Job Description

Background

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 references and background checks.

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization in 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.

Amid a dynamic socio-economic context of Moldova, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP) is embarking on a deeply transformative process. The “Digital Transformation of Social Protection” Project, financed by the Government of Italy through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), stands as testimony to this momentum forward. Moldovan social protection system faces substantial challenges caused by inefficiencies, limited digital integration, and an unmet demand for institutional framework and service delivery better addressing contemporary socio-economic uncertainties. The MLSP's endeavour is to reengineer this landscape, enhance its digital infrastructure and create a framework that is efficient, inclusive, resilient, and adaptable to changing contexts and conditions. The Ministry has launched three major reforms, namely that of social services (RESTART); that of the State Labour Inspectorate (SLI); and that of the National Council for Determination of Disability and Work Capacity (CNDDCM). These initiatives are not just a response to evolving needs but a visionary stride towards a future where social protection is seamlessly inclusive, empowering, and a realized right for every citizen, as defined by the 2030 Agenda.

The Project aims to address the fragmented digital infrastructure of the social protection system, which currently operates with multiple, disparate, and non-interoperable information systems. This fragmentation causes binding inefficiencies in data management and service delivery and undermines the ability to provide timely and appropriate support to beneficiaries. By developing a new, integrated Information System – eSocial, the Project aims to achieve delivery of social protection & employment services in a more coherent, accessible, and resilient way, enhancing the Ministry's ability to meet existing demands and adapt to future changes.

Complementing the processes above, the Project supports the enhancement and institutionalization of the Ministry’s capacities to lead ongoing efforts of digitalisation of social protection services via a dedicated Digital Center for Social Innovation (DCSI), which will ensure the intervention’s sustainability and advancements. DCSI experts engaged by the Project support the development of the eSocial digital platform and its adoption within MLSP and subordinated institutions: ATAS (regional agencies for social assistance), STAS (regional structures for social assistance), NEA, SLI, CNDDCM, AGSSSI (the Agency for the Management of Highly Specialized Social Services), etc.

Additionally, with UNDP support, the Government has established the Energy Vulnerability Reduction Fund (EVRF), an evidence‑based compensation scheme that has already supported hundreds of thousands of households during past heating seasons.

This support is closely coordinated with UNDP’s Digital Transformation of Social Protection project financed by the Government of Italy, ensuring coherence across reforms, alignment of digital architectures, and interoperability between employment and social protection systems within a unified government-wide digital ecosystem.

The Projects’ strategic approach is rooted in Moldova’s national priorities, as defined by the RESTART Reform of Social Assistance and the UNDP Country Programme Document for the Republic of Moldova (2023-2027). The Project is designed to leverage technology as a key driver of change, streamline processes, enhance user experience, and strengthen institutional resilience. It involves comprehensive mapping and optimization of current business processes, ensuring they are streamlined and designed for the best possible user experience.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

The Communications Analyst/EVRF in close cooperation with the project team, under the direct supervision of the “Digital Transformation of Social Protection” Project Manager, will provide dedicated support to the EVRF communication and visibility plan for the 2026‑2027 heating season, while also contributing to broader communication efforts of the project, contribute to the design, planning, execution, monitoring and reporting of the project activities related to communication and visibility, aimed at increasing public awareness, promoting transparency, and ensuring visibility of EVRF results, while supporting overall project visibility. More specifically:

I. EVRF focused communication:

• Develop and implement the EVRF Communication and Visibility Action Plan for the 2026 2027 heating season.
• Identify key audiences and effective communication channels to ensure inclusive and accessible outreach.
• Draft public facing materials (talking points, briefs, factsheets, presentations) aligned with EVRF milestones and legal updates.
• Draft and disseminate press releases, stories, and newsletters highlighting progress and showcasing the impact of the EVRF.
• Maintain and update public facing content on compensatii.gov.md, including FAQs, registration guidance, and automated notifications (SMS/email/pop ups) in Romanian, Russian, and English.
• Document and promote success stories and testimonials from EVRF beneficiaries and implementers (social workers, hotline staff, librarians).
• Support awareness campaigns, public events, and outreach activities, including the annual launch of the heating season.
• Produce and adapt communication materials and visual content (infographics, short videos, social media posts).
• Monitor outreach performance using analytics and feedback tools; adjust strategies accordingly.

II. Effective Project Communication:

• Contribute to the implementation of the Projects’ Communication Strategies and Visibility Plans in close collaboration with the Project Manager, DTSP Communication Analyst and UNDP Communications Analyst.
• Support the national partners in designing and implementation of joint civic education and information campaigns, as well as in developing and delivering the key messages.
• Draft talking points, briefs, factsheets, handout materials and dynamic presentations, considering the gender and human rights aspects.
• Provide advice and recommendations to mitigate potential public communication crisis and sensible issues. This shall include, but not be limited to, press monitoring (pre and post crisis), drafting of press releases and/or written reactions, and ad-hoc crisis reports.
• Contribute to the implementation of awareness campaigns, trainings, workshops, and public events, using various channels of communication and engaging with media representatives for a broader audience.
• Develop engaging digital content (infographics, illustrations, quote cards, videos, social media posts) to simplify complex topics related to energy vulnerability, social protection, digital services and project interventions and increase public understanding.
• Facilitate regular consultations and dialogue with national partners and stakeholders to ensure their perspectives are well reflected in the civic education and public awareness efforts.
• Develop news pieces, success stories, scripts for video reportages and coordinate with subcontracted photographers and videographers;
• Establish and manage stakeholder communication channels, including newsletters, working groups, and online platforms, to ensure continuous engagement.

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

Institutional Arrangements

The Communications Analyst/EVRF will work under the supervision of the UNDP Project Manager in close coordination with the DTSP Communication Analyst and the UNDP Communications Analyst, in close cooperation with the UNDP Moldova Country Office and overall project team, for an effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving project-related issues and information delivery.

He/she also will collaborate with other UN projects, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry and other national stakeholders (the National Employment Agency; the National Office of Social Insurance; AIPA; etc.). The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP administrative rules, regulations, policies, and strategies.

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 and Technical Competencies

Business Development - Knowledge facilitation:

• Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas.
• Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange.

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.

Business Management - Digital Awareness and Literacy:

• Ability to monitor new and emerging technologies, as well as understand their usage, potential, limitations, impact, and added value.
• Ability to rapidly and readily adopt and use new technologies in professional activities, and to empower others to use them as needed.
• Knowledge of the usage of digital technologies and emerging trends.

Communications - Campaign management:

• Ability to produce and implement communications and advocacy campaigns which lead to impactful change.

Communications - Creative direction and copywriting:

• Ability to creatively communicate concepts in an engaging and simple way.

Digital - Data storytelling and communications:

• Skilled in building a narrative around a set of data and its accompanying visualizations to help convey the meaning of that data in a powerful and compelling fashion

2030 Agenda: People - Gender:

• Communication and Advocacy for Gender Equality.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Journalism, Communication, Public Relations, Sociology, International Relations, or another relevant field, or
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience

• Applicants with a Master’s degree are not required to have prior professional experience.
• At least two years (with Bachelor’s Degree) in communication, mass-media, public relations, and/or other substantive area is required.

Desired skills:

• Proven experience in similar positions in UNDP or other UN Agencies.
• Proven experience in working in the areas of social protection, energy vulnerability, energy efficiency or employment.
• Previous experience in development assistance or related work for a development organization, governmental institution, NGO or private sector / consulting firm.
• Experience in development and implementation of media/communications strategies and plans, visibility and awareness raising campaigns, drafting communication materials and products.
• Experience in conceptualizing and implementing national and local public outreach/communication campaigns.

Required languages:

• Fluency in Romanian and English is required;
• Knowledge of one or more minority languages relevant for Moldova, including Russian, Romani, Gagauzian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian and sign language, is an asset.

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.

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.

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