Job Description

Please note the appropriate Tier indicated in the vacancy title and ensure that you are holding the applicable contract as defined below:

• Tier 1: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates)  
• Tier 2: Staff holding UNDP temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts and Expert and Specialist UNVs with host entity UNDP
• Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Background

UNDP has been working in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development. Together with the Government of India and development partners, we have worked towards eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities, strengthening local governance, enhancing community resilience, protecting the environment, supporting policy initiatives and institutional reforms, and accelerating sustainable development for all. 

With projects and programmes in every state and union territory in India, UNDP works with national and subnational government, and diverse development actors to deliver people-centric results, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. As the integrator for collective action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the UN system, we are committed to supporting the Government of India’s national development vision and priorities and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet. 

UNDP India’s new Country Programme (2023-2027) builds on our prior work and aims to provide an integrated approach to development solutions in three strategic portfolios: 

• Strong, accountable and evidence-led institutions for accelerated achievement of the SDGs.
• Enhanced economic opportunities and social protection to reduce inequality, with a focus on the marginalized.
• Climate-smart solutions, sustainable ecosystems and resilient development for reduced vulnerability.

South-South cooperation, gender equality and social inclusion are promoted across the pillars. The programme is supported by a framework of renewed partnerships and blended finance solutions, strategic innovation and data and digital architecture.

You are invited to join a team of future-smart development professionals to support India in achieving the national and globally agreed goals. As part of the UNDP team, your focus will be to work with diverse stakeholders to find country-specific solutions that lead to sustainable development and reach those furthest behind first.

Office/Unit/Project Description 

The Action for Climate and Environment (ACE) Unit at UNDP is organized around the thematic areas of climate change adaptation and mitigation, natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem & land restoration, disaster management and resilience, access to clean and efficient energy and circular economy and chemicals management

This position is based on the Circular Economy team of the ACE unit. The programme is designed to minimize negative impacts and risks to environment and to human health in India, by enhancing sustainable Plastic Waste Management practices, through a socio-technical model (segregation/collection/ recycling) while ensuring compliance with regulations, to improve use of resources and in line with Swachh Bharat Mission in India; in this project the waste pickers (Safai Mitras) will be institutionalized with respective governance mechanisms and attain improved social conditions. Project’s targets at the end of the period are, to responsibly source 8000 MTs of plastic waste and to provide social protection linkages for 25,000 plus Safai Mitras.

To achieve the project objective and outcomes, the project is structured in 4 components:

Component 1 aims to develop support and implement an economically sustainable model (ESM) for packaging plastic waste management. This component focuses on developing and implementing the model at 50 selected cities in different States. It also entails support and active involvement of key stakeholders relevant to plastic waste management in urban areas in India for a holistic approach in convergence with the existing mechanisms and resources. This will also include an analysis of present regulatory mechanisms and practices followed, subject to relevance to ‘plastic waste’ in specific and current resources and technologies available as well as for creating an enabling environment and covering under their umbrella the various kinds of plastic waste, including plastic bottles.

Component 2 focuses on design and implementation of Pilots in City Units (Swachhta Kendras) for improved plastic waste management, in the administrative wards of selected 50 cities. Socio-technical approach is to be applied to combine improved technological development in handling, with the social aspects of waste collection and segregation. This component represents the core development of the project, from its results; projections will be developed towards implementation in the entire country.

Component 3 is directed mainly to design, sustain, and provide elements to institutionalize Swachhta Kendra in governance bodies and to obtain improved socio-economic conditions for waste pickers. This is to be achieved by incorporating the plastic waste management model, and its main stakeholder’s presence and importance, into urban local bodies at city, state, and national levels; by obtaining Safai Mitras’ activities recognition as a service to society, with the corresponding starting up of their mainstreaming; and by fostering and strengthening self-help groups for Safai Mitra living improvements of their way of life.

Component 4 is aimed at developing knowledge management, monitoring, and communication mechanisms, which will be based on an in-built adaptive feedback system from project results at various stages throughout the entire duration. Adequate governance mechanisms will be established to ensure the right development of the project and target fulfilment.

Communications and Partnerships Unit 

Situated at the heart of UNDP's operations in India, the Communications and Partnerships unit is tasked with the crucial job of crafting compelling narratives, promoting thought leadership and showcasing UNDP’s transformative work and support to the Government and the people of India. It employs a variety of modern communication tools and strategies, including digital media, public and media relations, and content creation, to engage stakeholders and build public awareness about the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Additionally, the unit actively seeks and nurtures strategic partnerships with the private sector, IFIs, media and development agencies. These collaborations are essential for mobilizing resources, sharing knowledge, and scaling successful practices that drive social and economic progress.

Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting To: Head of Communications and Strategic Partnerships, UNDP India and Project Specialist – Circular Economy Portfolio, UNDP India.

The Communications Associate will be responsible for leading internal and external communication, visibility, and knowledge dissemination for UNDP India’s Circular Economy portfolio under the Action for Climate and Environment (ACE) unit and leading the design and branding efforts of the core communications and partnerships unit. The role will support programme positioning through communications, advocacy and outreach, event management, designing and branding, partner engagement and visibility and stakeholder outreach in alignment with UNDP India’s corporate Communications and Partnerships strategy.

S/he will develop and implement a communications strategy for the Circular Economy portfolio, support outreach and visibility efforts for initiatives such as the NAMASTE programme under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), and contribute to communications for private sector collaborations. The role involves content planning, knowledge management, media outreach, and coordination with vendors and state teams. The role includes working with the core comms and partnerships unit to support design, branding and events for assignments supported by the team. 

The Communications Associate will work closely with the Communications Analyst – ACE unit, and under the guidance of the Head of Communications and Partnerships, ensuring that all activities are aligned with the broader communications goals of UNDP India.

The specific tasks for the assignment include:

Strategic Communication and Advocacy

• Develop and implement a communication strategy for the Circular Economy portfolio aligned with corporate guidelines.
• Conduct communication needs assessments with programme and state teams and integrate into annual work plans.
• Embed advocacy and visibility into programme planning from design to implementation.
• Draft communication materials highlighting objectives, progress, and impact for multiple audiences.
• Support cross-learning within the project team and stakeholders by synthesizing insights, lessons, and best practices into communication resources.

Donor and Partner Visibility

• Ensure storytelling and visibility efforts with private sector partners (e.g., HUL, Coca-Cola Foundation).
• Develop donor-focused products such as case studies, success stories, campaign content, and briefing notes.
• Contribute to proposals, pitch presentations, and donor engagement materials.
• Maintain donor visibility trackers and compile visibility reports for partners, ensuring deliverables are consistently documented and shared.

Programme and Government Communications

• Anchor communications for the NAMASTE programme under MoSJE, Montreal Protocol Programmes with Ozone Cell and E-waste programme with MEITY and MoEFCC.
• Coordinate with national and state government partners to align with official communication protocols.
• Support joint campaigns and communication initiatives driving awareness and behaviour change.

Content Creation, Media, and Knowledge Management

• Ensure development of social media content, videos, case stories, videos, newsletters, IEC materials, and multimedia tools.
• Ensure content reflects field-level realities, tailored to specific audiences, and consistent with UNDP branding.
• Manage creative agencies and vendors, ensuring quality and timely delivery; oversee procurement, contracts, timelines, and quality assurance of outputs.
• Track outputs, maintain donor visibility trackers, and compile communication summaries and reports.
• Capture lessons learned, best practices, and programme insights for knowledge sharing.
• Support media outreach including interviews, op-eds, features, and partnerships.

Lead Design, Branding, Advocacy, and Events (Core CO & Partnerships)

• Design flagship Project and CO products such as the Annual Report, brochures, and programme briefs.
• Develop social media creatives, GIFs, and other digital assets.
• Provide design and communication support for advocacy events, campaigns, and partnership-led initiatives.
• Strengthen branding across platforms and ensure coherence with UNDP’s visual identity.
• Build team and partner capacity on communication tools, digital outreach, and brand compliance.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies

Core competencies

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Business Management           

• Communications:
  • Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience
  • Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels
  • Digital Strategy - Ability to plan the use of resources through digital channels to reach and engage target audiences effectively and to achieve objectives
  • Media Relations - Ability to develop media relations across all aspects of media work including relationships with media and preparing media materials 
• Project Management - Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

Digital & Innovation   

• Data analysis - Ability to extract, analyze, and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision making

2030 Agenda  

• Planet - Environment: Environmental and social impact assessments, including data collection and analysis

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary education is required. OR 
• A university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in Communications or equivalent field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.
• Minimum of 7 years (with secondary education) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in development projects or with international development agencies.

Experience:

Required skills 

• Experience in leading communications in the development sector or corporate communications
• Must have ability to write clearly and concisely, and have sound quantitative skills (managing, analyzing and interpreting data).
• Expertise in developing audio-visual communication products including proficiency in video production for social media content design key messages. (e.g. reels, shorts, social media videos).

Desired skills 

• Experience in internal and external communication, including strategy development, campaign design, storytelling, social media and donor communications. 
• Experience in leading designing and branding of key communication products and leading end to end event management for high-profile events with government, private sector and the UN. 
• Prior work experience in the UN or international organizations related to projects in the field of communications.

Required Languages

• Fluency in English and Hindi is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

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 alert

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