Public Information and Communication Specialist

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.

BACKGROUND

Strengthening accountability and tackling corruption are essential for Iraq's long-term stability, economic recovery, and development. Iraqi and regional Kurdish governments have recently initiated steps to drive an ambitious anticorruption agenda. However, significant gaps remain in legislative and strategic framework, investigation and adjudication, enforcement, and recovery of stolen assets. In March 2021, Iraq adopted the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, but implementation measures are needed. 

In May 2021, UNDP in Iraq launched the project “support to justice initiatives curbing corruption and promoting commercial dispute resolution” (hereinafter, Anti-Corruption & Arbitration Initiatives, ACAI) funded by the European Union for a period of four years. The project outcomes are: (1) Improved Legislative and Strategic Framework for Anti-Corruption Reforms; (2) The justice sector, lawyers and CoI are better equipped to process corruption offences due to (2.1) improved technical skills relevant for corruption investigation, prosecution, adjudication and (2.2) improved integrity rules of the justice sector; (3) Enhanced legislation, institutions, and capacity for commercial arbitration through (3.1) Enhanced access to ADR mechanisms through reformed legal framework compatible with domestic needs, best practices, and international conventions, (3.2), Modernized commercial courts, enforcement departments, and arbitration and mediation centers in structure, proceedings, and practices, and (3.3) Enhanced capacities of judges, selected public servants, local arbitrators, and mediators, and increased awareness of ADR among academics, legal and business societies; (4) Create a climate of support in Parliament for anti-corruption reforms; (5) Increased transparency and public accountability.

Position Purpose:

The Public Information and Communication Specialist will provide advisory and technical support to improve the public outreach and communication strategies of key public partners, ensure project activities and outcomes are effectively communicated, and enable the engagement of civil society and media in fighting corruption notably through investigating corruption and advocating for change.

The position will be under the general oversight of the Head of Partnerships, Communication and Advocacy Unit and will report to the Project Manager of ACAI. The position will be required to support the Partnership, Communication and Advocacy Unit on other assignments as may be required by UNDP Iraq.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Ensure communication & visibility for ACAI project:

• Update the Communications Strategy and key messages used across the ACAI Project.
• Develop success stories and human stories and provide relevant inputs for the development of newsletters and website articles for the UNDP in Iraq website.
• Undertake field visits to produce high-quality digital media content (videos and photos) with strong and impactful narratives and/or managing photographers/videographers involved via contractors; 
• Lead on lessons learned work and communications of the project including the revisions and implementation of the visibility & communication plan, publication of a monthly newsletter on anti-corruption efforts and other UNDP communication events & material in close collaboration with the head of UNDP Communication Unit.
• Actively seek opportunities for project communication and work with UNDP Communication Unit to ensure visibility for the project, the donor, UNDP and public partners engaged in anti-corruption reform;
• Lead consistent communication of ACAI Project results and progress to its audiences and using the most effective tools and channels including social media to build public ownership of ACAI Project. 
• Manage a social media campaign on International Anti-Corruption Day (09 December) with special focus on achievements and donor visibility.

Enhance public outreach and anti-corruption communication of public partners:

• Support the implementation of the access to information legislation by ACAI project public partners
• Support the design and implementation of anti-corruption communication strategies of ACAI project public partners
• Support and enhance better engagement of public partners with civil society and media

Empower civil society and media to engage better with public institutions:

• Create and run an anti-corruption forum comprised of representatives of the legislative and integrity committees, civil society, CoI and the Board of Supreme Audit to meet quarterly to discuss corruption and integrity challenges; 
• Map civil society and media organisation undertaking anti-corruption efforts to identity the reputable entities for future constructive engagement with public institutions and development partners; 

Empower civil society and media to report on corruption:

• Enable civil society and the media to conduct responsible reporting on corruption cases, effectively advocate on legislation and policy and present their research & monitoring work to public officials and development partners notably by facilitating their access through forum, working group, access to information desks & hotlines, and other mechanisms established by the project;
• Ensure training of reputable civil society and media organisations on investigative journalism and the use of anticorruption legislation including access to information and policies;  

Ensure compliance to corporate communication and reporting tools:

• Create and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to communications functions within the ACAI Project, i.e. content management, posting schedule, photographer, and videographer resources.
• Update and implement the AWP communications and visibility-related activities;
• Regularly monitor all communication platforms to ensure that the latest and up-to-date information is reflected.
• Update and use standardised templates with donor taglines for reporting on events, workshops, training sessions, workshops, as applicable.
• Support the management team on donor and internal UNDP reporting. 
• Performs other related duties as required.

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 on the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies: 

2030 Agenda: Peace - Governance: SDG 16

2030 Agenda: Peace - Governance: Civil Society Engagement 

Digital & Innovation - Data storytelling & communications: Skilled in building a narrative around a set of data and its accompanying visualizations to help convey the meaning of that data in a powerful and compelling fashion.

Communications - Advocacy strategy & 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 - Multimedia writing/editing: Ability to create and/or edit written content for multimedia.

 

RECRUITMENT QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• A master’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations, social sciences, or a related field.

Experience

• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in communications at the national or international level, including experience in media relations
• Experience with UN or international organization working in crisis-affected country.
• Experience in closely working with journalists, reporters and investigative reporters.
• Excellent command of software tools in designing and creating data visualization, infographics, presentations, and reports.
• Creative communicator with a track record of published written, audio and video material.
• Experience with civil society on governance, rule of law, anti-corruption, justice or similar fields will be an asset. 

Language Requirements

• Fluency in oral and written English is required. 
• Fluency in oral and written Arabic will be an asset.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE:

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

UNDP Disclaimer for FTA/TA International Posts

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: 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 warning

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.