Communications Specialist (Head of Communications Unit)

JOB DESCRIPTION

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.

I. Position Information

Job Title: Communications Specialist (Head of Communications Unit)

Department: UNDP Lebanon CO

Reports to: Resident Representative

Grade Level: ICS-10

Bureau: RBAS

Direct Reports: Supervises Communications team

Position Number: 217011

Position Designation:

with no mobility requirement

Duty Station: Beirut, Lebanon

Career Track: Professional/Expert

Career Stream: Corporate Operations - Communications

Contract Modality: FTA Local

Contract Duration: 1 year FTA

II. Background and Organizational Context

UNDPs strategic focus in Lebanon in the years ahead will be on three key areas: Supporting the design and implementation of a comprehensive reform agenda, as the first and essential step in the country's process toward reversing the vicious spiral of crises. Simultaneously supporting the stabilization of core Government services and providing direct access to livelihood opportunities through the crisis response and recovery programmes. Work on linking the crisis response with longer-term inclusive governance and green development programming in line with development priorities and evolving context.

To be effective in the highly volatile context, UNDPs country strategy and recognizes the pressure on and need to support the provision of Government-led security services. Considering the uncertain national and subnational outlook, it emphasizes the need for an adaptive and experimental programme management approach.

Communication is key to ensure that UNDP successfully implements its programme and effectively supports the government and national partners to achieve development priorities aligned with Agenda 2030. UNDP communication ensures that all stakeholders are constantly kept aware of the activities of the organization including lessons learned and knowledge accumulated. The role of the Country Office Communications Unit is to adopt UNDPs global communication strategy to a local context and the Country Office development priorities. Through the production of high-quality communication materials and innovative use of relevantly targeted communication channels (internal and external), the communications team works collaboratively to position UNDP as a leader in the development arena, promote visibility of UNDP program outcomes/development results, mobilize support for Sustainable Development Goals in the country, and practice delivery as one UN.

III. Position Purpose

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Resident Representative, the Communications Specialist in a large Country Office implements the corporate communications strategy, designs, manages and facilitates the implementation of the Country Office communications and publication strategies with a view to influence the development agenda, promote public and media outreach and mobilize political and financial support for UNDP.

The Communications Specialist supervises and leads the communications staff of the country office including providing strategic guidance to the communications personnel engaged through different projects and programmatic initiatives. The Communication Specialist has a strong regular working relationship with the Regional Communications Adviser. The Communications Specialist works in close collaboration with the CO Programme, Operations and project teams, staff of other UN Agencies, UNDP Communications staff in the Region and HQ, government officials, international and local media, subject matter experts, donors, and civil society to ensure successful implementation of UNDPs communication strategy. Also, the Communications Specialist oversees the engagement of UNDP champions and good will ambassadors as well as the engagement with the private sector media outlets.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

IV. Key Duties and Accountabilities

• Develop and implement internal/external communication strategies and outreach for the Country Office.
  
  

Example Of Duties:

• Plan and elaborate communication needs assessments for the country office (projects, country programme and corporate change initiatives).
• Lead communication program in the country office and work closely with country office senior management to ensure communication strategies support achievement of CPD targets. Develop a yearly communications action plan in line with the overarching strategy.
• Provide constructive and timely advice on inclusion of communications components in programme and projects formulations to integrate advocacy and communication strategies into all aspects of UNDPs development programmes.
• Promote and facilitate increased coverage and understanding of the UNDPs work in the country or practice area through local and global media stories as guided by the UNDP External Communications Action Plan.
• Elaborate and implement the country office publications strategy and plan based on the corporate publications policy.
  
  

Example Of Duties:

• Identify and develop storylines for publications and substantive articles that contribute to and generate conversations on key development issues.
• Coordinate and manage all CO publication activities, including content management in line with corporate guidelines and knowledge management priorities.
• Liaison with journalists and other communication counterparts for better UNDP visibility as well as managed the public and private media outlets relations.
• Lead UNDP digital communications in country office for wider reach through social media, web site, intranet, and CO web-based knowledge management system.
  
  

Example Of Duties:

• Design the country office strategy for digital communications.
• Maintain close contact with the global web management team to ensure the design of the country offices website is in line with corporate requirements.
• Supervise the content for different digital platforms that includes the country office website and social media to ensure consistency of materials.
• Monitor public engagement on different social media platforms.
• Lead UNDP campaigns to engage different stakeholders (i.e., government, donors, media and public) and increase awareness of UNDPs mandate and goals.
  
  

Example Of Duties:

• Manage and promote advocacy activities and disseminate corporate advocacy materials to publicize UNDP mandate/mission, flagship initiatives, and key publications to position UNDP as a thought leader and leading development agency in the country.
• Create, promote, and maintain public information campaigns on issues including UNDP activities, Sustainable Development Goals, and UN Reform in association with other staff from Business Development Team to increase the visibility of UNDPs work, mobilize resources, and influence support from stakeholders in achievement of UNDP goals.
• Develop and maintain close contacts with government officials, donors, civil society, and private sector as part of the country office communication strategy.
• Push UNDPs Campaign and Advocacy Agenda in country offices UN Communications Group to make sure this is part of One UN agenda.
• Lead the effort of country offices knowledge management and dissemination.
  
  

Example Of Duties:

• Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country goals and activities.
• Provide substantive and sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories.
• Organize and provide training, consultancy, and advice to UNDP staff on internal and external knowledge management.
• Oversee maintenance of UNDPs Intranet on country office activities for internal knowledge sharing, and the sharing of relevant knowledge products with external stakeholders through the corporate website.
• Work with the Programme teams to ensure all knowledge products are captured, updated, readily available and in the right order, as and when necessary.
  
  

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Provide supervision and performance management of Communications staff.

V. Requirements:

Education

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration, or related field is required, or
• A first-level university degree (bachelors degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
  
  

Experience, Knowledge, And Skills

• Minimum of 5 years (with masters degree) or 7 years (with bachelors degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in public relations, advocacy, or communications.
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems such as ERP.
• Experience in public relations, strategic communications in Lebanon and in other complex political and development issues is required.
• Proven experience in organizing high-level conferences and responding to media queries is require
• Previous experience with multilateral or international organizations in the communication field is an asset.
• Prior experience in preparing donor reports, country context analyses and creative communications and outreach products is an asset.
• Ability to establish and foster good relations with high level partners, e.g. government counterparts, UN agencies, and other partners is desirable
  
  

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English and Arabic is required
  
  

Expected Demonstration of Competencies


Core

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

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site .

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Thematic AreaNameDefinition

Business Direction & Strategy System 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
  
  

Business Management Portfolio Management

• Ability to select, prioritize and control the organizations programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment
  
  

Business Management 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.
  
  

General (across the functions) Event Planning and Execution

• Ability to plan, manage and execute public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNDP's overall brand and mandate.
  
  

Communications Advocacy Strategy and Implementation

• Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change
  
  

Communications


Brand & Quality Management

• Ability to position a UNDP brand and uphold it to a high level of quality
  
  

Communications Campaign Management

• Ability to produce and implement communications and advocacy campaigns which lead to impactful change.
  
  

VI. Keywords


Advocacy/ Strategic Communication

Public relations

Media relations

Knowledge management

Digital communications

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

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.

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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