Communication Officer

The country’s priorities, UNSDCF, and UNDP’s CPD lay out the priorities in networking, partnership and communications.  This is in particular critical to enable the country for transformative change and preparedness for graduation while meeting the country’s global, regional, and national goals.  

Under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative and in close coordination with the Deputy Resident Representative, the Communications Officer participates in  development and implementation of the partnership and communications strategy of the office, as well as in the design, management, and implementation of the Country Office’s internal and external communications and digital strategies, with a focus on equipping teams to communicate, geared toward influencing the development and resource mobilization agenda, promoting public and media outreach and mobilizing political and financial support for UNDP, in close collaboration with the respective partners. 

The Communications Officer keeps abreast of the lastest guidelines, instructions, and trends in UNDP, and maintains a working relationship with the communication network of the Organization and Regional Communications Adviser, and Headquarters. The Communications Officer works in close collaboration with both the Programme and Operations teams of the Country Office, staff of other UN Agencies, and the UN Communications Group staff Regional Communications Adviser and HQ, ensuring the successful UNDP internal and external communication strategy implementation.  The Communications Officer will endeavor to facilitate and provide capacity to programme staff on communication strategies that benefit and promote their thematic interventions and activities and enhances the visibility of UNDP.

• Design the communications strategy to position UNDP as a credible and trusted development partner and thought leader in the country.
• Lead on the strategic direction of communications for the Senior Management and Programme Leads of UNDP.
• As a member of the UN Communications Group position UNDP as a leader in the relevant joint advocacy initiatives of the UN Country Team.
• Manages the work plan and related budget; and adjust to include unforeseen opportunities as well as changes in programme work plans.
• Plan and elaborate the communications needs assessments.
• Develop and implement the communications and outreach strategy based on UNDP Country Office priorities and in line with the corporate Communication priorities and standards.
• Engage with programme and project staff to ensure constructive and timely advice on the inclusion of communications components in programme and projects formulation to integrate advocacy and communications strategies in all aspects of the CO programme.
• Develop and maintain a photo database that contains images expressive of the issues, actions, and results UNDP is working on in the country.
• Ensure media monitoring; review and record media coverage of UNDP and circulate to relevant authorities.
• Explore innovative formats that make UNDP communication and knowledge products in line with current industry best practice and position the organization at the forefront of audience and donor partner engagement.

1. Promotes optimum visibility of UNDP Sao Tome and Principe activities, results, and thought leadership through effective media relations, placement, and distribution of information material and creative partnerships with UN agencies, multilateral, Government and non-governmental organizations, and the private sector.

• Form strategic partnerships with media counterparts at other UN agencies and with external media networks, strengthening internal capacity for media outreach and technical expertise.
• Enhance media/press coverage of UNDP Sao Tome activities, results, and thought leadership in line with corporate standards and communication strategies.
• Advocate for and promote the UNDP mandate, mission, and purpose, including the SDGs.
• Identify opportunities for and organize press conferences; facilitate interviews with senior managers.
• Draft and disseminate press releases, advisories, background information, press/media kits, and updated information and stories to inform media and the general public of UNDP work programme initiatives, results, and achievements.
• Draft and disseminate regular results-oriented partner newsletters and  donor reports.
• Organize communication events and conferences in line with the communications strategy and annual work plan.
• Leads on the design of the internal communication strategy to enhance a creative, safe and effective working environment, contributing to a UNDP CO which puts learning at its center.

1. Promotes and leads on digital communications, overseeing the content development, expansion, and continual assessment of the quality and relevance of digital communications and services.

• Ensure the website is regularly updated with news, stories, images, blogs etc. in line with the corporate guidelines.
• Leverage social media to complement the UNDP CO communications strategy and plan, and develop a digital communications strategy to use social media efficiently and effectively for better outreach.
• Ensure the smooth flow of information internally and externally by producing digital content regularly.
• Draft stories for web and social media.
• Lead the process of engaging with government, partners, donors, and programme participants, and beneficiaries through social media.
• Advocates for the use of new tech tools to better communicate in the digital space, in line with corporate guidelines.

1. Write, design and disseminate diverse products (e.g. publications, programme/project informations, and news releases) through a variety of media, including print, broadcast, online, and social media.

• Elaborate and implement the communication strategy with publications based on the annual work plan and in line with the corporate publications policy.
• Identify and develop storylines for publications and substantive articles contributing to UNDP priorities (including active seeking and verification of inputs).
• Coordinate and manage all UNDP CO publication activities, including content management, editing, norms for publishing, design, liaison with printers and other suppliers to oversee the production and dissemination of communications material and publications.

1. Facilitation of knowledge building and management

• Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country goals and activities.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories.
• Contributes to the overall training on story-telling and media-savviness of the CO staff.

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

.      Institutional Arrangement

The incumbent will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Resident Representative and in close coordination with the Deputy Resident Representative. 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies (insert up to 7 competencies) 
Thematic Area    Name    Definition
Business Direction & Strategy    System 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
Business Management    Communication    •    Ability to 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.

Business Management    Portfolio Management    •    Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment
Communications     Digital Asset Management    •    Ability to use digital asset management (DAM) systems to effectively store, share and organize digital assets such as images, videos and other media

Communications     Multimedia Writing/Editing    •    Ability to create and/or edit written content for multimedia 
Communications      Social Media Management    •    Ability to represent and promote the UNDP brand in virtual communities and networks

Communications     Writing and Editing    •    Ability to create and/or edit written content in different UN languages. 

Min. Education requirements   

 •    Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in media, communication, journalism, publishing, or related field is required, or  
•    A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) 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    

 •    Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in public relations, advocacy, or communications is required.

•    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.

Required  skills     Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, good knowledge, and experience in handling of web-based management systems;

Experience in managing digital communications is required;

Experience in working with media is required;

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

   Knowledge of design thinking and systems thinking processes a plus;
Experience in developing communications strategy is an advantage;
Experience in website management is highly desirable

Required Language(s)  

  Fluency in English and Portuguese languages is required.
Fluency in French will be an asset.
Professional Certificates    Certifications in relation to communications and media will be considered as an asset.

7.       The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

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.