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.
Office/Unit/Project Description
UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.
Within the GPN, the UNDP Crisis Bureau leads the organization's efforts to support countries in building resilience by strengthening their capacities to anticipate, prevent, respond to, and recover from crises and shocks. This work is essential for safeguarding progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). CB’s efforts focus on reducing dependency on external humanitarian aid and peace interventions by promoting risk-informed development planning and decision-making. By ensuring that development perspectives are integrated as early as possible in crisis response and recovery efforts, CB aims to transform recovery into an opportunity to promote more resilient, green, and equitable development pathways. Guided by UNDP’s corporate Crisis Offer (2022), the CB works closely with Regional Bureaux (RBx) and Country Offices (COs) to implement preventive and risk-informed approaches and deliver effective crisis responses, ultimately helping to break the cycle of protracted crises and fragility. The Crisis Bureau is organized into five core teams, each playing a pivotal role in advancing UNDP's work in crisis and resilience contexts. Each team integrates gender considerations across all areas of work to ensure inclusive and sustainable outcomes.
In this context, the newly established Governance, Rule of Law, and Peacebuilding Hub, a joint endeavor with the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS), provides leadership and advisory services to enhance UNDP’s impact on governance and peacebuilding, ensuring the integration of democratic governance and human rights into crisis response and recovery. The Hub aims to build an integrated portfolio collaboratively between CB and BPPS and establish partnerships with various stakeholders including the UN System, IFIs, civil society, and the private sector. The Hub’s functions involve providing leadership, advising on strategic positioning, managing global programs, developing GRP solutions, and leading crisis response and recovery support. They also focus on knowledge management and learning, establishing thematic and operational partnerships, and mobilizing resources. Thematic areas include peacebuilding, rule of law, local solutions, governance, human rights, and democratic institutions. Cross-cutting issues address digital transformation, data for SDG16+, and gender inclusion. The initiative aims to ensure that gender dimensions are systematically and measurably addressed in UNDP's GRP work.
Duties and ResponsibilitiesI) Designs and Executes GRP Hub Communications and Outreach Strategies to Support Partnership-Building and Resource Mobilization:
Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy for Peacebuilding, Local Action and any other relevant teams in the GRP Hub in partnership with BPPS and Crisis Bureau communications leads, aimed at enhancing visibility and support for governance, rule of law, and peacebuilding initiatives. Provide strategic advice on integrating advocacy and communication elements into Peacebuilding and Local Action, ensuring alignment with the broader communications priorities of the Crisis Bureau and BPPS. Align the Peacebuilding's’ and Local Action’s communications strategies with overall organizational priorities to support effective partnership-building, advocacy, and resource mobilization.II) Manages content development, production and dissemination for the Peacebuilding, Local Action and any other relevant team in the GRP Hub across various media:
Oversee the writing, design, production, and dissemination of publications, explainers, news releases, and multimedia content, utilizing print, broadcast, digital, and social media channels. Identify and develop storylines for publications and media outreach, focusing on peacebuilding and local action, with verified inputs from field staff and thematic experts. Coordinate the end-to-end production process for all publications, including content editing, design oversight, liaising with printers, and managing dissemination, in line with UNDP branding and editorial guidelines. Utilize social media to amplify messaging on governance, rule of law and peacebuilding, identifying opportunities to enhance engagement and complement Global Policy Network (GPN) communications efforts.III) Enhances Digital Information Services and Web-Based Platforms:
Lead the content development and continual improvement of the Peacebuilding and Local Action teams of the GRP Hub’s online platforms, ensuring that they effectively reflect the principles and priorities of the Global Policy Network (GPN) and provide up-to-date, relevant information. Regularly update the relevant website with new content, explore innovative digital tools, and assess the effectiveness of online information dissemination to enhance visibility and stakeholder engagement.IV) Promotes optimum visibility of the Peacebuilding and Local Action Team in the GRP Hub’s activities through media relations and strategic partnerships:
Form and maintain strategic partnerships with media counterparts across UN agencies and external media networks to increase coverage of the GRP Hub’s work on crisis prevention, response, and governance. Enhance media presence by organizing press conferences, facilitating interviews with senior managers, and collaborating with Crisis Bureau and BPPS focal points to highlight key initiatives and results. In coordination with BERA and relevant bureaus, draft and distribute press releases, media kits, and updates to inform stakeholders about UNDP’s achievements in GRP areas.V) Facilitates Knowledge Building and Collaboration across UNDP and External Partners
Collaborate with CB, BERA, BPPS, and other GPN teams to share expertise and best practices, contributing to the development of high-impact knowledge products and advocacy initiatives. Participate in regular Crisis Bureau communications meetings and planning to ensure GRP priorities and impact are consistently integrated into broader communications around UNDP’s work in crisis. Promote knowledge-sharing activities within the GRP Hub and across UNDP, enhancing the Hub’s credibility as a key provider of insights and solutions in crisis prevention, rule of law, governance, and peacebuilding. Support thematic and operational partnership development, ensuring systematic integration of cross-cutting issues such as gender inclusion, digital transformation, and data-driven solutions into the Hub’s work, in line with the SDG16+ agenda.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement
The Peacebuilding Communications Specialist jointly reports to the Manager of the Engine Room and the Crisis Bureau Communications Lead.
Competencies Core Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity. Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies Thematic Area Name Definition Business Management CommunicationCommunicate 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
Business Management Digital Awareness & Literacy Ability to monitor new and emerging technologies, as well as understand their usage, potential, limitations, impact, and added value. Ability to rapidly and readily adopt and use new technologies in professional activities, and to empower others to use them as needed. Knowledge of the usage of digital technologies and emerging trends. Digital Data storytelling & 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. Communications Campaign Management Ability to produce and implement communications and advocacy campaigns which lead to impactful change. Communications Advocacy strategy & implementation Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change. Business Direction & Strategy System 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 system. Communications Media Relations Ability to develop media relations across all aspects of media work including relationships with media and preparing media materials such as messages. Required Skills and Experience Min. Education requirementsAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Social Sciences, International Relations, or related field is required, or
A first-level university degree (Bachelor´s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience, will be given due consideration in lieu of Master´s degree.
Min. years of relevant work experience Minimum 5 years (with master´s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor´s degree) of relevant professional experience in communications for an international organization on peacebuilding, governance, and/or development related themes. Required skills Experience collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders, across agencies, government, NGOs, civil society, private sector, and others. Experience in communicating on issues relating to governance and peacebuilding. Experience formulating strategic documents to guide communications, media, and publication plans. Proven knowledge and experience using social media for development messaging. Experience supporting and advising senior management and high-level officials through the development of talking points, speech writing, as well as high-level VIP visits and conferences. Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section Media relations experience and proven ability to secure earned media placements in print, broadcast, and/or new media. Clear background with direct engagement with media in sensitive environments. Experience and technical knowledge of web design and digital infrastructure, email, and customer management software, including HTML, CSS, AEM, digital analytics and advertising platforms. Experience in strategy development and donor and UN partnerships/public relations at the international level. Experience in UNDP or specialized experience in peacebuilding. Experience communicating in crisis or conflict-affected settings. Experience implementing innovative solutions and tracking performance results. Background experience in data innovation and digital analytics. Demonstrated experience in training and collaborating proactively with non-technical stakeholders in the achievement of shared results. Required Language(s)Fluency in English is required.
Working knowledge of other UN language is an asset.
Professional Certificates N/A Disclaimer Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders) Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.