Office/Unit/Project Description 

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.

Within UNDP’s Global Policy Network, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. BPPS works in an integrated manner with UNDP’s Crisis Bureau (CB), ensuring that cross cutting issues are fully integrated while communicating results. In this context, BPPS Communications provides support to the senior management and the policy teams within the bureau to effectively coordinate and communicate results to external audience, including the media, leads advocacy and outreach to promote its global mandate and thought leadership on sustainable development i.e. around interconnected issues of poverty and inequality, nature, biodiversity, climate, energy, gender and resilience for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Scope of Work 

Under the overall supervision of the BPPS Communications Specialist, the incumbent will be responsible for helping enhance the information flow and visibility of UNDP’s work on digital platforms. Specifically, the incumbent will develop engaging and creative visual assets that can help communicate knowledge and results produced under the policy and programme work. The digital assets will capture compelling results and showcase impact through various digital mediums, targeted to a variety of audiences, including development partners, everyday citizens, governments, and donors.

Key tasks/deliverables for the consultant include:

Social Media Strategy Design and Delivery

• Develop a social media strategy aligned with the BPPS communications workplan and UNDP External Engagement Plan that helps increase visibility and understanding of UNDP’s work in policy and programme, among general audience while also influencing target audiences (donors, other UN agency, development and humanitarian actors, UN Member States and more).
• Maintain, monitor and engage with selected social media platforms.
• Develop and maintain a Trello calendar of social media content aligned to key moments, themes and issues of priority for BPPS.

Content Creation

• Research, edit, write and develop high-impact social media content including copy, graphics, videos and other multimedia formats that effectively informs and engages external audiences and supports campaigns. To be used across all UNDP digital channels (including website, including X, Instagram and LinkedIn) in three languages including UNDP leadership account/s.
• For key moments and campaigns, develop complete social media kits that can be used across the whole organisation and by partners to increase visibility of UNDP work around these issues.

Measure web and social media performance

• Produce regular analytics report for web and social media, specifically campaigns and monthly and yearly reporting, using different tools. Measure the impact of the social media strategy and adjust activities in order to increase/maximize impact according to evolving trends and technology.

Perform additional communications tasks as required

• Create infographics, presentations and other communication materials as needed to amplify UNDP’s work aligning with UN International days, UN Global Conferences.
• Contribute to general editing and fine-tuning think pieces, press releases, blogs and stories.
• Facilitate in uploading and disseminating statements, press releases in UNDP website.
• Use mail chimp to design internal newsletters and policy messages for dissemination to internal/external UNDP audience.
• Any other visual communications and design related tasks as required or assigned by the supervisor.
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization

Institutional Arrangement

Reporting to the BPPS Communications Specialist, the Social Media Specialist will be an active member of the wider BPPS communications team. The Specialist will also participate in regular UNDP Global Policy Network Communications Team meetings.

The incumbent will work from the office and will be given access to relevant information necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment.

If travel is required, such travel shall be at UNDP’s expense and processed in accordance with UNDP’s  travel guidance and policy.

Competencies

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA

Min. Education requirements   

• An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in journalism, communications, digital communications, or related field is required. Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above- mentioned fields of study,  in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Min. years of relevant work experience              

• A minimum of five (5) years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of professional experience producing digital communications content and advocacy material via various media (i.e. print, video, animation, websites, social media).

Required skills  

• Demonstrated experience of social media friendly video production from conceptualization to publication on digital channels.
• Proficiency and experience in graphic design, video production/editing and/or animation using software, such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, Final Cut Pro, and the rest of Adobe Creative Suite.
• Demonstrated experience of graphic production and/or animation, from conceptualization to final product.
• Experience on providing support and guidance on the production and dissemination of communication products, including reports/publications, newsletters, graphics, social media assets, social media friendly videos.
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems such as ERP

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the competencies section 

• Prior experience with UNDP is a strong asset.
• Familiarity with the UN system in general is an asset.

Required Language(s)   

• Fluency in English is required.
• Working knowledge of other UN languages will be an asset.