Panama: Communications Specialist

Organization: UN Development Programme
Country: Panama
Closing date: 07 Nov 2017

Duties and Responsibilities

The Communications Specialist will undertake the following tasks under the guidance and direct supervision of the Regional Hub Director and in close coordination with RBLAC Communications Specialist in HQs:

Support the development and implementation of UNDP Regional Hub Communications Strategy and Work Plan

Contribute to the development and implementation of the Regional Hub´s communication, information and advocacy strategies to ensure harmonization with UNDP global initiatives, standards and messages;

Conduct analysis on communication and advocacy needs and strategy including consultation with relevant units and offices on how the communication strategy will support the socialization, promotion and mainstreaming of gender equality;

Formulate action plans for specific initiatives that will generate stakeholders’ participation, aiming at building relevant platforms and channels for their voices to be heard and for policy influencing;

Content management of the Country Fiche for the countries in the region;

Increase understanding and visibility of UNDP’s work in the region and provide a clear understanding of Regional Hub lines of services through the elaboration of communication materials and contents for different targeted audiences;

Monitoring and evaluation of communication activities and materials of the Regional Hub, as needed.

Advises on UNDP Regional Hub media/press relations:

In close coordination with RBLAC Communication Specialist, develops, plan and implements media strategies with a clear regional focus and scope in line with corporate guidelines to enhance the positioning of UNDP with the media, with a special focus on regional priority areas of concern;

Identifies opportunities for and organize press conferences; facilitate interviews with senior managers;
Drafts press releases, social media package, article, stories, photo-stories, and media kits;

Responds to media inquiries, issue statement and corporate positions to media and other external audiences;

Drafts infographics, blogs, Op-eds, brochures, fact sheets, stories, photo-stories from the field to inform media and public;

Produces information and outreach materials for different purposes and audiences, ensuring quality and timeliness of materials produced;

Maintains regional online outreach by regularly updating website and social media channels with relevant and timely content, including from field offices

Directly contributes to the updating of the regional web site, ensuring technical and editorial quality;

Supports the management of regional social media accounts in line with corporate social media policy; provide inputs to corporate social media accounts;

Contributes stories from the field and other inputs from the region for HQ website;

Supervises video producers to produce relevant video material on UNDP’s work.

Develops and implements communications strategies and plans for UNDP Regional Hub special events and campaigns

Develops and implement Communications components of UNDP and/or UN campaigns, in coordination with relevant Units in the Regional Office and HQ;

Conceptualizes and organizes Special events (co-)organized by UNDP with a view to reaching wider audiences; develop concept and messaging and develop and compile relevant materials.

Identifies and supervises effective channels for dissemination of all information products, publications and advocacy materials to relevant target audiences identified and distribution.

Corporate Competencies:

Innovation: ability to make new and useful ideas work.

Leadership: ability to persuade others to follow.

People Management: ability to improve performance and satisfaction.

Communication: ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Delivery: ability to get things done.

Functional competencies:

Excellent writing and editing skills in Spanish and English;

Strong information presentation and production skills;

Strong organizational skills and the ability to multi-task;

Attention to detail is crucial;

Responsible, responsive, and enthusiastic;

Must be able to work in a multi-cultural environment and be aware of political sensitivities; Strong initiative-taker;

Focuses on impact and results for the client;

Interest in global issues and the United Nations.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree or equivalent in communications, journalism, international relations, fine arts or related fields.

Experience:

Five (5) years of proven experience in successful development and implementation of communications strategies and plans at the local or international level, including experience in journalism, public relations, communications or media relations;
Outstanding writing and editing skills in English and Spanish (the candidate will be contacted to provide a professional portfolio with different publications developed in the last three (3) to five (5) years of their
professional career. (essential requirement to be considered for this post);
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in media relations at the local or international level and an in-depth knowledge of the Latin America and the Caribbean region;
Knowledge of online social networking required;