Background

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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.

UNCDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s 46 least developed countries. With its capital mandate and instruments, UNCDF offers ‘last mile’ finance models that unlock public and private resources, especially at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local economic development.

The UNCDF strategy of ‘Leaving no one behind in the digital era’ is based on over a decade of experience in digital finance in Africa, Asia and the Pacific. The goal of UNCDF is to empower millions of people by 2024 to use services daily that leverage innovation and technology and contribute to the SDGs. To achieve this vision UNCDF uses a market development approach and continuously seeks to address underlying market dysfunctions that exclude people living in the last mile.

The team working under the Inclusive Digital Economies (IDE) practice area at UNCDF is composed of technical experts in digital finance and services as well as communication and knowledge managers. The latter support the technical experts in building a community of practice in the inclusive digital economy space. The communication and knowledge managers support the technical team in documenting, packaging and disseminating learnings generated by projects carried out with partners from the public and private sector (government representatives, MNOs, Fintechs, Banks etc).

One example of the IDE programmes is the one recently initiated in partnership with European Union and the Organization of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS). This initiative of €14.5 million aims at unlocking the potential of digital finance to benefit more than 600,000 women, youth and entrepreneurs across African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. As part of that programme UNCDF is supporting key policy reforms for digital transformation and the creation inclusive financial services tailored to the needs of women and youth in the three regions.

The IDE team in Malawi is looking for a Communication Analyst who will be responsible for implementing IDE Malawi’s communication strategy.

Scope of work

The communications Analyst will focus on four major work areas related to communication and advocacy::

1. Strategy and planning:

• The Communication Analyst will be responsible for an optimal strategy that elevates the brand of UNCDF IDE as well as enhances awareness of building and strengthening the digital economy in Malawi that will support the achievement of the SDGs. Together with the country lead and regional communication lead develop and implement IDE Malawi’s communication strategy;
• Identify target audience for the IDE programme area in Malawi and tailor messages, using channels that these audience use, leveraging existing UNCDF IDE online channels; creating a narrative around key priority areas, and engage in discussions with donors, government partners and other key stakeholders.  

2. Brand communication and awareness campaigns:

• The communications Analyst will be responsible for a brand strategy that effectively explains UNCDF IDEs distinct value proposition, thought leadership, and overseeing awareness campaigns with the aim of mobilizing resources.

3. Content production and management:

• The Communications Analyst will be responsible for content creation that will maintain engagement as well as incite interest on UNCDF IDE activities;
• Create compelling content in various forms such as written assets, visual elements, content for social media, contribute and oversee the production of video content as well as the organization of events. Content is to be distributed through identified best channels;
• Support the organization of conferences, events and information sharing workshops as these are also communication assets, by by drafting event concept notes and agenda, including a visibility plan, coordinate the events logistics (for online and physical events) including the procurement of facilities and set up of venue, contribute to the production of all communication assets for events: invitations, agenda, presentations, etc.;
• Monitor event indicators (registrations, participation, post event survey etc.)

4. Contribute to capturing learnings:

• With the technical team and the results & measurement team monitor the performance of project KPIs, assumptions in the Theory of Change and project workbook, and lessons learned while piloting activities.

5. Monitor the performance of these assets:

• Provide regular updates on the performance of assets developed on for example the UNCDF website and social media, giving details of key web statistics.
• Log produced communication materials, including news clippings, publications photographs, audio-visual materials and web resources; as well as share images selectively with external media and partners, in UNCDF IDE databases for overall reporting and performance purposes.

Institutional Arrangements

The Communication Analyst, will join the IDE team in Malawi, based in Lilongwe, and will contribute to the effective delivery of the activities by the practice, reporting to the IDE Country Lead while working in close collaboration with the Regional Communications Lead, and as part of the regional IDE communications team.

Competencies

Core Competencies

• Achieve Result:  LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by the 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 relationship;
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, be aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Core Leadership

• Strategic Thinking
  • Takes responsibility for and ensures high quality of own work Uses available resources, methods, partners, and information effectively.

Core Communication

• Communication
  • Reliably and consistently interprets information and instruction correctly;
  • Responds to information and instruction with professionalism and accuracy;
  • Speaks on behalf of self with professionalism and integrity consistent with UN values.

Core Innovation

• Innovation
  • Assesses work with critical eye;
  • Seeks feedback on work activities;
  • Demonstrates interest in learning about clients’ perspectives and needs.

Core People Management

• People Management
  • Understands personal and team roles, responsibilities and objectives;
  • Proactively seeks clarification when needed;
  • Proactively seeks instruction, feedback and coaching to improve performance.

Core Delivery

• Delivery
  • Meets goals and timelines for team deliverables;
  • Understands responsibilities and meets expectations;
  • Delivers within time and resource requirements;
  • Awareness of organizational values and code of conduct in delivering services.

Technical Competency

• Technical Competency
  • Replicate Reliably Carries out work, as directed, and demonstrates motivation to develop.

Requirements:

Education

• Master’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, advocacy, or related field.
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field with additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of advanced university degree.

 Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

• A minimum 2 years (Master’s degree) or 4 years (Bachelor’s degree) of dedicated experience with progressive responsibilities in knowledge management, communication or relevant field;

• Experience working with international organizations, developing country governments, donor agencies and/or NGOs and other civil society groups involved in various sectors of international development;

• Proven skills in management of events and coordination of contributions from different stakeholders;

• Proven skills in writing engaging knowledge pieces and communications materials;

• Experience with a UN organization/agency is preferable;

• Experience with EU Communications & Visibility requirements is desirable;

• Knowledge of digital financial inclusion in LDCs relevant to the donor community or the development field;

• Proven skills in the development and implementation of knowledge and communications plan;

• Proven skills in the production of knowledge products in a variety of formats such as publications and videos;

• Excellent computer skills and ability to use software and other relevant applications.

Language

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Working knowledge of Chichewa is desirable.

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.

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