Community Engagement Associate

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a global organization that aims to eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities through sustainable development. Established in 1965, UNDP operates in approximately 170 countries and territories, working with governments and communities to address development challenges. The organization focuses on various areas, including democratic governance, sustainable development, and climate change, and has a mission to empower lives and build resilient nations. UNDP is committed to promoting gender equality and ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from development efforts.

Job Overview:
The Community Engagement Associate will play a crucial role in supporting the implementation of the Ukraine District Heating Programme, which is part of a broader initiative to modernize the district heating sector in Ukraine. This position focuses on stakeholder engagement, communication, and outreach activities, ensuring effective collaboration with municipalities, communal utilities, and other partners. The incumbent will be responsible for organizing consultations and events, facilitating communication between various stakeholders, and supporting knowledge management and reporting efforts. The role is vital in enhancing community involvement and ensuring that the needs of vulnerable groups are considered during the project implementation process, especially in the context of ongoing recovery efforts in Ukraine.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Community Engagement Associate will have a diverse set of responsibilities, including:

• Community engagement and stakeholder coordination: Establishing and maintaining communication with municipalities and local authorities, organizing meetings and workshops, facilitating public consultations, and ensuring inclusive stakeholder engagement activities.
• Communication, outreach, and visibility: Preparing communication materials, organizing awareness-raising campaigns, maintaining communication channels, and supporting content creation for various platforms.
• Knowledge management, reporting, and programme support: Documenting programme activities, assisting in report preparation, organizing training sessions, and maintaining records of stakeholder engagement activities. The incumbent will also provide administrative support as needed and perform other duties to ensure the efficient functioning of the office.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of secondary education, with a university degree in relevant fields such as Social Sciences, Public Administration, or Environmental Studies being advantageous. The role requires a strong background in stakeholder engagement, communications, and community outreach, with a minimum of seven years of relevant work experience for those with secondary education or four years for those with a bachelor's degree. Familiarity with community engagement practices and experience working with development programmes and public sector institutions are essential. Additionally, candidates should have skills in report writing, organizing events, and conducting communication campaigns.

Educational Background:
The minimum educational requirement for this position is secondary education. However, candidates with a bachelor's degree in fields such as Social Sciences, Public Administration, Business Administration, Communications, International Relations, Environmental Studies, or Energy will be given preference. This educational background is important as it provides the foundational knowledge necessary for effective stakeholder engagement and communication within the context of the district heating programme.

Experience:
The position requires a significant level of experience, specifically a minimum of seven years of relevant work experience for candidates with secondary education or four years for those with a bachelor's degree. This experience should be in areas such as stakeholder engagement, communications, community outreach, or project support. Previous experience working with development programmes, municipalities, and international organizations is highly desirable, as it demonstrates an understanding of the complexities involved in community engagement and project implementation.

Languages:
Fluency in both Ukrainian and English is required for this position. This bilingual proficiency is essential for effective communication with local stakeholders, as well as for reporting and documentation purposes. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly in enhancing communication with diverse community groups and partners.

Additional Notes:
This position is a national professional role within the UNDP framework, focusing on full-time engagement. The Community Engagement Associate will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and in collaboration with Programme Technical Specialists and Engineering Specialists. The role is critical in ensuring that stakeholder engagement activities are inclusive and responsive to the needs of vulnerable populations, particularly in the context of ongoing recovery efforts in Ukraine. UNDP is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply. The organization also emphasizes the importance of ethical conduct and does not tolerate harassment or discrimination in any form.