Communication and Engagement Specialist
Coordinate and deliver key communication and engagement activities for NPAP.
Overview
Coordinate and deliver key communication and engagement activities for NPAP.
You have:
- Experience in communications, public relations, media, or stakeholder engagement—preferably within the development, sustainability, or environmental sectors.
- Experience in organizing events, workshops, or public dialogues involving diverse stakeholders from government, private sector, and civil society.
- Proven ability to design and implement communication strategies, including social media campaigns and targeted outreach.
- Prior work with international organizations, UN agencies, or donor-funded projects is considered an advantage.
- Experience working in multicultural environments and engaging with diverse communities, including underrepresented or marginalized groups.
- Strong writing, storytelling, and editorial skills with the ability to tailor messages for various audiences and platforms.
- Proficiency in content creation, including newsletters, infographics, videos, and social media posts.
- Knowledge of graphic design tools, basic video editing, and content management systems is desirable.
- Excellent organizational and project management skills, including ability to multitask and manage deadlines independently.
- Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and facilitate collaboration across stakeholder groups.
- Familiarity with monitoring communication KPIs and preparing performance reports.
Contract
This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations' global development network, advocating for sustainable human development and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. In Tanzania, UNDP supports national development priorities by fostering inclusive economic growth, strengthening democratic governance, promoting climate and environmental sustainability, and advancing innovation and digital transformation. As part of its commitment to addressing plastic pollution and advancing the circular economy, UNDP Tanzania has entered into an agreement with the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) to host the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) Secretariat. The NPAP is a nationally led, multi-stakeholder platform that aims to tackle plastic pollution and accelerate the transition toward a circular plastics economy in Tanzania. Guided by three strategic pillars—convening communities and curating conversations, generating new knowledge and national action roadmaps, and catalyzing strategic investment for high-potential solutions—the NPAP brings together key stakeholders across government, private sector, civil society, and academia. The platform will lead the co-creation of a data-driven National Plastic Action Roadmap, promote innovation and inclusive participation, and coordinate the implementation of solutions to reduce plastic leakage and foster sustainable growth in Tanzania. This position will be embedded within the UNDP Tanzania Country Office and support the effective coordination and delivery of the NPAP’s mission and strategic activities.
Under the supervision of the NPAP Manager and in close collaboration with the GPAP Secretariat, the Communications and Engagement Specialist will: • Support the planning, organization, and delivery of NPAP meetings, workshops, and public engagement events, including preparing agendas, materials, and managing logistics. • Design and implement a country-specific communications strategy aligned with GPAP and UNDP’s global communications frameworks. • Maintain and curate the NPAP community database, ensuring regular updates and effective member engagement. • Develop and disseminate key communication materials such as brochures, factsheets, FAQs, social media content, presentations, talking points, and newsletters. • Manage NPAP’s presence on relevant digital platforms, including GPAP’s TopLink platform, ensuring content is engaging and up to date. • Act as the liaison between the NPAP Secretariat and national/regional media outlets, as well as the broader GPAP communications team. • Draft and edit a variety of high-quality written outputs, including reports, press releases, blog posts, case studies, and success stories that highlight NPAP’s impact. • Support the outreach and onboarding of NPAP members and affiliated partners, ensuring broad and inclusive participation. • Curate and circulate opportunities for the NPAP community (e.g. funding calls, events, awards, media features) to build engagement and visibility. • Ensure consistent and inclusive messaging across all communication materials, integrating gender-sensitive and locally relevant narratives. • Track and report on communication metrics, providing data-driven insights to strengthen outreach strategies. • Provide technical support to third-party vendors and consultants to ensure deliverables are aligned with the NPAP’s brand identity and communication standards
• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity & Innovation • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Proactiveness • Self-driven & Self-management
Experience in communications, public relations, media, or stakeholder engagement—preferably within the development, sustainability, or environmental sectors. • Experience in organizing events, workshops, or public dialogues involving diverse stakeholders from government, private sector, and civil society. • Proven ability to design and implement communication strategies, including social media campaigns and targeted outreach. • Prior work with international organizations, UN agencies, or donor-funded projects is considered an advantage. • Experience working in multicultural environments and engaging with diverse communities, including underrepresented or marginalized groups. Skills: • Strong writing, storytelling, and editorial skills with the ability to tailor messages for various audiences and platforms. • Proficiency in content creation, including newsletters, infographics, videos, and social media posts. • Knowledge of graphic design tools, basic video editing, and content management systems is desirable. • Excellent organizational and project management skills, including ability to multitask and manage deadlines independently. • Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and facilitate collaboration across stakeholder groups. • Familiarity with monitoring communication KPIs and preparing performance reports.
Tanzania is a unique country and is a unique (humanitarian) operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential
Potential interview questions
Can you describe a communications strategy you implemented in a challenging environment? | This question evaluates your ability to adapt communication strategies in difficult situations. | Discuss the specific challenges faced, your approach, and the impact of the strategy. |
How do you ensure engagement from diverse stakeholders in your projects? | The interviewer wants to assess your skills in stakeholder engagement and inclusion. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
Tell us about an event you organized that involved multiple stakeholders. | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
What strategies do you use to measure the effectiveness of your communications? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
Give an example of how you tailored a message for a specific audience. | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
How do you handle criticism or feedback on your communications? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
What experience do you have with social media campaigns? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
Can you provide an example of working in a multicultural environment? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |