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Private Sector Partnership and Communications Specialist

Bangkok

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Bangkok
  • Grade: Mid level - IPSA-10, International Personnel Services Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Communication and Public Information
    • Sustainable trade and development
    • External Relations, Partnerships and Resource mobilization
    • Public, Private Partnership
  • Closing Date: 2025-01-29

Background
 
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
 
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
 
The Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific serves as the headquarters for UNDP regional programme and country programmes in 24 country offices in the region. The Bureau proactively engages with internal teams and external partners and stakeholders to facilitate and position UNDP as a partner of choice for development in the region and facilitate the work of UNDP across Asia and the Pacific region. The Bureau is seeking a Private Sector Account Management and Communications Specialist to support UNDP’s Regional Private Sector Partnerships unit to expand the engagements with private sector and philanthropies under its growing body of work for Partnerships and Resource Mobilization in the region.  

UNDP works with key private partners in the region to drive economies and make growth inclusive through investments and business creation, innovation and knowledge transfer, thus providing people with livelihoods and furnishing the means to lift them out of poverty. Home to the world’s largest workforce, Asia Pacific region UNDP leverages private sector investments by de-risking and strengthening the linkages between resources and communities, aimed at aligning the business practices to sustainable strategies and investing in projects. 

The regional private sector partnership unit is responsible for accelerating new partnerships pathways for working with private sector, philanthropy, and foundations by providing strategic direction, support and guidance for business development, resource mobilization, and account management. The private sector partnership unit also serves as the lead for guiding Country Offices and Regional Project and Programme teams on Due Diligence and Risk Management, Private Sector partnership tools and POPP policies, and proactively establishing new partnership outreach opportunities for the region.  

 
Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent reports to the Regional Private Sector Partnership Specialist and works under the overall guidance of the Regional Communications Specialist and the Regional Private Sector Partnership Specialist. She/He will work closely with the Partnership and Communication team in the region and Country Offices. She/He will also collaborate with cross function team, GPN, COSQA and support in the overall vision of External Relations and Partnerships.  

The UNDP Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific has expanded its collaboration with philanthropy and corporate foundations to support regional and country office initiatives. To support the growing body of work with partners and donors on Circular Economy and Plastic Waste Management, Youth Empowerment, Governance, Climate Change and Resilience, SDG Financing and Gender, the Partnership and Communication Specialist will be responsible to elevate the existing collaborations and support the ambition of scaling up wherever possible for regional and country level partnerships. 

This position is based in the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, under the Directorate, with the Regional Partnerships and Communications team. The incumbent reports to the Regional Private Sector Partnership Specialist and works under the guidance of the RBAP Private Sector and Communications Specialist to support new partner development and management of the strategic regional partnerships and supports the communications team on implementing the objectives of the communications strategy. 

The Private Sector Partnership and Communication Specialist will be responsible for day-to-day engagement with the partner, country offices, project teams for managing existing partnership and proactively identifying new opportunities aligned with UNDP’s PS Partnership Strategy. She/He will also work closely with Country Office private sector teams to support the development of new national and multi-country partnerships with corporate foundations and philanthropy on Circular Economy, Health, Climate, Youth and Governance. On the Communications front, the Partnerships and Communications Specialist will be responsible for designing and executing communication strategies and plans that align with and support the regional hub's initiatives. This includes identifying key communication objectives, building media relation, ensuring that all communications content is aligned with UNDP’s strategic priorities. The specialist will work closely with country offices to ensure that communication activities are integrated into the execution of regional hubs’ strategies and priorities.

The key duties include:

  • Manage the regional partnerships with partners and donors through effective guidance on risk assessment, partnership management, development of new tools to support the team for developing strategic long-term collaborations with the private sector.
  • Identify and establish new regional partnership with private sector, foundations, and philanthropy on regional thematic priorities aligned with the RPD.
  • Lead donor relations of select strategic multi country regional initiatives and provide ways of growing the collaboration with the partner. 
  • Establish the new business opportunities through partner mapping, meetings with new strategic private sector partners and supporting in development of case for support.  
  • Lead and support the development of communication products aimed at strengthening partnerships.
  • Co-lead the implementation of new communication initiatives.
  • Advance outreach with UN partners and media outlets 
  • Develop knowledge sharing on new partnerships, communication campaigns with country offices.
  • Assist in advocacy and outreach and communications work; and supports the creation of multimedia content. 
  • Work with country offices on the KPIs and serves as a liaison link between BRH and country office communications officers. 
  • Lead the development and implementation of communications plans and strategies. 
  • As a key member of the private sector unit, contribute to the regional private sector partnership goals and annual workplan by supporting the development of the regional private sector resource mobilization strategy.
  • Lead the Regional Private Sector Partnership Secretariat for Due Diligence and Risk Assessment providing quality assurance, guidance to the regional and Country Office teams, and supporting the Regional and Country Office Risk Committee. 
  • 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 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

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Business Management            

  • Partnership management - Build and maintain partnerships with wide network of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies 

Partnership Management      

  • Private Sector engagement - Ability to identify, conduct research, and manage relationships with private sector 
  • Private Sector Resource Mobilization - Ability to identify, develop and manage partnerships that leverage private sector technical expertise and resources.

 Communications       

  • Media relations - Ability to develop media relations across all aspects of media work including relationships with media and preparing media materials such as messages 
  • Multimedia writing/editing - Ability to create and/or edit written content for multimedia 
  • Advocacy strategy and implementation - Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change 

 Business Direction & Strategy          

  • Systems 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
Required Skills and Experience
 
Education:
  • Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Marketing, Public Policy, Development, Communications or related fields is required, or
  • A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master’s degree.
Experience:
  • Minimum 5 years (with Master’s degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of experience in Partnership Development/Communication/Fundraising/External Relations/Media Relations.
  • At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in partnership development, resource mobilization and donor management.
  • At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in communication. 
  • Experience of partnership and communication in the Asia Pacific region is required. 
  • Experience with report writing, preparing presentations, proposals and communications strategies
  • Experience in developing communications content and media relations.
  • Experience in developing multi stakeholder partnerships and resource mobilization.
  • Proficiency in Excel, Microsoft Word, analytical and communications applications to create slides and infographics
  • Professional experience in engaging in partnerships with the private sector, philanthropy, donors and media outlets.
  • Experience of working with UN/UNDP will be preferred. 
  • Working knowledge of UNDP’s development priorities in the Asia Pacific Region 
  • Experience in independently managing strategic private sector or foundation partners for large scale engagement
  • Experience in regional communications and developing regional communications strategies and regional content 

Required Language:

  • Fluency in English is required.
Disclaimer

 

 
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

 
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

 
Applicant information about UNDP rosters

 
Note: 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.

 
Non-discrimination

 
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

 
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. 

 
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