Fully engaged in the post-conflict recovery process, UNDP Sudan is implementing a wide range of interventions to pre-empt and respond to the needs of the country as it moves from a conflict-stricken environment to one of peace. UNDP needs to enhance its communications portfolio and implement a communications strategy that reflects the positive impact of its interventions; positions UNDP as a lead agency in recovery, reintegration and development; highlights UNDP’s role vis-à-vis the donor community; and ensures flow of communications between UNDP and those it serves.

Under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative, he/she works closely with the Communications team in Khartoum, liaises closely with UNDP HQ Office of Communication and other Bureaus and Offices as required.

Position Purpose

The incumbent develops and leads the implementation of a Strategic Communications Plan for UNDP Sudan with a view to promote public and media outreach and to mobilize political and financial support for UNDP and advise Senior Management on all aspects of communications work.  He/she works in close collaboration with the Programme and Operations teams in the country office, media staff of UN Agencies, UNDP regional and HQs communications staff and Government officials, and local media, subject matter experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UNDP Communications strategy implementation.

• Direct and supervise the daily work of the Communications Team – along with interns and contracted media service providers.
  • Lead the Communications Unit team and facilitate effective collaborative work planning and implementation processes to meet agreed outputs.
  • Provide a positive team environment where staff is able to perform optimally, respond to challenges creatively and collaboratively, and access coaching and mentoring as needed.
  • Lead the strategic planning process of the unit with focus on results-based management and reporting.
  • Perform performance appraisal of staff directly supervised.
  • Oversee external production of communication materials and audio-visual products to ensure brand quality and alignment with communications guidelines and standards
• Develop, Plan and Design of internal and external Strategies for communications and outreach in Khartoum and whole-of-Sudan focusing on achievement of the following results:
  • Planning and elaboration of communications needs assessments for UNDP Sudan with equal focus on whole-of-Sudan (project highlights and results, electronic bulletins, etc.)
  • Elaboration of the communications and outreach strategy including, but not limited to, producing programme leaflets (2 pagers), project fact sheets, fast facts documents, best practices, producing high-quality human-interest success stories with impact, producing high-quality visuals, using info graphs, results and impact, etc.
  • Constructive and timely advice on inclusion of communications components in programme formulations to integrate advocacy and communication strategies into all aspects of UNDP’s programmatic output.
  • Ensure key results and success stories are incorporated into strategic communications outreach.
  • Assess the impact of the communications strategy and make adjustments accordingly.
  • Assist the RR in chairing the UN Communications working group, including leading the workstreams resulting from the decisions from the UN working group
• Lead on the monitoring and evaluation focusing on achievement of the following results
  • Establishment of Communication baselines against which the achievement of objectives of the Communication Strategy are regularly evaluated;
  • Continuous analysis to ensure improvement and effectiveness of Communication Strategy and activities;
  • Preparation and sharing of results and reports
• Provide advice on development and coordination of partnership and resource mobilization strategies
  • Identify partnership priorities as input to the design and development of evidence-based country office resource mobilization strategy supported by communication strategies;
  • Set and monitor partnership priorities, goals, and key performance indicators (KPIs) in line with the partnership and resource mobilization strategies;
  • Gather information on programme pipelines and corresponding resource needs through close collaboration with country counterparts
• Development of significant input into the UNDP Website and Social Media focusing on achievement of the following results:
  • Lead the formulation and implementation of a Digital Communications strategy
  • In collaboration with UNDP Sudan Communications Staff and field office colleagues, contribute to the content for UNDP Sudan Website and Social Media accounts based on corporate requirements;
  • Project UNDP as a substantive thought leader, promoting its mandate, mission and purpose via effective communication, promoting UNDP’s principles as a tangible value proposition with regional audiences;
  • Work closely with UNDP experts to produce and market RBAS Programme publications and campaigns, using innovative communication tools and various types of media including digital and social media content creation, graphic design, and more;
  • Support programme teams & senior management with communications and marketing materials;
  • In collaboration with HQ and the RBAS communications team, produces results-based communications materials for distribution to donors and other key constituents.
  • Support regional public campaigns that promote UNDP and influence the development agenda based on the current programme and new initiatives;
• Take lead on the outreach and public Information activities focusing on achievement of the following
  • Organization of activities to showcase UNDP’s work as a leader within the development space in whole-of Sudan, in the UN Mission environment
  • Increased coverage and understanding of the UNDP’s work through development and maintenance of media contacts and providing newsworthy information to national public and donors.
  • Development and maintenance of close contacts with government officials, multilateral and bilateral donors, civil society and private sector for implementation of the communications strategy, organization of roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews, launches
  • Lead capacity-building and knowledge-sharing in the Country Office.
• Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: The incumbent leads and supervises the communications team that includes the Communications Officer, Digital Communications Specialist, and Communication Associate.

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making

People Management 

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

• Business Direction and Strategy: 
  • Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDPs objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions
• Business Management :
  • Communication: Abilityy to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels
  • Partnership Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships ith ide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
  • Digital Awareness and Literacy: Ability and inclination to rapidlyy adopt ne technologies, either through skilfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed
• Advocacy strategy and implementation
  • Communications: Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change
• Media Relations: 
  • Communications: Ability to develop media relations across all aspects of media work including relationships with media and preparing media materials such as messages
• Brand & quality management
  • Communications: Ability to position a UNDP brand and uphold it to a high level of quality