Communications Specialist

Details

Mission and objectives

The combination of high vulnerability, persistent development challenges, and exposure to economic, social, and environmental shocks threaten progress in the achievement of Agenda 2030 and the SAMOA Pathway for the North Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS). As per the global MCO review recommendation concluded in May 2019, the UN reform brought forward the demand from countries and territories served by MCOs for more tailored country support, enhanced physical presence, increased policy, and technical resources, deeper engagement in global and regional inter-governmental forums, strengthened data capacities, better access to finance, and South-South and triangular cooperation, to better meet the ambitions of the 2030 Agenda and implement the SAMOA Pathway priorities.  In response, the UNSDG has committed to enhance the support to these countries and territories, largely constituted of SIDS, through a set of collective and individual actions. The establishment of UNDP’s office in the North Pacific is part of this commitment. UNDP programmes in the North Pacific focus on three main areas i) Resilience and Sustainable Development ii) Effective Governance and iii) Inclusive Growth. Although majority of the projects are environment focused and funded by vertical funds, youth empowerment, gender equality and digital transformation are emerging areas which are important to address the issue of vulnerability and inequality further compounded by the impact of Covid-19. The North Pacific Office operates from the UNDP North Pacific Office in Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), overseeing other countries in North Pacific including Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) and Palau, jointly coordinated with the UNDP Pacific Office in Suva, Fiji.

Context

The Communications Specialist implements the corporate communications strategy, designs, manages and facilitates the implementation of the Country Office communications and publication strategies with a view to influence the development agenda, to promote public and media outreach and to mobilize political and financial support for UNDP. The Communications Specialist works in close collaboration with Programme and Operations teams, staff of other UN Agencies Regional Communications team, Government officials, international and local media, subject matter experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society. The Communications Specialist is expected to support five (5) countries including FSM, RMI, Kiribati, Nauru and Palau.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: Summary of Key Functions:  Planning and design of internal and external strategies for communications and outreach  Elaboration and implementation of the publications strategy and plan  Support to business development  Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing 1. Ensures planning and design of internal and external strategies for communications and outreach focusing on achievement of the following results:  Planning and elaboration of communications needs assessments for North Pacific countries (projects, country programme and corporate change initiatives, etc.)  Elaboration of the North Pacific countries’ communications and outreach strategy based on the corporate communications strategy.  Constructive and timely advice on inclusion of communications components in pro-gramme formulations to integrate advocacy and communication strategies into all aspects of UNDP’s development programme. 2. Ensures elaboration and implementation of the North Pacific countries publications strategy and plan focusing on the achievement of the following results:  Elaboration and implementation of the North Pacific countries publications strategy and plan based on the corporate publications policy.  Identification and development of storylines for publications and substantive articles contributing to debates on key development issues.  Coordination and management of all North Pacific countries publication activities, including content management, norms for publishing, design, liaison with printers and other suppliers to oversee production and supervision of publications dissemination. 3. Supports the business development focusing on achievement of the following results: Launches and campaigns  Creation and promotion of campaigns to local and regional media that position UNDP and influences the development agenda based on current programme and new initiatives.  Management, promotion and dissemination of corporate advocacy materials for launching flagship initiatives and publications such as the Human Development Re-port.  Creation, promotion and maintenance of public information campaigns on UNDP activities, results of the SDGs, UN Reform, etc. in association with other staff from Business Development Team Outreach  Promotional activities to position UNDP as a leader within the development space.  Increased coverage and understanding of the UNDP’s work in the country or practice area through development and maintenance of media contacts and providing news-worthy information to national public and donors.  Formatting, packaging and submission of programme initiatives for donor review in close collaboration with programme staff.  Development and maintenance of close contacts with government officials, multilateral and bilateral donors, civil society and private sector for implementation of the communications strategy, organization of roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews, launches, etc.  Forging of a “one UN” image through publicizing the significance of local UN reform efforts, joint programmes, common services. Organization and implementation of joint UN information campaigns (UN Day, World AIDS Day, etc.)  Ensured access for journalists to subject matter experts. Public information  Effective responses to inquiries for public information materials.  Innovative and creative solutions to sensitive or corporately strategic public communications issues.  Advocacy and promotion of UNDP mandate, mission and purpose.