UNDP: Communications and Change Management Specialist-Washington DC

  • Salary:
    negotiable / YEAR
  • Job type:
    CONTRACTOR
  • Posted:
    2 weeks ago
  • Category:
    Communication and Advocacy, Human Resources, Management and Strategy
  • Deadline:
    18/12/2024

JOB DESCRIPTION

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.
Job Purpose and Organizational Context

The General Operations (GO) as part of the Bureau of Management Services (BMS) in UNDP is responsible for premises, facilities, asset management, travel management and BMS Operations.  GO is actively seeking a Communications/Change Management Specialist who will design, manage and facilitate all corporate communications both internally and externally and implement corporate communications strategy, pertaining to services provided by GO.

As the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Headquarters in New York City has embarked on a major renovation project to transform 1 UN Plaza (DC1) building into the central hub for all UNDP headquarters personnel, the selected candidate will also work closely with the dedicated project team on this renovation project to ensure the implementation of regular communication and project timeline updates across UNDP Headquarters.

Under the direct supervision of the Director of General Operations, the Communications/Change Management Specialist works closely with several members of GO team and other internal personnel and stakeholders involved in this renovation project.  The incumbent will also collaborate with relevant counterparts such as the BMS Directorate, Bureau for External Relations and Advocacy/Office of Communications etc.

The Communications/Change Management Specialist will also provide specialized communications plan regarding the change management process of the entire major renovation project to transform the 1 UN Plaza into the central hub for all UNDP HQ personnel.

Duties and Responsibilities

Lead in designing the plan for the ‘’ Change Management ‘’

  • Understands the GO service lines as well as DC1 renovation project’s direction and identify change management approach/methodology to address the people side of change to align with the direction, thereby minimizing employee resistance and maximizing employee engagement.
  • Assess the scope of change and develop change management strategy which includes addressing potential people-side risks and resistance
  • Integrate change management activities into the project plan, communication activities, stakeholder engagement
  • Identify resources and stakeholders required in the change management process including individuals/parties that will be involved throughout the process.

Lead in planning and designing the internal and external strategies for communications and outreach 

  • Planning and elaboration of communications needs assessments for GO services including the DC1 renovation project
  • Drafting/editing of communications and outreach strategy
  • Develop schedule of both internal and external communications ensuring all updates on the GO service delivery including DC1 Renovation Project implementation status
  • Elaborate all corporate communications and outreach strategy for GO

Contribute to the effective implementation of GO services 

  • Management, promotion, and dissemination of informational materials pertaining to GO services including DC1 renovation project
  • Prepares promotional materials and project updates through appropriate visual and communication mechanisms (e.g. regular townhall meetings, mass email to internal clients as well as regular updates through BMS Directorate weekly updates).
  • Prepares briefing notes for Director, General Operations to present the GO services as well as implementation update on the DC1 renovation project to Senior Management including Executive Group

Build Strategic Engagement with stakeholders 

  • Development and maintenance of close contacts with all stakeholders involved in implementation of GO services including DC1 renovation project
  • Prepare and disseminate regular updates to all external stakeholders ensuring that constant and update to date information on GO service delivery through appropriate communication means.
  • Ensure increased coverage of the progress on DC1 renovation project
  • Effective responses to inquiries from stakeholders on the various GO services

Ensure to produce resources to be disseminated via the UNDP website and intranet

  • Prepare material regarding implementation updates on various GO services and project and disseminate to all internal clients
  • Identification and development of storylines for projects and activities implemented by GO.
  • Preparation of the content for intranet, Yammer, Viva and other platforms to ensure consistency of the materials and wide coverage.
    • Proactively identify and pursue opportunities for the documentation and communication of best practices, programme results, and lessons learned.

Lead knowledge sharing and knowledge management

  • Actively participate in and make substantive contributions to external networks and communities of practice to promote advocacy for UNDP’s work and opportunities for collaboration in addressing development trends.
  • Support establishment of knowledge platforms and innovative mechanisms for capturing and disseminating knowledge from the project; and ensure development of knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDP’s engagement in this area.
  • 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 Specialist works under the direct guidance of Director of General Operations.

Competencies
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
Communications Campaign management
  • Ability to produce and implement communications and advocacy campaigns which lead to impactful change
Communications Digital content creation
  • Ability to coalesce multiple skills to identify a topic to engage intended audiences, decide which form the content should take – e.g., blog, social media, video, paid media, etc. – and produce material to specification and a high level of quality
Communications Multimedia writing/editing

Ability to create and/or edit written content for multimedia

Partnership management Relationship management
  • Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding
Business Management Change Management
  • Initiate, design and ensure successful implementation of organisational change; prepare and support individuals and teams in implementing change
Business Management 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
Business Direction Strategy 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 system
Minimum Qualifications 
Min. Academic Education
  • Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Management, Communications, or any other related discipline is required Or
  • A first level university 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.
Min. years of relevant Work experience 
  • Minimum of seven (7) years (with master’s degree) or   nine (9) years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level in change management experience, familiarity working with project management framework in a change management environment, formulating and implementing communications strategy in change management set up.
Required skills and competencies
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, good knowledge and experience in handling of web-based management systems.
Desired additional skills and competencies
  • Prior work experience in change management communications highly desirable.
  • Experience in creating digital products is highly desirable.
  • Prior work experience with United Nations Common System highly desirable.
Required Language(s) (at working level)
  • Fluency (verbal and writing communication skills) in English required.
  • Knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.
Professional Certificates Not applicable.
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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Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements