UN Part-time: Strategic Communications Analyst – Belgrade

  • Location:
  • Salary:
    negotiable / YEAR
  • Job type:
    CONTRACTOR
  • Posted:
    1 week ago
  • Category:
    Communication and Advocacy
  • Deadline:
    07/02/2025

JOB DESCRIPTION

The SDG Acceleration Framework Project, as a Development Services Agreement, is entered with the Government’s central authority – the General Secretariat of the Government, in order to provide services to a wider range of authorities at the national level, as the General Secretariat supports the work of the Government for general and operational affairs.

The Development Services Agreement between Government of Serbia and UNDP is envisaged to provide a framework for services requested by the Government, for ongoing initiatives of the Government, for which it bears full accountability. Most development services envisaged under the Agreement relate to support to policy making through research, advocacy or policy alternatives, aimed at fulfilling priorities as articulated in the Government plans, presented before Parliament, and in line with progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The Project includes, among the rest, support in promoting the acceleration of progress on sustainable development and launching a national programme of action on SDGs in the Decade of Delivery. The overall objective of the portfolio of activities is to meet specific needs of central authorities for SDG integration in all initiatives at the policy and institutional levels and in detailed planning and implementation including varied outreach activities related to promoting and monitoring SDG implementation to become fully aligned with the EU acquis.

The project shall also provide support to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by enhancing Serbia’s international presence and promoting Serbia’s foreign policy objectives. UNDP will ensure this support through providing strategic communication advisory services.  The presented ToR shall contribute to implementation of this activity.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance of the Programme Specialist – SDG Integration Center, specific results are expected from incumbent in the following areas:

Strategic Communication Oversight, Assessment, Guidance, and Advisory Responsibilities:

•               Conduct Comprehensive Communication Audits – Assess existing communication strategies and tools used by the Ministry; Identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in current communication practices.

•               Provide Expert Guidance and Recommendations: Ensure provision of expert advice on diplomatic communication techniques and best practices for international engagements; recommend innovations and improvements based on global communication trends.

•               Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management: Identify key international stakeholders, including foreign governments, international organizations, and NGOs, and develop strategies for effective engagement; establish and maintain strong relationships with media, diplomatic partners, and other partners and organizations of relevance for the strategic positioning of the country.

•               Crisis Communication Management: Prepare for and manage communication during crises; Develop crisis communication plans and protocols.

•               Content Development and Oversight: Provide strategic oversight for the creation of communication materials; Ensure messaging is consistent, clear, and aligned with the organizational mission.

•               Monitor and Evaluate Communication Efforts: Track the performance of communication initiatives; Analyse data to measure impact and adjust strategies accordingly.

•               Ensure Compliance with Communication Policies: Monitor adherence to communication policies and standards. Update policies as needed to reflect changes in strategy or environment.

Strategic Communication Plans Development:

•               Create detailed plans that align with organizational goals of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and objectives; Set measurable targets and key performance indicators.

•               Alignment with Foreign Policy Goals: Ensure that communication plans are strategically aligned with the Ministry’s overarching foreign policy objectives. Tailor strategies to support specific diplomatic initiatives and missions.

•               Target Audience Identification: Identify and segment key international audiences, including foreign governments, international organizations, NGOs, media, and the global public. Develop tailored messaging to effectively reach and engage each audience segment.

•               Message Development: Craft clear, consistent, and compelling messages that convey the Ministry’s policies and positions. Ensure messages are culturally appropriate and considerate of international contexts.

•               Multichannel Strategy Integration: Develop plans that integrate various communication channels including digital media, traditional media, public relations, and direct diplomatic channels. Ensure cohesive and consistent messaging across all platforms.

•               Resource Planning and Budgeting: Allocate resources effectively to support the execution of strategic communication plans. Develop and manage budgets for communication initiatives and campaigns.

•               Timing and Execution Scheduling: Plan the timing of communication activities to coincide with key diplomatic events, international conferences, and policy announcements.

•               Ensure timely execution to maximize impact and reach.

•               Collaborative Planning: Work closely with different departments within the Ministry to ensure communication plans are well-integrated and supported. Engage with diplomatic missions and embassies to localize and adapt strategies as necessary.

•               Risk Management: Identify potential risks and challenges in the communication landscape, particularly in volatile international environments. Develop contingency plans to address and mitigate risks.

Lead Knowledge and information management and advocacy: 

•               Document best practices and lessons learned.

•               Identify, collect, and analyze policy-related, relevant information and data about initiatives relevant for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

•               Facilitate team learning and knowledge sharing.

•               The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Organization.

Network with partners and beneficiaries:

•               Maintain communication with stakeholders within the Government of Serbia responsible for tasks pertaining to the project’s scope of work.

•               Establish record with contacts, pursue networking and information sharing and to follow up on partnership related issues.

•               Advise national partners from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on opportunities for enhancement of cooperation with relevant national and international partners.

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 Strategic Communication Analyst will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Programme Specialist – SDG Integration Center.

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

Thematic Area Name Definition
Business Management Partnerships Management Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
Business Management Communication 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.
Business Direction & Strategy Strategic Thinking Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.
External Relations and Advocacy Communication-Advocacy Strategy and Implementation Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
  • Advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Communications, Public Relations, Political Sciences, Economics, Social Sciences, or similar is required, or,
  • A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the above fields in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
  • Minimum 2 years (with a Master’s degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in strategic communication, media advisory, or similar strategic advisory and executive roles or similar field is required.

Required skills:

  • Experience in working with the wide range of stakeholders (private, government).
  • Experience in building strong relationships with clients and external actors.
  • Experience  in the use of MS Office package, especially Excel and Power Point.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

  • Experience in working on strategic advisory positions, communications, media or similar.
  • Experience in providing support in coordinating and implementing projects and initiatives.
  • Sound understanding (and experience) of the public policies and work of the public administration.

Required Language(s) 

  • Fluency in Serbian and English is required

The online application form must be fully completed. Applicants are required to carefully complete their online application form and reflect all of their work experience history in the application.

Only attaching a CV is not sufficient for applicants to be considered for positions. All applicants have to complete the Experience, Education, Language, and Nationality & Permanent Residence fields fully.

Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.

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