Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

  • Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
  • Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
  • Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
  • Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

 Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

Organizational Context

The UN SDG Action Campaign is a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and based in Bonn, Germany. To bring us closer to a just, inclusive and sustainable future, the UN SDG Action Campaign elevates unheard communities, nurtures changemakers, and leverages creativity to inspire hope and bold action.

The Campaign’s Advocacy for Change approach aims at systemic transformation by rethinking, recalibrating, and
reimagining economies and societies so that they serve people and the planet, while inspiring SDG action
and sending a message of hope and possibilities.

The UN SDG Action Campaign facilitates convening spaces and supports the engagement of civil society organizations and other key stakeholders in relevant dialogues and processes, with a focus in the areas of financing for development, gender equality, climate action, sustainable food systems and justice and peace. Additionally, the Campaign leverages art and creativity to inspire action and tap into humanity’s creative power for good. And the UN SDG Action Awards programme, the Campaign’s flagship initiative, serves to identify and recognize exceptional changemakers and initiatives that are making a difference towards the 2030 Agenda.

Job Purpose 

Under the overall guidance of the Global Director of the UN SDG Action Campaign and the direct supervision of the Deputy Director, the Partnerships Specialist, Italy, will support the liaison with the Government of Italy as one of the main partners of the Campaign, as well as the advocacy, communications and resource mobilization efforts of the Campaign also in Italy and beyond.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

  1. Coordinate the communications efforts of the UN SDG Action Campaign in Italy
    •    Tailor and adapt creative and artistic content and assets of the Campaign to the Italian context and promote it in partnership with relevant stakeholders across sectors, including in relevant events in Italy.
    •    Spot and leverage opportunities to enhance partner visibility—especially within Italy—and ensure that partners of the UN SDG Action Campaign, both Italian and global, are prominently represented across Campaign initiatives and events.
    •    Track and amplify communications and social media posts from key partners in Italy and internationally.
  2. Facilitate and manage partnerships and outreach activities for the UN SDG Action Campaign in Italy 
    •    Strengthen and expand existing collaborations on SDGs, ensuring effective coordination of the UN SDG Action Campaign’s activities within Italy. In addition to managing current initiatives, the role involves actively contributing to the development and consolidation of new public and private partnerships with a broad range of Italian stakeholders, fostering engagement on the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development both nationally and internationally.
    •    Contribute in the preparation of key materials such as briefing notes, talking points, toolkits, and other resources required to support outreach and engagement efforts.
  3. Contribute to the resource mobilization efforts of the UN SDG Action Campaign, with emphasis on Italy
    •    Prepare progress reports and updates for partners in Italy and other regions, highlighting the impact and achievements of Campaign initiatives.
    •    Provide support in drafting, submitting, and monitoring funding proposals, agreements, and related reports for Italian partners, ensuring compliance and timely delivery.
    •    Research, identify, and map potential funding opportunities—particularly those originating in Italy—and prepare comprehensive partner briefings and background documentation.
    •    Organize and coordinate official missions to Italy for the Campaign Director and other team members, managing logistics and ensuring successful engagement with key stakeholders.
  4. Lead the effort of knowledge management and dissemination.
    •    Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to goals and activities. 
    •    Provide substantive and sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories. 
    •    Work with the team to ensure all knowledge products are captured, updated, readily available and in the right order, as and when necessary.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the office and the organization.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Supervising one JPO
 

Competencies

Core Competencies:

  • Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
  • Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
  • Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
  • Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
  • Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
  • Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

People Management 

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Management Partnership Management 

  • Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.

Business Direction and Strategy System Thinking      

  • Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Business Management Portfolio Management      

  • Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity. 
  • Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.

Communications Advocacy Strategy and Implementation 

  • Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change.

Business Management Communications      

  • Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
  • Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels. 
     

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Advance university degree (master’s degree equivalent) in Political Affairs, International Relations, Media and Communications or related field is required, or.
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

  • Minimum of 5 years (with master´s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor´s degree) of progressively responsible experience in public information, international relations, public administration or related area is required.
  • At least of 5 years' experience in the field working on development cooperation is required.
  • Proven track record of experience brokering multistakeholder partnerships is required.
  • Proven track record of experience in communications on development for institutions at national or international level is required.
  • Substantive knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals and of current international debates and negotiations on major global issues is desired.
  • Track record of experience in strategy development and donor/public relations is desired.
  • Track record of experience in digital platforms and social media management is required.
  • Experience with developing awareness raising campaigns on the Sustainable Development Goals is desired.
  • Experience with supporting international multistakeholder events related to the SDGs is desired.

Language requirements 

  • Fluency in English is required.
  • Fluency in Italian is desired.

Working knowledge of another UN Official Languages is an advantage

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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