Communications Assistant

Mid Elections & Governance

Overview

Assist in communication efforts for environmental projects in Ghana.

You have:

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Development Studies, Environmental Science, or related field. Master's degree is an advantage.
• Minimum of 1 year experience in communications and public engagement, preferably in development, climate change, or agriculture sectors.
• Experience working with local communities, NGOs, and government agencies.
• Strong understanding of community engagement principles, human rights, and safeguarding policies.
• Proven ability to work with and establish working relationships with a broad range of stakeholders (government, private sector, financial institutions, civil society, etc).
• Outstanding communication, interpersonal and presentation skills, management, and organizational skills.
• Understanding of the Ghanian agricultural context, particularly the rice sector.
• Experience with UNDP or other UN agencies is an advantage.

Contract

This is a NPSA-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Personnel Services Agreement. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 4 years of experience, depending on education. More about NPSA-4 contracts.

Background

Job Purpose and Organizational Context

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ghana works in close collaboration with national and local government institutions, civil society, and the private sector to accelerate sustainable development and inclusive growth. UNDP’s mission is to support Ghana in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting innovative solutions to development challenges and ensuring that no one is left behind.

Within UNDP Ghana, the Environment and Climate Cluster (ECC) leads the delivery of transformative climate and environmental interventions across the country. The ECC supports Ghana’s efforts to build resilience to climate change, advance circular economy solutions, and participate meaningfully in global carbon markets. Its work spans policy development, project implementation, technical assistance, and strategic partnerships aligned with the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and low-carbon development goals.

Two key projects under the ECC portfolio where the Communications Assistant will play a vital role are: • Promotion of Climate-Smart Agriculture Practices for Sustainable Rice Cultivation in Ghana (AWD ITMO Project): This flagship initiative promotes the use of Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) irrigation techniques in rice farming to reduce methane emissions, improve water efficiency, and enhance farmer resilience. Implemented under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement, the project facilitates the generation and transfer of Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs) and ensures benefit-sharing with rice farmers as a form of climate finance. • Integrated Waste Recycling and Composting for Methane Reduction in Ghana Project (Waste-to-Compost Project): This initiative supports the diversion of organic waste from landfills in municipalities such as Ho, Goaso, Sunyani, and Dambai to functional composting facilities. By turning biodegradable waste into compost, the project reduces methane emissions, promotes sustainable agriculture, and strengthens the circular economy in Ghana. It also contributes to emission reduction targets and supports the operationalisation of Ghana’s carbon market readiness.

Both projects form a crucial part of Ghana’s commitment to sustainable development and climate action, and the Communications Assistant will contribute significantly to enhancing their visibility and impact through strategic communication and stakeholder engagement.

Scope of Work The Communication Assistant, will report directly to the Communications Analyst, and serve as the focal communications officer coordinating all communication and visibility efforts across the AWD and Waste-to-Compost projects. The officer will have a dual reporting role to the Programme Specialist, also Head of Environment and Climate (ECC), and work closely with the Climate Change Programme Analyst, project teams, field staff, and government counterparts.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Communication Strategy & Planning • Develop and implement communication strategies for the AWD and Waste-to-Compost projects in alignment with UNDP branding and visibility guidelines. • Draft and maintain a communications calendar capturing key milestones and visibility opportunities.

2. Content Development & Storytelling

• Create engaging content including press releases, human-interest stories, blog posts, impact briefs, and videos showcasing project outcomes and farmer/beneficiary stories.
• Support documentation of lessons learned, good practices, and innovations emerging from both projects.

3. Digital Engagement & Social Media

• Coordinate the development of social media content to be published on UNDP Ghana and partners' platforms.
• Monitor and report on media coverage and digital engagement related to project activities.

4. Media & Stakeholder Engagement

• Liaise with media houses to ensure effective coverage of project events and milestones.
• Organize media briefings, field visits, and high-visibility launch or outreach events.

5. Knowledge Management & Visibility Products

• Produce visibility and knowledge materials such as brochures, flyers, infographics, and video documentaries.

• Ensure branding, logos, and acknowledgments follow donor and UNDP guidelines.

  Institutional Arrangement

The Communication Assistant will have duo-reporting lines – to the Communications Analyst, and the Head of Environment and Climate , and will be based in Accra with travel to project locations and other event grounds as and when needed.

Competencies Core Achieve Results:

• LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively:

• LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously:

• LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility:

• LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination:

• LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner:

• LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:

• LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Thematic Area Name Definition Communications Writing and Editing Strong storytelling, messaging, and editorial skills for development content.

Digital & Innovation Social Media Management Knowledge of digital storytelling and managing social media campaigns.

Business Management Project Management Ability to plan, coordinate, and track deliverables in a multi-stakeholder environment.

Knowledge & Learning Knowledge Sharing Skills in packaging and disseminating knowledge and lessons for wider use.

External Relations Strategic Engagement Demonstrated ability to develop media relations and strengthen visibility.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Development Studies, Environmental Science, or related field. Master's degree is an advantage.

Experience:

Minimum of 1 year experience in communications and public engagement, preferably in development, climate change, or agriculture sectors.

Required skills

• Experience working with local communities, NGOs, and government agencies. • Strong understanding of community engagement principles, human rights, and safeguarding policies.

Desired skills

• Proven ability to work with and establish working relationships with a broad range of stakeholders (government, private sector, financial institutions, civil society, etc).
• Outstanding communication, interpersonal and presentation skills, management, and organizational skills.
• Understanding of the Ghanian agricultural context, particularly the rice sector
• Experience with UNDP or other UN agencies is an advantage.

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.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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Potential interview questions

Added 9 months ago - Updated 9 months ago - Source: jobs.undp.org