[ref. t3706004] Communications Specialist, International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development - P3

UN Volunteers

Background

Taking a 'leave no one behind' 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.

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 Administrator of UNDP is also the Administrator of UNV and delegates strategic management of UNV to its Executive Coordinator.

Since September 2024, ERCS hosts the Secretariat for the International Volunteer Year.

In December 2023, through Resolution A/RES/78/127, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 2026 the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (hereafter referred to as IVY 2026) and invited UNV to facilitate its implementation in cooperation with Governments and relevant UN system organizations.

Subsequently, the IVY 2026 Secretariat was established in UNV to be responsible for IVY 2026 preparation and delivery of the UNV IVY 2026 work plan in support of the global IVY 2026 observance. Reporting to the Team Leader for IVY 2026, the Communications Specialist contributes to the preparation and implementation of IVY 2026 by facilitating the communications campaign.

UNV adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNV personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

1. Ensure plan and design strategies for communications and outreach around IVY 2026

• Conduct a communication needs assessment and develop an IVY 2026 Communications Strategy, thereby identifying relevant stakeholders, objectives and targets for communications.
• Prepare UNV's IVY 2026 communications implementation work plan and activity plans for relations with Member States, UN entities, civil society, the media and other relevant stakeholders, including celebrities and other high-profile influencers, to facilitate joined efforts for a global communications campaign around IVY 2026.

1. Ensure effective facilitation of IVY 2026 external communications on all channels

• Draft IVY 2026 communications documents, for digital and analogue use, including key messages, information materials, press communications, brochures, FAQs and presentations for publication on UNV's channels and dissemination to all stakeholders observing IVY for their use.
• Develop and manage the web presence for IVY 2026 (hosted on UNV's Knowledge Portal on Volunteerism) in cooperation with UNV's Information and Communication Technology Section, Volunteer Advisory Services Section and ERCS Communications team and with the support of the other team members of the IVY 2026 Secretariat.
• Produce IVY 2026-content for social media, including graphics, videos and other multimedia materials, for the use of UNV and other stakeholders observing IVY.
• Support the production of promotional items, thematic booklets and factsheets on IVY 2026, including with the help of external contractors.
• Ensure that communications products for IVY 2026 are of high quality, professional, accurate, on schedule and in compliance with UNV standards and bring fresh ideas and innovative approaches to shape the global communications campaign for IVY 2026.
• Recruit, onboard and manage Online Volunteers contributing to IVY 2026 communications activities.
• Support the development of other communication products, as requested.
• Develop a dashboard and update regularly on the analytics and target progression for communications for IVY 2026, including through quarterly reporting.

1. Facilitate IVY 2026 internal communications across UNV

• Maintain the intranet page on IVY 2026 as the repository of information on the IVY for UNV staff with the support of the other team members of the IVY 2026 Secretariat.
• Support the communication with UNV staff by producing content on IVY 2026 for dissemination through relevant internal channels (e.g., newsletters; webinars; presentations in all staff-Townhalls).

1. Contribute to the IVY 2026 online and onsite Events

• Identify and collect inputs for thematic debates during IVY 2026 (both audiovisual contributions and text) via the UNV Knowledge Portal on Volunteerism and through other sources.
• Support implementation of relevant webinars, dialogues and in person-events, and provide communications toolkits for the design of IVY 2026 events facilitated by external stakeholders observing the International Volunteer Year.
• Support the preparation of IVY 2026 key events, including by assisting in the drafting of talking points and speeches.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies

Core Competencies

• Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

• Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

• Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

• Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

• Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

• Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

• Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

• 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

• Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change

• Ability to produce and implement communications and advocacy campaigns which lead to impactful change

• Ability to create and combine images, text and audio-visuals to produce multimedia content

• Ability to build and maintain an overall positive public image for the organisation, its mandate and its brand, while ensuring that individual campaigns and other communications and advocacy initiatives are supported in reaching the public

• Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs
• Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns

• Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Communications, Publishing, Management, Public Administration, or a related area is required. Or
• First-level university degree (bachelor's 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 master's degree) or 7 years (with bachelor's degree) of relevant experience in communications, with a proven track record of developing and implementing communication strategies in an international context, digitally and analogue.
• Experience in desktop editing/publishing, web (including social media) asset creation, copy-editing and production is required.
• Expert digital communications skills with proven ability in Adobe, Canva and Illustrator (or similar) is required.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet is required.
• Visual asset experience, with proven examples of projects using visual curation of photography and video production management is highly desirable.
• Experience in working in a multicultural environment is highly desirable.
• Experience in procurement is an asset.
• Experience in journalism and public relations is an asset.
• Familiarity with database management and office technology equipment is desired.
• Fluency in English is required, (Exceptional written and verbal communication skills are required (in English), with the ability to convey complex information clearly and effectively to various stakeholders.
• Working knowledge of another UN language highly desirable.

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Anstellungsart: Staff (Permanent and Fixed Term)