Advocacy Associate (Open to internal and external applicants)

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

The "EU-PH Partnership in Reinforcing Capacity, Transparency, and Efficiency in Public Procurement" project is an European Union (EU)-funded  initiative aimed at improving public procurement systems in the Philippines. Public procurement represents a significant portion of the national GDP, yet inefficiencies and corruption have hindered its potential to boost market competition and innovation. With the enactment of the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA) in 2024, the project seeks to institutionalize reforms that promote transparency, accountability, and efficiency. These reforms include modernizing procurement processes, adopting international data standards, and integrating participatory practices to ensure the best value for public funds.

To achieve its goals, the project focuses on three key outcomes. First, it aims to strengthen the capacities of public expenditure oversight bodies such as the Commission on Audit (COA) and the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB), including civil society organizations (CSOs). This includes providing training on data analytics and participatory audits, developing evidence-based policy recommendations, and enabling collaboration with civil society organizations (CSOs). Second, the project will improve the internal capacity of the Procurement Service under the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) by codifying processes, standardizing training, and promoting gender-responsive procurement practices. Lastly, it seeks to enhance the ability of PS-PhilGEPS to manage and publish procurement data, develop interactive dashboards, and adhere to Open Contracting Data Standards.

By addressing systemic gaps, the project aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. It leverages technology and multi-stakeholder engagement to foster a transparent, accountable, and inclusive procurement ecosystem. Through this effort, the project supports the Philippine government’s anti-corruption initiatives, enhances public trust, and contributes to a more effective and equitable public procurement system.

UNDP is seeking an Advocacy Associate who will play a key role in advancing the project's behaviour change, transparency, and inclusive governance objectives. The Advocacy Associate will support the design, implementation, and monitoring of advocacy and behaviour-change strategies aimed at improving public procurement outcomes. The role requires close coordination with UNDP, civil society organizations, government agencies, media partners, and community stakeholders to mobilize public support, influence policy and practice, and contribute to more transparent, accountable, and participatory procurement systems.

Duties and Responsibilities

Overall direction and guidance shall be provided by the UNDP Team Leader for Institutions and Partnerships (I&P) Programme while day-to-day supervision shall be performed by the Project Manager with oversight from I&P Programme Analyst. The Advocacy Associate will work closely with the PMO team and collaborate with other units within the organization to ensure effective implementation of advocacy strategies and initiatives. This role will require coordination with various stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, and international partners.

1. EU-PH Public Proc. PMO shall provide all Project information, templates and pertinent policies that will serve as guide in drafting the deliverables. 
2. UNDP Philippines owns the intellectual property and other proprietary rights over all materials produced in relation to this. 
3. Compliance to the scope, work arrangement and delivery of expected outputs shall be based on existing guidelines.

The Advocacy Associate will support the implementation of an integrated evidence-based advocacy strategy focused on behavior change, public engagement, and influencing policy for strengthening transparency, accountability, and participation in public procurement.  He/She works in cooperation with the UNDP Philippines Communications Team, Project Staff and consultants, government counterparts, civil society organizations, media, and other relevant offices and stakeholders. 

The Key Summary of Functions:

A. Lead the formulation, implementation, and monitoring of Project advocacy and knowledge management strategies focusing on the following results:

• Lead the enhancement and implementation of the Project Communication, Advocacy, and Stakeholder Outreach Strategy, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities, the UNDP Communications Action Plan, and project formulation processes.
• Design and support evidence-based behavioral change advocacy initiatives that promote transparency, accountability, inclusive governance, and improved procurement practices.
• Mobilize key audiences—including PS-DBM, COA, GPPB, CSOs, private sector stakeholders, and communities—through targeted communications and advocacy efforts to influence policy and practice in line with project objectives.
• Develop and produce communication, IEC, visibility, and campaign materials (e.g., media briefs, fact sheets, case stories, posters, videos) in coordination with the Project Team and UNDP Communications Unit.
• Identify success indicators, track reach, and assess the effectiveness and impact of advocacy strategies.
• Translate project data, procurement dashboards, audit findings, and CSO monitoring insights into accessible advocacy narratives and communication products.
• Maintain organized project documentation, databases, and photo libraries, and ensure the standardization of communication materials and reporting tools.

B. Ensure the development of an Advocacy Strategy Design:

• Conduct a problem and issue analysis to clearly define the advocacy objective, including root causes, policy gaps, and evidence requirements.
• Undertake stakeholder and power mapping, identifying key decision-makers, influencers, allies, and potential blockers, including an assessment of interests, incentives, and levels of influence.
• Develop an advocacy Theory of Change, articulating the causal pathways linking proposed advocacy actions to intended policy, institutional, or behavioral change.
• Design a message and narrative framework, including core messages tailored to specific target audiences (e.g., policymakers, technical agencies, civil society, private sector, media).
• Identify and prioritize advocacy tactics and engagement channels, including insider and outsider strategies, coalition-building approaches, and communication products.
• Analyze timing and windows of opportunity, taking into account policy cycles, political calendars, reform processes, and external events relevant to the advocacy objective.
• Conduct a risk and safeguards assessment, including political, reputational, and operational risks, and propose mitigation and adaptive management measures.
• With the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, establish a monitoring, learning, and influence-tracking framework to assess progress, document advocacy outcomes, and support adaptive implementation.

C. Lead the elaboration and implementation of knowledge products quality assurance process and publication strategy and plan:  

1. Ensure quality assurance of all knowledge products (KPs) in accordance with UNDP Country Office policies, and contribute to the development, review, and updating of the publication and dissemination strategy.
2. Produce and disseminate high-quality advocacy and knowledge materials—including articles, videos, podcasts, social media content, fact sheets, and case stories—to targeted audiences, media outlets, and project stakeholders. Recommend additional human resources/consultants in producing quality communications and knowledge materials, as needed. 
3. Translate procurement data, audit findings, PhilGEPS dashboards, and CSO monitoring insights into compelling knowledge and advocacy products that support behavior-change messaging and policy influence.
4. Coordinate closely with the UNDP Communications Team to ensure alignment with corporate communications standards, publication policies, and branding requirements.

D. Lead the coordination and partnership for advocacies and other relevant project activities:

1. Coordinate with PS-DBM, COA, GPPB, CSOs, development partners, and community stakeholders to support implementation of advocacy initiatives, learning events, and multi-stakeholder dialogues.
2. Prepare technical outputs and support operational arrangements for workshops, institutionalized learning events, and multi-stakeholder dialogues.
3. Support the implementation of behaviour-change advocacy strategies by convening and mobilizing target groups to raise awareness, encourage inclusive participation, and influence procurement-related norms and practices.
4. Facilitate stakeholder uptake of evidence, evaluation findings, dashboards, citizen audit insights, and knowledge products that support policy recommendations and advocacy messaging.
5. Provide substantive inputs to the continuous refinement of the project’s communications, advocacy, and knowledge management strategies, ensuring alignment with evidence-based messaging, stakeholder needs, and project objectives.

E. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management: 

1. Identify, document, and synthesize best practices, lessons learned, procurement insights, CSO monitoring results, audit findings, and data-driven evidence to support continuous learning, advocacy messaging, and policy recommendations.
2. Maintain consolidated, organized repositories of all advocacy and knowledge materials for project documentation and reporting purposes.
3. Contribute to knowledge networks, communities of practice, and corporate repositories by sharing insights, learning products, and evidence-based narratives related to procurement transparency, inclusive governance, and behavioural change.
4. Support the design and delivery of capacity-building sessions and workshops on advocacy, digital engagement, and social media tools, and provide guidance on innovative approaches to strengthen stakeholder engagement.
5. Develop content for the CO website, social media channels, and public platforms to amplify knowledge, promote transparency, and increase public understanding of procurement reforms and advocacy initiatives.

Perform other duties within incumbent’s functional profile as assigned and deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the office and Organization.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Achieve Results: Level 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: Level 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 
• Learn Continuously: Level 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: Level 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 
• Act with Determination: Level 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner: Level 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Level 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical:

Business Development    

• Knowledge Generation: Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

Business Management    

• Communication: 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
• Partnerships Management: Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, government partners, civil society and private sector partners, experts, and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
• Digital Awareness and Literacy: Ability to monitor new and emerging technologies, as well as understand their usage, potential, limitations, impact, and added value. 
  Ability to rapidly and readily adopt and use new technologies in professional activities, and to empower others to use them as needed. Knowledge of the usage of digital technologies and emerging trends.

Communications    

• Social media management: Ability to represent and promote the UNDP brand in virtual communities and networks
• Advocacy strategy and implementation: Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change

Data     

• Data Analysis: Ability to extract, analyze and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision making

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary education is required. OR
• A university degree (bachelor’s degree) in media studies/relations, communications, development communications, or equivalent fields will be given due consideration but it’s not a requirement.

Experience:

• Minimum of seven (7) years (with secondary education) or four (4) years (with bachelor's degree) of relevant experience in  public relations, communications or advocacy, digital communications; social media management; content creation; and facilitation of knowledge is required.

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.