Communications Associate - Colombo

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Communications Analyst the Communications Associate will assist in the implementation of UNDP Sri Lanka’s communications, publication, knowledge management and advocacy strategies as well as in information management, which are geared to influence the development agenda, raise awareness of UNDP’s work among key audiences, including the public, government, the international community, donors and media, and mobilize resources and support for its work.

The Communications Associate, as a member of the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO)/UNDP Communications Unit, will work in close collaboration with the programme, operations, policy and project teams in the Country Office and field offices in improving the effectiveness and efficiency of UNDP’s support to Sri Lanka through successful information management and outreach. The Communications Associate will also need to liaise with and contribute to UNDP’s regional and global communication efforts, and work closely with the UN Communications Group, international and local media, Government and other development partners to ensure the successful implementation of the UNDP communications strategy.

Key Functions:
Build and implement the UNDP Communications, Publications, Advocacy and Information Management Strategy (2013-2017);Ensure increased media coverage and understanding of UNDP’s work among the general public and key audiences;Managing and updating UNDP’s website and social media channels;Supporting joint UN communication efforts; Support the functions of the UN Communications Group; Support the RCO communication requirements;Contributing to regional and global communication activities and carrying out other tasks as required;Ensuring facilitation of knowledge building and management;Implementing the UNDP Communications, Publications, Advocacy, Knowledge Management and Information Management Strategy (2013-2017); Plan, design and coordinate communication activities in line with the objectives of UNDP’s publications, advocacy, knowledge management and information management strategy;Update, develop, produce and distribute UNDP publicity and promotional material, including fact sheets and project sheets, working closely with the relevant teams, handling the design, printing and editing of the material;Ensure that all communication, publicity, promotional and advocacy material are trilingual and assist in translations to make them available in English, Sinhala and Tamil;Develop the UNDP newsletter, working together with the programme, project and policy teams to identify, compile and edit content; Working closely with the relevant programme, project and policy teams ensure the promotion and dissemination of advocacy and publicity material, publications and newsletter, among key audiences and stakeholders, including Government, non-governmental partners, the private sector, donors etc. Maintain an updated contact list of key audiences and partners to distribute material as required;Maintain and update an information database and photo library; Conduct regular meetings with programme, project, operations and policy teams to keep track of UNDP issues and activities for communications purposes, and provide support as needed;Assist in the compilation of annual UNDP communications work plans and budgets and maintain communications budgets and payments and equipment;Explore alternative, non-media communications channels to reach and interact with UNDP’s key audiences, including developing new videos, publications and using social media innovatively;Initiate and engage in field visits to gather material for publicity and promotional activities; Prepare briefing notes, talking points on key issues and events, as required;Ensure effective responses to inquiries with requests for public information material;Plan, design and coordinate communications activities, outreach and media monitoring for UNDP.Ensure increased media coverage and understanding of UNDP’s work among the general public and key audiences: Organize suitable and regular media coverage and events around key UNDP events and activities to promote and raise awareness of UNDP’s work, increase publicity for events and highlight and advocate for key development concerns and issues. Organize press conferences, interviews with Senior Management and key programme/project offices, media tours to project locations and develop press releases, op-eds etc; Liaise with programme, project and policy teams for regular information about their media and outreach activities, compiling a calendar of media events and provide support as necessary;Establish links with English, Sinhala and Tamil media at the national and local level to promote UNDP’s activities in the country;Build links with international media;Maintain and update a database of local and national media contacts;Working with the Communications Analyst, provide effective responses to media queries and requests;Assist in maintaining a log of UNDP media coverage;Provide analysis of major media issues/trends to UNDP.

Managing and updating UNDP’s website and social media channels:

Work with programme, project and policy teams to ensure content is up to date and presented in an accurate and user friendly manner that demonstrates the effectiveness of UNDP to key partners and the general public;Ensure the website is in compliance with UNDP HQ requirements; Manage and regularly update UNDP Sri Lanka’s social media channels (Facebook, Flickr, Youtube, Twitter).

Supporting joint UN communication efforts:

Together with the Communications Analyst, represent UNDP in the UN Communications Group and ensure that all UNDP obligations to this group are fulfilled;Ensure UNDP’s work is regularly and sufficiently covered in all joint communications;Undertake specific joint communications tasks;Support in UN days and visibility items;Support additional RCO communication requirements.

Organizing meetings of the UNDP Communications Group:

Organize and maintain records of the UNDP Communications Focal Group meetings;Ensure that group membership is regularly updated to include communications staff from all UNDP units and clusters;Compile communications work plan for the group and share deadlines and relevant information with group to ensure maximum participation and contribution of all members.

Contributing to regional and global communication activities and carrying out other tasks as required:

Contribute to regional and global communication activities as needed, by promoting their activities, providing articles for the regional and global websites, publications and publicity material and outreach efforts;Liaise closely with regional and global communication staff to promote local events and activities;Undertake other related tasks as may be requested by the UNDP Communications Analyst.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt related to communications and information sharing;Monitor practices and project-specific news and developments in order to ensure guidance to the office that reflects the best and most current available information;Provide contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories;Organization and provision of trainings and support UNDP colleagues on communications.

Impact of Results

The achievement of the key results will positively impact UNDP’s ability to support and influence the development agenda in Sri Lanka, promote progress and key messages to partners, the public and media through effective communications and dissemination of information on UNDP’s mandate, programmes and priorities. This will help to build and strengthen strategic partnerships in the region, promote greater transparency and accountability, and support resource mobilization.

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