Project Communication Officer

Timor-Leste is a small half-island country, one of the top ten counties most vulnerable to climate change. Approximately 70% of Timor-Leste’s rural population (840,000 people) is highly vulnerable to climate changes, particularly increasing variability of rainfall and extreme weather events. Lives and livelihoods are highly exposed in the country's remote interior and coastal regions. Impacts of intensified extreme events include damage and degradation of decentralized small-scale critical infrastructure, particularly water supply and drainage structures, embankments, and feeder roads and bridges. Damages leave rural populations isolated, lacking basic services. According to climate change scenarios and risk models, occurrences of climate extremes and related damages will at least double towards mid-century. 

The project objective is to safeguard vulnerable communities and their physical assets from climate change-induced disasters. It aims to address existing institutional, financial, and legislative barriers, increasing the climate resilience of vulnerable small-scale rural infrastructure. Six municipalities, mainly Baucau, Ermera, Aileu, Viqueque Lautem, and Liquica, were selected for the project interventions. The project has the two interrelated outputs below that aim to achieve the impact potential and create an enabling environment/condition for scaling up/replicating the impact beyond the immediate target areas. 

• Output 1: Climate risk information is developed, monitored, and integrated into policies, regulations, and institutions to inform climate-resilient small-scale rural infrastructure planning and management.
• Output 2: Climate risk reduction and climate-proofing measures for small-scale rural infrastructure are implemented to build the resilience of vulnerable communities in six priority municipalities.

UNDP helps Timor-Leste honor its Paris Agreement commitments by supporting expanding the "green economy" to tap into new opportunities for jobs and businesses. It partners with other United Nations agencies to provide technical expertise to translate strategies into action, establish a monitoring framework for climate change adaptation and mitigation, and develop plans for transition to sustainable land management, climate-proof agriculture, biodiversity, reforestation, disaster risk reduction, and waste management. By catalyzing SDG and Paris-aligned investments (public and private), UNDP delivers client-focused solutions that respond to immediate, mid and long-term recovery and socio-economic development priorities, and by leveraging on-the-ground presence and networks, we unlock bottom-up solutions towards lasting impacts at the country level, benefitting most disadvantaged and leaving no one behind.

1. Participate in formulating and implementing a communications and outreach strategy to support the project's visibility, with a strong focus on quality written materials;
2. Elaboration and implementation of the project publications strategy and plan;
3. Support project’s events to boost visibility and business development;
4. Knowledge building and knowledge sharing for project staff and UNDP CO Team;
5. Manage digital media monitoring, archiving, and dissemination systems.

B. Participate in formulating and implementing a communications and outreach strategy to support the project's visibility, with a strong focus on quality written materials.

1. Analysis of requirements, synthesis of proposals, and provision of information by conducting communications needs assessments for the elaboration of the project communications and outreach strategy based on the corporate communications strategy and under the guidance of the project manager;
2. Drafting/editing of communications and outreach strategy based on corporate communications strategy;
3. Assisting in the preparation of project communication and advocacy instruments, including presentations and briefing material for dissemination to different audiences as needed under the project manager. These include monthly bulletins, a brochure on the project's overall implementation strategy and results, updated information leaflets for the project, etc.
4. Synthesis of proposals for project formulations to integrate advocacy and communication strategies into all aspects of the UNDP GEF project. 

C. Elaboration and implementation of the project publications strategy and plan. 

1. Outline the project publications' objectives, target audience, key messages, and distribution channels.
2. Identify the types of publications needed (e.g., reports, case studies, newsletters, articles).
3. Set timelines and milestones for the creation and dissemination of each publication.
4. Draft, edit, and finalize content for all publications, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and alignment with project goals.
5. Incorporate feedback from stakeholders and subject matter experts to refine the content.
6. Design and format publications to ensure they are visually appealing and professionally presented.
7. Coordinate with project team members, external partners, and graphic designers to gather necessary information and resources for publications.
8. Schedule regular meetings to review progress, address challenges, and ensure alignment with the publications strategy.
9. Ensure all publications adhere to branding guidelines and communication standards.
10. Identify and utilize appropriate distribution channels, including the UNDP website, social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn), and email newsletters.
11. Organize launch events or webinars to promote key publications and engage with stakeholders.
12. Track the reach and impact of publications through analytics and feedback mechanisms.
13. Establish metrics and evaluation criteria to assess the effectiveness of the publications strategy.
14. Collect and analyse publication reach, audience engagement, and feedback data to inform future improvements.
15. Prepare periodic reports summarizing the outcomes and impact of the publications strategy and present findings to the project management team.

D. Support project events to boost visibility and business development.

1. Identification and development of storylines for publications and substantive articles contributing to debates on key development issues;
2. Coordinate and manage project events, publications, and web activities, including content management, norms for photography, video production, publishing, and design, and liaison with printers and other suppliers to oversee production and supervise publication dissemination.
3. Design and maintenance of the project online folders based on corporate requirements in cooperation with the ICT team and relevant staff members;
4. Generating, preparing, and editing content for the websites to ensure consistency and up-to-datedness.

E. Knowledge building and knowledge sharing for project staff and UNDP CO Team.

1. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to project goals and activities;
2. Contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice, including project communications repositories.
3. Provision of training for project staff on communications for development.
4. Professional growth through active learning.
5. Maintain a good working relationship with the UNDP Country Team and contribute to joint initiatives as required.

F. Manage digital media monitoring, archiving, and dissemination systems.

1. Identify storylines for publications and articles that contribute to debates on key project implementation issues and address problematic coverage.
2. Technical supervision of translation/adaptation/rewriting of information received and dissemination of press clippings and translated synopses to the project.
3. Maintaining and populating organized and searchable digital databases for text and images.
4. Compiling specialized media coverage press packages for projects/events as deemed necessary and planning dissemination to strategic target audiences.
5. Preparation and dissemination of project newsletter to donors and other relevant partners to support projects.
6. Dissemination of communication materials and media mobilization through a regularly updated and populated contact database.
7. Timely and effective responses to inquiries to media as well as for public information materials.
8. Acting as a focal point for organizing and implementing important events such as inaugurations and global information campaigns (UN Day, World Environment Day, UN Biodiversity Day etc.).

Institutional Arrangement

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the project manager, the Communications Officer will implement the project communications strategy, as well as provide inputs to the design, management, and implementation of the project communications and publication strategies, which are geared to influence the implementation activities, promote public and media outreach. Project Communication Officer\ will be the partnership focal point of the project, which will include coordination and tracking of all partnerships in the national as well as target municipalities.

The Communications Officer will maintain a regular working relationship with the UNDP CO Communications Focal Points. The Communications Officer should work in close collaboration with the project staff based in Dili and in all target Municipalities, including UN Agencies, UNDP Communications Region and HQ staff, government officials, international and local media, subject matter experts, donors, and civil society, to ensure the successful implementation of the project communication strategy.

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Communications Development, Media Relations, Journalism, Publishing or related field is required, or 

• Proficiency in using word processing software (e.g., Microsoft Word, Google Docs).
• Ability to use grammar and style-checking tools.
• Experience with collaborative writing platforms (e.g., SharePoint, Dropbox Paper).
• Skilled in using citation and referencing tools.
• Proficiency in strategic planning tools and methodologies (e.g., SWOT analysis, PEST analysis).
• Proficiency in presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint, Prezi).
• Skilled in using video production tools (e.g., cameras, lighting equipment, microphones).
• Skilled in adapting presentations to different audience needs and contexts.
• Ability to create visually appealing materials such as infographics, brochures, and social media graphics.
• Understanding of design principles and visual communication.
• Experience in collaborating with graphic designers for high-quality outputs.

• Fluency in English and Tetum is required. 
• Knowledge of Portuguese and Bahasa Indonesia is desirable.