Strategic Communications Consultant

Contract

This is a IPSA-10 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Personnel Services Agreement. It is normally internationally recruited only. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about IPSA-10 contracts.

Background

Framed by UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2022 – 2025, UNDP’s work on recovery solutions and human mobility has been expanding in response to country/regional demands and situations. This work is led by the Recovery Solutions and Human Mobility Team (RSHM) in the Crisis Bureau (CB). The Crisis Bureau guides UNDP’s corporate crisis-related strategies and vision for crisis prevention, response and recovery. It has a key role to play in helping country offices accelerate human and sustainable development by supporting the design and implementation of programmes and projects that effectively contribute to country-owned policies and results.

The Recovery Solutions and Human Mobility team, as a part of the Crisis Bureau, offers integrated solutions by combining existing technical, programme and policy expertise in three established interrelated UNDP workstreams: i) human mobility; ii) livelihoods and economic recovery, iii) mine action, all in light of new developments and situations brought by the COVID pandemic.

The assignment covers all team workstreams, where the consultant will support work on the communications. Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Recovery Solutions and Human Mobility – Crisis Bureau, the consultant will provide technical advice on strategic communications, messaging, branding and content development, and support knowledge sharing within the Global Policy Network (GPN). The consultant will work with regional and country-level colleagues with the overall objective of supporting communications on recovery solutions and human mobility.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide technical advice on strategic communications, messaging, branding and content development on UNDP’s work on human mobility, livelihoods and economic recovery, and mine action. Prepare a consolidated communications strategy for RSHM team reflecting the new strategic framework.
• Design and produce social media content, including graphics, articles, social media posts, hashtags, quotes and key messages to support events and activities on human mobility, livelihoods and economic recovery, and mine action.
• Write and coordinate articles for the media and the UNDP website on around key days and events, especially on internal displacement, Mine Action and migration.
• Coordinate publications for the RSHM team including writing and working with graphic designers.
• Support the partnership with the GP2.0 network, providing strategic communications and coordination support to the Secretariat, as well as partnerships with other UN agencies.
• Together with CB senior management, RSHM team and BERA ensure coherence with UNDP corporate communications guidelines. Prepare and provide quality assurance for slides, presentation materials, briefing note and talking points.
• Develop a clear timeframe with regular communication activities at the international, regional and national level for the RSHM team , covering each the priority area. Identify different voices/ experts to write Op-Eds, blogs and podcasts on human mobility and development, including academics, mayors, UNDP consultants.
• Identify the direct supervisor (s) the Contractor and attach a general overview (or Organigram) in an Annex to show the position of this function within the office and unit structure (without indicating names of individuals).
• The Strategic Communications Consultant will be based in the Recovery Solutions and Human Mobility Team, Crisis Bureau. S/he reports to Luca Renda, Head, Recovery Solutions and Human Mobility – Crisis Bureau.

Competencies

• Solid understanding of recovery solutions and human mobility and their relevance to crisis response and sustainable development;
• Strong written and oral communications skills and proven experience working with different medias;
• Working and networking with counterparts in international organizations, governments, civil society organizations and theprivate sector;
• Strong advocacy skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities;
• Ability to work effectively with UNDP Staff members in various; regions and offices;
• Ability to contribute to building and nurturing partnerships;
• Ability to manage multiple tasks under pressure;
• Strong interpersonal and consultative skills required to ensure cultivation of the daily working relationship and promote effective coordination among the UN family of agencies;
• Strong networking skills required to support UNDP positioning and relationship building with development partners

Required Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree in the communication field.
• Bachelor’s degree with 2 additional years of relevant professional experience can be accepted in lieu of Master’s degree.
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience with Master’s degree or 9 years of relevant professional experience with Bachelor’s degree, including experience working on forced displacement/migration and/or development issues, and in the UN System.