Application Deadline: June 19, 2023
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.
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.
Job Purpose and Organizational Context
Under the overall guidance of the UN-Habitat Head of Office for Ghana and the direct supervision of the Smart SDGs Cities Programme, the Communication and Knowledge Management Officer will provide substantive and administrative support to the Smart SDG Cities Programme and the UN-Habitat work in Ghana under her/his field of specialization to achieve maximum impact for the program. He/she will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of the communication strategy for the Smart SDG Cities while ensuring the awareness and visibility of the UN-Habitat programmes and mandate.
The Ghana Smart SDG Cities Initiative accelerates the achievement of SDGs in cities through a complex process where the Communication and Knowledge management Officer will work closely with the team of experts that will do systematic processes of data collection and analysis; developing city development strategies that incorporate Smart SDG cities approaches; strengthening key local institutional capacities in areas of planning, governance, revenue and service delivery as key to promoting sustainable urban development; advancing the implementation of high impact local initiatives through supporting their preparation and financing; and over all providing awareness and education on smart SDG challenges and solution to the inhabitants, particularly women and youth.
Duties and Responsibilities
Functions / Key Results Expected
Summary of key functions:
1. Drafting, updating and supporting the implementation of a Communications strategy and plan for the Smart SDG Cities and UN-Habitat work in Ghana, including advocacy and public relations.
● Develops a communications strategy and action plan for the Smart SDG Cities Programme and UN-Habitat work in Ghana in general in line with the UN-Habitat corporate communications guidelines and standards.
● Implements the communications strategy/plan by:
- Developing and disseminating communications products and conducting activities that ensure effective communication with targeted audience(s) on project activities and achieved results.
- Preparing media advisories and press releases.
- Tailor make communication forms to selected recipients, including local language translations when necessary.
- Organizing and moderating press conferences as part of key activities under the Smart SDG Cities programme.
- Drafting and reviewing of speeches.
- Drafting success/case stories, compiling best practices and prepare policy impact briefs and other communications products for distribution to partners and targeted audiences.
- Building partnerships with the media for advocacy and communication purposes.
- Ensuring cultural and political sensitivity in all communications materials.
- Providing background information and briefing materials (including brochures and newsletter) on UN-Habitat’s projects/programmes in Ghana, as needed.
- Using social networks and digital communication platforms as appropriate; Create high quality content for both social media and media.
- Raising awareness and improving UN-Habitat’s public image in Ghana.
- Creating and maintaining a UN-Habitat page for Ghana linked to the main organization’s website, including writing contents, web stories, blogs, updates, website metrics monitoring, etc.
● Produces periodical and ad hoc reports on the projects/programmes’ communications activities, including media analysis.
● Assesses and reports the effectiveness of communication strategies.
2. Facilitating knowledge building and knowledge sharing
- Supports/builds capacity of programme/project teams, partners and stakeholders in identifying, documenting and drafting best practices and lessons learned, effective communications and advocacy.
- Assists in systematic capturing of key achievements and lessons learnt from projects/programmes’ activities for knowledge building and sharing as well as advocacy.
- Supports the preparation of publications, documents case stories and compiles best practices for learning and sharing.
- Serves as UN-Habitat point of contact for media and communication.
- Serves as UN-Habitat focal person in the UN Communication Group and works closely with other UN agencies and partners to ensure related communications materials include information about UN-Habitat’s work in Ghana.
- Makes sure that projects/programmes’ visibility meets the UN-Habitat and donor standards and principles.
- Supports the preparation of knowledge sharing events and strategies.
- Conducting other tasks as needed/directed by UN-Habitat senior management in Ghana to advance knowledge, communications, advocacy and information management.
- Researches, compiles and presents basic information for use in the preparation and production of communications products/services.
3. Administrating and enriching project/UN-Habitat Ghana online information and social media
- Develops communications content tailored for online communication.
- Develops and administrates project website/information page in UN-Habitat website and in social media.
- Ensures the use of online channels is in line with UN-Habitat guidelines, standards and best practices.
- Uses relevant software, creates designs in appropriate format for promotional and other material, e.g. brochures, presentational materials, announcements, video, audio, website and social media content, etc.; ensures that photos, graphics, etc. are appropriate and conform to UN/UN-Habitat standards for communications materials.
Competencies
Corporate Competencies
- Demonstrates commitment to UN-Habitat’s mission, vision and values.
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Functional Competencies
Management and Leadership
- Good managerial and leading skills.
- Demonstrates strong coordination and organizational skills.
- Ability to work as a part of a team, sharing information and coordinating efforts within the team.
- Consistently approaches to work with energy and a positive and constructive attitude.
- Excellent analytical and writing skills.
Communication
- Good communication skill both in writing and oral including networking and interpersonal skills.
- Proven ability to persuade and influence others to cooperate.
Client Orientation
- Research potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion.
- Organises and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines.
- Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients.
- Proven ability to build strong relations with partners, clients for positive feedback.
- Ability to undertake and apply gender analysis to ensure gender equitable solutions.
Partnership
- Builds, coordinates and advises on strategic and programmatic partnership.
- Facilitates the engagement of major stakeholders or groups in environment and sustainable development decision making, their access to and sharing of information for effective compliance.
Communication and Outreach
- Advises on the development and management of a communication strategy, outreach campaigns and activities under her/his field of specialization to raise the Agency’s profile at the national and international levels.
Professionalism
- Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter.
- Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.
- Speaks and writes clearly and effectively and demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
- Willing to undertake other assignments as provided by UN-Habitat senior management in Ghana.
Leadership
- Proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives
- Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support
- Drives for change and improvements
- Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
Judgment/Decision-making
- Identifies the key issues in a complex situation.
- Gathers relevant information before making a decision.
- Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them.
- Proposes a course of action based on all available information.
- Checks assumptions against facts.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication and knowledge management, or a related field.
Experience:
- A minimum six (6) years (with PhD degree), or minimum ten (10) years (with Masters’ degree) of extensive working experience in development communication, is required.
- Proven experience on developing systems, procedures, guidelines, manuals and templates for reporting and verification practices.
- Proven experience and knowledge in Development Effectiveness and cooperation, gender equality and its related issues is an asset.
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.
Language:
- Excellent knowledge of English, both spoken and written and national language of the duty station.
How to Apply
People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Visit the Official UNDP Application portal to apply.
Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
N.B Only Short-listed Candidates will be contacted.
