevant ministries such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment, the Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure and the entities hosted by them, the State Chancellery and other related projects and initiatives such as E-Government Center. In addition, the GCL will seek to form strong partnerships with banks and with international financing institutions such as the EBRD, the World Bank, and the EIB.

The direct global environment benefits of the project are expected to reach at least 200,000 tons of CO_2eq, resulting from the concrete pilot/demonstration projects in the building energy efficiency, transport and waste sectors. These are complemented by project’s indirect GHG emission reduction impact at the estimated amount of 2.4 million tons of CO_2eq by scaling up, replicating and mainstreaming the project results and activities, including those of the Green City Lab.

The project’s objective will be achieved through three key outcomes as follows:

Outcome 1:  Fully operational and sustainable Green City Lab recognized by the key stakeholders. 

Outcome 2:  Successfully completed pilot/demonstration projects facilitated by the GCL (described in details in the project document) with related monitoring, reporting and verification of the results in the areas of:

• integrated and participatory urban land use and mobility planning;
• residential building energy efficiency and renewable energy use;
• low carbon mobility; and
• resource efficient waste management. 

Outcome 3: Knowledge management and M&E to facilitate learning, scaling up and replication of project results.

Beside the standard UNDP M&E procedures and requirements, this component encompasses monitored and evaluated overall results of the project and lessons learnt with compiled KM materials, recommendations for the removal of the identified complementary barriers, including institutional and regulatory improvements, and related public outreach and TA to scale up, replicate and mainstream the project results.

Under the overall guidance and supervision of UNDP Green City Project Manager, the Communication outreach and marketing Officer contributes to the effective and efficient implementation of GCL objectives. The incumbent applies and promotes the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Project Officer/Communication outreach and marketing works in close collaboration with GCL teams, as well as other project teams in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and resolving complex programme/project-related issues and information delivery.

The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems.

        Summary of Key Functions:

The Project Officer/Communication outreach and marketing, under the overall supervision and guidance of Green City Project Manager and in close cooperation with the Chisinau City Hall and Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment, will be responsible for managing the successful implementation of communication, outreach and marketing activities of GCL.

The incumbent will ensure the provision of development services and products (commensurate with the scope of the projects) of the highest quality and standards to national counterparts and clients.

More specifically, the Officer will perform the following functions:

• Co-manage, with the Project manager and Officer, the day-to-day operations of GCL;
• Be responsible for the development and implementation of the Project annual work plan related communication, outreach and marketing activities (Projects communication plans), according to indicators, for achieving planned results, as well as for the overall management of the Project in accordance to prevailing UNDP rules, regulations and procedures;
• Assume full responsibility for and manage effectively and efficiently all GCL communication, outreach and marketing activities and resources (human, financial, physical/material assets, etc) in order to meet expected results;
• Develop, together with the Project manager and Officer, and submit to the supervisors, corresponding periodical reports on GCL activities;
• Contribute in the implementation of marketing strategies
• Identify target audiences, beneficiaries actual and potential, and develop and implement strategies for engaging and influencing them. Develop communications and branding/positioning strategy and annual outreach, marketing and communications plans for GCL.
• Identify and communicate about novelties in the innovation field to the target group of the project, locally and internationally.
• Conduct market research to identify opportunities for promotion and growth of the GCL portfolio. Conduct market research to determine present and future market requirements
• Organize and attend marketing activities or events to raise GCL awareness
• Coordinate and clear all communications, outreach and marketing -related activities;
• Expand and develop marketing platforms
• Develop and distribute press-releases, success stories, blog posts, photo essays, newsletters;
• Coordinate development of a wide range of promotional materials: visual, audio and video;
• Take and edit photos, take stock of all photos of the projects;
• Maintain database of GCL subscribers;
• Develop GCL’s online community, by engaging with stakeholders via social media and other channels;
• Manage GCL’s social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter, Medium, SlideShare, Flickr, YouTube and websites: to ensure consistency of both language versions based on corporate requirements and maintain the content up to date.
• Provide analytical, and administrative support in the delivery of events, workshops and seminars;
• Maintain the evidence of workshops and seminars delivered in support of GCL’s concepts, Government counterparts and UNDP colleagues;
• Ensure that GCL “work out loud” to ensure visibility and presentation of results of the Lab activities; ensure increased hits on the website and reach of the social media accounts, as well as evidence of visual content;
• Support UNDP E&E cluster lead in mainstreaming innovation and green economy into UNDP programming;
• Apply UNDP programming tools and policies as explained in the Results Management Guide. Keep abreast of UNDP programming practices and maintain an optimum level of knowledge by continuous learning;
• Develop Final Evaluation notes after the piloting of each approach/project (results achieved, lessons learned, recommendations for similar future projects);
• Coordinate and clear all communications-related activities with UNDP Moldova CO Communications Analyst.
• Contribute to UNDP Moldova social media and web presence.
• Other tasks and responsibilities as requested by the Project manager.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• Exerts strict adherence to corporate rules, regulations and procedures. Familiarity with the internal control framework and results-based management tools is a must;
• Adheres to the core values of the United Nations; in particular, is respectful of differences of culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, language, age, HIV status, disability, and sexual orientation, or other status. Ensures that programmes and projects are consistent with UN/UNDP values;
• Treats peers fairly by maintaining consistent values inspiring trust and confidence through personal credibility;
• Accepts responsibility and accountability for the quality of the outcome of his/her decisions;

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Shares knowledge and experience;
• Focuses on tasks/activities which have a strategic impact on programme and capacity development activities and implement them on request time and date;
• Promotes a supportive environment to enhance partnerships, leverages resources and build support for UNDP’s/ GCL’s strategic initiatives;
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
• Strong research and networking skills;
• Intellectual curiosity;

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise / In-depth knowledge of the Subject-matter

• Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines;
• Aware of the latest trends in digital marketing (soft, social networks, non-traditional tools, etc.);
• Good understanding of market research techniques, statistical and data analysis methods
• Solid knowledge of marketing techniques and principles
• Excellent writing skills and good presentation skills;
• Adaptation and application of knowledge/innovation in different context;
• Excellent communication skills and good coordination skills;
• Continues to seek new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the unit;
• Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
• Interested in social entrepreneurship, ideas and innovation;
• Creative flair and originality;
• Knows how to work with online tools such as: mailchimp, basecamp, canva, piktochart, photoshop the basics;
• Active in groups, forums, etc.;
• Basic knowledge of photography/live video streaming/video making;

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Results-Based Management, including planning and implementation of Programme, managing data, reporting;
• Ability to obtain, evaluate and interpret factual data and to prepare accurate and complete reports and other documents;
• Ability to write and communicate orally with accuracy and professionalism, as well as sensitively across different constituencies;
• Capacity to implement the strategic vision and programmatic goals as laid down in the Project Document;
• Proven performance in organizing and coordinating major initiatives, events or challenging inter-organizational activities;
• Adapts flexibly to changing situations, overcomes obstacles and recovers quickly from set-backs;

Leadership and Self-Management

• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Ability to achieve results and meet strict deadlines in an effective manner, maintaining a high-quality standard throughout;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive and collaborative attitude;
• Tolerates conditions of stress, uncertainty or ambiguity and continues to maintain a positive outlook and to work productively;
• Ability to show initiative and work independently;
• Demonstrated organizational and planning skills;
• Critical thinking and self-motivation;
• Fast learner and encourage the learning of others;
• Informed and transparent decision making.

Education:

• Master Degree or equivalent (University Degree with 5 years of studies) in communications, social studies or other related discipline.

Experience:

• At least three (3) years of professional experience at national or international level in the development programmes, communication, civic or private engagement, marketing or digital communications.
• Experience in the design and delivery of lectures, workshops or seminars is an advantage;
• Records of writing reports, researches, articles and/or blogs.
• Experience in the usage of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), as well as multimedia tools;

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in oral and written Romanian, Russian, and English is required.
• Working knowledge of one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova, including Bulgarian, Gagauzian, Romani, Ukrainian or sign language would be an asset.

UNDP is an employer devoted to gender equity and to providing equal opportunities to both women and men.

UNDP is committed to workforce diversity. Women, persons with disabilities, Roma and other ethnic or religious minorities, persons living with HIV, as well as refugees and other non-citizens legally entitled to work in the Republic of Moldova, are particularly encouraged to apply.

This is a local position, therefore only citizens of the Republic of Moldova or others legally authorized to work in the country are eligible to apply.

Please note that only applicants who are short-listed will be contacted.

Online applications can be submitted by registered users only. Self-registration link is available at the next page and requires candidates to provide a valid email address.