Communications Analyst (Open to all applicants)

Background

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.
 

UNDP has been a long-term development partner of Mongolia for over 30 years, supporting the country’s aspirations for sustainable, inclusive, and resilient development. In its Upper Middle-Income Country context, UNDP Mongolia provides technical assistance, policy and advisory services to the Government of Mongolia in partnership with development partners, financial institutions, the private sector, and civil society to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The current Country Programme (2023–2027), jointly agreed with the Government of Mongolia, is aligned with the national Vision-2050 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. It aims to catalyze transformative change by empowering people to make sustainable and equitable decisions, especially for marginalized and vulnerable communities. The programme is built around three interlinked pillars: (i) inclusive, green, and diversified economic development; (ii) climate resilience and sustainable natural resource management; and (iii) accountable, participatory, and rights-based governance.

Backed by a broad base of funding from the government, bilateral and multilateral donors, and innovative financing sources, UNDP Mongolia focuses on eradicating poverty and inequality in all forms, accelerating systemic reforms for sustainable development, and building resilience to climate and economic shocks.

The role of the Country Office Communications Analyst  is to adopt UNDP’s global communication strategy to a local context and the Country Office development priorities. Through the production of high-quality communication materials and innovative use of relevantly targeted communication channels (internal and external), the communications team works collaboratively to position UNDP as a leader in the development arena, promote visibility of UNDP program outcomes/development results, mobilize support for Sustainable Development Goals in the country, and practice delivery as one UN. 

Position Purpose

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Resident Representative, the Communications implements the corporate communications strategy in the Country Office, as well as provides inputs to 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. 

The Communications Analyst maintains a regular working relationship with the Regional Communications Adviser. The Communications Analyst works in close collaboration with the Programme and Operations teams, staff of other UN Agencies, UNDP Communications Region and HQ staff, government officials, international and local media, subject matter experts, donors, and civil society to ensure successful implementation of UNDP’s communication strategy in the Country Office. 

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across 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.
 

Duties And Responsibilities

Implement internal/external communication strategies and outreach and contribute to their development.

• Prepare and conduct communications needs assessments for the country office (e.g., for projects, the country programme, and corporate change initiatives).
• Draft and edit the country office communications and outreach strategy based on country office strategic priorities and the UNDP External Communications Action Plan. 
• Provide communication input during the project and programme formulation stage to integrate communication needs and strategies in all aspects of UNDP development program.
• Maintain increased coverage and understanding of the UNDP’s work in the country or practice area through local and global media stories as guided by the UNDP External Communications Action Plan.

Implement the country office publications strategy and plan based on the corporate publications policy.

• Identify and develop storylines for publications, and draft substantive articles that contribute to and generate conversations on key development issues. 
• Coordinate and manage the country office publication activities, such as content management in line with corporate guidelines.
• Liaison with and maintain a database of contact details for journalists.

Provide technical support to UNDP digital communications in country office that includes social media, web site, intranet, and CO web-based knowledge management system.

• Provide support in implementing country office digital communication strategy.
• Generate content for the web site and other social media platforms to ensure consistency and better outreach.

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

• Promote and maintain public information campaigns on UNDP activities.
• Collect and package information for donor review in collaboration with programme staff and supervisor to support campaign and advocacy initiatives.
• Organize roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews, launches to engage stakeholders.
• Support “One UN” agenda in line with UNDP’s Campaign and Advocacy agenda. 
• Ensure access of journalists to subject-matter experts and UNDP spokespeople; and provide newsworthy information to the national public.

Assist in leading the effort of country office’s knowledge management and dissemination.

• Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country goals and activities. 
• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories. 
• Provide training, consultancy, and advice to UNDP staff on internal and external knowledge management. 
• Maintain UNDP’s Intranet on country office activities for internal knowledge sharing; and share relevant knowledge products with external stakeholders through corporate website. 
• Work with the Programme teams to ensure all knowledge products are captured, updated, readily available and in the right order, as and when necessary. 

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:  May supervise Communications staff and interns in the Country Office if there is any.
 

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

• UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies:

Business Direction & 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

• 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 
• Portfolio Management. Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity. Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management

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 
• Multimedia Writing/Editing. Ability to create and/or edit written content for multimedia 
• Social Media Management. Ability to represent and promote the UNDP brand in virtual communities and networks 
• 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:

• Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in public relations, advocacy, or communications. 
• Previous experience working on communications with an international organization is an asset. 
• Basic knowledge and experience in developing dynamic web and digital media content (e.g. photo stories, videos, infographics, etc.) is required. Advanced experience would be considered an asset.
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.). and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems such as ERP.

Required Languages:

• Fluency in the English and Mongolian is required. 

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.

Scam Alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.