Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:ย 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 โleave no one behindโ 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. ย 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.
ย Job Purpose and Organizational Context
Queen Mรกxima of the Netherlands was designated by the UN Secretary-General as his Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA) in 2009 and since then has been an active global voice on the importance of financial inclusion in support of positive development outcomes and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Building on this work, in September 2024 the UN Secretary-General designated Queen Mรกxima as his Special Advocate for Financial Health. As part of this renewed mission the UNSGSA will catalyze and promote the design, delivery, governance and provision of financial solutions that help mainly households and individuals to manage daily expenses, withstand financial shocks, achieve their financial goals, and gain confidence in their financial lives. The renewed mission further highlights the importance of financial health in achieving positive development outcomes and the SDGs in an increasingly digital economy and the in the face of multiple crises (e.g.: climate, FCV).
The UNSGSA is the Honorary Patron of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI) and Global Agenda Trustee of the World Economic Forum. The UNSGSA also engages with the financial standard setting bodies (SSBs) so that their work takes into account the advancement of Financial Health around the world. She also convenes a Group of Friends of the UNSGSA composed of UN Permanent Representatives of key countries (co-chaired by Indonesia, Peru, Tanzania) who helped promote financial inclusion in the context of UN processes at UN headquarters in New York.
The UNSGSA collaborates closely with an advisory Reference Group of leading international organizations including the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Better Than Cash Alliance, the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), The World Bank Group (including the International Finance Corporation), the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Flourish Ventures.ย
The UNSGSA works in partnership with leaders from governments, regulatory agencies, international organizations, the private sector, including financial service providers around the world. The UNSGSA regularly meets clients of financial service providers, the ultimate beneficiaries of UNSGSA advocacy. The UNSGSA actively participates in high-level global meetings and events, undertakes country and regional visits, holds bilateral meetings, supports or takes part in key convenings (such as delivering speeches, messages, or quotes), facilitates strategic working groups, and engages through various communication channels (including interviews, op-eds, and podcasts). By doing so, the UNSGSA has gained a unique and strategic position as a preeminent global advocate of financial inclusion and financial health. The UNSGSA calls attention to the necessary public goods and infrastructure, the enabling policies, and regulations, and required action on the part of both private and public sector to promote inclusive financial systems and financial health. Though financial inclusion and financial health are global agendas, the UNSGSA places special attention to underserved segments such as women, smallholder farmers, low-income households, and microentrepreneurs. The UNSGSAโs supports evidence-based decision making through tools such as World Bank Global Findex and the IMF Financial Access Survey which provide key statistics to inform action and monitor progress of financial inclusion.ย The UNSGSAย will continue to support such efforts in order to provide a robust analytical and quantitative underpinning to the new financial health agenda.ย
An Office of the UNSGSA was established at UNDP headquarters in New York to support Her Majesty in her outreach, communications, advocacy and representation functions. The Office is hosted and administered by UNDPโs Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA). Under the strategic guidance of UNSGSA and oversight of the BERA Assistant Secretary- General and Director of BERA, the Director manages the Office of the UNSGSA and its staff to support the UNSGSAโs functions.
Position Purpose:Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Director, the Communications Specialist designs, manages and facilitates the implementation of the communications and publication strategies to raise awareness of the activities of the UNSGSA and her office.ย The incumbent will carry out their functions in collaboration with the Dutch Royal Houseย staff in The Hague, particularly the press office and the private secretary to Her Majesty.
UNDPย 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.
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ย Develop, refine, and implement effective communications strategies - develop and lead the UNSGSA communications strategy, including: Determining strategic direction and objectives of UNSGSA communications work in coordination with the Office Director and Programme Specialists, and the Royal House. Develop and keep updated annual work plan, annual event and editorial calendar. Reviewing and executing communications procedures ahead of all UNSGSA engagements.ย Regularly assessing the Officeโs communications needs and priorities and adjusting the overall communications strategy with the objective to maximize the appropriate visibility and effectiveness of UNSGSA advocacy. Track communication outreach analytics and adjust communication strategy and tools accordingly. Keep up to date with key trends in the Financial Health eco-system.
Lead the creation and dissemination of content:
Oversee and populate content across all communications platforms (e.g.: X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube) ahead of, during, and after UNSGSA engagement. Draft press releases announcing UNSGSA engagements (in coordination with The Hague). Support Programme Specialists and Office Director with drafting and editing speeches and high-level talking points for the UNSGSA. Write or contribute to news stories, speeches, talking points, briefs, press releases, letters, and any written content needed by UNSGSA office.ย Oversee and manage the UNSGSA social media accounts with guidance and input from the Director of the Office of the UNSGSA and in coordination with the Programme Specialists. Seek opportunities for strategic media engagements (e.g., interviews, special coverage) with international journalists/media outlets for the UNSGSA. This includes project management (including outreach, managing dialogue with publication, logistical considerations) and developing talking points (in close coordination with Programme Specialists). Lead the production of the UNSGSAโs annual report, including coordinating content, photography, design and printing. Develop and implement dissemination plan for Annual Report, including email and social media outreach.ย Manage editorial quality assuranceโaccuracy, clarity, consistency, tone, visual presentation, timelinessโof print and online content, including fact-checking, copy editing, proofreading as needed. Ensure consistency of messaging and branding in line with communications strategy. Oversee all aspects of UNSGSA website: e.g. update content, include overviews of country visits, speeches, appearances, and other activities. Manage any needed structural or design updates, working with external website designers; take lead on adding written and visual content to website using content management system. Seeking input and guidance from the Director of the UNSGSA and in coordination with the Programme Specialists. Guide and manage external communications consultants, including web and print designers, photographers.Advise and enhance partner engagement and strengthen awareness of Financial Health and of UNSGSA brand.
Build and maintain effective working relationships with partner organizations supporting the UNSGSAโs advocacy efforts and leverage those communications connections to help expand awareness and amplify the UNSGSAโs messages. Share information with team and external stakeholders and coordinate with partners to disseminate news where appropriate. Track stakeholder engagement and partner activities and share information internally on events and media coverage relevant to the office. Collaborate with The Hague on media outreach.ย Collaborate with UNDP and other UN partners to strengthen media opportunities and coverage, especially during country visits. Supervise database and help expand contacts list, as appropriate.Other functions:
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:ย
NoneCompetencies
ย Coreย ย ย CoreBehaviouralCompetencies.pdf (undp.org)
Achieve Results
LEVEL 3:ย 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. ย ยLearn Continuously
Adapt with Agility
LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands.ยย Act with Determination
LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.ย ย ยEngage and Partner
LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.ย ยEnable Diversity and Inclusion
LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.People Management:
UNDP People: Management Competencies can be found on the dedicatedย site.ยCross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Communications - Advocacy, Strategy and Implementationย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful changeCommunications - Brand and quality managementย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
Ability to position the UNSGSA brand and uphold it to a high level of qualityBusiness Direction and Strategy - System Thinking ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
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 - Communicationย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
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:ย Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.Partnership Management - Relationship managementย ย
Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understandingDigital - Data storytelling and communicationsย ย
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.Business Management - Portfolio Managementย
Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacityย 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. Required Skills and ExperienceEducation: Advanced university degree (Masterโs degree or equivalent) in International Development, Social Science, Communications, Media Relations, Public Relations or other related field of studies, is required orย A first-level university degree (bachelorโs degree) in the areas mentioned above 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 (5) years (with masterโs degree) or 7 years (with bachelorยดs degree) of relevant work ย experienceย in communications, advocacy, or public relations with international or multilateral organizations, the UN System/UNDP, Government, or other relevant settings. Excellent writing and editing skills in English and strategic communications experience are essential. Experience in drafting and editing speeches is required. Experience managing web sites and social media outreach targeted at international audiences is required. Experience overseeing copy editors, print and web designers, photographers, printers, managing complex projects with multiple contributors is an asset.ย Experience in partners and media outreach is an asset. Good knowledge of MS office software packages and communications tools. Ability to communicate effectively, creatively, and with cultural sensitivity.ย Must be detail-oriented and excel at translating complex technical information into clear, compelling, accurate prose. Knowledge of financial inclusion and/or financial health is an advantage. Experience working in the UN system is an advantage.Language Requirement:
Fluency in English is required.ย Knowledge of another UN language is an advantage. Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.ย Disclaimer
ย Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)ย
ย 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.ย
ย 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.
ย Applicant information about UNDP rosters
ย Note: 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.
ย Non-discrimination
ย 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.ย ย
ย 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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