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Job Purpose and Organizational Context
The UNOSSC, hosted by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was established in 1974, to promote, coordinate and support South-South and triangular cooperation globally and within the United Nations system. The overarching goal of UNOSSC is to support Member States efforts to achieve the eradication of poverty in all its forms and to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment so as to achieve the 2030 Agenda through enhanced South-South cooperation, including triangular cooperation. UNOSSC is responsible for supporting intergovernmental political process in South-South and triangular cooperation and mainstreaming South-South and triangular cooperation across the UN system and assisting developing countries in strengthening their capacities to manage, design and implement South-South and triangular cooperation policies and initiatives through the identification, sharing, and transfer of successful Southern generated-development solutions.
The UNOSSC also supports Member States and other stakeholders in cultivating, building and consolidating strategic partnerships that are critical for advancing South-South and triangular cooperation for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other Internationally Agreed Sustainable Development Goals.
UNOSSC supports the United Nations development system and its partners at global, regional and national levels, to raise awareness and enhance South-South and triangular cooperation through: monitoring progress in South-South cooperation globally; supporting dialogue among Southern countries; coordinating focal point networks; coordinating an inter-agency mechanism on South-South cooperation; providing advisory services to Member States; and supporting training programmes.
The Office prepares analytical and advocacy tools including the South-South in Action series, e-newsletters and other publications. In addition, the Office is called upon to prepare regular policy briefs, public statements, talking points and messages on South-South cooperation and triangular cooperation for representatives of Member States and Senior United Nations Officials including the Secretary-General, the UNDP Administrator and the President of the General Assembly.
UNOSSC aims to bolster its outreach, advocacy and strategic communication to underscore the positive impact of South-South and triangular cooperation through dissemination of information and interaction on advocacy initiatives and projects relating to South-South and triangular cooperation both inside the United Nations system and among partners in governments, civil society and academia.
Specifically, UNOSSC has among its top priorities the engagement of all partners using the latest traditional and new media information and communications technologies to increase the understanding and visibility of practical expressions of Southern solidarity, including through the publication of electronic bulletins and facilitation of social media engagements and targeted events. UNOSSC engages in outreach, advocacy and strategic communication on issues of critical importance to the South to strengthen multilateral South-South and triangular interaction; and to advance Southern perspectives and approaches within major intergovernmental and inter-agency processes toward enhancing the coherence and coordination of the United Nations support to South-South and triangular cooperation.
Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Deputy Director for Policy and Strategic Partnership, the Communications Specialist in the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) implements the corporate communications strategy, designs, manages and facilitates the implementation of the Office communications and publication strategies with a view to influence the development agenda, to promote public and media outreach and to mobilize political and financial support for UNOSSC.
The Communications Specialist leads the communications efforts of the office and has a strong regular working relationship with the UNDP Communication team. The Communications Specialist also works in close collaboration with the Programme and Operations teams, staff of other UN Agencies, UNDP Communications Group staff (Communications Adviser and HQ) and Government officials, international and local media, subject matter experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UNOSSC communication strategy implementation.
Duties and Responsibilities
Summary of Responsibilities:
Planning and design of internal and external strategies for communications and outreach
Supervises the design and maintenance of the UNOSSC web site, intranet, and advise on web-based knowledge management system
Supports the business development of communications products
Facilitation of knowledge building and management on communication
Effective management of the communication efforts of the office
Planning and design of internal and external strategies for communications and outreach
Implements a comprehensive UNOSSC communication strategy, with the main objective of increasing the visibility and understanding of UNOSSC’s work in support of demand-driven South-South and triangular cooperation among Member States, the media and the general public.
Provides timely analytical information, including on strategic approaches to communicating UNOSSC activities, and working in close collaboration with the United Nations Communications Group, UNDP Communications, the UN Agencies through the Inter-Agency Mechanism for South-South and Triangular Cooperation, and Government officials, international and local media, subject matter experts, and civil society, in drafting and publishing strategic internal and external UNOSSC communications instruments to facilitate results-based South-South and triangular cooperation for development.
Supports the Development and expansion of UNOSSC’s comprehensive internal and external communications strategy, prioritizing engagement, content, usability, interactivity, and design, while identifying and responding to new and emerging opportunities and platforms.
Supports in coordination of the UNOSSC’s digital strategy development and Implementation.
Serves as focal point for UNOSSC interaction with the United Nations communications network and the local and international media in key target countries to increase the visibility and impact of UNOSSC services.
Provides strategic communications, including timely analytical information, research on emerging issues, and coherent policy inputs.
Provides substantive inputs, communications, planning and editorial support to Office’s activities, including the High-Level Committee on South-South Cooperation, the Global South-South Development Expo and the Director-Generals of International Cooperation Forum.
Prepares inputs for the UNOSSC communications work programme determining priorities and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery.
Supervises the design and maintenance of the UNOSSC web site, intranet, and advises on web-based knowledge management system
Provides oversight and prepares/creates content for the web sites and social media platforms ensuring consistency of the materials.
Facilitates UNOSSC’s multilingual online presence, ensuring solid editorial content and increased use of multi-media tools.
Provides input regarding the global UNOSSC website growth and enhancement.
Provide communication advice and inputs to web-based knowledge management systems
Supports the business development of communications products
Creation, promotion and maintenance of public information campaigns on issues relating to UNOSSC activities, including on the Sustainable Development Goals, UN Reform, etc. in association with other staff from the Office.
Development and maintenance of close contacts with government officials, multilateral and bilateral donors, civil society and private sector for implementation of the communications strategy, organization of roundtable discussions, press conferences, project visits, briefing sessions, interviews, launches, etc.
Ensuring access for journalists to subject-matter experts and UNOSSC spokespeople.
Advocacy and promotion of UNOSSC mandate, mission and purpose with the view to position UNOSSC as a leader within the development and South-South space and achieve increased coverage and understanding of the UNOSSC’s work globally or practice areas through development and maintenance of media contacts and providing newsworthy information to the public, partners and donors.
Management, promotion and dissemination of corporate advocacy materials for launching flagship initiatives and publications.
Facilitation of knowledge building and management on communication
Supports coordination within United Nations, interactivity and teamwork to improve coherence in support to South-South cooperation and triangular cooperation.
Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to UNOSSC goals and activities on communications.
Monitor practices, and project-specific news and developments in order to ensure guidance to the office that reflects the best and most current available information.
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories.
Organization and provision of training, consultancy and advice to UNOSSC staff on internal and external communications.
Effective management of the communication effort of the office
Coordinates the creation, packaging and distribution of key UNOSSC messages and communications products.
Recommends enhancements to all internal and external UNOSSC communications instruments.
Effective management of the Communications efforts and initiatives, including preparation of the work-plan, management of translations and contractual matters.
Coordination of the provision of digital support to regional offices and teams to fully leverage stories, multimedia, blogs, and other sources for content.
Maintains UNOSSC’s commitment to making information available in a transparent, accessible way
Competencies
Core
Innovation
Ability to make new and useful ideas work
Leadership
Ability to persuade others to follow
People Management
Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
Communication
Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
Delivery
Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement
Technical/Functional
Advocacy
Ability to advocate a point of view and influence others
Building Strategic Partnerships
Ability to make decisions that align with strategy, vision and mission
Client Orientation
Anticipate client needs
Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspectives
Solicits feedback on service provision and quality
Knowledge sharing and outreach for SSC/TrC initiatives and/or partnerships
Ability to support an effective knowledge brokering function and provide platform for Southern voice in global development issues
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Master’s degree or equivalent advanced university degree in communications, media studies, journalism, international relations, development or related fields
Experience:
5 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in public relations, communications or advocacy are required;
Of which a minimum 2 years of relevant experience in the communication of international development and development cooperation policies, programmes, or research are required.
Sound knowledge and experience on South-South and triangular cooperation for development is desirable;
Previous experience with a multilateral or international organization is helpful but not mandatory;
Advanced knowledge and experience in handling of professional communications software packages and web-based management systems is an asset.
Language Requirements:
Fluency in English.
Other official language of the UN will be desirable
Disclaimer
Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)
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.
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