Job Description

Background

As the United Nations lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is concentrated in four focus areas: sustainable development, democratic governance and peace building, and climate and disaster resilience.

Responding in an integrated and coherent manner, UNDP is determined to end poverty and hunger, protect the planet from degradation, ensure that all citizens have prosperous lives, with growth that occurs in harmony with nature, and to foster peaceful and inclusive societies. UNDP mobilizes the means to implement the 2030 Agenda through a revitalized Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, based on a spirit of strengthened global solidarity. Key priorities that govern or provide direction for the work of the position to demonstrate link between the Unit priorities and position priorities/expected outcomes of incumbent.

UNDP in Kazakhstan contributes to the country’s development through the programmatic priorities outlined in the Country Programme Document (CPD) 2026–2030: i) human capital development and social protection, ensuring inclusive access to quality services and reducing disparities; ii) effective, transparent, and digitally enabled governance, strengthening accountability and citizen engagement; iii) Climate resilience and nature-positive, low-carbon transition, advancing environmental sustainability and disaster risk reduction; iiii) Diversified, innovation-driven, and green economic growth, promoting digitalization and sustainable financing. The CPD is implemented by the UNDP Country Office (CO) in Kazakhstan, headquartered in Astana, with a limited presence in Almaty and project-based locations.

The main objective is to influence the national development agenda, enhance public and media outreach, and mobilize strategic and financial support for UNDP’s programme in Kazakhstan. Communications work will be guided by the Partnership and Communications Action Plan (PCAP), a key instrument linked to the CPD that positions UNDP as a leader in development markets, boosts demand for service lines and expands business opportunities.

The Communications Unit adapts UNDP’s global communication strategy to Kazakhstan’s context and priorities. Through high-quality content and innovative use of targeted channels, the team works collaboratively to: a) position UNDP as a leader in sustainable development; b) promote visibility of programme outcomes and results; c) mobilize support for the Sustainable Development Goals; d) advance the principle of Delivering as One UN.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Resident Representative, the Communications Analyst participates in development and implementation of the country office communications strategy, as well as in the design, management and implementation of the Country Office communications and publication strategies, which are geared to influence the development agenda, promote public and media outreach, and mobilize political and financial support for UNDP, in line with the related corporate strategies and plans.

The Communications Analyst maintains a working relationship with the Regional Communications Adviser and may supervise Communication personnel. The Communications Analyst works in close collaboration with the CO Programme, Operations teams and project teams, staff of other UN Agencies, UNDP Communications Region and HQ staff, government officials, international and local media, donors, and civil society to ensure successful implementation of UNDP’s communication strategy.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

Implement internal/external communication strategies and outreach and contribute to their development

• Prepare and conduct communications needs assessments for the country office (e.g., for projects, the country programme, and corporate change initiatives).
• Design the country office communications and outreach strategy based on country office strategic priorities and the UNDP External Communication Action Plan.
• Leads on media engagement strategies to increase coverage and understanding of the UNDP’s work in the country or practice areas as guided by the UNDP External Communications Action Plan.
• Implement communications programmes to publicize priority issues and/or major events, to include drafting communication strategies (including social media), coordinating efforts, monitoring and reporting on progress, taking appropriate follow-up action, and analysing the outcome.
• Provide constructive and timely advice on inclusion of communications components in programme and projects formulations to integrate advocacy and communication strategies into all aspects of UNDP’s development programmes.
• Lead the communications specialists and consultants from programme and projects

Implement CO Communications strategy and plans through leading the development of the content of the communications products and digital platforms management.

• Supervise the design and maintenance of the UNDP website, intranet, CO web-based knowledge management system based on corporate requirements and, if necessary, in cooperation with the ICT staff.
• Supervise and prepare the content for the social media platforms ensuring consistency of the materials.
• Conduct social media analysis for UNDP platforms, measure audience engagement and contribute to building UNDP’s social media fan base through assessment of key audiences, content planning, content management, search engine optimization, analytics and assessment of effectiveness of platforms and content.
• Identify and develop storylines for publications and substantive articles contributing to debates on key development issues.
• Review reference materials and maintain an information and photo/video library.
• Coordinate and manage all CO publication activities, including content management, norms for publishing, design, liaison with suppliers to oversee production and supervision of publications dissemination.
• Participate in the implementation of the UNDP County Office Gender Strategy, contributing to implementation of its communications/visibility part.

Implement UNDP’s campaign initiatives to engage different stakeholders (i.e., government, donors, media and public) and increase awareness of UNDP’s mandate and goals.

• Promote and disseminate corporate advocacy materials for launching flagship initiatives and publications such as the Human Development Report.
• Develop and maintain close contacts with government officials, multilateral and bilateral donors, civil society and private sector for implementation of the communications strategy, organization of roundtable discussions, press conferences, project visits, briefing sessions, interviews, launches, etc;
• Promote and maintain public information campaigns on issues, including UNDP activities and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
• Coordinate inter-agency joint communication activities, contribute to joint UN information campaigns (UN Day, World AIDS Day, 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence, etc.);
• Prepare and disseminate newsletters as well as draft and produce regular updates to donors, donor reports, civic education, and community awareness, where appropriate, to support projects.
• Develop and produce other communication and advocacy materials for advocacy and awareness-raising campaigns, including briefing and media materials in coordination with the supervisor.

Facilitate country office’s knowledge management and dissemination

• Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country goals and activities.
• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories.
• Provide training, consultancy, and advice to UNDP staff on internal and external knowledge management.
• Provide trainings for UNDP personnel on communications and advocacy for further development.
• Maintain UNDP’s Intranet on country office activities for internal knowledge sharing; and share relevant knowledge products with external stakeholders through corporate website.
• Work with the Programme teams to ensure all knowledge products are captured, updated, readily available and in the right order, as and when necessary.

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

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: May supervise the Communications staff in the Country Office

Competencies

Core competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
• Adapt with Agility : LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
• Act with Determination LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making

People Management competencies:

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

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

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.
• Portfolio Management
• Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment.
• Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management

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

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Communication, Journalism, International Relations, Public Administration, or related field is required, or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

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.
• Advanced knowledge of content creating and management applications, including Microsoft 365 applications, Canva and/or Adobe products, AI based applications and social media management platforms, web-based ERP systems is required

Desired skills:

• Proven ability to conceptualize and execute a communication strategy (track record in developing and implementing a social media strategy) is desired.
• Relevant experience in working in/with local and international journalism is desired.
• Relevant experience in working with UN or other international organizations is desired.
• Proven experience integrating gender considerations into communication efforts is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in developing storylines for publications and substantive articles contributing to debates on key development issues is an advantage

Languages:

• Fluency in English, Kazakh and/or Russian is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Probation

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

Use of AI by candidates

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