Public Relations Specialist in UNDP project

The environmental project “Civic Engagement in Environmental Monitoring and Improving Environmental Management at the Local Level” (hereinafter- Ecomonitoring Project) financed by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme was launched in 2018. The overall goal of the project is to stimulate efficient and inclusive environmental management through civic engagement in the development and implementation of measures aimed at improving the environment and monitoring of environmental risks, which includes sharing environmental information, in the field of ambient air quality.
The project is implemented in all six oblasts of Belarus and the city of Minsk. Environmental clubs are established in all six oblasts and the city of Minsk with the participation of environmental civil society organizations (CSOs). Actions are taken to expand the network of “green schools” involving the National Centre for Ecology and Local Studies, the Academy of Post-Graduate Education and environmental CSOs. Efforts are made to engage the teaching staff of secondary schools of all 118 districts of the country in project activity, particularly, encourage their participation in trainings.
The communication strategy  was developed at the beginning of the project and is being implemented. PR events will support the activities to contribute to the improvement of air quality such as cycling, promotion of “green schools” course and ecological education,  planting of trees, and etc.

 

The objective of the assignment is to implement communication strategy  of the EU-funded “Ecomonitoring” project, deliver communication support to the project’ s activities and actions, take a lead in conducting awareness raising campaigns to communicate the project’s key messages across the target audiences. The Project Communications Specialist will undertake effective and timely management of the project’s related content on the UNDP corporate online platforms, including social media.

Work Performed/or responsibilities:
The PR Specialist leads on and provides professional support to the development of the “Ecomonitoring” project’s advocacy and outreach activities, as well as ensures effective implementation of the project’s communication strategy. The Specialist works in line with the UNDP guidelines and regulations regarding communication and visibility and collaborates closely with the national partners, representatives of the donor and the project staff for resolving complex information delivery issues.

Provides communication support to  “Ecomonitoring” project:

• provides lead environmental issue-related communications expertise and thematic coherence;
• updates and ensures successful implementation of the project’s communication strategy, based on the ProDoc and the project work plan, with identification of target groups, communication channels, key products (to be produced by the Public Relations Specialist or by outsourced specialists/companies) and monitoring and evaluation indicators;
• works with traditional and new mass media, social networks for wide dissemination of the project’s achievements and advocacy for inclusive environmental management;
• prepares information materials, both online and offline (life stories, op-eds, blogging, video content, brochures, project briefs, posters, web-site publications, and social media posts) for target audiences highlighting the project’s key developments and implementation progress;
• provides support for the project in media relations, as well as drafts and prepares information packages for participation of the UNDP’s senior management in the project-led events and media engagements;
• manages the project website  (www.greenlogic.by) ensuring the quality of the online content;
• ensures that the project information, advocacy products and public activities are in line with the corporate UNDP’s and the donors’ communication standards and policies;
• assists with organization of the project’s events focusing on preparation of talking points for the UNDP’s senior management, production of event information and outreach materials, taking photo and video materials;
• coordinates the work of creative designers and production professionals to develop videos, still images, infographics, social media templates, other communication outputs.
• provides liaison services;
• provides consultations and guide the project’s management and staff on the issues of communication and advocacy.
• performs any other duties and actions related to communication and outreach.

Provides support to the Country Office communications related to the full range of environmental issues covered by the project and as they relate to other areas of UNDP’s Energy and Environmental portfolio, partnership and the SDGs advocacy, working in close collaboration with the UNDP Communication Analyst:

• supplies ideas and selects content for life/success stories, other communication outputs in the thematic area of the project, which showcase the impacts that UNDP and the donor have on the communities in Belarus;
• supports with providing strategic direction and guidance to the Country Office communications on communication and advocacy issues related to project’s inclusive environmental management themes (public environmental decision-making, public environmental monitoring, green education, air quality, etc.) and links them to the SDGs achievement in Belarus
• conduct political and issue research on the project-related topic;
• assists with communication activities/events initiated and organized by the Country Office, which reflect or feature the topics covered within the project’s scope.
  
  
   

• Job knowledge and expertise: demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the job requirements; demonstrates ability to develop communication strategy devoted to different stakeholders, including children in kindergarten and pupils;   
• Leadership: determines appropriate resources, methods, partners, information and solution; actively shares experience and knowledge; generates individual commitment, excitement and excellence;
• Result Orientation: assesses the performance as per the outlined tasks; defines bottlenecks and challenges; proposes actions to achieve the goals including possible region of the existing strategies;
• Communication: builds professional networks with partners, establishes and maintains contacts with various partners and stakeholders; demonstrates use of different instruments and tools of communication; elaborates key messages to be used to communicate with different target groups; delivers key messages to the target groups with change of audience behavior.
   

• University degree in one of the following fields: communication, journalism, international relations, and/or related field;
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in communications, journalism, public or media relations, and all aspects of communications work is required;
• Experience with online communications, including website content management and social media is required;
• Experience in the UN system or any other foreign/international organizations is desirable;
• Outstanding writing and editing skills in Russian;
• Good knowledge of English;
• Knowledge of Belarusian is an additional asset.