Communications Specialist

UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results. In Sudan, UNDP supports a broad range of development interventions. At present, this focuses on support for Sudan’s transition, coupled with efforts on peacebuilding and stabilization, climate-resilience and access to energy, and broader health and economic improvement. Learn more about our impact in 2019.
With dedicated support from donor nations, the international community, and national and international partners, UNDP works in Sudan to deliver on our promise to empower resilient nations.
Serving as the main development integrator in Sudan, UNDP supports SDG-focused strategic capacity development initiatives nationwide, focusing on: inclusive socioeconomic transformation and revival; restoring governance through inclusive and accountable institutions; sustaining and consolidating local peacebuilding; and investing in a new Green Deal through renewable energy and climate resilience efforts.
Through our active partnerships with national and international entities, UNDP strives to eliminate poverty, enable recovery, and ensure effective management of natural resources, and advance peace and social cohesion.

Achieving this will require investment in stabilization and resilience strengthening at all levels of society, in tandem with humanitarian assistance. For more details of UNDP work in Sudan please visit https://www.sd.undp.org/.

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme has advanced over 42 years, expanding its mandate to mobilize volunteers for peacebuilding, humanitarian aid, and sustainable development. With a unique global role to promote volunteerism, UNV enables individuals to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 17, fostering collective action across all goals.

As the lead United Nations agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries develop policies, leadership skills, partnerships and institutional capabilities to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is centred around six core development areas, known as our signature solutions: poverty and inequality, governance, resilience, environment, energy and gender equality.


This position is established in partnership with UNDP. The volunteer will dedicate 50% of their time to supporting UNDP and 50% to UNV. The role involves supporting communications on the work and mandate of UNDP, strengthening volunteer mobilization, advocating for civic engagement, and advancing sustainable development practices in alignment with national and global goals.

Since 1996, the UNV Field Unit in Sudan has worked with UN agencies and partners to integrate volunteers into national efforts, enabling impactful development initiatives and fostering pathways for volunteers to grow into substantive roles. Volunteerism remains central to addressing global challenges and achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Within the delegated authority and under the direct supervision of the Head of Communication Unit, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) the Communication Specialist will:

• Design and develop communication tools and materials to effectively promote the mandate of UNDP
• Support the work of the UNDP Sudan communications team, including the research and creation of stories and communications materials, media liaison, communications field trips, content for the website and other online platforms, video and photo editing, communications planning and event management, as well as procurement and other logistics for communications activities.
• Produce engaging communication materials, including visuals such as flyers, leaflets, newsletters, short videos, photos, impact stories, infographics, and testimonials that highlight the contributions and achievements of UNDP
• Ensure updated documentation and communication on UNDP activities and contributions are available, accessible, and widely disseminated
• Draft high-quality materials for presentations, press releases, speeches, talking points, and concept notes, with a focus on mobilizing mandate of UNDP;
• Create and process various correspondence and communication materials to strengthen partnerships and inspire new engagements;
• Support the organization of events and outreach activities, such as UNDP partner and media events conferences and programmes ceremonies, including logistical arrangements, background documents, and meeting minutes/reports;
• Develop and maintain an updated contact list of stakeholders, and partners to facilitate outreach and collaboration;
• Translate correspondences, articles, and posts between Arabic and English to ensure effective communication with diverse audiences;
• Produce compelling articles and write-ups on and the work and mandate of UNDP as well as success stories, and partnerships for UNDP publications, websites, newsletters, and media outlets;
• Foster collaboration with local organizations and stakeholders to create more opportunities for volunteer engagement and recognition;
• Contribute to the implementation of UNDP Regional Office Communication Plan.
• Perform any other task as requested to promote sustainable development and the work and mandate of UNDP


Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.