Background

As the United Nations lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is concentrated in four focus areas: sustainable development, democratic governance and peace building, and climate and disaster resilience.

Responding in an integrated and coherent manner, UNDP is determined to end poverty and hunger, protect the planet from degradation, ensure that all citizens have prosperous lives, with growth that occurs in harmony with nature, and to foster peaceful and inclusive societies. UNDP mobilizes the means to implement the 2030 Agenda through a revitalized Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, based on a spirit of strengthened global solidarity. Key priorities that govern or provide direction for the work of the position to demonstrate link between the Unit priorities and position priorities/expected outcomes of incumbent.

UNDP in Kazakhstan is contributing to the country’s development through the following programmatic priorities outlined in the Country Programme Document 2021-2025 (CPD): 1) addressing social vulnerabilities and inequalities, 2) effective and accountable institutions, 3) climate and disaster resilience and low-carbon growth, and 4) diversified and knowledge-based economic growth. The CPD is implemented by the UNDP Country Office (CO) in Kazakhstan, located primarily in Astana, with a limited presence in Almaty and other project-based locations.

The main objective is to influence the development agenda, promote public and media outreach and mobilize strategic and financial support for UNDP Programme in Kazakhstan. The communications work in Kazakhstan will be informed by the Partnership and Communications Action Plan (PCAP), which is a document developed and attached to the main UNDP Strategy in the country – the Country Programme Document (CPD). The incumbent will also contribute to the development and implementation of the PCAP – a new instrument of work for UNDP in the country. The PCAP is tightly linked to program priorities and helps position the Country Office in key development markets as a leader in ways that boost demand for various service lines and increase overall business opportunities.

Position Purpose

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Resident Representative, the Communications Analyst participates in development and implementation of the communication strategy of the country office, as well as in the design, management and implementation of the Country Office communications and publication strategies, which are geared to influence the development agenda, promote public and media outreach, and mobilize political and financial support for UNDP, in line with the related corporate strategies and plans.

The Communications Analyst maintains a working relationship with the Regional Communications Adviser and may supervise Communications staff. The Communications Analyst works in close collaboration with the CO Programme, Operations and project teams, staff of other UN Agencies, UNDP Communications Region and HQ staff, government officials, national and international media, donors, and civil society to ensure successful implementation of UNDP’s communication strategy

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide support to the planning and design of internal and external communication strategies and outreach

Prepare and conduct communications needs assessments for the country office (., for projects, the country programme, and corporate change initiatives). Design the country office communications and outreach strategy based on country office strategic priorities and the UNDP External Communication Action Plan.  Leads on media engagement strategies to increase coverage and understanding of the UNDP’s work in the country or practice areas as guided by the UNDP External Communications Action Plan. Implement communications programmes to publicize priority issues and/or major events, to include drafting communication strategies (including social media), coordinating efforts, monitoring and reporting on progress, taking appropriate follow-up action, and analysing the outcome. Provide constructive and timely advice on inclusion of communications components in programme and projects formulations to integrate advocacy and communication strategies into all aspects of UNDP’s development programmes. Lead the communications specialists and consultants from programme and projects.

Implement CO Communications strategy and plans through leading the development of the content of the communications products and digital platforms management

Supervise the design and maintenance of the UNDP website, intranet, CO web-based knowledge management system based on corporate requirements and, if necessary, in cooperation with the ICT staff. Supervise and prepare the content for the social media platforms ensuring consistency of the materials. Conduct social media analysis for UNDP platforms, measure audience engagement and contribute to building UNDP’s social media fan base through assessment of key audiences, content planning, content management, search engine optimization, analytics and assessment of effectiveness of platforms and content. Identify and develop storylines for publications and substantive articles contributing to debates on key development issues.  Review reference materials and maintain an information and photo/video library. Coordinate and manage all CO publication activities, including content management, norms for publishing, design, liaison with suppliers to oversee production and supervision of publications dissemination. Participate in the implementation of the UNDP County Office Gender Strategy, contributing to implementation of its communications/visibility part.

Contribute to UNDP’s campaign initiatives to engage different stakeholders (. government, donors, media and public) and increase awareness of UNDP’s mandate and goals

Promote and disseminate corporate advocacy materials for launching flagship initiatives and publications such as the Human Development Report.  Develop and maintain 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, project visits, briefing sessions, interviews, launches, etc; Promote and maintain public information campaigns on issues, including UNDP activities and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).  Coordinate inter-agency joint communication activities, contribute to joint UN information campaigns (UN Day, World AIDS Day, 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence, ; Prepare and disseminate newsletters as well as draft and produce regular updates to donors, donor reports, civic education, and community awareness, where appropriate, to support projects.  Develop and produce other communication and advocacy materials for advocacy and awareness-raising campaigns, including briefing and media materials in coordination with the supervisor. 

Assist country office’s knowledge management and dissemination 

Provide support to Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country goals and activities.  Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories.  Provide training for UNDP staff on internal and external knowledge management.  Provide trainings for UNDP personnel on communications and advocacy for further development. Ensure professional growth through active learning. Organize and conduct training and workshops, as appropriate. Effectively coordinate work of UNDP Communications team. Act as focal point on specific issues, monitoring and reporting on developments, responding to inquiries, etc.

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

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Supervise Communications staff in Country Office.

Competencies

Core competencies:

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 Competency: UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated .

Cross Functional and Technical competencies:

Business Management- Customer Satisfaction/Client Management Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns. 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 Management- Digital Awareness and Literacy Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skillfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed. Communications - Digital asset management Ability to use digital asset management (DAM) systems to effectively store, share and organize digital assets such as images, videos and other media. Communications - Multimedia writing/editing Ability to create and/or edit written content for multimedia. Communications - Social Media management Ability to represent and promote the UNDP brand in virtual communities and networks. Communications - Writing and editing Ability to create and/or edit written content in different UN languages.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration, or related field is required, or  A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. 

Experience:

Applicants with Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.  Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience at the national or international level in public relations, advocacy, or communications.

Required skills:

Advanced knowledge of content creating and management applications, including Microsoft 365 applications, Canva and/or Adobe products, AI based applications and Social media management platforms, web-based ERP systems is required. 

Desired skills:

Proven ability to conceptualize and execute a communication strategy (track record in developing and implementing a social media strategy) is desired. Relevant experience in working in/with local and international journalism is desired. Relevant experience in working with UN or other international organizations is desired.

Languages:

Fluency in English, Kazakh and Russian.

Key words:

Advocacy Public relations Media relations Knowledge management Digital communications

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Probation

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Right to select multiple candidates

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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