Communications Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN's lead agency on international development, established to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality across the globe. Operating in 170 countries and territories, UNDP focuses on sustainable development, democratic governance, and peace building, as well as climate and disaster resilience. Since its establishment in 1992, UNDP has been instrumental in supporting Kyrgyzstan's development progress, helping the country navigate towards greater prosperity, resilience, and social cohesion. UNDP's mission is to advocate for change and connect countries to global knowledge, experience, and resources, ensuring that people can build better lives. The organization emphasizes transparency, accountability, and collaboration, fostering an environment that encourages innovation, digitalization, gender equity, and diversity in all aspects of its work. UNDP's commitment to excellence and effectiveness is reflected in its operations and partnerships with various stakeholders, including government, civil society, and the private sector.

Job Overview:
The Communications Assistant will play a crucial role in supporting the implementation of communication and outreach strategies within the UNDP country office. This position involves assisting in the development of a comprehensive communications strategy aimed at enhancing media engagement and outreach efforts. The Communications Assistant will maintain an active network of stakeholders to promote a better understanding of UNDP's mandate and support its advocacy initiatives. Key responsibilities include preparing materials for strategic policy and public advocacy, promoting awareness of UNDP's work, and supporting the implementation of the country office's publications strategy. The role also encompasses managing the UNDP Maldives website, contributing to social media content creation, and analyzing social media and website trends to improve audience engagement. The Communications Assistant will provide logistical support for events and initiatives, assist in media relations, and support the Communications team in knowledge management and dissemination.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the implementation of communication and outreach strategies in the country office, focusing on enhancing media engagement and outreach.
• Maintain a functional network with stakeholders to promote UNDP's mandate and advocacy efforts.
• Prepare key materials and content for strategic policy and public advocacy.
• Coordinate with different units to gather information for publications and assist in drafting and designing perspectives for various publications.
• Manage the UNDP Maldives website and maintain project records for knowledge management and audit purposes.
• Assist in monitoring and analyzing social media and website analytics, providing insights to improve performance.
• Draft stories, articles, press releases, and other communication materials in English and Dhivehi.
• Maintain a comprehensive media and partners database and assist in media relations and monitoring activities.
• Provide multimedia support, including photography, videography, and graphic design. 1
• Offer logistical support for events and initiatives, ensuring smooth execution and reporting. 1
• Support the implementation of communication aspects of the gender equality strategy and action plan. 1
• Assist in day-to-day administrative tasks and provide support for the smooth functioning of the Communications Unit.

Required Qualifications:

• Secondary education is required; a university degree in Communications, Journalism, Advertising, Political Science, International Relations, or equivalent fields is preferred.
• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible communication and project or administrative experience is required with secondary education, or 2 years with a bachelor's degree.
• Desired additional skills include experience in video/photo shooting and editing, design, procurement, logistics, and administration.
• Experience working at the country level with UN or other international organizations is advantageous.

Educational Background:
The position requires secondary education as a minimum. A university degree (bachelor's degree) in relevant fields such as Communications, Journalism, Advertising, Political Science, or International Relations will be given due consideration, although it is not mandatory.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible communication and project or administrative experience if they possess secondary education. Alternatively, 2 years of relevant experience is required for those with a bachelor's degree. Experience in video/photo shooting and editing, design, and working with UN or other international organizations is highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in English, Russian, and Kyrgyz is required for this position. Working knowledge of other UN languages is considered desirable, enhancing the candidate's profile for the role.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and may involve a contract duration that is not specified in the job ad. UNDP is committed to equal opportunity and diversity, encouraging qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply. The organization does not tolerate harassment or discrimination and ensures that all selected candidates undergo relevant checks. UNDP reserves the right to select multiple candidates from this vacancy announcement and may retain applications for similar positions. Importantly, UNDP does not charge any fees during the recruitment process.