Communications Associate

Background

Mangroves are critical for coastal protection as they prevent coastal erosion and help to stabilize coastal land. Mangroves are critical nature-based solution to mitigate the impact of rising sea levels and storms and adapt to climate change. Coastal mangroves can adapt to sea level rise and storms surges by moving inland over time.  Suriname is home to 2 percent of the world’s total mangroves. In Suriname, mangrove forests cover 90 percent of the total coastline of 386 kms. The low-lying coastal region is also where majority of the population lives (i.e nearly 90 percent of the country’s population). In short, mangroves play a critical role in physical/geographical and socio-economic aspects of the country. 

UNDP has been a key development partner of the Surinamese Government and its people since 1994. UNDP continues to support Suriname through its three broad programmatic areas: Democratic Governance, Social Development, Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resource Management. The three programmatic areas are interlinked, integrating nature-based solutions, justice and social services with the engagement of stakeholders that are relevant to all three programmatic areas. 

UNDP in partnership with the European Union has been supporting Suriname in preservation and conservation of mangrove forests, especially through the two phases of the Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA+) programmes – phase one: from March 2016 to August 2019 and phase 2: 2020- 2023. In 2024, UNDP and EU launched a new initiative Protection, Restoration, and Sustainable Use of Mangrove Forest (PRSUMF) project (2024 to 2027). 

The PRSUMF project builds on the results achieved in strengthening mangrove protection and conservation by the GCCA+ programme. The PRSUMF project aims to support Suriname in building the resilience of target coastal communities through inclusive, gender-responsive coastal zone management, mangroves conservation, and sustainable use. The project aims to achieve this objective: 

1. By strengthening coordination, legal and strategic frameworks, for integrated coastal zone management, water management, coastal defense, and governance. 
2. By enhancing the meaningful participation of local communities in the co-management of mangroves and Multiple Use Management Areas (MUMAs) and 
3. Lastly, by increasing sustainable income generation with a focus on women and youth, from mangrove-based value chains such as honey, fisheries, and nature-tourism.

Through the above approach, the project aims to mitigate some of the impact of rising sea levels, and frequent flooding, and support the country’s population to adapt to climate change by playing a central role in sustainable mangrove protection and use and adopting sustainable economic activities.

The project will be implemented by a project management unit headed by a project manager.  The Communications Associate will be part of the project management unit 

Scope of Work: 

The Communications Associate will be responsible for implementing all communication and awareness activities related to the project. S/He will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, and the overall guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Suriname.  The Communications Associate will also work in close collaboration with the Technical Officer of the PRSUMF project

The Communication Associate will design and implement specific targeted public relations (PR) and media activities highlighting project activities, results and accomplishments, including produce related products, articles for social media distribution.

Key functions and responsibilities 

Key functions and responsibilities of the Communication Associate include: 

Formulate the Media/Communication and Visibility Plan:

• Update and finalize the Communication and Visibility Plan for PRSUMF project 
• Based on the Communication and Visibility and Communications Plan, develop a Media/Communication Action Plan and relevant budget in close collaboration with the Project Manager and Technical Officers
• Coordinate the creation of project’s branding and graphic design for communication and visibility, in line with UNDP and EU communication guidelines and requirements.

Implement Media/Communication and Visibility Plan: 

• Establish network of project stakeholders and media and maintain regular contact with and provide information to media on project activities and project progress
• Ensure and monitor visibility through the proper and correct use of logo’s during events, in photo-, audio, and video productions and on all publication materials, equipment, materials and goods financed by the project as agreed with donors
• Ensure that the project related information and communication materials are regularly updated on UNDP Suriname website, Facebook page, X and other social media platforms 
• Support the PRSUMF PMU in the organization and implementation of all project events and facilitate media coverage thereof
• Advise and assist Project Manager and other project staff on aspects related to awareness and stakeholder engagement; dialogues and other stakeholder awareness activities

Lead knowledge management and dissemination: 

• Plan and prepare publication of articles, human interest stories, quarterly newsletters, and project results
• Liaise with specific sector specialists and technical resource persons for the development of folders, brochures and presentations and other communication material on climate change, mangrove conservation, sustainable use of mangroves for economic development 

Support awareness and training activities of the project: 

• In collaboration with project team, prepare awareness material for different target groups including general public, children; target groups such as private sector/entrepreneurs and vulnerable communities
• Assist with developing training material in general and specifically for policy makers; coastal communities, entrepreneurs and media professionals.
• Enable the production of video records of project activities and results achieved, as well as provide support for script writing; editing and formatting allowing for multiple media applications of the raw footage that will be captured.

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 Associate will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager of the PRSUMF project and under the overall guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative/Head of Office and collaborate closely with the PRSUMF project team and all other CO units.

Competencies:                

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA

Minimum Education requirements              

• Secondary education is required, or 
• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, or Advertising will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.

Minimum years of relevant work experience       

• Minimum of 7 years (with high school diploma) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant communications experience preferably providing communication packages at the national level to promote the activities of an international development organization. 

Required skills            

• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of design tools and database packages.

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

• Experience in branding, producing and publishing information articles, audio and video productions for education and awareness purposes is desired. 
• Experience in Social Media Management and storytelling is desired.
• Experience with graphic design photography and/or videography is an asset. 

Required Language(s)            

• Fluency in Dutch is required and working knowledge in English is an asset.

All NPSA positions are subject to local recruitment.

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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