Strategic Communications Advisor

The Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean (RBLAC) consists of its presence across 26 Country Offices over 42 countries (and territories), the Panama Regional Hub, and its Headquarters in New York. RBLAC New York is responsible for the overall strategic vision and direction, strategic, substantive, and operational support to Country Offices, including with regard to partnerships and communications, and oversight of performance.

The Communications Team is responsible for the development and implementation of the communications strategy and, in coordination with the Partnership Team, serves as the focal point to UNDP’s Bureau for External Relations and Advocacy (BERA).

Position Purpose

Under the guidance of the Regional Director and Deputy Regional Director, the Strategic Communications Advisor will lead the communication team, enhancing the visibility and impact of UNDP LAC by planning and executing effective communication and outreach strategies, identifying, and analyzing relevant political and development trends and opportunities to position UNDP LAC narrative and solutions, and creating high-quality content that supports organizational objectives and promotes sustainable development in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic External Communications and Advocacy

• Leads and/or advises RBLAC senior management on strategic communications and advocacy, in line with the UNDP Strategic Plan and regional priorities.
• Advises RBLAC senior management on its presence on social networks, the web, and digital engagement in general.
• Leads new and innovative digital partnerships for RBLAC, including on results and data, to elevate the visibility of RBLAC results, knowledge products, regional initiatives, and development messaging.
• Leads the development of the communications elements of the RBLAC Partnerships and Communications Strategy and its implementation.
• Leads the development of communication and advocacy products and communication material that contribute to illustrating RBLAC’s work, results, and impact in the LAC region.
• Advises the RBLAC senior management on strategic communications, reputational risks, and crisis management, including advising on solutions and risk mitigation/management.
• Contributes to RBLAC’s integrated, coherent approach to partnerships, communications, and advocacy.

Elaboration and Implementation of RBLAC Communication Strategies, Plans and Products

• Identifies and develops storylines for publications and substantive articles contributing to debates on key development issues.
• Coordinates and manages RBLAC communications activities.
• Ensures RBLAC alignment with corporate policies and procedures, whenever applicable, on communications initiatives and approaches in the RBLAC region.
• Leads and supervises the preparation of content for RBLAC websites and social media platforms ensuring consistency and relevance of the materials.
• Increases coverage and understanding of RBLAC through the development and maintenance of media contacts and providing newsworthy information to donors, partners, and media.
• Ensures access for journalists to RBLAC subject matter experts and other UNDP spokespeople.

Knowledge Management and Advocacy

• Identifies, synthesizes, and disseminates best practices and lessons learned related to RBLAC strategic communications and advocacy.
• Contributes to knowledge networks and communities of practice at both corporate and regional levels, and offers sound contributions to knowledge networks, and communities of practice.
• Leads and/or contributes to the organization and provision of training and consultative advice to RBLAC staff, as well as Communications Officers in COs on external strategic communications, and the linkages with strengthened, integrated approaches to partnership and advocacy.

Communications and quality assurance

• Develops, implements, and monitors regional external communications strategy.
• Markets and positions UNDP in the region.
• Leads media outreach in the region, working closely with international and regional media.
• Coordinates strategic partnerships with key international media organizations and other constituencies in the region.
• Ensures quality assurance of communications, publications, and other materials with significant policy content in cooperation with other relevant units.
• Manages the “branding” of UNDP in LAC within existing corporate norms in this area.
• Provides strategic support to the Directorate on substantive and organizational issues for the region, including communications support.
• External representation and advocacy with UN partners, permanent missions, and others for the region.
• Supports/organizes positioning activities in the LAC region and in New York

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 4: Prioritize team workflow, mobilize resources, drive scalable results/strategic impact
• Think Innovatively - LEVEL 4: Easily navigate complexity, encourage/enable radical innovation, has foresight
• Learn Continuously - LEVEL 4: Create systems and processes that enable learning and development for all
• Adapt with Agility - LEVEL 4: Proactively initiate/lead organizational change, champion new systems/processes
• Act with Determination - LEVEL 4: Able to make difficult decisions in challenging situations, inspire confidence
• Engage and Partner - LEVEL 4: Construct strategic multi-partner alliances in high stake situations, foster co-creation
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion - LEVEL 4: Create ethical culture, identify/address barriers to inclusion

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Communications, Journalism, Social Sciences, or any communication-related field is required, or a first-level university degree (Bachelor´s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience, will be given due consideration in lieu of Master´s degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years (with Master´s degree) or 12 years (with Bachelor´s degree) in communications, media relations, or journalism, including in progressively responsible management roles.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing communications strategies in a development context is desired.
• Extensive international-level experience in communications is desired, including communications related to development, the Sustainable Development Goals, and crisis/protracted crisis development-related issues.
• Proven experience in initiating and using innovative approaches to develop, including but not limited to social media and digital and visual approaches to communication is desired.
• Proven experience in overseeing and developing communications and advocacy initiatives is desired.
• Demonstrated capacity to manage communications-related sensitivities and reputational risk issues is desired.
• Demonstrated experience in integrating communications, partnerships, and advocacy strategies, planning, and implementation is desired.
• Previous experience working in a UN/UNDP Country Office or HQ Unit or equivalent, to provide strategic communications advice and support, is highly desired.
• Experience in the communications field in Latin America and the Caribbean is highly desired.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with the usage of computers and MS Office packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems is required.

Language requirements:

• Required: Fluency in English and Spanish is required, as well as writing, presentation, and communication skills.
• Desired: Working knowledge of French.

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

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.

Scam warning

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

Application Deadline: 30/06/2024 23.59 EST