Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Office/Unit/Project Description 

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

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.

The central purpose of the Rome Centre is to ensure the effective implementation and further development of the strategic partnership between UNDP and the government of Italy across the objectives of sustainable development and in doing so advancing the broader partnership between UNDP and G7 and G20 countries.

The Rome Centre focuses on the critical policy areas of youth engagement in climate action, energy for development and climate finance. These objectives are pursued through the effective implementation of three initial main programmes:

• Energy for Growth in Africa
• Youth4Climate
• Platform for Investment Support and Technical Assistance (PISTA)

The Energy for Growth in Africa initiative is a key part of this broader strategy, launched in collaboration with the G7 to build on the Italy-UNDP Energy Partnership initiative. This program identifies clean energy projects in Africa that face difficulties securing financing and provides support through de-risking instruments, making them more attractive to international investors. By pooling and vetting these projects, the initiative reduces perceived investor risk through scale effects and leverages concessional catalytic capital to maximize private sector investment. The initiative currently operates in twelve African countries, including Algeria, Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Mozambique, Zambia, Eswatini, Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Tunisia, South Africa and Comoros, with plans for further expansion.

Youth4Climate promotes youth engagement in climate action, contributing to SDG13. Youth4Climate supports the implementation of youth-led and youth-inclusive solutions to environmental and climate challenges, both financially and through capacity development. It also gives young people around the world who are committed to fighting climate change a platform to engage with policymakers and global leaders.

The mission of the Platform for Investment Support and Technical Assistance (PISTA) is to act as a catalytic tool to support countries in translating their national climate priorities (Nationally Determined Contributions, National Adaptation Plans, etc) into concrete investments and implemented projects. Specifically, PISTA aims to support projects that contribute to the decarbonization efforts of developing economies and to their transition to climate-resilient economies, and it aims to catalyse international financial resources toward these initiatives. Matching impactful projects with investors and capital providers goes hand in hand with the engagement with financial institutions – both institutional and private – at Italian and global level.

The Rome Centre also has a broader mandate to engage with the Italian ecosystem as a whole, which involves close collaboration with key actors in the public and private sector, with the aim to effectively mobilize financial resources for development objectives. To guarantee the effective implementation of the Rome Centre’s workplan, and indeed to ensure the strategic and long-term impact of both its programmes, the Centre will develop broader strategic partnerships and reinforce the overall collaboration with Italy and other meaningful partners.

Delivering on its programmes, the Rome Centre will provide support to the international cooperation efforts of Italy, and it will support UNDP’s global policy initiatives. Recognizing that change will be disruptive, UNDP will work to ensure that such transitions are just, and that their impact on vulnerable people is understood and duly mitigated.

 

Scope of Work

Leading the implementation of the Rome Centre communication strategy

• Support the UNDP Rome Centre Coordinator and programme leads in adapting the Centre’s overall narrative and communication strategy according to evolving priorities and results achieved;
• Liaise with UNDP Rome Centre donors to ensure alignment with their branding and visibility requirements;
• Prepare for annual communication priorities, identifying key milestones in advance;
• Carry out day-to-day social media management and engagement on UNDP Rome Centre and Youth4Climate channels;
• Implement communication plans for individual events and opportunities (such as announcements of funding calls and related outreach), including social media, press releases, preparation of promotional materials;
• Contribute to relevant think pieces, impact stories, and newsletters, as relevant, typically monthly;
• Proposing new and innovative outreach channels relevant to UNDP Rome Centre audiences (especially youth);
• Coordination of consultants’ work required for specific deliverables (such as video production).

Ensure coordination and alignment with UNDP corporate communication priorities

• Serve as Centre focal point on communication and knowledge sharing, including attending in-house coordination meetings;
• Translate corporate communication priorities, strategies and campaigns into products adapted to UNDP Rome Centre audiences and partnerships;
• Feed communication content, stories and results emanating from UNDP Rome Centre programmes into corporate campaigns and opportunities;
• Maintain UNDP Rome Centre content on corporate channels, such as the UNDP Rome Centre website and intranet space and the UNDP Climate Promise website.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

 

Institutional Arrangement

Two positions are available under this vacancy announcement. The two Communication Analysts would be expected to work as a team, with one team member more closely following communication of the Youth4Climate initiative and the other team member focusing on the Centre’s climate and energy finance work. Each analyst may take the lead for specific programmes but support the other as needed.

The Communication Analysts will work under the overall supervision of the UNDP Rome Centre Coordinator. One position will be matrix supervised by the Youth4Climate Coordinator, while the other will be matrix supervised by the PISTA and Energy for Growth Team Leads.

The Communication Analysts will collaborate regularly to ensure alignment across communication strategies, share insights, and align messaging strategies across programmes and avoid duplication of efforts. The Communication Analysts will have periodic check-ins with the Centre Coordinator, team leaders and each other. They may be required to participate in international mission travel.

Expected Demonstration of Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Results:  LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively:  LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously:  LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility:  LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible  

Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner:  LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion  LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination  

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Thematic Area Name Definition Business Management Project Management Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals. Business Management Communication Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels. Digital Behaviour change communication / communication for development Knowledge of appropriate digital communication methodologies for development and behaviour change, and ability to apply them practically. Digital Storytelling Ability to empathise with people’s perceptions, motivations, feelings and mental models and craft narratives to build an emotive argument for change accordingly. Ability to present data, insights or information in compelling ways to mobilise resources, talent or action. Ability to choose media and channels that is fit for purpose to reach specific target audiences. Communications Graphic Design Ability to communicate visually and create appealing UNDP graphic products. Communications Media Relations Ability to develop media relations across all aspects of media work including relationships with media and preparing media materials such as messages. Business Direction & Strategy Systems Thinking Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Required Education, Experience, Skills and Competencies

Minimum Education requirements

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Communication, Business, Social Sciences, Environmental Sciences or related discipline is required;

OR

A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of a Master’s degree.

Minimum years of relevant work experience

Minimum of 2 years (with Master’s degree) or 4 years (with a Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in communication, marketing, public relations, or similar.

Required skills 

• At least two years of demonstrated application of communication, presentation, research, and writing skills, including experience in management of social media platforms and innovative communication tools.
• Proficiency with presentation tools like PowerPoint and Canva.
• Experience with climate communication.
• Experience in international or multilateral organizations.
• Experience working on sustainable development topics.

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

• Experience with communication targeting youth.
• Demonstrated project management skills, including structuring of workplans to ensure timely delivery of projects.
• Experience in supporting an office in engaging with high-level stakeholders in the public and private sector.
• Experience working in the UN system.
• Experience working with media agencies.
• Experience producing visual content for social media, such as graphics or short-format video editing.
• Experience working on communication related to events, particularly international events on sustainable development and climate topics.

Required Language (s): 

• Fluency in English is required.
• Fluency in other UN languages is desired.

Disclaimer

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.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements