Communication Specialist

About UNDP/ Afghanistan

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. UNDP has been working in Afghanistan for more than 50 years on climate change and resilience, gender, governance, health, livelihoods, and rule of law. Under the broader framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in close coordination with other UN agencies, UNDP is supporting Afghan people’s aspiration for peace, prosperity, and sustainability. UNDP is currently implementing its flagship crisis response programme, ABADEI (Area Based Approach to Development Emergency Initiatives), as part of the ongoing UN-led response to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe and the breakdown of Afghanistan’s economy following the August 2021 shift in power.

To support UN joint programming in the provision of basic human needs, a Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (hereinafter referred as the Fund or STFA) was established on 20 October 2021.

The Fund will serve as an inter-agency mechanism to enable donors to channel their resources and coordinate their support to the ABADEI Strategy and the UN joint programmes developed under it. The Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan has a two-tier decision-making and coordination structure, through the High-level Advisory Board and Steering Committee. The Fund is administered by the UNDP Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF Office), acting as the Administrative Agent. The Trust Fund Management Unit (TFMU) is the Fund Secretariat for STFA and is the entity responsible for the operational functioning of the Fund and provides technical and management support to the Steering Committee. 

Job Summary

The ABADEI Strategy represents one of the first large-scale attempts to operationalize a basic human needs approach within the complex and fast evolving context of Afghanistan. Conceptually, it provides an articulation of investments in essential services, livelihoods and community resilience that complement humanitarian efforts by helping households, communities, and the private sector cope with the adverse effects of the crisis. The ABADEI Strategy aims to promote more effective and joined-up responses by strengthening the collaboration, coherence, and complementarity of interventions with those covered through the Humanitarian Response Plan. It does this by providing support to the basic human needs of communities. It is anticipated that, as the conditions change, this support could evolve.

The Fund is administered by the UNDP Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF Office), acting as the Administrative Agent. The Trust Fund Management Unit (TFMU) is the Fund Secretariat for STFA and is the entity responsible for the operational functioning of the Fund and provides technical and management support to the Steering Committee. Under the direct supervision of the Trust Fund Manager, (with a supervisory transition to Communications Specialist [P3] in the future), the Communications Specialist will provide technical assistance and support in (1) communicating STFA’s results, activities, breakthroughs, as well as advice on strategic communications for the Fund; (2) contribute material for active and strong social media presence through multiple social platforms managed by the Fund; (3) produce information/communication products (infographics, reports, stories, videos/photos etc.) to increase the awareness of the Fund’s activities among stakeholders, donors, and the public; and, (4) keep abreast of latest updates related to the Fund and support knowledge sharing and management among STFA stakeholders.

Duties & Responsibilities

Scope of Work 

The TFMU is seeking to recruit a Communication Specialist, who will be responsible for the following:

1) Reporting and visibility

• Lead development and subsequent implementation of a Communication and Visibility Plan for the Fund.

• Lead communication of STFA results and progress to its audiences using the most effective tools and channels including social media and regularly monitor communication platforms to ensure that the latest and up-to-date information is reflected.

• Lead provision of technical support to the TFMU in the development and implementation of standardized templates with donor taglines for reporting on events, workshops, training sessions, as applicable.

• Develop success stories and provide relevant inputs for the development of newsletters and website articles for the Fund.

• Undertake field visits to produce high-quality digital media content (videos and photos) with strong and impactful narratives. 

• Produce high-quality photography, videography, and other digital media products for the Fund when needed.

• Provide support during crisis communications and assist the MPTF communications with responses to STFA related media enquiries.

• Performs other related duties as required.

2) Information and knowledge sharing 

• Develop and maintain an effective stakeholder engagement approach, including an up-to-date list of STFA stakeholders, and maintain effective relations with all stakeholders to encourage their support to STFA programming activities.

• Liaise with STFA joint programme teams and respective Participating UN Organizations (PUNOs) communications teams to ensure a cooperative approach towards communications and that STFA activities are reflected in the online and mass media. 

• Working closely with Data Management Specialist, promote knowledge management and knowledge sharing through maintaining the TFMU communications site with easy access to all STFA publications and knowledge resources. 

• Performs other related duties as required.

3) Coordination of communications functions

• Provide support to meetings including STFA Technical Coordination Working Group (TCWG) meetings, Steering Committee meetings, and TFMU meetings with donor representatives documenting discussions and disseminating finalized minutes with respective stakeholders. 

• Liaise with Human Rights Due Diligence team, Integrated Risk Management team, and joint programme teams to highlight and ensure visibility of all elements supported by the Fund.

• Support event planning to promote the Fund’s messages among partners, stakeholders, and beneficiaries.

• Performs other related duties as required.

4. Institutional Arrangement

The Communication Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the Trust Fund Manager (with a supervisory transition to Communications Specialist [P3] in the future). The Communication Specialist will work closely with the TFMU, PUNO Communication focal points and STFA stakeholders on communications. The Communication Specialist will also liaise with the Participating UN Organizations, de facto authorities (when required), community groups, and civil society organizations, as applicable and relevant. The duty station for the Communication Specialist is Kabul following the working hours and weekends as applicable to all UN staff in Afghanistan.

Job Requirements

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA

Min. Education requirements

Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, organizational behavior, business administration, social science, or any other relevant field.

Min. years of relevant work experience

With Master’s five years or Bachelor’s seven years of experience in communications and online reporting or related area.

Required skills

• Proven experience with Adobe creative cloud or other software tools in designing and creating data visualization, infographics, presentations, and reports is required.

• Proven experience in managing communications functions in an international organization or UN Agency is required.

• Proven experience in strategic communications and developing communication strategies is required.

• Strong communication skills both written and verbal, excellent writing and organizational skills.

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

• Demonstrated expertise in managing communications sites using Microsoft SharePoint Online or other online platforms is desirable.

• Previous experience of working with local non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations and community-based groups is desirable.

• Prior experience with multi-partner trust funds and/or multi-million joint programmes is desirable.

• Working experience with diverse and multi-cultural teams is desirable.

• Prior UNDP experience and familiarity with its policies and procedures, particularly in the applicable job area, is an added advantage.

Required Language(s)

• Proficiency in English – both written and oral is required.

• Knowledge of the local language Dari and/or Pashto is required.

Competencies

Complete the Competencies section for each set of competencies as follows:

• Core – applicable to all personnel. Select the relevant level for each competency based on the required behaviors. 

• People Management – if the personnel has people management responsibilities, insert the standard text with the link to the people management competencies list.  

• UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site. 

• Cross-functional & Technical : Insert up to 7 competencies from the approved UNDP Cross-functional & Technical competencies list uploaded on the the competency framework site. 

• Please refer to the competency framework site for the entire list of competencies and further explanations.

Submission Guideline

a)     Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.

b)    A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.

c)     Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.

Functional Area

Communication

Countries

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