Communications Specialist

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.

UNDP has been working in Afghanistan for more than 50 years on climate change and resilience, gender, governance, health, livelihoods, and rule of law; under the broader framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in close coordination with other UN agencies.

To support UN joint programming in the provision of basic human needs, a Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (hereinafter referred as the Fund or STFA) was established on 20 October 2021. The Fund serves as an inter-agency mechanism to enable donors to channel their resources and coordinate their support to the UN joint programmes, initially developed using the ABADEI Strategy, which was tied to the UN Transitional Engagement Framework (TEF). Future programming will be guided by the United Nations Strategic Framework for Afghanistan (UNSFA), a successor document to the TEF, which will serve as the strategic planning framework for the United Nations in Afghanistan.

The Steering Committee is the decision making structure for the Fund while the Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF Office) acts as the Administrative Agent. The Trust Fund Management Unit (TFMU) is the Fund Secretariat for STFA and is the entity responsible for the operational functioning of the Fund and provides technical and management support to the Steering Committee. The STFA is being strategically positioned to become part of the One UN Funding Framework from 2023 and will be directly supervised by the Resident Coordinator while UNDP will provide administrative support to the Secretariat, TFMU.

Under the direct supervision and overall guidance of the Trust Fund Manager, the Communications Specialist works in close collaboration with the Finance, Monitoring and Evaluation, Human Rights Due Diligence and Programme management teams, in the TFMU to lead strategic communication and stakeholder engagement; communication and visibility of the STFA; information, knowledge sharing and coordination of communications functions.

The Communications Specialist also liaises with Participating UN Organizations communications focal points, international community, community groups, and civil society organizations, as applicable and relevant.

The Communications Specialist (1) Leads strategic communication and stakeholder engagement; (2) Leads communication of STFA results and activities, contribute material for active and strong social media presence through multiple social platforms managed by the Fund; (3) Produces information/communication products to increase the awareness of the Fund’s activities among stakeholders, donors, and the public; and (4) Contributes to knowledge sharing and management among STFA stakeholders.

The position supervises the Communications Analyst (officer level).

1.) Lead strategic communication and stakeholder engagement • Update the Communications Strategy and key messages used across the STFA. • Coordinate development of the strategic communication and stakeholder engagement plan. • Create and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to communications functions within the Fund i.e., content management, posting schedule, photographer, and videographer resources. • Establish effective communication channels to regularly share the results of the STFA. • Support strategic stakeholder engagement and feedback to inform STFA strategic direction and management decisions. • Utilize innovations for all communications related activities to showcase STFA achievements and progress to its diverse range of partners. • Performs other related duties as required.

2.) Reporting and visibility of STFA • Update the Communications Strategy and key messages used across the Trust Fund Management Unit. • Lead the design and delivery of communication activities for the strategic positioning of STFA as a key enabler for (i) the implementation of UNSFA (2023-2025), (ii) the operationalization of the triple (Humanitarian-Development-Peace) nexus, (iii) ‘Delivering as One UN’ programmatic initiatives, and (iv) as a fund that builds synergies and acts in complementarity with other funding streams in Afghanistan (including humanitarian and International Financial Institutions’ funding streams) • Develop success stories and human-interest stories; produce high-quality digital media content (videos and photos) with strong and impactful narratives and provide relevant inputs for the development of newsletters and website articles for the Fund. • Update and use standardized templates with donor taglines for reporting on events, workshops, training sessions, as applicable. • Lead consistent communication of STFA results and progress to its audiences and uses the most effective tools and channels including social media to build public ownership of STFA projects and programmes. • Regularly review the website to ensure website content is creative and easily understood by the targeted audience (in layout, texts, images, titles, headers, icons, colors, audio, and video). • Regularly monitor all communication platforms to ensure that the latest and up-to-date information is reflected. • Maintenance of STFA website: o Provide guidance and support to the Web Administrator to revamp STFA’s website in alignment with MPTF Gateway and UNSFA o Provide materials for updating, and support managing the contents of the website. o Collaborate with PUNO Communications Focal Points to ensure that the website is informative (content, relevance to the targeted audience, public with interest in STFA/UNSFA). o Monitor and examine traffic throughout the website and share website usage reports that include user analytics and user experience reports for effective content delivery to website visitors. o Compile, analyze, and report statistics regarding all relevant website matrix. o Coordinate responses to questions from site visitors including donors and PUNOs. o Performs other related duties as required.

3.) Coordination of communications functions • Activate the shared editorial calendar and social media sheet to be used by PUNOs to highlight different activities and achievements related to regional programmes. • Support event planning for meetings including STFA Technical Coordination Working Group (TCWG) meetings, Steering Committee meetings, and TFMU meetings with donor representatives, documenting discussions and disseminating finalized minutes with respective stakeholders. • Provide support during crisis communications and assist the MPTF communications with responses to STFA related media enquiries.

4.) Information and knowledge sharing • Develop and maintain an effective stakeholder engagement approach, including an up-to-date list of STFA stakeholders, and maintain effective relations with all stakeholders to encourage their support to STFA programming activities. • Liaise with STFA joint programme teams and respective PUNO communications teams to ensure a cooperative approach towards communications and that STFA activities are reflected in the online and mass media. • Work closely with Data Management Specialist, to promote knowledge management and knowledge sharing through maintaining the TFMU communications site with easy access to all STFA publications and knowledge resources. • Performs other related duties as required.

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management

(with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) at the national or international level in public relations, advocacy, or communications; required. • Familiarity with Adobe creative cloud or other software tools in designing and creating data visualization, infographics, presentations, and reports is required. • Proven experience formulating strategic documents to guide communications and publication plans is required. • Experience in managing communications functions in an international organization is required. • Knowledge of web-based social video and animation creator platforms is desirable. • Demonstrated expertise in managing communications sites using Microsoft SharePoint Online or other online platforms is desirable. • Proven experience implementing innovative communication solutions is desirable. • Background in data innovation and digital analytics is desirable. • Working experience with diverse and multi-cultural teams is desirable.

The successful applicant will be living within the UN-protected compound in UNACA Accommodation will be provided by UNDP. A detailed induction will be provided to the successful applicant on living conditions in the duty station about the security situation, access and air travel, climate, alcohol use, cost of living, accommodation options, availability of food/water/electricity, medical facilities, banking facilities, communications infrastructure, etc.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements: Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity’s policy