Job Purpose and Organizational Context
- Conduct of communications needs assessments for CO (projects, country programme and corporate change initiatives, etc.).
- Analysis of requirements and synthesis of proposals, including service infrastructure and analysis of strategic positioning, analytics, and equipment, for elaboration of the CO communications and outreach strategy based on corporate strategic priorities and the UNDP External Communications Action Plan.
- Development/production of communication and advocacy instruments and materials for marketing and awareness-raising campaigns, including briefing materials and media materials in coordination with the supervisor.
- Develops and synthesizes proposals for project formulations to integrate advocacy and communication strategies into all aspects of UNDP’s development programme.
- Represents and leads UNDP’s contributions to the UN Country Team’s communications strategies.
- Support the CO with national and international media engagement and mobilization.
- Develop sustainable relationships with representatives of the press at the local, national, and international levels.
- Organize media tours to promote UNDP’s impact in the field in mass media.
- Pitch UNDP story ideas and experts to international media when relevant.
- Provide communications and online advocacy support to UNDP Afghanistan projects, as needed
- Maintain a good working relationship with project communication focal points and utilize their capcity when needed.
- Coordinate and supervise the “extended communication group” existing out of all Pillar and Project communication employees.
- Effective implementation of the CO publications strategy and plan.
- Provision of support to programme teams in publishing.
- Management of CO publication activities, such as drafting articles, content management, norms for publishing, design, maintenance of regular contact with printers and other suppliers to ensure production and publications dissemination.
- Ensures the use of innovative tools and resources for the dissemination of UNDP programme products and the promotion of the organization’s value proposition.
- Management of the office websites based on corporate requirements in cooperation with the HQ web team.
- Preparation of the content for the websites and social media platforms to ensure consistency of the materials.
- Supervision of the design and maintenance of the office web sites based on corporate requirements in cooperation with the web and digital team in HQ..
- Approval of the content for the web sites to ensure consistency of the materials.
- Develops social media platforms (Twitter, FB, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube) and oversees the maintenance and frequent updating.
- Solicit, select and edit periodic blogs and op-eds for the national and international media and country office website
- Promotion and dissemination of corporate advocacy materials for launching flagship initiatives and publications, such as the Human Development Report.
- Promotion and maintenance of public information campaigns on issues including UNDP activities, Sustainable Development Goals, and UN Reform, under the supervision of the Country Director.
- Provision of support to programme teams in reporting.
- Preparation/Review and dissemination of newsletter to donors, donor reports, and civic education and community awareness, where appropriate, to support projects.
- Promotion and maintenance of public information campaigns on RCO and JO’s activities, results of SDGs, in association with other.
- Promotion and dissemination of corporate advocacy materials for launching flagship initiatives and publications such as the Human Development Report.
- Packaging and submission of programme initiatives for donor review in collaboration with programme staff and supervisor.
- Organize public awareness campaigns during the UN international days.
- Maintenance of increased coverage and understanding of the UNDP's work in the country or practice area through regular media contacts and provision of newsworthy information to national public and, where possible, donors.
- Organization of roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews, launches, etc.
- Forging of a "one UN" image through publicizing the significance of local UN reform efforts, joint programmes, common services. Organization and implementation of joint UN information campaigns (UN Day, World AIDS Day, etc.)
- Ensured access for journalists to subject matter experts.
- Drafting/production of regular newsletter to donors, Government and other partners.
- Preparation of donor reports, civic education and community awareness where appropriate to support projects
- Public information
- Effective responses to inquiries for public information materials.
- Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country goals and activities.
- Contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories.
- Provision of trainings and clinics for UNDP staff on internal and external communications for development, with a focus on photography, video, blogging, managing social media, working with press, etc.
- Professional growth through active learning.
- Collaboration and Partnerships
- Multimedia / Content Development
- Master's degree or Bachelor’s in media relations, journalism, publishing
- Master’s Degree with 2 years or Bachelor’s with 4 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in public relations, communications or advocacy.
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, good knowledge and experience in handling of social media and web-based management systems
- Advanced knowledge of and experience with photography and video will be an asset.
- Advanced knowledge of and experience with blogging and social media will be an asset.
- Advanced user level with computers and office software packages.
- Good knowledge and experience in handling of web-based management systems.
- Fluency in English required.
- Fluency in Dari or Pashto is required
- 2nd UN language is desirable.
Important applicant information
All posts in the GS categories are subject to local recruitment.
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.
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Contract Duration: On (1) Year with possibility of extension