Communications Specialist

Important note: Attach your CV with Letter of Motivation

In September 2009, the UN Secretary-General designated H.M. Queen Máxima of the Netherlands as his Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA).  As UNSGSA and Honorary Patron of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), Queen Máxima raises awareness and advocates specific policies, investments and actions with governments, regulators, private companies, international institutions and diverse additional stakeholders, all with view of how inclusive financial systems can help to reduce poverty, equalize opportunity and accelerate progress toward numerous development goals.   She does so through country visits, speeches, meetings, convening of stakeholders and other outreach.  This requires careful, comprehensive and rigorous analysis of local conditions, policies, available services and public priorities, as well as the needs of households, enterprises and communities.

The UNSGSA’s work is done in partnership and with wide consultation among the many stakeholders working to advance financial inclusion—and those affected by it.  Her Majesty collaborates closely with an advisory Reference Group of leading international organizations in financial inclusion to share expertise and suggest strategic opportunities that she can advance through advocacy and partnerships. Reference Group members include: Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Better Than Cash Alliance, Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), International Finance Corporation (IFC), UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and The World Bank. The UNSGSA also consults and cooperates with the wider UN system such as UN agencies based in Rome, the UN Secretariat, UN country teams, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as well as other multilateral organizations, private financial institutions, companies, donors, civil society organizations and the media. Members of the Reference Group and other in-country and global partners play an important role in converting advocacy into action.

The UNSGSA also engages with the financial standard setting bodies (SSBs) so that their work considers the advancement of Financial Inclusion around the world.

A small team works closely with Queen Máxima and her secretariat in The Hague to coordinate and advance her UN and G20 activities. The Office of the UNSGSA is housed in UNDP under the Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy in New York and receives financial support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.        

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Director of UNSGSA, the Communications Specialist designs, manages and facilitates the implementation of the communication and publication strategies with a view to influence the development agenda, to promote public and media outreach and to raise awareness about the activities of the UNSGSA.

The  incumbent will carry out their functions in collaboration with the UNSGSA staff in The Hague, particularly the press office and the private secretary to Her Majesty.

Important note: Attach your CV with Letter of Motivation

Summary of key functions:

• Develop, refine and implement effective communications strategies;
• Support and enhance partner engagement and strengthen awareness of Financial Inclusion and the UNSGSA brand;
• Lead the creation and dissemination of content through appropriate channels.

Develop, refine, and implement effective communications strategies, focusing on the achievement of following results:

• Regularly assess UNSGSA’s communications needs and priorities and adjust overall communications strategy accordingly; 
• Identify and prioritize the UNSGSA’s target audiences;
• Develop and update communications strategy, annual work plan, and annual event and editorial calendar;
• Develop and implement a social media strategy;
• Track communication outreach analytics and adjust communication strategy and tools accordingly;
• Keep up to date with key trends in Financial Inclusion industry.

Support and enhance partner engagement and strengthen awareness of Financial Inclusion and of the UNSGSA brand, focusing on the achievement of following result:

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with partner organizations and leverage these connections to help leverage advocacy and raise awareness of UNSGSA’s mission;
• Share information with team and external stakeholders and coordinate with partners to disseminate news where appropriate;
• Track stakeholder engagement and partner activities, and share information internally on events and media coverage relevant to the office;
• Collaborate with the Queen Maxima’s secretariat in The Hague on media outreach;
• Collaborate with UNDP and other UN partners to strengthen media opportunities and coverage, especially during country visits;
• Supervise an internal database and help expand contacts list, as appropriate.

Lead the creation and dissemination of content, focusing on the achievement of following result:

• Write and contribute to news stories, speeches, talking points, briefs, press releases, letters, and any written content needed by UNSGSA office;
• Lead efforts to get strong media coverage;
• Create UNSGSA’s annual report, including content, photography, design and printing. Develop and implement dissemination plan for Annual Report, including email and social media outreach. Throughout process, establish clear and realistic schedules and adhere rigorously to timelines;
• Manage editorial quality assurance, ensuring accuracy, clarity, consistency, tone, visual presentation, timeliness, of print and online content, including fact-checking, copyediting and proofreading as required. Ensuring consistency of messaging and branding in line with communications strategy;
• Expand the portfolio of UNSGSA general-interest content for non-technical audiences, with a focus on generating compelling stories and examples from the field, infographics and videos;
• Oversee all aspects of UNSGSA website: e.g. content, including overviews of country visits, speeches, appearances, and other activities. Manage any needed structural or design updates, working with external website designers; leading the written and visual content using a content management system;
• Guide and manage external communications consultants, including web and print designers as well as photographers;
• Develop and distribute a newsletter at least twice a year;
• Perform any other related duties as may be assigned by the Director.

Core:
Innovation

• Ability to make new and useful ideas work.

Leadership:

• Ability to persuade others to follow.

People Management:

• Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.

Communication

• Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Delivery:

• Ability to get things done.

Technical/Functional:
Primary
UN System: UN Coordination and Coherence:

• Knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply to practical situations.

Representation:

• Ability to proactively share UNSGSA knowledge and activities at UN and other venues.

Partnerships/Relationships management:

• Ability to engage with other agencies, delegations and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships.

Briefs and Speech writing:

• Ability to prepare quality briefs and or speeches.

Risk management:

• Ability to identify and prioritize risks, and organize actions around mitigating them.

Secondary:
Intergovernmental and Multilateral Affairs

• Knowledge of the Intergovernmental bodies and respective mandates and operations.

Knowledge management and sharing:

• Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge.

Important note: Attach your CV with Letter of Motivation

Education:    

• Master’s degree in communications, international development, social science or other relevant field preferred; or bachelor’s degree and two additional years of relevant work experience in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of five years of experience of progressively responsible experience in communications, advocacy, or public relations with international or multilateral organizations, the UN System, or other relevant settings;
• Excellent writing and editorial skills in English;
• Experience in drafting and editing speeches;
• Proven ability to deliver high-quality work that addresses complex issues in a very tight time frame and excellent time- and project management skills and rigorous adherence to deadlines are essential;
• Knowledge of issues and major players involved in financial inclusion;
• Experience managing websites and online communications targeting international audiences and overseeing website design. Working knowledge of website content management systems (Concrete5) is essential;
• Sound knowledge of issues related to electronic media and social networks, and ability to analyze threats and opportunities;
• Considerable experience overseeing copyeditors, print and web designers, printers, photographers and managing complex projects with multiple contributors;
• Experience of developing infographics;
• Good knowledge of office software packages;
• Experience designing, implementing, and analyzing online and social media outreach is desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Excellent command of written and spoken English essential.  

Other:

• Ability to communicate effectively, creatively, and with cultural sensitivity.  Must be detail-oriented and excel at translating complex technical information into clear, compelling, accurate prose for audience appeal and impact;
• Collegiality, strong teamwork ethic, discretion.

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

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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