Communications and Public Relations Analyst

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

As the United Nations lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is concentrated in four focus areas: sustainable development, democratic governance and peace building, and climate and disaster resilience.

The Communications/PR Specialist works in close collaboration with the Communications, Programs, and other UNDP teams for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving complex programme/project-related issues and information delivery. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems.

Duties And Responsibilities

Actively contribute to the implementation of UNDP’s Climate Change, Energy and Environment Cluster communications and advocacy strategies and public relations policy focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Developing and updating the communication plans of the above Programmes;
• Provision of inputs and information for elaboration of the above Programmes communication strategy based on the UNDP general corporate communications strategy;
• Building and maintaining sustainable contacts with print and electronic media;
• Coordination of communication activities with Programme Specialists, Coordinators and Managers of the above Programmes;
• Organization of media coverage for public events organized by the programme (seminars, conferences, presentations etc.) and further monitoring, as well as close interaction with Press Media departments of national partners;
• Provide support of all Cluster’s Programme components in the development and editing of informational materials;
• Arrangement of external public relations activities as appropriate within Cluster’s programme activities;
• Answering enquiries from the press and public related to work of Cluster’s programme activities in Kyrgyzstan;
• Organization of publicity, advocacy, knowledge-sharing events and promotional opportunities; personal presence in some events, where needed;
• Research and retrieval of data from internal and external sources;
• Writing success stories for printing and online platforms (corporate websites, publications, social media etc.);
• As a matter of increasing priority, focus, when required, on drafting and subsequent production of joint success and other information materials featuring successes/challenges and developmental trends to portray sustainable development goals and priorities; at that, the PR specialist is expected to work and interact very closely with all the UNDP relevant staff concerned as well as with the national partners;
• Provide inputs for social media (photos, videos, posts etc.);
• Prepares all informational materials for publishing and follow up the publishing process with printing houses;
• Provide support in translating the comms-related materials into English, Russian and Kyrgyz languages
• Coordination of writing, translation, development, design, production and dissemination of communication outputs, press releases and publications;
• Supports planning and holding all communication events of the Programme;
• Development/update and distribution of media monitoring report of Cluster’s activity, as well as development of data base for photo, video materials.

Ensures maintenance of web sites, data bases and knowledge management systems focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Contribute to the corporate web-site on Programme/Project activities in line with corporate branding requirements;
• Preparation of the content for the web sites ensuring consistency of the materials;
• Establish communications with relevant and international sources of information within Cluster’s activities.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Identification, documenting and drafting of best practices and lessons learned.
• Participation in training for personnel on effective communications and advocacy.

Support to administrative and organizational activities, related to implementation of the CO communications and advocacy activities:

• ­developing and providing feedback for terms of reference for the communications activities of the CO and projects.
• Providing inputs to the annual communications budget.
• Initiating and following up on administrative and procurement processes, payments, related to the execution of the communications and advocacy activities of the CO.

Competencies

Core Competencies

• 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

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
• Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks, and opportunities, linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions. Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP
• Negotiation and Influence
• Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates ‘win-win’ situations
• Communication
• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience
• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels
• Digital Awareness and Literacy
• Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skillfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed
• Customer Satisfaction/Client Management
• Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers’ needs.
• Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy.
• Look for ways to add value beyond clients’ immediate requests.
• Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.
• Knowledge Generation
• Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need
• Data storytelling and communications
• Skilled in building a narrative around a set of data and its accompanying visualizations to help convey the meaning of that data in a powerful and compelling fashion.

Education

Required Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree or equivalent in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration, natural/social sciences or related field is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master’s degree.

Experience

• Up to 2 years (with Master’s degree) or minimum 2 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in communications, public relations, journalism with focus on environment or related field at national or international level is required.

Required Skills

• Experience in communications, advocacy, and strategic public relations is required;
• Strong writing, communication and presentations skills/experience;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.).

Desired Skills

• Experienced in providing communications support to high-profile events, writing media materials, and developing multimedia content is desired;
• Experience in social media management and/or social media analytics;
• Experience working in/with local and/or international journalism;
• Relevant experience working with UN or other international organizations is an asset;
• Advanced training in journalism/communications/public relations is an asset.

Languages

• Fluency in written and spoken English, Russian and Kyrgyz.

Institutional Arrangement

The Communications/PR specialist develops and implements communications strategies of the Climate Change, Energy and Environment Cluster in line with the related corporate strategies and plans under the overall guidance of the Climate Change, Energy and Environment Cluster’s Coordinators and UNDP Communication Officer, with inputs from the UNDP Country Office Kyrgyzstan to increase the standing and awareness of above programmes with partners, the media and the public. The Communications/PR Specialist promotes a client-oriented approach in UNDP.

Disclaimer

Applicant Information About UNDP Rosters

Note: 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.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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