Background

As one of the original eight pilot countries for the UN Reform Initiative Delivering as One, Tanzania is a global leader in advancing reforms of the UN system, with a view to support accelerated harmonization in implementation practices, coherence in programming, and alignment with national systems, intended to produce a reduction in transaction costs and enhanced development impact. Deepening reform require new and even more innovative ways for the UN agencies to work together in implementing UNDAP II.

Under the overall guidance of the Country Director and reporting directly to the Coordinator of Programme and Projects, with Country Director as second level supervisor (matrix). The Communication and Partnership Specialist will be working on a day to day basis very closely with all Programme Pillar Leads and the Coordinator of Programme and Projects. The Communication and Partnerships Specialist’s key tasks involve the design, management and implementation of the Country Office advocacy, partnerships, communications and publication strategies as well as materials which are geared to influence the development agenda, increase visibility, promote public and media outreach and mobilize partner support for UNDP in Tanzania.

Digital communication is also part of the Communications and Partnership Specialist daily work who ensures effective management and development of the UNDP Tanzania Website and management of the social channels (Facebook, Twitter accounts). This includes writing, editing and publishing articles and contents in all digital channels.

The Communications and Partnership Specialist stays abreast of new trends within the field of communication.

The Communications & Partnerships Specialist promotes a client-oriented approach in UNDP and contributes to enhancing and maintaining the visibility of UNDP work in the country. (S)/he works in close collaboration with the members of the PSSU, Programme and Operations teams in the CO, staff of other UN Agencies - UNCG, UNDP HQs staff (Communications Office) and the Regional Service Center Communications Advisor, Government communication officials, media, private sector and, where appropriate, multilateral and bilateral partners and civil society.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Formulation and support to the implementation of communications, partnership, advocacy and publication strategies for the CO.
Support to implementation of key UN interagency communication activities.
Maintenance of websites, digital platforms, web-based knowledge management systems.
Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing.
Mobilization of resources for communication and partnerships.

Formulation and support to implementation of CO communications, partnerships, advocacy and publication strategies as well as related actions plans/materials, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Elaboration and implementation of the CO communications and partnership/outreach strategies and action plans, as well as the publications strategy and related action plans, based on the relevant corporate policies and guidance;
Conduct communications needs assessments for the Country Office (projects, country programme and corporate change initiatives, etc.);
Identification and development of storylines for publications and substantive articles contributing to debates on key development issues;
Increase 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 partners;
Effective management of Country Office publication/communication activities, such as drafting articles, project; fact sheets, content management, norms for publishing, design, and in close collaboration with operations, maintain regular contact with printers and other suppliers to ensure quality of production and publications dissemination;
Development/production of communication and advocacy materials for marketing and awareness-raising campaigns, including briefing materials and media materials in coordination with the supervisor.

Develops and ensures implementation of the CO publications strategy and key UN interagency communication activities focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Implementation of the CO publications strategy and plan, based on the corporate publications policy;
Coordination and management of CO publication activities, such as content management, norms for publishing, design, etc;
Suggestions, inputs, content development, coordination of production and dissemination of press releases, publications, articles and sharing of CO knowledge and successes;
Coordinate sharing of CO knowledge, successes with partners for mobilization of resources, contributing to results reporting;
Effective contribution from UNDP to the UN Communications Working Group/Joint Communication Work Plan and in agreed UN campaigns;
In consultation with senior management, leverage the visibility of and benefit to UNDP of UN joint communications activities and visibility of UNDP within Delivering as One (DaO);
Organization/participation in and implementation of joint UN information campaigns (UN Day, World AIDS Day, etc.);
Participate in project monitoring and field visits to document project results, create a database for evidence of results and support in programme reporting.

Ensures effective management, development and maintenance of web sites, web-based knowledge management systems and facilitation of knowledge building and sharing focusing on achievement of the following results:

Continuously updated and high-quality CO web site in line with corporate branding requirements, UNDP transparency requirements, best practices, the annual scorecard target ensuring the website contains success stories, projects and other relevant information;
Preparation and solicitation of the content for the web sites ensuring newsworthiness, consistency of the materials and high profile of UNDP projects and of DaO;
Quality review and assurance of UNDP project websites;
Maintenance of other web-based knowledge management platforms such as SharePoint Yammer and databases as assigned;
Ensure that programme reports appropriately capture the reach to the target population mainly the poor, the marginalized including issues of gender and women empowerment are clearly communicated.
Contribution to DaO knowledge management processes as applicable;
Support to CO staff in identification, documenting and drafting of best practices and lessons learned for communications;
Organization of training for the CO and project staff on effective communications and advocacy;
Support the development of high-quality project communications activities;
Preparation of content for the website, including social media platforms to ensure consistency of the materials.
Ensure that the contents of UNDP web platforms and official social media accounts are kept up to date, and populated with relevant information;
Upload information onto the relevant platforms;
Effectively manage, lead and implement social media campaigns i.e. in relation to international days.
Maintain a library of photos/videos from projects/events;
Contributions to knowledge network and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories;
Provision of training for staff on internal and external communications.

Under the overall guidance of the supervisor and CD, support to Resource Mobilization for communication and partnerships development strategies and positioning of UNDP focusing on achievement of the following results:

Under the overall guidance of the supervisor, provide input to the assessment of CO opportunities for resource mobilization and identification and mapping of current and potential communication partners;
Analysis of communication and partnership trends in key national development programme and sectoral policies currently being discussed and implemented in the country and key partners willing to support these policies;
Research on communication partners and prepare briefs accordingly for management;
Identification of emerging sources of funding for communication and partnership; assessment of their current usage and potential for the future;
Design and update outreach/publicity material geared towards partners and donors;
Compliance with partner requirements, including monitoring of partnership activities, systematized CO reporting to partners;
Ensure alignment and compliance of UNDP resource mobilization for communication and partnership activities with UN joint resource mobilization policy;
Identification of opportunities for UNDP in its relationship with other UN Agencies;
Analysis of requirements and synthesis of proposals for development and implementation of CO strategy for partnering with UN Agencies around UNDAP, SDGs and other joint programming for implementation of UN Reform;
Support to the organization of external events to raise the profile of UNDP vis-à-vis its partners.

Impact of Results;

The key results have an impact on the reputation and standing of UNDP and the UN in the country. High quality information material and well-organized public events enhances UNDP’s position as a strong development partner.

Competencies

Core

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Level 4: Adept with complex concepts and challenges convention purposefully

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow

Level 4: Generates commitment, excitement and excellence in others

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Level 4: Models independent thinking and action

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Level 4: Synthesizes information to communicate independent analysis

Delivery

Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Level 4: Meets goals and quality criteria for delivery of products or services

Technical/Functional

Sustainable Development

Knowledge of sustainable development concepts, principles and issues and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations, covering the economic, social and environmental dimensions

Development Planning and Monitoring

Ability to develop business and planning processes at the national and local level and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations

Relationship Management

Ability to engage and foster strategic partnerships with other parties, inter-agency coordination and forge productive working relationships

Results-based Management

Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results

Project Management

Ability to plan, organize, motivate, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

Knowledge Management

Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge

Brand & Quality Management

Ability to strengthen UNDP's identity and distinction through its brand and uphold it to a high level of quality

Graphic Design

Ability to communicate visually and create appealing UNDP graphic products

Marketing

Ability to communicate the value and distinct characteristics of a product or service and to understand the market landscape

Media Relations

Ability to form and maintain meaningful working relationships with various members of the media

Multimedia writing/editing

Originating and/or editing written content for media and the general public to be disseminated through the press or other online outlets

Public Relations

Ability to manage information sharing and partnership alliances between the UNDP and the public

Social Media

Ability to represent and promote the UNDP brand in virtual communities/networks and promote citizen engagement in UNDP's work

Web Design Ability to create and design web content

Brief & Speech Writing Ability to prepare quality briefs and/or speeches

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master's degree (or Equivalent) in International relations, Journalism, Business Administration, Partnership, Communications, Social Sciences or related field.

Experience:

5 years of relevant working experience at the national and/or international level in public relations, providing communication packages to promote the activities of human development or advocacy, business development experience is required, with knowledge of marketing/communication;
Previous experience with a multilateral or international organization is helpful but not mandatory;
Knowledge and experience in handling of web-based management systems.
At least 3 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in public relations, communications or advocacy;
Expereince working in Development programme/projects communication;
Experience in handling of web-based management systems is a requirement;
Experience in CQ5 is an asset;
Experience in the usage of computers and Microsoft Office software (MS Word, Excel, etc) packages is a requirement;
Experience from editing/writing/adapting text to different audiences;
Good knowledge in InDesign, Illustrator and Lightroom is a requirement;
Knowledge in other Adobe Creative programs is an asset;
Good Communication Skills

Language Requirements:

Proficiency in English and Swahili
Working knowledge of other UN language desirable