Communications Officer

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. 

Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent an unprecedented leap forward in the fight against poverty and inequalities, as well as in the struggle for environmental sustainability. The SDGs embody a universal, inclusive and transformative vision of development, which calls upon all Member States to ensure a life of dignity for all, leaving no-one behind. 

UNDP Azerbaijan in line with the UNDP Strategic Plan's (2022-2025) vision help countries achieve sustainable development by eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, is accelerating structural transformations for sustainable development, and building resilience to crises and shocks.

UNDP’s work focuses on poverty reduction, social protection, good governance, climate change and disaster management, as well as economic development. UNDP provides support to governments to integrate the sustainable development goals into their national development plans and policies.
 

Under the guidance and direct supervision and day-to-day management of the Deputy Resident Representative, the Communications Officer supports the formulation and implementation of the communication and advocacy strategies tightly linked to the programmatic priorities, helping position the Country Office as a leader in development solutions in ways that boost demand for various service lines and increase overall funding opportunities.

The Communications Officer increases the standing and awareness of UNDP with partners, the media and the public and promotes a client-oriented approach in UNDP.

S/he works in close collaboration with the Programme and Operations teams in the Country Office, staff of other UN Agencies, UNDP Communications Group staff (Regional Communications Adviser and HQ), Government officials, national and international media, multilateral and bilateral donors and civil society.

• Implement Internal/External Communication Strategies and Outreach:
  • Prepare and conduct communications needs assessments for the country office (projects, country programme, corporate change initiatives);
  • Draft and edit the country office communications and outreach strategy based on country office strategic priorities and the UNDP External Communications Action Plan;
  • Provide communication input during project and programme formulation to integrate communication strategies into UNDP’s development program;
  • Maintain increased coverage and understanding of UNDP’s work in the country or practice area through media stories, in line with the UNDP External Communications Action Plan.

• Implement Strategic Communication and Political Sensitivity Management
  • Provide guidance and recommendations to senior management on sensitive communication matters, ensuring alignment with organizational values and the external political context;
  • Identify and mitigate risks associated with public statements, press releases, and other external communications, particularly those with political implications;
  • Develop and implement communication strategies to manage potential crises and sensitive situations, ensuring transparency while safeguarding UNDP’s reputation;
  • Act as a focal point for sensitive communication-related queries, coordinating with the CO senior leadership for timely decision-making;
  • Ensure that all communications reflect a nuanced understanding of political and social dynamics, tailoring messages for diverse stakeholder groups, including government officials, civil society, and international organizations;
  • Facilitate dialogue with stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and maintain trust in politically sensitive environments;
  • Monitor media and political developments that could impact UNDP’s communication strategies, preparing timely updates and recommendations for the Country Office;
  • Evaluate the impact of strategic communications to inform future messaging and adapt to evolving political and social contexts.

• Implement the Country Office Publications Strategy:
  • Identify and develop storylines for publications, drafting articles that generate discussions on key development issues;
  • Coordinate and manage country office publication activities, ensuring content management aligns with corporate guidelines;
  • Liaise with journalists and maintain a database of contacts.

• Provide Technical Support to Digital Communications:
  • Support the implementation of the country office’s digital communication strategy;
  • Generate content for the website and social media platforms, ensuring consistency and maximizing outreach.

• Implement UNDP Campaign Initiatives:
  • Promote and maintain public information campaigns on UNDP activities;
  • Collaborate with programme staff to collect and package information for donor reviews, supporting campaign and advocacy initiatives;
  • Organize stakeholder engagement events like roundtable discussions, press conferences, and interviews;
  • Support the “One UN” agenda in line with UNDP’s Campaign and Advocacy efforts;
  • Ensure journalists have access to subject-matter experts and UNDP spokespeople, providing newsworthy information.

• Facilitate in leading Knowledge Management and Dissemination:
  • Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned relevant to programme goals and activities;
  • Contribute to knowledge networks and corporate communications repositories;
  • Provide training, consultancy, and advice to UNDP staff on knowledge management;
  • Maintain the UNDP Intranet for internal knowledge sharing and ensure relevant knowledge products are accessible to external stakeholders via the corporate website;
  • Collaborate with Programme teams to ensure all knowledge products are captured, updated, and readily available.
     

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 Communications Officer will report to the Deputy Resident Representative.

• Achieve Results:            
  • LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work.
• Think Innovatively:        
  • LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking.
• Learn Continuously:     
  • LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning.
• Adapt with Agility:         
  • LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process.
• Act with Determination:             
  • LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously.
• Engage and Partner:     
  • LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion:              
  • LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making.

• Communication:
  • 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.
• Partnerships Management:
  • Ability to build and maintain partnerships wth wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with the UNDP strategy and policies.
• Graphic Design:
  • Ability to communicate visually and create appealing UNDP graphic products.
• Media Relations:
  • Ability to develop media relations across all aspects of media work including relationships with media and preparing media materials such as messages.
• Advocacy strategy and Implementation:
  • Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change.
• Social Media Management:
  • Ability to represent and promote the UNDP brand in virtual communities and networks.
• Writing and Editing:
  • Ability to create and/or edit written content in different UN languages.