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

Office/Unit/Project Description

The Joint SDG Fund supports countries as they accelerate their progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It operates through joint programmes (JPs) that provide the mechanism for transformative solutions implemented by governments and national stakeholders and supported by the UN Country Team led by Resident Coordinators (RCs). Strategic direction for the Fund is provided by the Strategic Advisory Group chaired by the Deputy Secretary-General as the chair of UN Sustainable Development Group. The Fund is managed by the Operational Steering Committee, comprised of representatives of UN entities, and with the support from the Secretariat of the Fund. The UN Development Coordination Office (DCO) hosts the Fund and provides for the alignment with the broader UN Development System reforms. The Administrative Agent of the Fund, in charge of financial management, is the Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF-O). Official documents (e.g. Terms of Reference and Operational Guidance) of the Fund and information on funding can be found on the Gateway portal.

To advance the dual mandate of supercharging the UN Development System reform to be fit for purpose and, in turn, supporting the acceleration of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Fund incentivizes coherent and coordinated join UN action, anchored in the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks at country level under the leadership of Resident Coordinator (RC). Serving as the catalytic funding to piece together emerging policy priorities and financing strategies, the Fund aims to galvanize the UN Country Teams around integrated policies and identify the fiscal space to overcome the political and financial hurdles to scale and accelerate progress towards the SDGs.

The Joint SDG Fund adopts a portfolio approach focused on the key SDG transitions of digital, food systems, social protection & jobs, energy, education and climate action to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, the Secretariat team is expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Within this framework, the Communications Specialist will manage the Fund Secretariat’s digital communications, media relationships and vendors, as well as facilitating communication and knowledge sharing.

Scope of Work 

Under the overall guidance of the Head of Communication and in close collaboration with the Secretariat’s Programme and Partnerships teams, the Communications Specialist will operate across the following pillars: (1) Digital Communications; (2) Visual Identity; and (3) Graphic Design.

Demonstrate proficiency in Digital Communications

• Expert knowledge and use of the most current versions of Adobe CC graphic software and tools;
• Excellent knowledge of new trends and technologies in web- and digital-based graphic design;
• Maintain Joint SDG Fund presence in public dialogue where appropriate.
• Develop relationships with key partners to maximize visibility and traffic to Joint SDG Fund digital platforms and to maximize the distribution of content.
• Coordinate the production and publishing of daily content (text, images, video or HTML) that support and engage audiences in a meaningful way.

Promote Visual Identity

• Lead on the production of high-quality communications products for print, audio/visual and social media in UN languages, including short videos, infographics and other related materials; 
• Work closely with the Development Coordination Office, Funds and UN Entities to collaborate and share effective communications strategies to increase public awareness;
• Lead on the identification of new communications opportunities and products consistent with the Joint SDG Fund’s branding and visibility;
• Cultivate strong internal relationships and partnerships with third party vendors;
• Design attractive, engaging and modern visual materials to convey key messages to various target audiences in compliance with Joint SDG Fund branding, such as design elements for web-based platforms (websites, newsletters, social media) 
• Design and develop infographics, posters, leaflets, logos, brochures, reports and any other design required to meet communications objectives;
• Promote optimum visibility of Joint SDG Fund activities through effective media relations, placement and distribution of information material and creative partnerships with bi-lateral, multi-lateral and non-governmental organizations and the private sector. 
• Produce communication products and materials to support the work of the Joint SDG Fund for a wide variety of media and donor and government partners.
• Editing and creating short video clips for social media and larger campaigns ensuring details to subtitles and graphics are cohesive. 

Graphic Design

• Developing and producing multimedia content, including infographics and video editing for social media and web platforms.
• Conceptualizing and implementing visual identities and brand guidelines for global campaigns.
• Ensuring all visual materials align with UN Joint SDG Fund communication strategies and effectively transmit messages to target audiences.
• Leading design projects from conceptualization to completion, including managing external vendors and coordinating with teams. 
• Working in close coordination with design comprehensive workflows for tasks as well as assignment management; troubleshoot project or process problems as they arise and initiate improvements to design, collaboration, and efficiency processes as needed;
• Contribute to overseeing and coordinating the design and production of the Joint SDG Fund’s projects; establish project objectives, and lead design from the initial planning stages through completion; provide updates and solicit feedback on projects from team and stakeholders; bring state of the art practices, techniques, technologies and approaches to bear on the Fund's graphic design work;
• Participate at various internal and external meetings; organize or participate in working groups to streamline graphic design production and workflows;
• Ensure the visual’s compliance with all the potential uses needed (online, print, large scale, high res, black & white, etc.) as well as file formats;
• Create robust visual content for campaigns and manage Trello boards and generate identical designs for alternative languages when required;
• Develop communication messages into existing Joint SDG Fund initiatives linked to communication/ knowledge sharing efforts; and

Lead the effort of country office’s 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. 
• Organize and provide training, consultancy, and advice to UNDP staff on internal and external knowledge management. 
• Work with the team to ensure all knowledge products are captured, updated, readily available and in the right order, as and when necessary.

Perform other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Joint SDG Fund Secretariat.

Institutional Arrangement

The Communications Specialist will report directly to the Head of Communications, Joint SDG Fund Secretariat. The Secretariat of the Joint SDG Fund is hosted within the Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office, New York, USA. 

Competencies

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA

Min. Education requirements          

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Science, Communications, Journalism, 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.

Min. years of relevant work experience   

• Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant work experience in the field of communications preferably at an international level is required. 

Required skills            

• Experience in designing communications strategy and materials, public advocacy campaigns, editing articles, and human-interest stories.
  • Experience in sharing stories and creating boards for social media posts.
  • Experience forming relationships with web designers/coders in updated the website, graphic designers and videographers for visuals and merchandise. 
  • Experience managing and working with teams of people particularly in civil society engagement.
  • Experience in the use of computers applications and software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) as well as web-based management systems.

Desired additional skills and competencies       

• UN field experience at the international level
• Knowledge or experience using Drupal.
• Experience in private sector engagement.

Required Language(s)            

• Fluency in English is required. 
• Working knowledge of other UN languages is desirable.

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.