Partnership and Communication 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.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative / Head of Programme, the Partnership and Communication Specialist is responsible for the development of UNDP’s broad and diverse partnership and resource mobilization with the bilateral and multilateral organizations, the International Financial Institutions (IFI), the private sector, foundations, and the Government, for implementation of UNDP’s commitments within the partnerships. He/she will oversee all communications aspects related to partnership and resource mobilization and will collaborate with the Communications Analyst in implementations of communications activities. UNDP Guinea-Bissau intervenes in different practice areas, including sustainable development (local economic development and employment promotion, climate change adaptation/environment) and democratic governance (public administration and decentralization, justice and rule of law, elections, and support to parliament and CSOs). The country office is currently composed by approximately more than 100 staff members, including both programme and operations. In addition, UNDP also manages the staff working for the Resident Coordinator’s office and staff working for GEF and Global Fund. Within the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa (RBA), Strategy and Policy Units (SPUs) have been established in Country Offices (COs) to help support governments in Sub-Saharan Africa address their unique economic governance and human development challenges. Acting as the CO think tanks, SPUs primarily provide policy analysis and advisory services to governments, UNDP, the United Nations System and other national partners. They also support SDGs implementation; economic analyses; intelligence gathering; policy and programme development; policy advocacy; partnership building; aid coordination; and resource mobilization. It is essential that the Partnership and Communication Specialist provides Office with the latest of development discussions enabling cluster to influence partners performances. The Partnership and Communication Specialist is also expected to provide technical inputs and contribute to UNDP’s engagement with the IFIs, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Business Associations, foundations, non-profit organization, enrolling academic and professional networks etc., to support development at sub national and national levels. The Partnership and Communication Specialist will be part of the Country Office Communications & Partnerships Unit and will work in close collaboration with UNDP Programme and Operations teams, staff of other UN Agencies, UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, Government officials, international and national and community media, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors, private sector, traditional and non-traditional partners and civil society ensuring successful UNDP communication, partnership and resource mobilization strategy implementation

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Deputy Resident Representative/Head of Programme or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Partnership and Communication Specialist will perform the following functions.

• Summary of Key Functions:

• Co-designs and supports implementation of the communications, partnership and resource mobilization strategy and action plan; • Promotes optimum visibility of Country Office activities (ideas for development, placing importance on development, understanding innovative approaches), results and thought leadership through effective media and donor relations, placement and distribution of information material and creative partnerships with UN agencies, multilateral and non-governmental organizations and private sector; • Leads the strategic development in UNDP building partnerships with government, IFIs, bilateral and multilateral organizations, private sector, south/south cooperation and foundations; • Manages UNDP’s portfolio on partnerships with government, IFIs, bilateral and multilateral organizations, private sector, south/south cooperation and foundations in the country and worldwide; • Advises and guides outreach for government, IFIs, bilateral and multilateral organizations, private sector and foundation partnerships and engagement in the country and worldwide: • Inform on new developments regarding development discussion; • Builds relevant networks with development partners and explores new opportunities for cooperation; • Visibly places office in key areas using new channels of communication

1. Supports the implementation of communications, partnership and resource mobilization strategy and action plan; • Monitors trends in development and; ensures alignment of all UNDP products worldwide; • Supports timely implementation of communications components through robust engagement with programme and project staff. • Supports administrative procedures and follow-up for all communications related activities; • Develops new formats of Communication • Builds a network of peers and partners for advocacy of new projects;

2. Promotes optimum visibility of the Country Office activities through effective media and donor relations, placement and distribution of information material and creative partnerships with UN agencies, multilateral and non-governmental organizations and private sector, by performing the following duties: • Contributes to co-designing and implementation of communications strategy and action plan by assisting to prepare drafts of press releases, feature stories, social media posts, communication plans, newsletters, briefings, etc; • Supports the organization of events and activities (both traditional and digital) such as conferences, press briefings, interviews, social media campaigns, etc; • Coordinates with colleagues and partners to gather and disseminate information on assigned topics/issues, collects information from diverse sources to prepare background materials and update communication products, including fact sheets, presentations, reports, etc;
   • Drafts and disseminates information especially to local media and organizations about UNDP mandate, mission and purpose, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); • Participates to United Nations Communications Groups joined activities and events; • Acts as coordinator on specific issues/special projects as requested; • As part of UNDP Guinea-Bissau programme activities, supports capacity building for civic education and community awareness where appropriate; • Supports in co-creation of a coherent UNDP narrative for country office • Assist with public events design such as debates, series, etc;

3. Leads the strategic development in UNDP building partnerships with Government, IFIs, bilateral and multilateral organizations, private sector and foundations, South/South cooperation, focusing on achievement of the following results: • Develops and helps implement UNDP Guinea-Bissau’s communications, partnership (South/South) and resource mobilization strategy making the business case for a closer IFIs and private sector engagement including financial for development, innovation in development, etc; • Develop strategic relationship with donors and vertical funds and shape their undertaking of a) CO needs and strategy, b) understanding of key issues concerning Guinea-Bissau and c) contexts of political stability; • Supports UNDP Guinea-Bissau’s advocacy efforts on engagement with the Government, the IFIs, bilateral and multilateral organizations and private sector on SDGs and UNDP programme priority areas; • Delineates the strategic role of private sector partnerships at national and state levels in UNDP Guinea-Bissau Country Programme against UNDP’s corporate priorities in this area.

4. Manages UNDP’s portfolio on partnerships with Government, IFIs, bilateral and multilateral organizations, Private Sector, south/south cooperation and Foundations focusing on achievement of the following results: Facilitates outreach and partnership development in identified sectors and programme areas and work with the programme units to formalize subsequent project proposals; • Identifies suitable partnership instruments and operational modalities for engagement with the private sector, IFIs and Foundations within the existing laws and regulatory framework; • Takes the lead in establishing and maintaining strategic contacts and association with relevant partners, follow-up proactively on engagement ideas and work closely with Programme Units; • Maps and tracks UNDP Guinea Bissau’s internal needs for potential private sector engagement initiatives and Corporate Social Responsibility activities aligned with the Government of Guinea-Bissau and UNDP’s Country Programme.

5. Advises and Guides Outreach for Government, IFIs, bilateral and multilateral organizations, Private Sector and Foundation partnerships and Engagement focusing on achievement of the following results: • Scans the environment for private sector, IFIs, bilateral and multilateral organizations and Foundations partnership opportunities using partner specific analysis, needs and comparative strengths;
   • Assists in resource mobilization by preparing the background analysis, partner consultations, and high-level meetings to facilitate a closer cooperation with the government, IFIs, bilateral and multilateral organizations, private sector and Foundations; • Provides regular technical support, information and expert guidance to UNDP Country and Government office on engagement with the private sector; • Works closely with the UNDP Communications team for appropriate messaging for UNDP engagement with the Government, IFIs, bilateral and multilateral organizations, private sector and Foundations; • Works closely with the worldwide UNDP network, including GPN, regional offices, etc. • Explores opportunities for mobilizing private sector Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) resources to support Government of Guinea-Bissau/UNDP initiatives and develop relevant private sector partnership strategies including building partnerships to promote Gender Equality; • Explores different funding sources, models and modalities and define parameters for UNDP’s engagement. • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor. • Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
   • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Functional Competencies:
Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda: Performs analysis of political situations and scenarios and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses; Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for advocacy work; Ability to analyze the organization’s value proposition and shape visionary/long term plans; Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise.

Building Strategic Partnerships: Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners; Displays initiative, sets challenging outputs for him/herself and willingly accepts new work assignment; Thinks out of the box; Understands Design Thinking; Knowledgeable about media trends and development trends.

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches: Identifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations; Documents successes and uses them to project a positive image; Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking; Makes the case for innovative ideas from the team with own supervisor.

Resource Mobilization: Identifies and compiles lessons learned; Promotes and encourages country office action with traditional and non-traditional donors as well as appropriate government authorities for increased contribution to UNDP resources, including cost sharing modalities.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing: Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches; Identifies new approaches that promote the use of tools and mechanisms; Uses and promotes the use of communities of practice and networks.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise: Understands aspects of communications, resource mobilization and partnership as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines; Continues to seek new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the CO; Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals: Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level.

Client Orientation: Keeps the client informed of problems or delays in the provision of services; Uses discretion and flexibility in interpreting rules in order to meet client needs and achieve organizational goals more effectively; Anticipates client needs; Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider; Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective.

Core Competencies: Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents 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. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member. Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking

Required Degree Level: Master's degree Required Experience: 5 years • Master's degree in social sciences, public policy, political science, economics, development studies or a related area, communication, international relations. • 3 years of relevant experience working on communications, partnership and resource mobilization issues; among which 3 years at international level • Diversified experience in working with public and private sector as well as development organizations.; • Knowledge of partnership policies, procedures, and instruments of United Nations development agencies or other multi-lateral or bilateral agencies; • Excellent networking capacities and proven experience in networking; • Experience in the UN system and south-south cooperation is desirable; • Certification in design thinking desirable

The Republic of Guinea-Bissau, a small country in western Africa, is one of the world’s poorest nations. The capital is Bissau and the official language is Portuguese. Many people outside of Bissau speak only an indigenous language or Creole. English is not widely used. The country’s 1998-99 civil war and the persistent political instability devastated the economy. Tourist facilities and infrastructure in general are very limited and not up to common minimum standards with respect to tourism.

Guinea-Bissau continues to experience periodic political disruptions and instability, although with no violent incidents, all travellers to the country should closely monitor the political situation. Visitors should avoid political gatherings and street demonstrations. Demonstrations typically begin or end in front of the former Presidential Palace in “Praca dos Herois Nacionais.” While most demonstrations in Bissau are non-violent, the imbalance of power in the country can lead to violent demonstrations. For safety and security issues, UN Security in the country will provide security advisories and procedures. Guinea-Bissau is a hardship E duty station but considered a family duty station. It has many limitations in terms of reliable education and health services (there is a UN Clinic for UN staff). There are recurrent electricity cuts even in the capital city. There are supermarkets and some restaurants.

Guinea-Bissau is a unique country and 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