This position is open to Laotian Nationals Only.
BACKGROUND
Guided by the global UNDP Strategic Plan (2022 โ 2025) and the UNDP Country Programme Document (CPD) for Lao PDR (2022 โ 2026), UNDP in Lao PDR works closely with the line Ministries, mass organizations, civil society, development partners, and the private sector at both national and sub-national levels in pursuit of the national socio-economic development priorities defined in Lao PDRโs five-year National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).ย
UNDP has a long history working in Lao PDR. UNDPโs comparative advantage has been its ability to work closely with a broad range of government and local institutions at all levels. UNDPโs work is focused on the provision of policy advice and technical support in the design and implementation of national legislation and strategies across three broad priority pillars โ (1) inclusive growth and reduced inequalities, including UXO clearance and risk education, (2) natural resources, climate change and disaster risk reduction, and (3) effective, responsive, and accountable governance.
The UNDP country programme is aligned with the 9th NSEDP and aims to support Lao PDR to recover from the economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure a smooth transition from Least Developed Country status, with a particular emphasis on supporting inclusive growth and reducing inequality.
Effective and strategic communication is essential for successful partnerships, transparency, and accountability. It is crucial for achieving UNDP's goals and vision. In a time of rapid changes and decreasing Official Development Assistance (ODA), clearly communicating the results achieved with the support of all partners is vital. Additionally, sharing UNDP's thought leadership through high-quality knowledge products helps position UNDP as a strategic partner.
The role of the Country Office Communications Analyst is to adapt UNDPโs global communication strategy to the local context and the Country Office development activities and initiatives. Through the production of high-quality communication materials and innovative use of relevant communication channels (internal and external), the Communications Analyst works collaboratively to position UNDP as a leader in the development arena, promote the visibility of UNDP programme outcomes/development results, mobilize support for Lao PDRโs development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals in the country, and practice delivery as one UN.
DUTIES AND RESPONSABILITIES
Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Resident Representative, the Communications Analyst implements the corporate communications strategy, and leads 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. S/he supports knowledge building on partnersโ priorities and facilitates information sharing within the Country Office through enhanced communication.ย
The Communications Analyst liaises and works closely with the communications focal points in the country officeโ programme units and 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 Regional and HQ staff, Government officials, international and local media, subject matter experts, donors and civil society to ensure the successful implementation of the UNDP communication strategy in the Country Office.ย
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.
Implement internal and external communication strategies and outreach and contribute to their development
Prepare and conduct communications needs assessments for the Country Office (country programme, projects, corporate initiatives, etc). Draft the country office communications and outreach strategy based on country office strategic priorities and the UNDP External Communications Action Plan. Provide communication inputs during project and programme formulation to integrate advocacy, communication needs and strategies in all aspects of UNDP development programme. Ensure increased coverage and understanding of the UNDPโs work in the country through local and global media stories as guided by the UNDP External Communications Action Plan. Support and facilitate effective internal communication and information-sharing.Implement the country office publications strategy and plan based on the corporate publications policy
Identify and develop storylines for publications, create engaging content and draft, edit and/or proofread substantive articles that contribute to and generate conversations on key development issues.ย Coordinate and manage the country office publication activities, including advising on graphic design and content management in line with corporate guidelines, liaison with printers and other suppliers, and publications dissemination. Write and develop media materials such as press releases, media advisories, announcements, blog posts, etc. Liaise with journalists and the media, and maintain a database of contact details for journalists.Provide support to UNDP digital communications in country office, including social media, web site, intranet, and CO web-based knowledge management system.
Support the implementation of the country office digital communication strategy. Generate content for the web site and other social media platforms, ensuring consistency and better outreach. Supervise the design and maintenance of the office web sites based on corporate requirements in cooperation with the ICT staff.Implement UNDPโs campaign initiatives to engage different stakeholders (government, donors, media and the public) and increase awareness of UNDPโs mandate and goals.
Promote and maintain public information campaigns on UNDP activities. Collect and package information for donors in collaboration with programme staff and supervisor to support campaign and advocacy initiatives. Draft and produce the annual country office report, quarterly newsletters and regular updates to donors. Organize roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews, launches to engage stakeholders. Support the โOne UNโ agenda in line with UNDPโs Campaign and Advocacy agenda, including supporting joint UN information campaigns (UN Day, relevant international days) Ensure access of journalists to subject-matter experts and UNDP spokespeople; and provide newsworthy information to the national public. Disseminate and promote corporate advocacy materials for launching flagship initiatives and publications such as the Human Development Report. Support/provide effective responses to inquiries for public information materials.Support the country officeโs knowledge management and dissemination efforts.
Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country goals and activities.ย Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories.ย Provide training, consultancy, and advice to UNDP staff on internal and external communications for development. Maintain UNDPโs Intranet on country office activities for internal knowledge sharing.ย Monitor local media and prepare daily highlights of media and editorial coverage relevant to UNDP. Support knowledge building and understanding of donorsโ priorities, procedures and timelines. Work with the Programme teams to ensure all knowledge products are captured, updated, readily available, and where relevant, shared with external stakeholders.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:
S/he supervises communications UNV and interns, as appropriate.
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 makingยPeople Managementย
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicatedย site.ย
CROSS-FUNCTIONAL & TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES
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 Development
Integration within the UN: Ability to identify, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work. Knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situationsDigital
Data storytelling and communications: Skilled in building a narrative around a set of data and its accompanying visualizations to help convey the meaning of that data in a powerful and compelling fashion.Communications
Digital Content creation:ย Ability to coalesce multiple skills to identify a topic to engage intended audiences, decide which form the content should take โ e.g., blog, social media, video, paid media, etc. โ and produce material to specification and a high level of quality. Storytelling:ย Ability to convey information in engaging narratives through digital media to achieve communication outcomes Media Relations:ย Ability to develop media relations across all aspects of media work including relationships with media and preparing media materials such as messages. Creative direction and copywriting:ย Ability to creatively communicate concepts in an engaging and simple wayQUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration, or related field is required, orย A first-level university degree (bachelorโs degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.ยExperience, Knowledge, and Skills:
Minimum of 2 years (with masterโs degree) or 4 years (with bachelorโs degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in public relations, advocacy, or communications.ย 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 is required. Solid experience in implementation of communications and outreach strategies is desirable Hands on experience in drafting/preparing human interest stories, substantive articles, press releases, communication and advocacy materials, content for social media is desirable. Working experience with UN/UNDP or an international organization an asset.Language Requirements:
Fluency in spoken and written English and Lao language required.ย Knowledge of another UN language an asset.Disclaimer:
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.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
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.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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