Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

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.

Office/Unit/Project Description 

Emerging and future digital technologies are one of the most profound drivers of change globally.  Recognizing that these technologies bring both opportunities to accelerate progress in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals as well as presenting challenges to development, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been undergoing an organization-wide digital transformation since 2019. UNDP’s digital transformation seeks to help create a world in which digital is an empowering force for people and planet.

UNDP is the development arm of the United Nations. Present in 170 countries with over 17,000 people, UNDP works on the world’s biggest challenges, from rising poverty and inequality to a rapidly changing climate, the emergence of crises and the continued degradation and destruction of our natural world.  Our UNDP Digital Strategy 2022 – 2025 aims to support our partner countries to unlock the power of digital to tackle these pressing issues.  The strategy lays out UNDP’s ambition to use a rights-based approach to digital technologies to improve our development results and help build inclusive digital ecosystems globally that leave no one behind.  These aims are supported by the transformation of our internal, operational systems and building an agile, digitally capable workforce.

Scope of Work

The Communications Lead, Digital Transformation will promote and communicate UNDP’s digital agenda, strategically and globally, playing a dynamic and cross-cutting role, working across various teams within the Chief Digital Office (CDO) and supporting external partnership engagement to deliver results. In overseeing and coordinating the work of the Communications team, duties and responsibilities will be focused on building, implementing and managing multi-stakeholder communications and advocacy strategies for the CDO, in addition to developing work plans, assessing quality of outputs and overseeing team resources. The Digital Transformation Lead will be part of the Partnerships, Engagement and Communication pillar and report to the Head of the pillar.

Purpose

The Digital Transformation Communications Lead will play a key role in strategizing to achieve impact and synthesizing results across CDO and its various capability areas to build narratives, strengthen positioning and articulate CDO’s value proposition.

Duties and responsibilities include:  

Lead process of building Communication Strategy and Engagement

• Develop communication strategies that support UNDP and CDO objectives and translate into them agile annual and quarterly workplans.
• Lead the development of internal and external communication narratives and contribute to ongoing high-level communication efforts (including but not limited to senior management speech and talking points, integrating digital into corporate key messages and main reports, etc);
• Oversee/supervise overall communications efforts online (including social media) and offline (e.g. events) to ensure the activities serve the strategy and directions; Lead on planning, deploying and evaluating resources that support communications and advocacy efforts, including strategizing on needs, overseeing day-to-day activities and assessment outputs.
• Manage and coordinate the Communications team, including internal and external consultants (for example, external research partners, firms, etc.) to establish a clear direction for the work and quality and on-time submission of deliverables.
• Work with various CDO workstreams to target key stakeholder groups to grow awareness and engagement with the UNDP digital transformation agenda, both internally and externally;
• Build and manage media relationships with key outlets (traditional and online) for positioning UNDP in the digital development space.

Ensure development and distribution of communication material

• Lead the development of marketing and communications content with workstream leads, for various CDO initiatives such as digital innovation, country office support, data strategy and the digital advocates network;
• Supervise the development and distribution of success stories/case studies of UNDP and CDO digital initiatives, including digital innovations, thought leadership, and internal transformation initiatives;
• Manage and/or produce communications pieces (including, but not limited to, written articles, videos, podcasts, social media content, etc) to highlight digital initiatives across UNDP internally and externally;
• Support the compilation and development of funding materials for key donors, government, and partner audiences;
• Work closely with relevant UNDP communications colleagues at Headquarter/ regional/ country level to promote UNDP’s work on digital, including through coordinating key messages and communications products.

Lead Digital communications & implementation of relevant systems

• Identify key audiences around priority areas of interest, build awareness via advocacy campaigns and/or marketing initiatives with precise targeting;
• Manage regular updates to priority stakeholder groups; both within UNDP and with external partners and other United Nations agencies;
• Advance UNDP’s practice in digital marketing, including but not limited to leveraging the latest tools and platforms, guiding UNDP teams on such efforts, and demonstrating data-driven results;
• Seek opportunities and partnerships to promote UNDP and its priorities through events, awards, etc;
• Work closely with other team members to improve customer relationship management, digital marketing, knowledge management and content management systems to enable the rapid growth of digital at UNDP.

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 position will report directly to the Head of Digital Partnerships and Engagement within CDO. The position will be based in New York.

Expected Demonstration of Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Results:  LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

Think Innovatively:  LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously:  LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility:  LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands  

Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner:  LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion  LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Required Education, Experience, Skills and Competencies

Minimum Education requirements

•  Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Communications, Media Studies, Arts, Development Studies, International Relations, or a related field is required. Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Minimum years of relevant work experience

• A minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of experience in strategic communications or public information is required.

Required skills 

• Experience interacting with and steering a wide range of stakeholders across sectors towards a common objective.
• Demonstrated experience and strong understanding of digital technologies, digital transformation and digital development practice.
• Experience in collaborating with diverse stakeholders.

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

• Experience in driving digital transformation projects in a public, nonprofit, or development setting.
• Experience providing technical assistance or implementing advocacy strategies in developing countries.
• Demonstrated ability to capture and synthesize information on an ongoing basis to produce analysis and recommendations.
• Experience in excellent project management and execution skills to drive complex and ambiguous topics.
• Demonstrated experience of excellent leadership, communication, and team management

Required Language (s): 

• Fluency in English is required.
• Working knowledge of another official UN language is advantageous.

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