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.
United Nations Volunteers (UNV) is a global programme and shared service for the UN system hosted and administered by UNDP. UNV provides volunteer solutions to UN entities across development, humanitarian, peace and security pillars and provides volunteer advisory services to UN Member States and, on their request, carries out relevant intergovernmental mandates. The Administrator of UNDP is also the Administrator of UNV and delegates strategic management of UNV to its Executive Coordinator.
The External Relations and Communications Section (ERCS) builds and nurtures corporate donor relations, strategically leads the donor resource mobilization platform and conducts coherent communications efforts to highlight the value of volunteerism for peace and development and the contributions of UNV and UN Volunteers. Since September 2024, ERCS hosts the Secretariat for the International Volunteer Year.
In December 2023, through Resolution A/RES/78/127, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 2026 the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (hereafter referred to as IVY 2026) and invited UNV to facilitate its implementation in cooperation with Governments and relevant UN system organizations.
Subsequently, the IVY 2026 Secretariat was established in UNV to be responsible for IVY 2026 preparation and delivery of the UNV IVY 2026 work plan in support of the global IVY 2026 observance. Reporting to the Team Leader for IVY 2026, the Communications Specialist contributes to the preparation and implementation of IVY 2026 by facilitating the communications campaign.
UNV adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNV personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
3) Facilitate IVY 2026 internal communications across UNV
Maintain the intranet page on IVY 2026 as the repository of information on the IVY for UNV staff with the support of the other team members of the IVY 2026 Secretariat. Support the communication with UNV staff by producing content on IVY 2026 for dissemination through relevant internal channels (e.g., newsletters; webinars; presentations in all staff-Townhalls).4) Contribute to the IVY 2026 online and onsite Events
Identify and collect inputs for thematic debates during IVY 2026 (both audiovisual contributions and text) via the UNV Knowledge Portal on Volunteerism and through other sources. Support implementation of relevant webinars, dialogues and in person-events, and provide communications toolkits for the design of IVY 2026 events facilitated by external stakeholders observing the International Volunteer Year. Support the preparation of IVY 2026 key events, including by assisting in the drafting of talking points and speeches.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
CompetenciesAchieve Results
Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impactThink Innovatively
Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problemsLearn Continuously
Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiencesAdapt with Agility
Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demandsAct with Determination
Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater resultsEngage and Partner
Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaborationEnable Diversity and Inclusion
Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity Cross-Functional & Technical competencies Systems Thinking Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the systemAdvocacy strategy and implementation
Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful changeCampaign Management
Ability to produce and implement communications and advocacy campaigns which lead to impactful changeMultimedia Production
Ability to create and combine images, text and audio-visuals to produce multimedia contentPublic relations
Ability to build and maintain an overall positive public image for the organisation, its mandate and its brand, while ensuring that individual campaigns and other communications and advocacy initiatives are supported in reaching the publicCustomer 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 concernsRelationship management
Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding Required Skills and Experience Education: Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Communications, Publishing, Management, Public Administration, or a related area is required. Or First-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. Experience: Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in communications, with a proven track record of developing and implementing communication strategies in an international context, digitally and analogue. Experience in desktop editing/publishing, web (including social media) asset creation, copy-editing and production is required. Expert digital communications skills with proven ability in Adobe, Canva and Illustrator (or similar) is required. Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet is required. Visual asset experience, with proven examples of projects using visual curation of photography and video production management is highly desirable. Experience in working in a multicultural environment is highly desirable. Experience in procurement is an asset. Experience in journalism and public relations is an asset. Familiarity with database management and office technology equipment is desired. Fluency in English is required, (Exceptional written and verbal communication skills are required (in English), with the ability to convey complex information clearly and effectively to various stakeholders. Working knowledge of another UN language highly desirable. Disclaimer Only short-listed applicants will be contacted; The successful candidate will hold a UNDP letter of appointment.This vacancy is archived.