Background

Emphasis on improving public services using technology and innovations, the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) recognized the challenge of improving public service delivery in BARMM and to respond to substantial gaps in public service delivery at the local level, the MILG forged a partnership with UNDP for the Localizing e-Governance for Accelerated Provision of Services (LeAPS) Programme.

With the overall goal of “By the end of 2025, citizens have improved access to local government e-Services”, the LeAPS Programme will harness the transformative power of data, digitalization, and people-centered governance to substantially improve the delivery of local public services, develop ICT capacity in civil servants and citizens and generate awareness, ease of use and, eventually, ownership of digital tools and processes, completing a journey towards digital transformation.

The full-blown phase of the LeAPS Programme covers 21 LGUs and 11 Ministries in BARMM, and more BARMM stakeholders from January 2024 to December 2025.

UNDP is looking for a Communications and Advocacy Associate for the LeAPS Programme, who will form part of the LeAPs Programme Management Office (PMO) based in Cotabato City.

Duties and Responsibilities

Overall direction and guidance shall be provided by the UNDP I&P Team Leader for Institutions and Partnerships while day-to-day supervision shall be performed by the LeAPS Programme Manager with oversight from the I&P Programmeme Analyst.

Formulation and implementation of communications and advocacy strategies of the LeAPS Programme, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Develop a comprehensive communications and advocacy strategy aligned with the LeAPS Programme and UNDP’s goals and objectives.
• Lead the planning and implementation of the LeAPS advocacy campaigns to influence policy, mobilize support, and raise awareness on key issues.
• In consultation and collaboration with various stakeholders, to develop advocacy materials and key messages for target audiences.
• Implement and continue updating the Communications and Advocacy Plan, as needed.
• Creation of the LeAPS Brand Manual.
• Prepare and conduct communications needs assessments for the LeAPS Programme.
• Produce high quality communication materials for marketing and awareness-raising campaigns, including briefing and media materials, fact sheets, and case stories in coordination with the LeAPS Programme Manager and UNDP Communications Team.
• Organize roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, seminars, and interviews as needed.

Support to the elaboration and implementation of a knowledge products quality assurance process and communications plan and strategy:

• Quality assurance of knowledge products (KPs) produced by LeAPS Programme according to UNDP Country Office (CO) policy.
• Provide inputs and information for development, review and updating of publication strategy and plan based on UNDP’s publications policy.
• Assist in the development and distribution of success stories/case studies of the Programme and UNDP CO digital initiatives, including digital innovations, thought leadership, and internal transformation initiatives.
• Manage and/or produce communications pieces (including but not limited to, written articles, videos, podcasts, social media content, etc.).
• Identifying and drafting of compelling storylines for publications and articles aimed for the advocacy on governance and digitalization within the BARMM.
• Technical supervision of translation/adaptation/rewriting of information received, printing and dissemination of publications and audio-visual materials, and Supervision of publications dissemination.
• Distribution and dissemination of KPs, publications, articles, case stories, and press releases to key media outlets (print, websites, radios, caravans, etc.).

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management

• Work with the LeAPS M&E Analyst in the identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to the LeAPS Programme and UNDP Programmeme country goals and objectives.
• Work and consult with the UNDP Communications Team on all communications-related write-ups, press releases, and others to ensure alignment with the CO communications standards.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories.
• Organization and conduct of training and workshops on communications for development as appropriate.
• Provide advice and guidance on best practices and new and innovative creative ideas to increase engagement and reach with existing and new audiences; and Support to developing content for the CO website and social media channels and platforms.
• Consolidate all communications materials for Programme documentation.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Engage with internal and external stakeholders to gather insights and feedback to inform communication and advocacy efforts.
• Participate in LeAPS team events, conferences, and meetings, effectively communicating its mission and achievements.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of communication and advocacy activities through tangible indicators, providing regular reports and insights for continuous improvement.
• Undertake regular Programme communications needs assessments.

Provide additional support to the LeAPS PMO and the Institutions and Partnerships (I&P) Programmeme Team on the request of the LeAPS Programme Manager and Programmeme Team Analyst.

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 Management

• Operations Management – Ability to effectively plan, organise and oversee different parts of corporate operations, simultaneously and in an integrated way, in order to convert the organisation’s assets into the best results in the most efficient way. Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms.
• Customer Satisfaction/Client Management – Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers’ needs
• Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients’ immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.

Business Development

• Knowledge Generation – Ability to research and turn information into usual knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
• Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

External Relations & Advocacy / Communications

• Advocacy strategy and implementation – Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary Education is required.
• First level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, international Relations or related field will be given due consideration but is not a requirement.

Experience:

• Minimum of seven (7) years (with secondary education) or four (4) years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in producing communications material pertaining to ICT, e-governance, digital solutions, digitalization, digitization, e-services is required.
• Demonstrated experience on the intersection of technology, web design, editorial, digital, social media and multimedia platforms is essential.
• At least two (2) years of relevant experience at the sub-national level in providing communication packages to promote the activities of international development organization is an asset.
• Knowledge of digital media, visual communications and interactive storytelling methods is desirable.
• Ability to analyse online communications using performance indicators is desirable.
• Experience in preparing, coordinating, and leading donor reporting processes is desirable.
• Resident of BARMM or Mindanao or willingness to relocate is highly preferred.
• Previous work experience in the humanitarian and/or development sector such as the UN is an asset.

Required Languages:

• Fluency in English and Filipino 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.

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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