Strategic Communications Specialist at United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Job Identification: 1212

Location: New Delhi, India

Degree Level: Advanced/Postgraduate Degree

Job Schedule: Full time

Agency: UNCDF

Grade: NPSA10

Vacancy Type: National Personnel Service Agreement

Contract Duration: 1 Year

Education & Work Experience: Master’s Degree

Required Languages: English

Job Description

BackgroundUNDP 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. 

UNCDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s 47 Least Developed Countries (LDCs). UNCDF uses its capital mandate to support LDCs pursue inclusive growth. UNCDF promotes financial inclusion, also through digital financial services (DFS), as a key enabler of poverty reduction and inclusive growth; and it demonstrates how localizing finance outside the capital cities can accelerate growth in local economies, promote sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure development, and empower local communities. Using capital grants, loans and credit enhancements, UNCDF tests financial models in inclusive finance and local development finance; ‘de-risks’ the local investment space; and provides proofs of concept, paving the way for larger and more risk-averse investors.

Hosted by UNCDF, the Centre for Financial Health is set-up as an umbrella platform towards convening a global coalition and thought leadership. The Centre for Financial Health acts as a convener, providing a platform to bring together global, regional and local actors committed to using financial and digital solutions to improve the financial lives of low-income families—helping them climb – and stay – out of poverty. The Centre creates space for thought leadership where best financial health (FH) practices and models are exchanged and lead to concrete action with governments and the private sector.

The Centre is implementing programmes in different countries called Living Labs which support players with a combination of high quality financial, advisory and networking support to design, test and scale financial health solutions. The aim of the programmes is to improve the financial health of five million people over the next four years.

One of the key objectives of the Centre is to drive thought leadership in the space of financial health. This thought leadership is shaped through a variety of engagements that will include partnerships with other global institutions including research universities/think tanks, evidence generated through the experiments set up in the Living Labs or specific partnerships drawn to undertake a research activity.

The Strategic Communications Specialist will be responsible for providing the communications and digital engagement strategy of UNCDF’s Financial Health portfolio. The Specialist will work under the supervision of the Global Lead for Financial Health and Innovations and work collaboratively with the Financial Health Team and other UNCDF colleagues. UNCDF is looking for an individual with strong knowledge of the financial and digital sector and the role that the digitization of finance can play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The core function of the Specialist is to proactively lead the design and implementation of a well-targeted communication and advocacy strategy for UNCDF’s FH portfolio, seeking opportunities for effective engagement and tailored content creation for diverse range of partners and market actors.Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of the Communications and Advocacy Strategy for the Financial Health portfolio of UNCDF;
• Lead on developing tools and establishing process/platforms to effectively disseminate content to support the objectives of the portfolio and focus on the portfolio’s key audiences which include governments’ line ministries—Foreign Affairs, Finance, Central Banks—amongst other policymakers and regulators, private-sector financial institutions, telecommunications companies, insurers, pension fund operators and administrators, and fintechs;
• Focus on external relations with donors, development partners, the UN system, the media and the public to increase awareness and support of activities within the portfolio, and enhance communications and branding, including improving internal and external communications through web-based tools (website, intranet, social media), events, publications, new media initiatives, etc.;
• Content creation and management: Play a team-lead role, donning multiple hats including but not limited to project management, reporting analytics, working with the knowledge management team on learning platforms, and distribution of content for internal usage and external dissemination;
• In collaboration with the Digital Communications Specialist, lead the dissemination of content through the digital communications channels including social media, newsletter and new innovative methods to amplify the migration and remittance portfolio of UNCDF messages and success stories from partners beyond the financial inclusion and development communities;
• Provide strategic communications input for thematic research and learning for all communications-related activities of thematic and national research reports (e.g. diagnostics, roadmap, etc.) in close partnership with the various Leads, and ensure end-to-end project management of all communications aspects of the research from inception to launch;
• Lead and manage the communications resources including communications consultants, external vendors such as the graphic design agency, the webmaster, technical editors, proofreaders, photographers, videographers, printers and translators.

The Strategic Communications Specialist shall work under the direct supervision of the Global Lead for Financial Health and Innovations.Competencies

• Strategic thinking, creativity and innovation; positive, proactive, “can do” approach
• Sets high standards for quality of work and consistently achieves project goals
• Proven ability to conceptualize, plan and execute ideas

Required Skills and Experience Education:

• A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in communications, journalism, international relations, public policy, public relations or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years professional experience in an international setting in journalism, public and/or private communications or advertising, of which there are at least 4 years of experience working on digital payments and/or digital financial services
• Minimum 5 years of experience in writing and editing outstanding communications products, including social media posts, newsletters, comment pieces and PowerPoint presentations
• Experience in designing and implementing communications strategies in financial services, ideally for high-level global players in that industry is mandatory

Language Requirement:

• English; proficiency in other UN languages would be a plus.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders) 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.  

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. 

Applicant information about UNDP rosters Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  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 descriptions, experiences,s, and educational requirements. 

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