Background
Improving waste management in Asia and the Pacific islands is a critical environmental issue due to increasing waste production, driven by urbanization, population growth, and consumerism. By 2030, waste in the region is projected to rise from 802 million tonnes (2016) to 1.1 trillion tonnes, exacerbating environmental challenges. Organic waste makes up 50-70% of municipal waste, while plastics, though a smaller fraction, pose significant long-term environmental and health risks. Despite efforts, waste management systems, particularly in rural areas, are underdeveloped, with informal sectors playing a key role in recycling. To address this, stronger waste management frameworks, including circular economy models and investment in infrastructure, are needed.
In the Philippines, waste management is a growing concern, with municipal solid waste (MSW) expected to rise significantly by 2025. The country is a major contributor to marine plastic litter, and while the government has enacted policies like the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act of 2022 to tackle plastic pollution, challenges remain. Efforts such as the EU-PH Partnership for Green Economy and the Green LGUs Project aim to enhance circular waste practices at the local level, involving the private sector and civil society. The project will support marginalized groups, including youth and gender-focused initiatives, by providing opportunities through social enterprises and innovative business models that promote plastic waste reduction and recycling. These initiatives will help develop sustainable waste management systems that continue beyond the projectโs lifespan.
UNDP Philippines is actively supporting circular economy and plastic waste management efforts through multiple initiatives. UNDP is working with the European Union in implementing the EU Philippines Green Economy Programme (The Programme). The Programme has the purpose of supporting the Philippinesโ transition towards a green economy, including circular economy, reducing waste and plastic, as well as increasing energy efficiency and renewable energy deployment to support climate change mitigation. The Programme acknowledges that the transition to circular economy will have other added benefits such as reduction of the use of energy and greenhouse gas emissions, improve biodiversity and natural capital, decreased pollution levels, and climate change adaptation. Additionally, UNDP is also implementing a multi-country project on Plastics Circularity, funded by The Coca-Cola Foundation. The initiative will provide strategic support to over 9 Asia Pacific countries, fostering an enabling environment for circular interventions in the plastic lifecycle. The project is structured into regional and national components, with the Regional Component managed by UNDPโs Bangkok Regional Hub, which will coordinate the partnership and support national efforts. National Child Projects will focus on plastic waste collection, recycling, piloting innovative business models, and providing training and strategic assistance to governments and stakeholders. Lastly, UNDP Philippines acts as secretariat to the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) Philippines, which brings together stakeholders from government, private sector, and civil society to accelerate plastic waste solutions. These efforts align with the Philippinesโ national commitments to sustainability, supporting long-term environmental and socio-economic benefits.ย
Duties and Responsibilities
The Communications Analyst will work under the guidance of the Team Leader of the Climate Action Programme (CAP), with direct supervision of the Programme Analyst and NPAP Project Manager. The Communication Analyst is expected to work closely with the Teams implementing circular economy, plastics, and climate change mitigation projects.ย
Lead the communication and campaigns effort of the circular economy, plastics, and climate change mitigation portfolio focusing on achievement of the following results:ย
Develop communication strategy and plan for the CE, plastics, and mitigation projects. Implement communication and campaign activities to support the achievement of goals and objectives of the CE, plastics, and mitigation projects. Provide necessary guidance to programme implementation in terms integrating communication for development in regular activities.ย Closely coordinate with the Communication Unit of Country Office and Bangkok Regional Hub to maximize the achievement of communication targets; and Specific to NPAP, update NPAPโs communication strategy and work in close collaboration with the GPAP secretariat to design and implement NPAP elated communication activities and campaignsDevelop and manage contents and other knowledge products of the portfolio focusing on achievement of the following results:ย
Document UNDPโs work and showcase impact stories.ย Develop contents of the project/portfolio to be populated in UNDP website and social media channels.ย Initiate and roll-out mini-campaign, as necessary, to promote CE, plastics, and mitigation projects. Monitor social media releases; andย Coordinate with partners in developing joint knowledge products and stories. Specific to NPAP, plan and execute the launch and communications of materials to be published such as Gender and Social Inclusion Assessment, CE/ Plastics Stocktaking Platform, EPR assessment and the National Plastic Action Roadmap in collaboration with GPAP Secretariat. Specific to NPAP, draft and create communication materials and collaterals such as press releases, social media posts, photo and video documentation, brochures, factsheets, FAQs, talking points, PowerPoint presentations and briefs, NPAP year-end video and biannual newsletter. Specific to NPAP, develop and execute NPAP content calendar for social media and print and manage NPAP social media assets. Specific to NPAP, ensure consistency to GPAP and NPAP visual brand; and Specific to NPAP, develop and execute monitoring and evaluation plan of communication implementation including filling out post event evaluation forms and quarterly reports for GPAP Secretariat. Participate in NPAP knowledge exchanges and regular connectsBuild strategic partnership and advocacy focusing on achievement of the following results:ย
Engage, develop, and maintain partnerships and linkages with government and non-government organizationsโincluding civil society organizations, private sector, and academic institutionsโwhose participation in the project will be critical to success; and Provide necessary communication support and visibility such as (but not limited to) donorโs briefer and report, e-newsletter, and other relevant knowledge products to strengthen partnerships with donors and government partners and the advocacy work in partner communities; and Provide necessary support to partners in communication and campaign component.ย Support with stakeholders mapping, members engagement and updating databases with NPAP Membersโ informationFacilitate event management focusing on achievement of the following results:
Plan and execute events to promote CE, plastics and mitigation projects; and Specific to NPAP, plan and execute events such as NPAP meetings, Steering Board meetings, NPAP Annual Forum, including the preparing relevant materials for these events.Support to media engagement and outreach focusing on achievement of the following results:ย
Draft press releases, OpEd, and stories for media distribution. Coordinate with media. Organize media visit, if necessary, depending on the requirements of the project.ย Ensure UNDPโs positioning and attribution as UN and development agency in all media releases. Monitor relevant media release.ย Coordinate with the Communication Unit of country office for media outreach; and Specific to NPAP, work closely with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and GPAP Secretariat on regular press briefings on NPAP achievements.Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:ย
Identification of sources of information related to programme implementation-related issues. Identification and synthesis of good practices and lessons learned directly linked to the project.ย Support in maintaining an effective network with development partners and government at the national level and sub-national level; and,ย Lead and participate in the knowledge management networks and communities of practice.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
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Competencies
Core competencies:
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 improvementsย 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 flexibleย 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 discriminationยCross-Functional & Technical competencies:ย
Cross-Functionalย ย ย ย
Strategic Thinking. Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDPโs 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. 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 Knowledge Generation. Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.Technical competenciesย ย ย ย
Communications - Advocacy strategy and implementation. Ability to create and implementadvocacy strategies which lead to impactful change Campaign management. Ability to produce and implement communications and advocacy campaigns Brand & quality management. Ability to position a UNDP brand and uphold it to a high level of quality Creative direction and copywritingย ย ย ย Ability to creatively communicate concepts in an engaging and simple way
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (masterโs degree of equivalent) in Development Communication, Social Development, Communication, or any relevant field is required. OR A first-level university degree (bachelorโs degree) in the above-mentioned fields of study, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degreeExperience:
Minimum of two (2) years (with masterโs degree) or 4 years (with bachelorโs degree) years of progressively responsible experience in communication for development (C4D) and in development work or related areas is required.ย Experience conducting scoping and field interviews for story development. Proficient in writing impact and development stories. Experience in producing multi-media products and stories โ photos, videos, and copy.ย Experience in producing creative content and collaterals Experience in using communication tools and platforms such as Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva, and other social media channels and analytics.ย Experience in communication strategy development and execution Experience in events management Relevant work experience with international non-government organizations, bilateral and multilateral donors, and national government organizations.ย Previous working experience with international organizations and familiarity in working on ODA projects. Familiarity with UN or UNDP branding guidelines and style guide.ย At least four (4) years of experience working in environment projects with a specific focus on climate change, disaster risk and recovery, biodiversity conservation, marine litter, and other relevant field.ยRequired languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English and Filipino requiredEqual 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.ย
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.ย
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย 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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UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
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