Job Description

Office/Unit/Project Description:

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) China Country Office is part of UNDP—the United Nations' global development network. UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to end poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, as well as protect the planet, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Together, these efforts aim to ensure that improvements in human wellbeing remain within ecological boundaries. We also help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities and institutional capabilities, as well as build resilience, in order to achieve the SDGs.

UNDP China has been working in China over the past four decades, partnering to advance various phases of China’s development outlined in the Government of China’s Five-Year Plans. UNDP assists China in integrating the SDGs into development decisions, promotes the transition to an inclusive, low-carbon economy and a sustainable society, protects biodiversity, and informs China’s international development cooperation engagement to advance global progress on the SDGs and the global climate agendas. In addition, UNDP leverages its global network and South-South Cooperation (SSC) to facilitate mutual knowledge and experience sharing between China and partner countries on best practices and lessons learned to advance the SDGs.

UNDP China’s implementation modalities currently engage more than 15 Ministries and government representatives at the national and sub-national levels in 28 provinces. UNDP China also actively engages the United Nations development system, multilateral and regional institutions, the private sector, philanthropic foundations, academia and think tanks, intergovernmental bodies, and the media to accelerate the SDGs and global climate agendas in China.

From 2026, UNDP China begins implementing its new Country Programme Document: 2026–2030 (CPD) and is fully aligned with national development priorities and the SDGs commitments.

The International Communications Analyst is responsible for providing robust support to UNDP China’s efforts in communications and advocacy. Specifically, he/she will assist in the implementation of Country Office communications strategies and actions plan and be responsible for copywriting, editing and polishing external and internal communications and advocacy products. He/She will also support the development of the international social media strategy and ensure effective daily execution in addition to managing relevant online platforms including the country office website. Additionally, he/she will play an active role in shaping and providing creative inputs to CIP project implementation, provide support in formulating key initiatives and identify opportunities for innovative approaches to our communications work.

Scope of Work:

• Assist in developing and implementing an overall communications strategy and action plan to promote UNDP’s work in China to domestic and international audiences.
• Draft, edit and/or provide quality assurance of external outreach and communications materials, including speeches, Op-Eds, success stories, press releases, website write-ups, PowerPoint Presentations, proposals, etc.
• Assist in developing an international social media strategy and coordinate with HQ and RBAP for its implementation; ensure effective day-to-day update and management of CO international social media accounts
• Assist in managing and disseminating CO publications and serve in the Publications Taskforce
• Assist in strengthening and maintaining international media relations in to increase impact of UNDP’s work, including handling enquiries from international media.
• Support the design and rolling out of creative and high-visibility social media campaigns for the Sustainable Development Goals and other advocacy campaigns
• Provide effective communications support and storytelling to create impact from program results
• Provide research and analysis of global development issues to create engaging programmes for external events and influence key stakeholders
• Assist in the formulation of the team’s innovation projects and support on strengthening project implementation
• Be available to assist in ad-hoc tasks as required both within UNDP and other UN agencies in China.

Institutional Arrangement:

The Communications Analyst reports to the Assistant Resident Representative through the Communications Analyst under the Communications, Innovation, and Partnerships Team.

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 & Technical competencies:

• Business Direction & Strategy – Strategic Thinking – Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.
• Business Management – Communication – Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
• Communications – Writing and editing – Ability to create and/or edit written content in different UN languages.

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA:

Min. Academic Education:

• Master’s degree in communications, journalism, business management, marketing, advertising, international relations or a related field.
• Or bachelor’s degree in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the Master’s degree.

Min. years of relevant Work experience:

• Minimum 2 years of working experience in the field of communications, journalism, public relations, marketing or related fields with bachelor’s degree, or no relevant work experience with master’s degree.

Required skills and competencies:

• Publication-standard English drafting and editing skills.
• Experience with website management
• Experience with developing and managing social media

Desired additional skills and competencies:

• Experience in developing and implementing communications strategies and designing campaigns
• Experience of Concept note formulation and Presentation design as an asset
• Ability in Partnership management and coordination is preferred.

Languages: Proficient in English, Chinese as an asset

Please note that this is an office‑based position, the successful candidate requires working on‑site at the UNDP China Office.

The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

1. 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.
2. A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position
3. 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.

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.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.