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. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

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.

Office/Unit/Project Description: 

UNDP works in more than 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience to sustain development results.

UNDP has been present in Malawi since 1964. Working closely with the Government of Malawi, civil society and the private sector, UNDP’ s work aims to contribute to economic growth, sustainable environmental management, and democratic governance and accountability in Malawi. UNDP’s Country Programme Document is closely aligned to the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MDGS III) and supports Malawi’s aim to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

UNDP’s work in the area of governance in Malawi contributes to the aim of the UN Development Assistance Framework [2019-2023] to address root causes of poor governance, through supporting governance institutions at all levels to harmonize policy, legal and organizational frameworks; strengthen data systems and oversight institutions for enhanced accountability; strengthen gender and human rights frameworks, institutional systems, civic engagement; and improve participation and early warning systems.

Project Context

UNDP Governance Portfolio has been supporting the Government of Malawi in strengthening institutional capacity for sustaining peace, inclusive societies and participatory democracy through Malawi Electoral Support Project (MESP) and Peacebuilding programme.

The core objective of the MESP project is to strengthen capacity and preparedness of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) and the Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD) to effectively manage activities regarding the electoral processes in a credible manner through capacity-building and technical assistance. The project also works to improve participation and representation of women, youth, the elderly, PWDs and reduce tensions and disputes regarding the electoral process.

Peacebuilding Programme supports the operationalization of National Peace Architecture through the establishment of Malawi National Peace and Unity Commission (MPUC) and District Peace and Unity Committees (DPUCs) to strengthen institutional capacities for conflict prevention. The programme also aims at strengthening the capacity of rule of law and security sector to identify, monitor and respond to drivers of conflict and human rights abuses / violations at borderland areas.

In this context, UNDP is hiring a Strategic Communications Officer to support the Election and Social cohesion projects with all communications and public outreach activities related to the projects’ ongoing and upcoming work with the national and district counterparts to international communities and the people of Malawi.

Scope of Work

The successful candidate will be responsible for performing the following:

• Plan, design, and finalize a comprehensive Communications Strategy for the Elections and Peacebuilding projects, including strategies for internal and external communications, social media engagement, and regular production of communications and information material;
• Regularly produce information material including press releases, project updates, human interest stories, project briefs, social media posts, and blogs for hosting on the UNDP Malawi website;
• Ensure that human interest stories of beneficiaries, including vulnerable groups (women, transgender persons, PwDs, and youth), are developed, disseminated, and communicated on a regular and priority basis;
• Support the project management team and Country Office Communications Unit in promoting coverage of all the Elections and peacebuilding projects related events and field visits;
• Support the programme/project team to develop donor communication plans and conduct activities to strengthen partnerships with donors and ensure visibility;
• Undertake any other tasks assigned by the Portfolio Manager, Chief Technical Advisor and Project Coordinator.

Institutional Arrangement

The Strategic Communications Officer will report to and work under the supervision of the Governance Portfolio Manager and in close coordination with Chief Technical Advisor for elections and Project Coordinator for conflict prevention and peacebuilding. Technical guidance will be provided by UNDP Malawi Communications Unit.

Expected Demonstration of 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

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

Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.

Collective Intelligence Design: Ability to bringing together diverse groups of people, data, information or ideas, and technology to design services or solutions.

Communications: Demonstrable ability to apply traditional and innovative communications platforms and instruments to highlight project achievements, maintain high standards of external and internal communications, and produce quality reports and updates. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Digital Awareness and Literacy: Ability to extract, analyze and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to develop communications and information material- solid understanding of the application of SMS based and digital communications platforms for public outreach and alternative messaging. Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skillfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed.

Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies. Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.

Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Communications Studies, Journalism, Development Studies, Political Science or related area.

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.

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in communication or journalism is required.

Required skills:

• Experience in report writing, editing, communications and coordination skills at national or international development organizations;
• Experience working on social media and digital platforms including Facebook and X (formerly Twitter);
• Demonstrative knowledge, experience and expertise in management, communication strategy and networking;
• Excellent computer skills including MS. Office (Word, Excel, Power Point) and various media formats (video, audio, web, app, etc.)

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

• Strong photography skills/experience will be an asset;
• Field experience in the country and/or region is desirable;
• Excellent written communication skills/experience;
• Cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity, experience and adaptability. Working experience in a multicultural, multinational, multi-stakeholder setting and demonstrable ability to motivate people and work in a team setting;
• Experience/knowledge of peacebuilding and electoral processes in Malawi or region;
• Maturity, experience and confidence in dealing with senior and high-ranking members of national and international institutions, parliament, government and non-government institutions.

Languages:

Fluency in English and Chichewa is required.