Background
ย 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.
The Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA) is responsible for UNDPโs external relations and advocacy functions. The Bureau leads and supports the organization in cultivating, building and nurturing strategic relationships and alliances that are essential for advancing and successfully achieving the mission of UNDP. These relationships encompass a wide range and number of key constituencies and development partners, that includes programme countries, existing and prospective donor countries/emerging economic powers, multilateral institutions such as the IFIs, regional organizations, civil society, the private sector, foundations, academia and think tanks, the wider UN system, various UN inter-governmental bodies, as well as global, regional and national media. The Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy comprises the Directorate, including a Strategy and Innovation Unit, and the following groups: Communications; Resource Partnerships and UN System Affairs. In addition, BERA has Representation Offices in five major donor cities: Brussels, Copenhagen, Geneva, Tokyo and Washington.
The Representation Office in Tokyo plays a critical role in UNDPโs deepening partnerships with Japan, for effective policy advocacy and country level implementation for sustainable development, human development/human security, crisis prevention, climate actions and areas of common interests/public goods in line with the UNDP Strategic Plan and corporate External Engagement Plan. Meanwhile, according to the Pew Research Center, 40 percent of people surveyed in Japan have a favorable view of the United Nations, the same figure as in 2022, while 50 percent of people have an unfavorable view of the UN. It is increasingly important for UNDP toย outreach the general public with high-quality content and easy-to-understand messages. In addition, over the past years, UNDP has been increasingly engaging the private sector in Japan for joint rollout of SDG impact investment; calibrating Japanโs innovations and technologies for sustainable development; and promotion of social entrepreneurship led by youth.
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Position Purpose:
In line with its corporate communications strategy, UNDP Japan requires a skilled communications professional to conceive and execute a range of activities that help us lead the narrative on sustainable development as well as strategically position UNDPโs value additions vis-ร -vis Japanese stakeholders. The body of work spans coordination and collaboration with the Advocacy, Marketing and Communications Group at BERA; as well as news and media relations, multimedia content production, social media engagement; cultivating influencers; public outreach and campaigns, while being savvy in the Japanese context and trends.ย
It is against this backdrop that UNDP Japan seeks a very dynamic and experienced Communications Specialist who supports the Management and spearheads the overall efforts to build partnerships and mobilize an appropriate and sustainable funding base for the UNDP under the guidance and direct supervision of the Deputy Director. S/he develops the Representation Office partnerships building and resource mobilization strategies with non-government donors, leads intelligence and develops strategic partnerships with private sector and civil society.
The Communications Specialist also leads and manages the Partnership and Communication Team (PCT). S/he ensures overall coherence of partnership and communication activities with UNDPโs communication strategy as well as UNDPโs private sector strategy. In addition, he/she maintains a professional network with communications advisors as well as private sector partnerships advisors across UNDP. In the spirit of one UN, she/he is also expected to collaborate with UN entities, in particular the UN Information Centre, for effective media campaigns.ย
The Communications Specialist reports directly to the Deputy Director of the Representation Office in Tokyo on a day-to-day management basis under the overall guidance of the Director, TRO. S/he also reports directly to the Chief, Crisis, Regional and Representative Office Communications, BERA. For corporate planning purposes s/he liaises with the Directors of Advocacy, Marketing, Communications Group and Public Partnerships Group in New York as required in order to ensure coherence on common vision and goals.
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 Responsibilitiesย Formulate and implement dynamic and creative UNDP communications strategies in Japan Develop news-driven and advocacy oriented authoritative content to lead the narrative on UNDPโs roles in our mandated areas, and show UNDPโs impact through campaigns, interviews, press releases, flagship reports, speeches and creative emotive storytelling to generate empathy and understanding of UNDPโs mandate.ย Identify and seize opportunities to engage journalists and highly reputed magazines/newspapers to present topical issues relevant to UNDP mandate and comparative advantages.ย Position UNDP as a primary partner in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ensure the corporate External Engagement priority themes support communications engagement with the media and other communications channels. Monitor and analyze news and popular trends to insert UNDPโs messaging into ongoing conversations while strategically identifying key moments for proactive communications.ย Ensure increased coverage and understanding of the UNDPโs work in Japan and expand a network of media contacts and providing newsworthy information to national public and media outlets in a timely manner; Ensure content created reaches maximum impact by developing strategies for distribution from the outset, boosting the visibility of our content on relevant UNDP channels and placing it on external channels.ย Support and guide communication staff in the planning and implementation of communications activities including public events, publications, social media and website; Develop, promote and disseminate corporate advocacy materials for launching flagship initiatives, campaigns, and publications such as the Human Development Report; Proactively liaise with HQ, Regional Bureaux and Country Offices to identify opportunities and digital content that can be maximized for audiences in Japan.ย Be anticipatory in risk management and reputational management, in close coordination AMCG team/BERA as well as Regional Bureaux communication focal points.ย Engage public figures and celebrities as UNDP national advocates or national Goodwill Ambassadors for sustainable development issues, including gender equality, climate action, youth, etc.
Coordinate and manage the Partnership and Communication Team (PCT)
Provide inputs and implement a dynamic and creative Partnership and Communications Team (PCT) workplan, including outputs, tasks, required resources and responsibilities within the team. Supervise and empower the Public Affairs Assistant and provide guidance and coaching to PCT members, aiming at effective implementation of the work plan. Organize and prepare written outputs in a timely manner, including background papers, reports, articles and inputs to publications in contributing to communications, resource mobilization and partnership building. Liaise with Regional Bureaux and country offices to ensure UNDP engagement with Japanโs media and the private sector as appropriate.ยFacilitation of knowledge building and management:
In collaboration with BERA, identify and formulate lessons learned and recommendations to be integrated into broader UNDP knowledge management efforts; Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice.Other duties:
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
Public Affairs Assistant ย CompetenciesCoreย 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
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.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.ย ยCross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Communications - Advocacy strategy and implementation ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful changeBusiness Management - Communicationย ย ย
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.ย Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.ยCommunications - Campaign management ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
Ability to produce and implement communications and advocacy campaigns which lead to impactful changeCommunications - Creative direction and copywritingย ย ย ย
Ability to creatively communicate concepts in an engaging and simple wayCommunications - Media Relations ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
Ability to develop media relations across all aspects of media work including relationships with media and preparing media materials such as messagesBusiness Direction and Strategy - System Thinkingย 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.ยBusiness Management - Portfolio Managementย ย ย ย
Ability to select, prioritize and control the organizationยดs programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investmentย ย Required Skills and Experience ย Education: Advanced university degree (masterโs degree or equivalent) in Communications, Journalism, Media Relations, International Development, Social Sciences, Public Administration, Public Relations, Marketing, or 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: A minimum of five (5) years (with masterยดs degree) or 7 years (with bachelorโs degree) of relevant work experience in advocacy, communications, journalism, international development, or related field. Experience working in international organizations and/or in public relations and communications is required. Professional working experience with Japanese entities and robust media relations would be an asset. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, good knowledge and experience in handling of web-based management systems and social media are required.ย Proven experience and good knowledge of advocacy, communication and public relations, preferably in the international development area is an asset. Established networks with top-tier journalists and media in Japan, and experience in marketing are desirable. ย
Language Requirements:
Fluency in English and in Japanese are required 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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