Strategic Relations and Innovations Officer

Volunteering Admin Communications & PR Innovation

Overview

Support strategic planning and management of engagements for UNDP South Africa.

You have:

• 1-2 years of experience in a similar role, preferably supporting high-level executives.
• Strong research skills and the ability to synthesize complex information tailored for different audiences.
• Well-established experience in using digital tools and AI to improve work efficiency.
• Excellent organizational abilities with keen attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; this will be tested during the recruitment process.
• Proficiency with office and productivity software (e.g., Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Oracle, Google Workspace).
• Strong understanding of social media platforms.
• Experience in knowledge sharing around areas of expertise.
• Ability to handle confidential information with integrity and professionalism.

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.

UNDP South Africa, where innovation, strategy, and creativity come together to shape the future. As a part of our dynamic team, you will directly contribute to our mission by supporting our executives in day-to-day strategic planning, management of external engagement and communications.

UNDP South Africa Country Office works to support the country’s development goals in alignment with the National Development Plan (NDP) and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It partners with the government, private sector, civil society, and international organizations to promote inclusive growth, governance, and environmental sustainability. UNDPs key focus areas include (i) Inclusive Economic Growth & Sustainable Development to support job creation, entrepreneurship, and innovation as well as promote policies for poverty reduction and economic transformation, (ii) Good Governance & Social Cohesion to strengthen institutions, the rule of law and enhance transparency and accountability, (iii) Climate Action & Environmental Sustainability to support renewable energy and climate resilience projects and promote conservation, biodiversity, and sustainable development. Gender Equality & Youth Empowerment is an overarching focus area and aims to advocate for women’s rights and economic participation and support youth skills development and leadership programs.

UNDP South Africa Country Office works closely with national and provincial governments, providing technical expertise, policy advice, and funding to advance sustainable development and improve livelihoods across the country.

Working under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative, the UN Volunteer will work within the Country Office and undertake the duties below:

Key Responsibilities 1. Strategic Intelligence & Thinking Partner • Provide high-level briefings and intelligence summaries ahead of key meetings. • Identify trends, risks, and opportunities in global policy, technology, and economic landscapes. • Act as a thought partner to the Deputy, preparing insights that support decision-making. • Utilise AI and digital tools to enhance research and efficiency in managing strategic priorities.

2. Relationship & Influence Management • Serve as a liaison between the Deputy and key stakeholders (government, private sector, UN agencies, donors, and development partners). • Cultivate and maintain high-value relationships to position UNDP as a leader in innovation, sustainable finance, and impact-driven development. • Accompany the Deputy in select high-level engagements, ensuring continuity of influence and positioning. • Use AI-driven relationship management tools to track engagement history and optimise outreach strategies.

3. Strategic Fundraising & Resource Mobilisation Support (not as a fundraiser, but as an enabler) • Map and track funding trends, identifying new and untapped sources of financing. • Support the Deputy in navigating donor ecosystems, ensuring alignment between funders’ priorities and UNDP initiatives. • Coordinate strategic high-level donor engagements and partnerships, ensuring they lead to actionable opportunities.

4. Digital Transformation & AI-Enabled Productivity • Drive workflow automation, ensuring AI optimises time and resource allocation. • Manage digital engagement, including social media, thought leadership content, and strategic messaging for key audiences. • Support communications function of the Deputy – linking programme results to strategic engagements and new funding opportunities • Utilise AI for agenda-setting, data analytics, and optimising internal processes.

5. High-Level Coordination & Execution • Ensure meetings, engagements, and missions are impeccably executed, with clear objectives and follow-ups. • Track commitments, action points, and strategic initiatives, ensuring sustained momentum. • Provide oversight in the preparation of high-level dialogues, round tables, and strategy sessions.

Professionalism; Integrity, Teamwork and respect for diversity; Commitment to continuous learning; Planning and organizing; Communication; Flexibility; Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement.

in a similar role, preferably supporting high-level executives. • Strong research skills and the ability to synthetize complex information into levels that cater for different audience needs. • Well-established experience is the use of digital tools, AI and others to improve performance and work efficiency. • Excellent organizational abilities with keen attention to detail. • Excellent experiencing in verbal and written communication skills (this will be tested during the recruitment process). • Proficiency with office and productivity software (e.g., Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Oracle, Google Workspace). • Strong understanding of social media platforms. • Experience in knowledge sharing around areas of expertise. • Ability to handle confidential information with integrity and professionalism.

Bigger cities in South Africa can be highly cosmopolitan. In Johannesburg and Pretoria, you will find an abundance of world class gyms, restaurants, bars, recreational classes, galleries, parks etc. The bigger shopping malls host a large selection of international brands. There is a plethora of international cuisine to be sampled, and quirky independent cinemas to be discovered. OR Tambo International Airport is a world class airport, offering highly sophisticated facilities. It is located just outside of Johannesburg, in Kempton Park. It has many international airlines that fly into this airport. Crime rates in South Africa are ranked on the high end, petty theft and opportunistic crimes are common, and armed robberies, smash & grabs and hijackings are also fairly frequent in certain areas. One needs to remain vigilant especially at night and at road intersections. There are usually sign posts that indicate such hot spots. Periodic security information updates are sent via email providing information at national level, with regards to circumstances such as incidents of civil unrest, transport security, computer and networking safety and trends in criminality. UNDSS sends weekly security updates via email. Updates from wardens are on an ad hoc basis, following security related events in your residential area. Updates from UNDSS are provided weekly.

UN Volunteers receives the below entitlements: • A Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA): R22,926.08 per month; • A once off entry lumpsum of $400 at the start of the assignment; • Medical insurance; Life cover, and annual leave; • Access to all learning platforms; • A once off exit lumpsum at the end of the assignment.

Role Overview: The Strategic Relations & Innovation Officer will serve as a trusted advisor, relationship manager, and innovation enabler for the Deputy Resident Representative. This role is designed for someone who can think critically, build strategic alliances, leverage AI for efficiency, and enhance external engagement.

They will not just manage schedules but orchestrate influence, identify opportunities, and connect the dots across partnerships, communications, fundraising, and innovation to maximize impact.

Application should be accompanied with a written motivation statement not more than 1 page explaining what you will prioritise within the first 3 months if you were selected.

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org