Communication Officer

This UN Volunteer assignment is with UNDP and will play a critical role in supporting the GPGS team in Istanbul, NY and Oslo and work in close collaboration with UNDP country offices, regional offices and HQ bureaus.

As the United Nations lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is concentrated in three focus areas; democratic governance and peace building; sustainable development; climate and disaster resilience.

Context

Accountable, inclusive and effective governance is both a goal in itself, in that it supports the realisation of human rights, and, as evidence shows, an enabler of the whole of Agenda 2030. For that reason, governance is at the heart of UNDP’s policies, strategies and interventions, is one of UNDP’s six Signature Solutions, and is an integral part of programming across the organization.

The Communication Officer will be based in Istanbul and report directly to the Global Lead on Governance for Public Goods and Services (GPGS). S/he will play a critical role in supporting the GPGS team in Istanbul, NY and Oslo and work in close collaboration with UNDP country offices, regional offices and HQ bureaus. The incumbent will be responsible to: 1) develop and lead the GPGS communication and knowledge management strategy, producing and quality assuring GPGS communication and knowledge products with relevant country offices, regional and global bureaux; 2) S/he will also provide, with due supervisory guidance and when required, broader management and administrative support to the GPGS team, including as part of backstopping arrangements. For more information: click the link.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the UNDP Global Lead on Governance for Public Goods and Services (GPGS) or his/her designated mandated supervisor(s), and in close collaboration with the Governance global team in New York, regional offices and country offices, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

A. Communication and knowledge management (80%)

- Lead the development and implementation of the GPSC communication and knowledge management plan to ensure higher visibility, knowledge management and proper advocacy.

- Develop and regularly update a visualization tool that describes the GPGS portfolio, emerging GPGS products, and GPGS expertise, tools and partnerships.

- Keep track of success stories at result level across countries and develop/maintain a communication and knowledge management logbook for GPGS activities at global, regional and country level.

- Develop high quality products (reports, guidelines/manuals, data visualization, infographics, online contents, leaflets, brochures, videos, presentations, social media messages, etc.) to ensure proper communication and visibility of the results achieved.

- Support, in coordination with relevant UNDP units, the development and enhancement of the FutureGov portal

- Help maintain and upload content on GPGS related websites, including the one on FutureGov.

- Coordinate and support Country Offices develop communication and knowledge management products related to the GPGS portfolio.

- Grow GPGS social media accounts and contribute to UNDP corporate knowledge management platforms and tools such as the Governance COP, Spark blue, Viva Engage, etc.

- Other communication-related tasks as required by her/his supervisor.

FutureGov Brochure: click the link.

B. Programme Support (20%)

• Support the GPGS team members and consultants with administrative, logistic and other operations matters (including arrangement for meetings, workshops, events, visits, travel and missions)
• Performs other duties as required.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day, 5th of December).
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.
• Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities (for instance at https://vra.unv.org),
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers.
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Required experience

• 3 years of experience in communication (preferably for development), knowledge management, programme management and/or public administration, or other relevant field at the national and/or international level.
• Experience with UNDP is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization.
• Experience in the production of communications materials, including at least two of the following: professional photographic and videographic material, human interest stories, infographics, documentation with professional graphic design – such as reports, manuals, brochures and/or leaflets; website design (candidates must submit at least two samples of their work as part of their applications)
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skill.
• Excellent English language skill is a must. Working knowledge of French is an asset.
• Experience using Canva. In the absence of experience using Canva, experience in other software tools for the creation and design of data visualization, infographics, reports and presentations can be considered.
• Experience in Adobe Creative Cloud programmes and in web-based social video and animation creator platforms is an advantage.
• Experience in website production and in the use of Content Management System (CMS) platforms (such as WordPress, Joomla or Drupal), is desirable.
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development.
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.
• Sound security awareness;

English, Level: Fluent, Required French, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Bachelor degree or equivalent in communication, journalism, programme management, social studies, international relations or other relevant fields.

Living conditions and remarks

The UN Volunteer will be based in Istanbul (center in European Side) with full time engagement and responsible for arranging her/his own housing and other living essentials. The full entitlements at the duty station: https://app.unv.org/calculator.

The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service: click the link.

Summary of National UN Volunteer (Specialist) Entitlements: (paid in local currency)

• Current Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) is USD 1,360 (paid in Turkish Lira)
• Private insurance: Health, dental, life and dismemberment (coverage by CIGNA) As per UN’s diplomatic mission status, it is not included in National Security Institution’s (SGK) system but can be only initiated on private basis.
• Entry allowance: USD 400
• Exit allowance: USD 113 per month and upon the satisfactory completion of assignment
• Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month
• Free access to different learning platforms and UN & UNV network

Notes: 1) The allowances are in no way to be understood as a compensation, reward or salary in exchange for the volunteer work. 2) It's important to note that UNV assignments are volunteer assignments, not employment. The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. Contingent on specific eligibility criteria, location of the volunteer assignment, and contractual type and category, the payment of allowances will begin from the date of Commencement of Service For more information on entitlements please read the Condition of Service

Website of United Nations Volunteers (UNV): click the link

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.