The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction highlight that for development to be sustainable it must become resilient to growing risks from climate change and climatic disasters. This is a critical agenda in the Arab region, which already stands as the world’s most water scarce and food import dependent region, and with temperatures rising faster than the global average. Climate change has emerged as one of the most complex and detrimental phenomena exacerbating poverty and human insecurity in the Arab region. In catalyzing greater levels of water insecurity, reduced agricultural productivity, and fragility of land and ecosystem services, climate change is now increasing social vulnerability, exacerbating conflict and triggering displacement in the region. Most of the conflict affected contexts in the region are also some of the world’s top climate risk hotspots, with climate-resilient approaches to development becoming increasingly important from both crisis prevention and recovery perspectives.

Focused on the nexus between climate action and human security, the programme seeks to enhance the capacity of regional and national institutions to effectively take climate action in a way that brings benefits across SDGs and for crisis prevention/recovery efforts, including support to scale-up climate finance for innovative local solutions. In doing so, the programme brings together multi-lateral institutions in the region such as the League of Arab States (LAS) and the Arab Water Council (AWC), and leading UN system partners active on climate actions in the region, including the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Environment Finance Initiative (UNEP-FI), the UN Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat), the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), and the World Food Programme (WFP).

Through joint actions, the programme is working to address two main priorities in the region that have been identified during the formulation process – (i) to promote more integrated solutions for climate action that brings benefits across SDGs and for crisis prevention/recovery goals, and (ii) to scale up local partnerships and finance to this end. Through a combination of regional dialogues and technical assistance at the regional level, and innovation grants at the country level, the programme seeks to generate three key outcomes:

• Outcome 1: Enhanced knowledge and coordination on climate-security among key stakeholders at the regional level to achieve climate action with co-benefits across the SDGs, and crisis prevention/recovery goals.
• Outcome 2: Enhanced access to analysis, tools and strategies at the regional level to support a climate nexus approach to achieving SDGs and prevention/recovery
• Outcome 3: Strengthened national and local capacities to effectively integrate climate change considerations into development and crisis prevention/recovery policies and to scale-up climate finance for local innovative solutions with co-benefits across the SDGs    

Underlying and cutting across these outcomes will be the establishment of SDG-Climate Facility, which will take forward a nexus approach beyond the life-cycle of the project.

 A Communications and Outreach Strategy has been developed under the project to support the outreach and advocacy efforts that explicitly contribute to the attainment of the overall project outcomes. The Strategy outlines                                        the communications products and tools to be produced, the shape of precise messages and the identification of specific target audiences as well as outlets to engage through media partnerships, among other key aspects. 

 The Project is looking to recruit a Communications and Outreach  Specialist, who under the supervision and guidance of   the CTA/Project Manager will lead the implementation of the Communication and Outreach strategy.

Summary of Key Functions:

1. Lead the implementation of the Communication and Outreach Strategy
2. Coordinate Media outreach and events
3. Develop Partnerships and Networks
4. Coordinate capacity building of stakeholders such as CSOs, media, and youth groups

1. Lead the implementation of the Communication and Outreach Strategy

i. Lead the implementation of the Project’s Communication and Outreach Strategy, with its associated work-plans, and in line with the planned budget;
ii. Lead the development, packaging and dissemination of key messages, communication products for internal and external audiences, including press-releases, talking points, videos, virtual and face-to-face events, and social media;
iii. Use emerging stories from regional and country level activities across the project to develop, draft, and disseminate exposure stories on behalf of the project;
iv. Advise and guide the project staff in developing and designing thematic content and public messaging and ensure its good quality, acceptance and understanding by the target audiences;
v. Coordinate the development and launch of a Project specific web-page, including through the development of relevant content, blogs, photos, videos and other resources produced through the project. The web-page should have the capacity to eventually link to the SDG-Climate Facility platform (currently in design phase);
vi. Lead the preparation of materials for printing in line with UN editorial guidelines, advising on and ensuring delivery of final, error-free agreed materials;
vii. Ensure that the implementation of the Strategy is in line with, and supports the normative principles of the UN in terms of accountability, transparency, inclusion of the most vulnerable, and other as relevant;
viii. Maintain close collaboration with all the project partner institutions, and their communication focal points (if available) to ensure consistency in messaging, and for overall effective coordination and cooperation;
ix. Maintain a close collaboration with the Regional Communications Advisor (or equivalent) of all partner agencies effective overall coordination;
x. Design and lead the publication/printing of reports, posters, infographics, images, high-quality presentations, including through the use of a variety of software.

2.  Media outreach and events

i. Lead the identification and maintenance of a contact list and partnership with  media outlets, journalists, and influential public figures in the region who can support the dissemination of project results and advocacy for the project objectives, including the Regional Goodwill Ambassador for Climate Action;
ii. Identify key global events such as COP, High Level Political Forum, Arab Sustainable Development Forum, Planetary Security events, etc., and develop a proposal for communication and outreach opportunities at such events;
iii. In coordination with the Regional Communication Advisors (or equivalent) of partner agencies, design a process to work with media outlets, journalists, and other influential public figures to ensure high-quality coverage of project results and highlights in the region;
iv. Identify and engage with relevant stakeholders to increase the visibility of the project;
v. Lead the preparation of informative materials such as fact sheets, information brochures, media kits, press releases, social media content;
vi. Coordinate the overall logistical arrangements required for successful outreach and advocacy events that highlight the results and achievement of the programme;
vii. Align project communication objectives with global priorities and campaigns as relevant with the development of project specific materials;
viii. Lead and oversee the development of related public relations and advocacy campaigns at national and regional levels.

3. Partnerships and Networks

i. Support the CTA/Project Manager in resource mobilization initiatives by producing high-quality content on the project’s activities and results;
ii. Develop partnerships with various individuals, groups and organizations, whose support is essential to the achievement of communication objectives;
iii. Support the CTA/Project Manager to establish partnerships with regional and global academic institutions for joint development and publication of knowledge products, and communication materials, with clear branding and visibility of the Project, and its partners;
iv. Develop and maintain a current list of potential partners from both the public and private sector whose support can benefit the project, in terms of public visibility and exposure, or financial resources, through organization of roundtable discussions, press conferences, project visits, briefing sessions, interviews, launches and others;
v. Brief the CTA/Project Manager and Project Partners regularly on ongoing communications, and coordinate efforts to follow up on identified communications needs, and potential opportunities for improving visibility.
 

4. Capacity building of stakeholders such as CSOs, media, and youth groups to advocate for the nexus approach

i. Identify opportunities to strengthen the capacity of regional CSO and media partners through appropriate advocacy and communication training, and access to information;
ii. Develop of road-map to engage with CSOs and media which can include, but is not limited to:
a) Promoting competitions among media and/or journalists aimed increasing the quantity and quality of articles and media pieces on the nexus between Climate Change-SDG-Security;
b) Training them on advocating for the nexus approach to enable reform process at country level and/or regional levels;
iii. In consultation with the CTA/Project Manager, work with Project Partners, and relevant team members, support regional hackathons in partnership with universities, or other institutions that have a large youth constituency to generate innovative ideas on potential for youth to advocate and promote the nexus approach.

IV. Competencies and Selection Criteria
 Description of Competency at Level Required
(For more comprehensive descriptions please see the competency inventory)

Core

 
Innovation
Ability to make new and useful ideas work 
Level 5: Creates new and relevant ideas and leads others to implement them

Leadership
Ability to persuade others to follow 
Level 5: Plans and acts transparently, actively works to remove barriers

People Management
Ability to improve performance and satisfaction 
Level 5: Models high professional standards and motivates excellence in others

Communication
Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform 
Level 5: Gains trust of peers, partners, clients by presenting complex concepts in practical terms to others

Delivery
Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement 
Level 5: Critically assesses value and relevance of existing policy / practice and contributes to enhanced delivery of products, services, and innovative solutions

Technical/Functional
 
Detailed list of competencies can be accessed through https://intranet.undp.org/unit/ohr/competency-framework/SitePages/Home.aspx
and hiring managers are encouraged to familiarize themselves for more information
Knowledge Management
Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge 
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Building Strategic Partnerships
Ability to engage with other  diverse set of stakeholders and maintain excellent working partnerships 
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Advocacy
Ability to design and implement strategic short/long term campaigns and carry out customized activations to highlight UNDP’s position and support issue based advocacy  
Level 5:Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Multimedia writing/editing
Originating and/or editing written content for media and the general public to be disseminated through press or other online outlets 
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Brand/PR/Media
Ability to strengthen the Project’s identity and distinction through its brand and uphold it to a high level of quality 
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Education: Masters degree in Communication, Journalism, Media Relations, External Relations, Public Affairs, or other relevant field.

Experience: At least 5 years of relevant experience at national and international levels, including in developing countries;

• Previous experience in the Arab States region is an advantage;
• Demonstrated experience and successful management and knowledge of communication, branding, social media, PR and advocacy in various country contexts, at project and policy level;
• Previous experience of applying communication and outreach approaches in the context of climate change, environmental management, sustainable development is an advantage;
• Proven experience of working on large multi-partner projects;
• Ability to work with, and coordinate effectively with multiple partners;
• Previous experience with UN projects an advantage;
• Experience of working in or with countries in various levels of crisis/fragility is an advantage;
• Proven network with media and other journalists in the Arab States;
• Ability to produce content under tight deadlines;
• Excellent technical knowledge in using computers and office software packages such as InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Word, Power Point, web design software and others for print and online use;
• Good knowledge and experience in in handling of web-based management systems;

Language Requirements: Excellent, and near-native fluency in English. Knowledge of Arabic is an asset. 

Additional skills:  Short-listed candidates will be required to submit writing samples and other product outputs to support their application

Other: Describe any additional qualifications: Non-Smoking environment

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 description, experience and educational requirements.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension