Title: Communications and Outreach Specialist
Contract Type: Fixed-Term Appointment
Level: NOC
Posting Type: Internal & External
Office: UNDP Thailand
Duty Station: Bangkok, THAILAND
Closing Date: 27 June 2022 (Midnight NY time)

Job Title: Communications and Outreach Specialist
Department: UNDP Thailand
Reports to: Resident Representative 
Grade Level: NOC
Bureau: RBAP
Direct Reports: Communications Analyst
Position Number: 00162687
Position designation: with no mobility requirement
Duty Station: Bangkok, Thailand
Career Track: Professional/Expert
Career Stream: Corporate Operations – Communications
Contract Modality: FTA Local
Contract Duration: 1 year

II. Background and Organizational Context

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in about 170 countries and territories, working with national counterparts on solutions to global and national development challenges.

In Thailand, UNDP partners with the host government, civil society including the business community, the United Nations system, the development partners and other development actors to help the country achieve sustainable development including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, accelerating structural transformations for sustainable development and building resilience to crises and shock.

UNDP Thailand Country Office (CO) is reorganizing internally and moving towards an integrated collaborative business model. Internally, an energetic and innovative team will converge around the planning, design, implementation and quality assurance of an integrated programme in a fast-paced environment. Fostering strategic partnerships and alliances with different stakeholders will require a team which consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude and has a strong client orientation.

III. Position Purpose

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Resident Representative, the Communications and Outreach Specialist implements the corporate communications strategy, designs, manages and facilitates the implementation of the Country Office communications and publication and outreach strategies with a view to influence the development agenda, to promote public and media outreach and to mobilize political and financial support for UNDP. 

The Communications and Outreach Specialist supervises and leads the communications staff of the country office and has a strong regular working relationship with the Regional Communications Adviser. The Communications and Outreach Specialist also works in close collaboration with the other UNDP CO colleagues, staff of other UN Agencies, UNDP Communications Group staff (Regional Communications Adviser and HQ), Regional Partnership Advisors, and Government officials, international and local media, subject matter experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UNDP communication strategy implementation.

IV. Key Duties and Accountabilities

The Communications and Outreach Specialist will be expected to deliver on a number of duties and responsibilities listed below through the effective management of the Communications Team, including preparation of the work-plan, management of translations. Other duties and responsibilities include:

1.)   Planning and design of internal and external strategies for communications and outreach

Example of Duties:

• Planning and elaboration of communications needs assessments for CO (projects, country programme and corporate change initiatives, etc.)
• Elaboration of the CO communications and outreach strategy based on corporate strategic priorities and UNDP External Communications Action Plan.
• Constructive and timely advice on inclusion of communications components in programme and projects formulations and other initiatives to integrate advocacy and communication into all aspects of UNDP’s development programmes and activities.

2.)   Elaboration and implementation of the CO publications strategy and plan  

Example of Duties:

• Elaboration and implementation of the CO publications strategy and plan based on the corporate publications policy.
• Identification and development of storylines for publications and substantive articles contributing to debates on key development issues.
• Coordination and management of all CO publication activities, including content management, norms for publishing, design, liaison with printers and other suppliers to oversee production and supervision of publications dissemination.

3.)   Enhance UNDP Thailand's knowledge management and supervises the design and maintenance of the UNDP web site, social media platforms and CO web-based knowledge management system

Example of Duties:

• Proactively work with the programme, project and policy teams to identify and highlight the work being done by the country office and create news and visibility. 
• Collate, edit and/or write reports related to knowledge management activities.
• Support the refinement and dissemination of communication and knowledge products
• Lead the production of the country office Annual Report
• Liaise with the knowledge management team in the Regional Bureau of Asia Pacific to highlight various knowledge products.
• Design of the office web sites based on corporate requirements in cooperation with the ICT staff.
• Supervision and preparation of the content for the web sites and social media platforms ensuring consistency of the materials.

4.)   Supports the outreach of UNDP/UN towards national and international partners  

Example of Duties:

• Advocacy and promotion of UNDP mandate, mission and purpose. 
• Creation and promotion of campaigns that position UNDP as a leader within the development space with local and international media and influences the development agenda based on current programme and new initiatives.
• Management, promotion and dissemination of corporate advocacy materials for launching flagship initiatives and publications such as the Human Development Report.
• Creation, promotion and maintenance of public information campaigns on issues including UNDP activities, Sustainable Development Goals, UN Reform, etc. in association with other staff
• Increased coverage and understanding of the UNDP’s work in the country or practice area through development and maintenance of media contacts and providing newsworthy information to national public and donors.
• Formatting, packaging and submission of programme and projects initiatives for review by partners in close collaboration with programme and project staff.
• Development and maintenance of close contacts with government officials, multilateral and bilateral partners, civil society and private sector for implementation of the communications strategy, organization of roundtable discussions, press conferences, project visits, briefing sessions, interviews, launches, etc.
• Represent UNDP in the UN Thailand Communications Group working towards forging a “One UN” image
• Ensuring access for journalists to subject-matter experts and UNDP spokespeople.
• Effective responses to inquiries for public information materials.
• Innovative and creative solutions to sensitive or corporately strategic public communications issues.

5.)   Facilitation of knowledge building and management

Example of Duties:

• Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country goals and activities.
• Monitor practices, and project-specific news and developments in order to ensure guidance to the office that reflects the best and most current available information.
• Provides advice and support to UNDP inputs to CCA (Common Country Assessment), UNSDCF (UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework), CPD (Country Programme Document) and other documents.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories.
• Organization and provision of training, consultancy and advice to UNDP staff on internal and external communications.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: N/A

V. Requirements:

In this section, describe the qualification requirements of the position.

Education

Bachelor’s or Master's degree in media relations, journalism, publishing.

 Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

List:

• 5 years (with Master’s degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national level in public relations, communications or advocacy is required.  
• Previous experience with a multilateral or international organization is helpful but not mandatory.  
• Prior supervisory experience would be desirable. 
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, good knowledge and experience in handling of web-based management systems.
• Fluency in English and Thai.

Expected Demonstration of Competencies

Core

Achieve Results:

LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

Think Innovatively:

LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously

LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility

LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination

LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner

LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion

LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Communications - Advocacy strategy and Implementation:

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

Business Management - 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

Business Management - Customer Satisfaction/ Client Management

• Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solution, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfill 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.