Communications Analyst

BACKGROUND

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in South Sudan serves as the Principal Recipient (PR) for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) on behalf of the Government of South Sudan. Working in partnership with the Ministry of Health, UNDP has been managing the Global Fund’s HIV, TB, and Health Systems Strengthening grants and as well as the Covid-19 Response Mechanism (C19RM) launched in April 2020.

The Global Fund project is designed to reduce the HIV infections, reduce death among men, women and children living with HIV/Aids and Tuberculosis, and contribute to building resilient and sustainable systems for health. This is achieved by scaling up provision of comprehensive HIV and TB services in over 170 health facilities, enhancing the role of people living with HIV (PLHIV), TB survivors and community networks, health workers, mobile TB/HIV services and community-led treatment services, and as well as close monitoring and coordination with the Ministry of Health and the South Sudan Aids Commission (SSAC).

The project has been very instrumental in strengthening the capacity of national health systems, including laboratory services, supply chain management, health management information systems and human resources for health and as well as leadership and coordination at the Ministry of Health (MOH) and SSAC.

In a bid to strengthen communication, profiling, advocacy and visibility around the mandate and development results of the Global Fund Project and to engender positive behavioral changes, UNDP seeks to recruit a Communications Specialist to manage the communications portfolio of the Global Fund project in South Sudan. 

In this context, the Communications Analyst will offer leadership in supporting the Country Office in designing and executing robust communications strategies. He/she will contribute to the country team approach and will collaborate closely with the Headquarters, Regional and Country Offices’ colleagues to ensure communications strategies, media relations and organizational outreach efforts are aligned with corporate communications policies and initiatives.

The Communications Analyst leads the Global Fund’s communications portfolio, builds the capacity of project partners in communications, manages the design, management and implementation of the strategy which is geared to influence the health and development agenda, foster positive behavioral changes and mobilize political and financial support. He/ She also collaborates with the UNDP and Global Fund colleagues to support outreach campaigns, resource mobilization and donor relations initiatives.

The Communications Analyst will offer leadership in aligning priorities and deliverables of the Global Fund Communications Strategy to the UNDP’s Partnerships and Communications Strategy and Action Plan (PCAP), 2022-2025, UNDP’s new Strategic Plan, 2022-2025, Country Programme Document, 2023-2025, the UN cooperation framework for South Sudan, 2023-2025, as well as the revised National Development Strategy, 2021-2024 targets relating to health outcomes.

He/she is tasked to drive the Global Fund Project improvements in accountability, reporting results, Programme visibility externally with partners, RBA/HQ, media, and donors.

Key Duties and Accountabilities

Under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative and direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative and the Communications Unit Team Leader, the Communications Analyst implements the corporate communications strategy, designs, manages and facilitates the implementation of the Country Office communications and publication strategies which are geared to influence the development agenda, to promote public and media outreach and to mobilize political and financial support for UNDP

Plan and design communication strategies (internal and external) focusing on achieving the following results:

• Conceptualize, design, and execute the UNDP Global Fund Project Communications Strategy ensuring a consistent, coherent, and compelling narrative and ensuring that all outputs produced by the team maintain high-quality standards.
• Coordination and management of UNDP Global Fund’s South Sudan editorial and publication activities (press releases and advisories, project briefs, infographics, articles, human interest stories, audial and visual assets, speeches, newsletter, annual report, and other knowledge products driving content generation and overseeing dissemination and upload on the various communications platforms in collaboration with the UNDP communications and online teams at the country office and in RBA/HQs.

Oversee media relations and outreach focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Oversee media relations and outreach (proactive and reactive media outreach) working closely with national, regional, and international media; to position UNDP Global Fund development results, generate visibility and manage and mitigate reputational risk issues on the media
• Ensure continuous coordination with UNDP’s and Global Fund’s regional and global communications teams, with other organizations within United Nations System and development partners.
• Provide communication trainings, technical advice, and capacity building to the Global fund partners in Government, the United Nations Development system, CSOs and the private sector on matters pertaining to communication, documentation, knowledge management and storytelling.

Supports business development efforts focusing on achievement of the following results: Launches, messaging, events, and campaigns:

• Supports the business development including supporting grant-sourcing initiatives through evidence generation, managing global fund launches, messaging, events, and campaigns around the World AIDS Day and other key observances
• Ensuring that Global Fund communication and publications materials conform to UNDP brand and editorial guidelines and publishing ethos

Public information and Knowledge Management

• Facilitate the Global Fund Project knowledge building and management with a focus on innovation, focusing on identification and synthesis of best practices, sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories, and proactive information sharing and collaboration with the Project and Management Support Unit for the enhancement of reporting, communications, and M&E.
• Carries out other related functions as requested by the supervisor

Competencies

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master's degree in Media Relations, Journalism, Communications, International relations, Development studies, or related field.
• First university degree in media relations, journalism, publishing, or related field with additional 2 years of relevant work experience in the field of journalism, communications, external relations, public affairs, public relations, or corporate communications may be acceptable in lieu of a Master degree.

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in public relations, multimedia communications, journalism, or advocacy with master’s degree.
• Technical knowledge of web design and digital infrastructure, Knowledge of social media monitoring technology and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, with the ability to produce photo, video, and infographic content with Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Final Cut Pro, photography and videography skills, including the usage of external audio/lighting, as well as post-production software is desirable.
• Knowledge and experience in working with the UN, International Organization is an asset
• Excellent writing skills including ability to adapt messages to diverse audiences is desirable
• Proven skills in external communications and liaison and mobilization work with media and civil society is desirable
• Ability to work on own initiative as well as a member of a team is an added advantage
• Strong analytical skills is desirable
• Ability to work quickly to meet deadlines is an asset.

Language requirements

• Proficiency in written and spoken English and Arabic

COMPETENCIES

Core Competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making

People Management Competencies

• UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

Communications: Advocacy strategy and implementation

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

Communications: Brand & quality management

• Ability to position a UNDP brand and uphold it to a high level of quality

Communications: Media Relations

• Ability to develop media relations across all aspects of media work including relationships with media and preparing media materials such as messages

Communications: Social Media management

• Ability to represent and promote the UNDP brand in virtual communities and networks

Communications: Multimedia production

• Ability to create and combine images, text and audio-visuals to produce multimedia content

Communications: Web and social media analytics

• Ability to analyze and interpret data and statistics to measure web and social media performance

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

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