Background
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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.
Background and Organizational Context
UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. With offices in more than 170 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations.
For over 47 years, UNDP has been supporting the people of the Republic of Mozambique in their fight against poverty. Since 1976, UNDP established a Country Office in Mozambique and has been working all over the country to help build resilient and sustainable government institutions.
UNDP Mozambique would like to optimize communications of the office’s activities to fulfil corporate requirements and enhance stakeholder buy-in by recruiting a Strategic Partnership and Communications Analyst. He/she will head the Strategic Partnerships and Communications Team and will work to ensure the design and implementation of the CO-wide partnerships, communications advocacy work in line with UNDP’s Partnerships and Communications Strategy and Action Plan (PCAP), 2022-2025, UNDP’s new Strategic Plan, 2022-2025, Country Programme Document, 2023-2025, the UN cooperation framework for Mozambique, 2022-2026, UNDP’s Gender Equality Strategy 2022-2025, as well as the revised National Development Strategy, 2021-2024.
He/he will utilize a funded annual plan, co-designed with other teams (programme and operations) and builds and sustains a strong and active network of relationships with new and traditional media working in and on Mozambique development issues, promote public and media outreach, and mobilize political and financial support for UNDP’s work in the country. He/she will also monitor the media and manage UNDP’s public profile and communications as well as represent UNDP in the UN Communications Group (UNCG) at the technical level.
The incumbent will also staff of the country office and will maintain a regular working relationship with UNDP’s Regional Communications Adviser and the Global Communications team focal point persons.
Position Purpose
Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Resident Representative, the Strategic Partnerships and Communications Analyst implements the corporate communications strategy, designs, manages and facilitates the implementation of the Country Office communications and publication strategies which are geared to influence the development agenda, to promote public and media outreach and to mobilize political and financial support for UNDP.
The position also proactively and collaboratively implements the partnership aspects of the PCAP with Programme and Operations Teams as well as other relevant teams, focusing on the systematic identification, nurturing and eventual formalization of partnerships with traditional and non-traditional entities – and not just for resource mobilization.
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Effectively plan and design communication strategies (internal and external) focusing on achieving the following results:
- Prepare and conduct communications needs assessment for CO projects
- Identify and develop storylines for publications contributing to development issues
- Coordinate and manage UNDP Mozambique publication activities (project updates, infographics, articles, human interest stories, annual report, newsletter etc.).
- Develop high quality content to be deployed globally, including success stories, media releases, news stories and other material, transforming existing information/documents into advocacy and resource mobilization materials and products.
Oversee media relations and outreach focusing on the achievement of the following results:
- Increased coverage and understanding of UNDP’s work in the country through development and maintenance of media contacts and providing newsworthy information to media, public and donors
- Preparation and dissemination of media advisories, press release, and timely informative responses to media enquiries
- Pitch and facilitate trips for journalists to relevant CO projects and activities
- Ensure access to subject matter experts for journalists
- Monitor print, radio, and online press to compile media coverage updates and distribute press briefs to relevant CO unit/staff
- Produce regular media monitoring and placement reports backed by data and insights from trends.
- Monitor effectiveness of media outreach and publications strategy, for compiling quarterly, annual, and other reports as needed.
Ensure effective business development efforts focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Promotion of public information campaigns on UNDP activities, and results of the Sustainable Development Goals-SDGs
- Promotion and dissemination of corporate advocacy materials for launching flagship activities and publications such as the Human Development Report.
- Creation and promotion of campaigns to local and international media that position UNDP and influences the development agenda based on current programme and new initiatives.
- Draft review and disseminate talking points, O-peds, country programme documents and background papers
- Provide communication trainings, technical advice, and capacity building to project staff, implementing partners, CSOs on communication, documentation, knowledge management and storytelling.
- Package and submit programme initiatives for donor review in close collaboration with programme staff
- Contribute to the One UN communications efforts and participate in the United Nations Communications Group-UNCG.
- Support local UN reforms efforts, joint programmes, Organization, and implementation of joint UN information campaigns (UN Day and other key observances).
Substantively contribute to the PCAP’s strategic partnerships and CO resource mobilization efforts:
- Contribute to the Country Office resource mobilization and business development efforts
- Proactively and collaboratively implements the partnership aspects of the PCAP with Programme Teams as well as other Hubs, focusing on systematic identification, nurturing and eventual formalization of partnerships with traditional and non-traditional entities – and not just for resource mobilization.
- Develops and implements a donor intelligence strategy (partners, needs and priorities, perception of UNDP by its current and potential future partners, and projection of UNDP’ added value and potential role).
- Identifies and defines an appropriate donor reporting and management system and provides business process recommendations to ensure its implementation.
- Reviews the state of play and provide the RR and CO Senior Management Team with options for strengthening all aspects of resource mobilization, including analysis of donor trends, design of donor profiles including a framework for developing donor briefs, etc.; work with relevant CO teams in identifying funding opportunities for the CO;
- Develops a Client Relationship Management mechanism to support country office promotion of a partnership culture in the office at all levels.
- Assess the level of CO engagement with each donor: type and level of contact and particular areas of interest; and develop a strategy to position the CO to become a priority partner for the donors.
- In collaboration with other Units, develops a plan and strategy for partnerships and resource mobilization in support of the achievement of the CO’s programme objectives.
Manage Public information and Facilitate Knowledge Management:
- Effective responses to inquiries for public information materials
- Initiate innovative and creative solutions to sensitive or corporately strategic public communication issues
- Technical advisory and execution of country-specific communication for development materials
- Advocacy and promotion of UNDP mandate, mission, and purpose
- Facilitate UNDP Mozambique knowledge building and management with a focus on innovation, focusing on identification and synthesis of best practices, sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories, and proactive information sharing and collaboration with the Project and Management Support Unit for the enhancement of reporting, communications, and M&E.
- Participate in data collation and information sharing on UNDP web-based knowledge management systems and collaboration platforms
- Support management and growth of the CO website and social media.
- Carries out other related functions as requested by the supervisor.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies
Core
- Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by 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 relationships.
- Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Communications
- Advocacy strategy and implementation: Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change.
- Brand & quality management: Ability to position a UNDP brand and uphold it to a high level of quality.
- Media Relations: Ability to develop media relations across all aspects of media work including relationships with media and preparing media materials such as messages.
- Social Media management: Ability to represent and promote the UNDP brand in virtual communities and networks
- Multimedia production: Ability to create and combine images, test and audio-visuals to produce multimedia content.
Business Direction and 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.
Business Management
- Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Media Relations, Journalism, Communications, International Relations, Development Studies, or related field is required. Or
- A 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 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in public relations, multimedia communications, journalism, or advocacy is required.
- Experience in web design and digital infrastructure, social media monitoring technology and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite is required.
- Demonstrated ability to produce photo, video, and infographic content with Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Final Cut Pro, photography, and videography skills, including the usage of external audio/lighting, as well as post-production software is desired.
- Knowledge and experience in working with the UN, International Organization is an asset
- Proven excellent writing skills including ability to adapt messages to diverse audiences is an asset.
- Proven experience in external communications, liaison and mobilization work with media and civil society is an advantage.
- Experience in building external relations/partnerships, resource mobilization and capacity development strategy is desired.
- Experience in project /programme management, including communications management is desired.
- Previous communications, partnerships/ external relations and planning and monitoring experience in under-developed and post-conflict countries highly desirable.
- Experience in conceptualizing and managing the production of printed materials, including detailed reports, and developing video and web materials, including in-house and out-sourced is desired.
- Fluency in English and Portuguese is required.
Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
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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