Communications Advisor

Background

Please note that the person selected for this position will be offered a contract with UNDP under its National Personnel Services Agreement modality (N-PSA 9); the UNDP Service Contract modality is phasing out over the coming year. More information about the N-PSA is available here.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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.

In autumn 2019, the President of Ukraine adopted Decree #722/2019 on the integration of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the policy development practice of Ukraine, which (a) encourages the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine to analyse higher-level programme documents and strategic forecasts through the SDG lens, (b) foresees the establishment of a regular tracking and reporting system for SDGs in Ukraine and a mechanism for relevant annual reporting, and (c) recommends core scientific and R&D centres of the country to align their research priorities with principles that underpin 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Based on the request from the Government partners at the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (SCMU), UNDP Ukraine together with SIDA and FDFA supported the launch of SDG BRIDGE Ukraine (Building Resilience for Implementing Development Goals Effectively) and the establishment of a dedicated unit that would help to develop an institutional framework for SDG coordination and implementation in Ukraine. The SDG BRIDGE Project will morph a group of advisors within the SCMU / Prime Minister’s Office into a dedicated SDG Office to provide high level technical advice and strategic guidance, and to demonstrate how SDG-related coordination can and should function.

In this context, the UNDP Ukraine invites applications from highly-qualified and experienced Ukrainian professionals for the post of Advisor on SDGs implementation between Government and Parliament, to support the Government of Ukraine in enhancing coordination mechanism on SDGs implementation between Government and Parliament.

The incumbent will accelerate gender equality and women’s empowerment within all implementations and promote UNDP’s mandate as a gender-responsive organization with zero tolerance to any kind of discriminatory and abusive behaviour, including sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse.

Duties and Responsibilities
Under direct supervision of the SDG BRIDGE Project Manager, the incumbent will be performing the following functions:

Assist the SDG Office, SCMU, Office of the VPM and PM to communicate the transformation process related to better SDG integration and implementation based on the principles of gender-responsive communications and non-discriminatory language in line with the UNDP corporate standards. Build public trust and acceptance of SDGs, amongst other things as linked to European integration;
Support development of the national SDGs communication strategy that adequately integrates gender equality concerns with input from all concerned national and international partners, with the focus on regional outreach and tangible results of these agendas for citizens;
Provide expertise and practical daily support to the development and implementation of the Communication Strategy and yearly Communication Action Plan of the selected Ministries, including internal and external strategic communications of the Ministries;
Design and advise on the implementation of communication campaigns as linked to SDGs in Ukraine to build the whole-of-society understanding and support;
Support SDG Office, SCMU, Office of the VPM and PM in the development of the concept note for SDGs communication campaign with integrated cross-cutting gender equality concerns and provide support in its launch and implementation.

Competencies

Core – Level 3

Achieve Results

Demonstrate focus on achieving quality results and impact
Consistently strive to meet or exceed excellence standards
Hold self and others accountable for results
Efficiently establish appropriate plans and resources for self and others to accomplish goals

Think Innovatively

Look beyond conventional approaches and established methods
Propose new ideas, approaches and solutions to problems

Seek patterns and clarity outside boxes and categories while resisting false certainty and simplistic binary choice

Learn Continuously

Actively pursue opportunities for learning and self-development professionally and personally
Keep abreast of new developments in one’s professional area
Proactively seek feedback, demonstrates a desire to learn from others as well as from experiences, both positive and negative

Contribute to the learning of others

Adapt with Agility

Be flexible in handling change, and adopt new ideas, approaches and ways of working
Seamlessly adapt to working within new situations or contexts, with new people, and in different ways
Participate in, support, contribute to or drive meaningful change in UNDP

Be comfortable with ambiguity and effectively managing multiple demands

Act with Determination

Pursue everything with motivation and drive
Not give up in the face of adversity and setbacks; demonstrate resilience and composure
Demonstrate courage, self-motivation and initiative to act on opportunities without being prompted by others

Be authentic and modest, get things done without unnecessary noise

Engage and Partner

Act in a way that demonstrates empathy and emotional intelligence, showing consideration for the needs and feelings of others
Demonstrate and encourage teamwork and co-creation internally and externally to achieve joint objectives and results
Establish and develop networks that deliver powerful collaborations

Encourage and respect the views of others; accept views and ideas other than one’s own

Enable Diversity and Inclusion

Treat all individuals with respect, consider ethical implications and respond sensitively to all differences among people
Fully accept and value all people, creating an inclusive environment
Understand that inclusion is multi-faceted (e.g. race, gender, age, disability, culture, etc.)
Understand and appreciate issues from the perspective of others
Treat everyone fairly and equally

Demonstrate honesty and transparency

Cross-functional competencies

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

Knowledge Facilitation

Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally

Effective Decision Making

Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources

Partnerships Management

Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Negotiation and Influence

Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates ‘win-win’ situations

Knowledge Generation

Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated n

Technical Competencies

Governance

Planning and Assessment

Gender Mainstreaming

Knowledge of gender issues and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations, including analysis and implementation of projects from a gender perspective

Digital & Innovation

Behaviour change communication/communication for development

Strategic Policy Engagement

Horizon-scanning and future of development
Strategic policy advice

Partnership management

Relationship management
Strategic engagement

Communications

Intergovernmental affairs
Campaign management
Creative direction and copywriting
Media Relations
Marketing research and data analysis
Social Media management

Required Skills and Experience
Education

Master’s degree or equivalent in public administration, media relations, journalism, political / social sciences or related field.
Relevant Bachelor’s degree with additional two years of relevant extensive progressively responsible experience is accepted in lieu of Master’s degree.

Experience

Minimum 2 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in the media sphere, public relations, communications or advocacy;
Relevant experience with communication production including digital, presentations, events, and video;
Proven prior experience of professional or advisory services to the Government or Parliament
Previous experience with a multilateral or international organization/foundation is an asset;
Proven reports and/or publications record related to communication (at least 3 relevant publications);
Professional experience in the usage of social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Insta-gram, Google+, Linkedin or others

Languages Required

Fluency in English and Ukrainian languages is required.