Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

  • Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
  • Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
  • Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
  • Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

BACKGROUND

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. The Bureau for Management Services (BMS) is based in UNDP Headquarters, New York, and with outposted locations across multiple country locations, regional hubs, and global shared service centers. 

BMS wants to put forth a long-term vision to create a world in which digital and social media platforms serve as an empowering force for UNDP’s stakeholders. This vision describes how BMS can support UNDP’s digital presence by amplifying development through embedding digital platform across BMS programmes and projects. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSABILITIES

Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Chief, Services Division, the Media Communication Specialist supports BMS in its day-to-day role as the corporate custodian of information and will specifically focus on providing advise related to internal and external communication to showcase UNDP’s operational blueprint, help with further development of microsite for the Operational Blue print and develop a regular newsletter to promote BMS work and advancement of initiatives. The incumbent will support BMS in nurturing strategic relationships and alliances essential to achieving the bureau’s mission as well as support the update and enhancement of the UNDP BMS intranet and internet presence to effectively showcase who we are and what we do. 

Key responsibilities include:

Design and implement the BMS Communication Strategy:

  • Draft a communication strategy for approval.
  • Provide advise on internal and external communication to showcase UNDP operational blueprint.
  • Promote the further development of microsite for the Operational Blue print.
  • Develop a regular newsletter to promote BMS work and advancement of initiatives.
  • Build strong relationships inside BMS and with partners to ensure appropriate product oversight and organizational buy in required for the product vision to be realized.
  • Support the creation of social media accounts for new products and services to ensure coherence and deliverability.
  • Provides strategic input in the conceptualization and implementation of BMS strategy for advocacy and positioning of UNDP, including coordinating and generating partnerships and collaboration and support for branding and marketing campaigns with multiple target audiences.

Lead multi-channel thought leadership campaigns and media:

  • Promote BMS work, vision and perspectives globally and in the regions with special attention on results and impact through media outreach, using new types of media and communication tools as appropriate;
  • Act as the lead communications focal point on operational visits and engagements by the Bureau Director, including drafting communications plans, overseeing communications preparations, to include editing, fact checking and quality control.
  • Preparing high quality talking points, speeches, press statements, and other written materials.
  • Promote, advocate and raise awareness around BMS activities, results, flagship initiatives through a variety of communication vehicles.
  • Enhance understanding and knowledge of UNDP stakeholders on development issues through substantive training sessions using BMS reports and data.

Marketing BMS globally:

  • Implement and manage the strategic growth of BMS global audiences through all social media platforms.
  • Develop, implement and evaluate social media plans for major communication projects and campaigns;
  • Produce unique, compelling and engaging social content for use on BMS’s social networks with the aim to build and engage its online communities.
  • Seek opportunities and partnerships to promote BMS and its priorities through social media; including development of partnerships with influencers who share UNDP’s values and drive paid advertising campaigns across social media.
  • Optimises BMS’s social media ecosystem by gathering and analyzing digital intelligence to drive insights and suggestions for its social media and digital platforms. 
  • Produces regular reports, analysis on social media activities and traffic to provide insights and recommendations;

Facilitate capacity-building, knowledge-sharing and quality control in:

  • Work closely with other BMS Units to support their agreed strategic communications objectives, offering mentoring and advice when needed.
  • Provide guidance, coaching and mentoring  other communication personnel.
  • Provide or facilitate communications training as needed.
  • Provide training to BMS personnel and introduce new, cost-effective digital technologies for the more rapid collection and dissemination of multimedia materials.
  • Ensure quality control over BMS publications, including compliance with UNDP Communication toolkit and corporate branding toolkits;
  • Continuously review work produced by Communication personnel and ensure it is of the highest standards of UNDP.

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

Institutional Arrangement

The Media Communication Specialist will work under day-to-day guidance and supervision of the Chief, Services Division. The incumbent will be responsible for the fulfilment of the duties and responsibilities as specified above. 

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 in the dedicated site. 

CROSS-FUNCTIONAL & TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

Business Management

  • Working with Evidence and Data : Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making
  • Digital Awareness and Literacy: Ability to monitor new and emerging technologies, as well as understand their usage, potential, limitations, impact, and added value. Ability to rapidly and readily adopt and use new technologies in professional activities, and to empower others to use them as needed. Knowledge of the usage of digital technologies and emerging trends
  • Customer Satisfaction/Client Management: Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns
  • Communication: 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

Business Direction & Strategy

  • System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Communications

  • Product management: Ability to manage digital products through their entire life cycle.
  • Writing and editing: Ability to create and/or edit written content in different UN languages.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

  • Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Communications, Journalism, Information Management, Digital Social Media, Public Relations, Graphic Design or a related discipline is required OR
  • A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in one of these fields  in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master´s degree.
  • Professional certifications related to web and content management, digital collaboration, data/content/process visualization software/tools, desirable.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:

  • Minimum 7 years (with Master’s degree) or 9 years (with a Bachelor’s degree) of progressive working experience in social media management at the national or international level is required.
  • Experience using web and online management systems is required.
  • Experience using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, MS Teams, OneDrive, Co-pilot) and Adobe Acrobat is required
  • Photo editing and graphic/multimedia design experience is required.
  • Experience with UN/UNDP corporate policies/procedures.
  • Previous experience working in a multilateral or international organization with a multi-cultural environment and multiple stakeholders.
  • Experience in media engagement, digital communication and social media.
  • Prior experience and knowledge on development cooperation and the United Nations/multilateral organizations.
  • Demonstrated experience forging partnerships with the creative sector, including for international advocacy events and initiatives.

Language Requirements:

  • Fluency in English is required
  • Working knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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