Background

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.
UNDP’s Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (PAPP) derives its mandate from United Nations General Assembly Resolution 33/147 of 20 December 1978. Called upon by United Nations Member States in that year, UNDP was requested “to improve the economic and social conditions of the Palestinian people by identifying their social and economic needs and by establishing concrete projects to that end”.
UNDP’s Palestinian Programmatic Framework (PPF) 2023-2025 sets out a vision of “a world in which all Palestinians can enjoy a dignified life and fulfil their own vision of a unified, peaceful and free society”. The PPF is cantered around the concept of “Transformative Resilience” and its three elements: a cohesive Palestinian identity, self-reliance, and ownership and leadership.

Over the next three years, UNDP/PAPP will build on its experiences and achievements to make critical contributions to the priorities defined by the Palestinian national development plans and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), through interventions in three programmatic priority areas: i) democratic governance and quality services; ii) inclusive economic opportunities; iii) sustainable natural resources management.

Against the backdrop of the war and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, UNDP/PAPP has developed an integrated emergency response and early recovery programme to address the urgent needs of the Palestinian people. Since October 2023, UNDP/PAPP has been working closely with UN, NGO, local and national partners to provide immediate support the affected population in Gaza across three priorities: 1) critical services and infrastructure, including access to clean water, solid waste management, dignified transitional shelter, and debris removal; 2) emergency employment and support to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs); and 3) support to civil society organisations (CSOs) for multi-sectoral community services and social cohesion.
The Communications Unit at UNDP/PAPP provides communications support to the projects and programmes implemented by UNDP in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), as well as conceives the most effective communication approaches to shape the narrative of UNDP/PAPP locally, regionally, and internationally. In
addition, the Unit employs innovative media and communications strategies to inform relevant stakeholders about UNDP's work in the oPt and to advocate for inclusive and gender-sensitive human rights in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Unit's communications interventions guide UNDP/PAPP's resource mobilization and partnership apparatus based on facts while emphasizing the human element of support for the Palestinian people in the oPt.

As a key communication tool for the effective promotion of UNDP/PAPP and the achievement of its communications objectives, as outlined in PAPP Communications Strategy, the Communications Unit relies on the production of innovative digital content (written, audio, and visual) to be disseminated on various platforms, including offline and online platforms, in order to inform and inspire diverse stakeholders of UNDP's interventions in the oPt.

Under the Guidance of the Special Representative of the Administrator and direct supervision of Head of Communication Unit and in matrix with the Head of the UNDP Gaza Office,, the incumbent will support the implementation of UNDP/PAPP communication and outreach strategies, with a specific focus on Gaza-related components and activities, to increase the visibility and awareness of UNDP/PAPP’s response in Gaza and its early recovery efforts among partners, the media, and the public. The role will also contribute to positioning UNDP/PAPP as a leading development actor, in ways that strengthen demand for its service lines and expand partnership and resource mobilization opportunities. The communication associate promotes a client-oriented approach in UNDP and works in close collaboration with Programme and Operations staff, as well as the Business Solutions Service Centre.

Duties and Responsibilities

1)Support the implementation of PAPP communication and outreach strategies, with a specific focu on Gaza related components and activities.

• Support the development and implementation of communication plans for Gaza projects and programmes, ensuring alignment with UNDP/PAPP’s overall communication strategy.
• Collect and consolidate information from programme and project teams to support the development of communication and external outreach materials
• Coordinate with donor communication focal points to facilitate the review and clearance of project and programme communication materials, as per guidance from the Head of the Communications Unit.
• Contribute to the preparation of donor communication reports and progress updates, ensuring timely and accurate documentation of communication activities and visibility efforts.

2) Support the development of Gaza programmes and projects related publications, knowledge products, and content.

• Support the collection and organization of information, data, and success stories from programme and project teams to feed into publications, reports, web content and social media materials.
• Support the drafting and editing of content for publications, knowledge products, press releases, visibility materials, and digital platforms.
• Support the coordination of design, translation, and layout processes for publications, press releases, and digital content, ensuring compliance with UNDP branding and visibility guidelines.
• Support the uploading and organization of content on internal databases and digital archives, ensuring accuracy and accessibility.
• Support coordination with suppliers and vendors (e.g., designers, translators, printers, and LTA’s) in line with UNDP procedures and standards.

3) Maintain a digital communications database for Gaza-related audiovisual materials.

• Organize, catalogue, and regularly update audiovisual materials (photos, videos, infographics, and design assets) to ensure accuracy, accessibility, and version control.
• Ensure proper metadata, captions, and credits are recorded for all content, following UNDP communication standards.
• Coordinate with programme and field teams to collect new materials, verify content relevance, and support consistent archiving across all Gaza-related communication outputs.

4) Support Gaza-specific communication campaigns and advocacy initiatives to increase awareness of UNDP/PAPP’s work and impact, and to assist with media-related coordination and outreach.

• Under guidance of Head of Communication Unit, support the development and preparation of visibility materials for awareness-raising including briefing notes, press materials, and media kits.
• Assist in organizing media and stakeholders' events, including roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions and interviews:

5) Support the Communications Analyst in internal knowledge management and dissemination:

• Collect knowledge products from programmes and projects and archive them properly.
• Upload content on Internal database and website guided by the Communications Analyst.
• Work with suppliers/vendors as and when necessary.

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

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

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Education requirements

• High School Diploma OR
•  Bachelor's degree in communications, Media, Public relations, Journalism or a relevant field from a recognized academic institution

Min. years of relevant work experience

• A minimum of 6 years of progressive professional experience with High School Diploma or 3 years' experience with a Bachelor’s degree in the field of communications, media, public relations.

Required skills:

• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.).
• Experience in International or local large scale organization.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

• Strong understanding of strategic communications and outreach, particularly in humanitarian, early recovery, and development contexts.
•  Proven experience in developing and implementing communication and outreach plans for programmes and projects.
•  Demonstrated experience in drafting, editing, and coordinating publications, press releases, visibility materials, and digital content in both English and Arabic.
•  Proven experience in organizing and supporting communication campaigns and advocacy events, including joint UN initiatives and donor visibility activities. Demonstrated experience in managing media relations.

Required Language(s):

• Proficiency in English and Arabic languages (both written and oral)

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.

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