Communications Specialist

Background

HDR.undp.org presents the mission, output and organization of the Human Development Report Office (HDRO).

HDRO produces annually the editorially independent, global Human Development Report (HDR) for UNDP. Since inception in 1990 the report has acted as a highly visible and influential people-centered contribution to development thinking. Each edition is launched around the world by UNDP HQ and other offices as contributions to public debate and policy making at national and global levels; picked up by global and national media, and the analysis – and annually updated human development indices and data sets are used by governments, civil society and development partners in their policy formulation and advocacy. HDRO also supports the development, quality assurance and promotion of regional and national human development reports.

Throughout the year, the office also seeks to promote the human development concept and approach to analysis and policy making through outreach, including via the web and social media, to influential stakeholders, through engagement with academic networks and by convening and participating in expert and high-visibility events. In particular, the office organizes the global human development forum and other relevant conferences. An ongoing engagement with global media is important in this regard.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Director and the Lead Author the Communications Specialist performs functions to develop and implement the outreach and communications strategy for the annual Human Development Report (HDR) and ongoing outreach on human development. Working with other bureaus and offices of UNDP, the Specialist acts as HDRO focal point in contributing to the selection of appropriate venues for global and regional launches of the annual Report, and for the development of supporting material; identifies and maintains a data base of relevant international stakeholders among policy makers, experts and opinion leaders (public/private), media etc. and applies suitable means of outreach for them, through electronic means and events. The implementation of the strategy will include particularly developing relations with the media, organizing events and identifying opportunities to influence debates. The Specialist may also advise regional bureaus and country offices on communication strategies for regional and national reports. The key functions would be communication and outreach: strategy and implementation; contributions to the launch of the annual HDR; and other editorial functions.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:
1. Communication and outreach: strategy and implementation;

2. Contributes to the launch of the annual HDR;

3. Other editorial functions.

1) Communication and outreach: strategy and implementaton

Provides strategic direction and guidance on communications issues and priorities for HDRO and the launch of the Human Development Report;

Under the supervision of the Director of HDRO, designs and implements an ongoing media and outreach strategies in order to generate greater awareness, understanding and supports Human Development and HDRs;

Leads media activities; and actively engage international media as well as respond to media inquiries;

Develops systematic, suitable means of outreach to different stakeholders, through electronic means and events etc., and including youth audiences;

Maintains a calendar of relevant conferences and events that provides opportunities for showcasing HD and HDRs;

Coordinates and ensure timely content for the HDialogue blog and Human Development Today newsletter;

Prepares and edits news releases, features, question and answer documents; brochures and other publicity material for HDRO outreach;

Generates social media content including, text, photos, videos and audio for use across a range of integrated online platforms including website, Twitter and Facebook pages;

Provides planning support and oversees logistical support for a series of HDRO seminars and public events, including major regional or international conferences or the biannual NHDR awards; liaises with speakers or panelists on arrangements and plans for their participation;

Assesses the general reaction of the public to HDRO work on the basis of information gathered from media, organized groups and correspondence;

Positions HDRO as a reliable source for expert comments and analysis on current events in international development;

Contributes development of HDRO fundraising material and reports in the context of communication;

Occasionally represents HDRO and presents the HDR and the human development concept to the key audiences.

2) Contributes to the launch of the annual HDR:
Under the supervision of the Director of HDRO, designs and implements the communication and media strategies for the launch and dissemination of the Human Development Reports;

Establishes and maintains pro-active, effective and dynamic relations with key international media outlets and relevant publications to communicate and/or to seek their support for the launch of HDR;

Plans and drafts briefing and press materials for the HDR launch; coordinates with the office of communication (which retains the final control);

Designs the social media strategy for the launch of the Report and develops content including multimedia materials for use across UNDP, HDRO and UNDP country offices online platforms including website, Twitter and Facebook pages;

Coordinates with communications/production colleagues to ensure timely posting and dissemination of materials;

Liaises with relevant UNDP offices to identify the possible global launch venues;

Coordinates preparations for the global launch;

Organizes pre-launch substantive briefings for relevant UNDP staff including Country Offices and dissemination of launch-related materials;

Under the guidance of the Director of HDRO ensure timely communication of to both key internal and external audiences and stakeholders on key developments of the HDR;

Liaises with External Relations and their representative offices on high profile launches in countries without UNDP country offices;

Supports regional bureaux in organizing regional launches;

Supports UNDP Country Offices in preparing communication strategies for the launch of Global Human Development Report and proves them with the required materials, including a launch kit;

Ensure visual coherence of global, regional and national launch events by developing of a series of collaterals materials based on the visual identity of the HDR;

Collects and distributes press clippings on HDR launch;

Conducts a quantitative and qualitative media impact analysis of coverage of the launch of the HDR;

Assesses post-launch impacts and follow ups on requests generated from the launch;

Identifies and maintains a data base of strategic contacts among international stakeholders including policy makers, experts/research institutions and opinion leaders (public/private), media, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, etc. “contact database”.

3) Other editorial functions:
Reviews drafts of the annual HDR, advises on messaging and overall coherence for purposes of reaching all relevant audiences;

Identifies communication training requirements for HDRO;

Ensures that all material and communications activities promote an accurate image of HDRO;

Use of official work time for self-learning (5 percent);

Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

Core Competencies:
Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents;

Building support and political acumen;

Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation;

Building and promoting effective teams;

Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;

Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;

Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards;

Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning;

Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Functional Competencies:
Advocacy/Advancing a Policy-Oriented Agenda:
Creates effective outreach and advocacy strategies;

Contributes to the elaboration of outreach and advocacy strategies by identifying and prioritizing audiences and communication means;

Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for communication and outreach work.

Knowledge Sharing:
Stays abreast and shares information on events, general publication and media coverage relevant to the office;

Provides support.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise:
Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines;

Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;

Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.

Conceptual Innovation in the Provision of Technical Expertise:

Leverages different experiences and expertise of team members to achieve better and more innovative outcomes;

Teamwork/Communications and Organizational skills;

Demonstrates strong ability to work in teams and create an environment that makes it possible for others to flourish and contribute;

Has an ability to work well as part of a multicultural team;

Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;

Demonstrates openness to change;

Ability to juggle priorities and perform well under pressure;

Demonstrated excellent skills to write or draft materials such as memos, press releases, news items and general content; power-points;

Strong communications skills, ability to interact with external partners including at the UN, CSO, media and among policy makers;

Diplomatic, negotiating and organizational skills and political astuteness.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
University degree (Bachelor) in Journalism, media relations, Communications, Public Relations or Social Sciences with an international specialization.

Experience:
Minimum of 9 (nine) year experience in communication and media relations, preferably at the international level;

Familiarity with the international debate on development, including the post 2015 agenda;

Full command of office applications, including PowerPoint presentations for varied and general audiences;

Familiarity with electronic media and social networks;

Familiarity with international institutions, NGOs, and policy research centers related to economic development;

Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, good knowledge and experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Language requirements:
Outstanding written and oral English; write clearly and compellingly;

Command of another UN language a strong asset.

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