Communication and Partnership Specialist [Open to Tier 0, 1 & 2 applicants]

UNDP•Freetown, AL

About The Position

The Communications and Partnership Specialist leads the Country Office Communication and Partnership Unit, providing office-wide strategic leadership for communications, partnerships, external relations, advocacy, and resource mobilization. Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Resident Representative, with support from the Deputy Resident Representative, the Specialist translates corporate and Country Programme priorities into an integrated agenda; advises senior management on institutional positioning, sensitive issues, and reputational risk; and oversees accountable, coherent delivery across the Country Office. The role leads communication and visibility initiatives, cultivates strategic partnerships, strengthens external relations, and oversees multimedia content that supports organizational reputation, resource mobilization, and audience engagement. The Specialist sets strategic direction, governance, quality standards, and performance expectations for the Unit, including its strategies, plans, budget and resource prioritization, workforce management, risk management, and performance. The Communications Analyst leads day-to-day operational coordination under the Specialist’s direction. The Specialist works closely with the Regional Communications Adviser; Programme and Operations teams; UN agencies and communications colleagues; government officials; media; subject-matter experts; donors; and civil society. The position also contributes to multidisciplinary collaboration across UNDP units, functions, teams, and projects.

Requirements

An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Communication, Public Relations, Journalism, Media Studies, International Relations, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field; or a first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in one of these fields with two additional years of qualifying experience in lieu of the advanced degree.
At least seven years of progressive relevant professional experience with a master’s degree, or nine years with a bachelor’s degree, in strategic communications, partnership development, external relations, and/or resource mobilization.
Experience providing senior-level advice and leading complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.
Extensive experience leading strategic communication, advocacy, public relations, institutional positioning, branding, and high-level media engagement in complex operating environments.
Experience at the international level or in a multilateral or development organization.
Experience providing strategic oversight of digital communication channels, campaigns, and analytics, including governance of websites and social media platforms.
Experience using computers, office software packages such as MS Word and Excel, and web-based management systems, with advanced knowledge of data management tools and database packages.
Proven ability to draft and quality-assure high-level policy, executive, and donor communications for diverse audiences, including speeches, strategic briefs, investment cases, and crisis messaging.
Experience in multimedia content development, including photography, videography, graphic design, and infographic production, and use of graphic design and multimedia software such as Adobe Creative Suite.
Fluency in English.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated experience leading an organizational communications and partnerships function, including strategy, governance, quality assurance, budget prioritization, and performance management.
Demonstrated managerial experience supervising multidisciplinary personnel, delegating operational delivery, developing capacity, and managing competing institutional priorities and deadlines.
Demonstrated ability to prepare high-quality reports, concept notes, proposals, speeches, briefs, and communication materials.
Demonstrated record of building and negotiating senior-level partnerships with government, bilateral and multilateral donors, international financial institutions, civil society, and the private sector.
Demonstrated record of developing and implementing integrated communication, advocacy, visibility, partnership, and resource mobilization strategies with measurable institutional results.
Demonstrated ability to work independently while fostering collaboration across departments and with external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Lead the formulation, approval, and periodic review of an integrated Country Office communications, advocacy, and visibility strategy and annual plans, including priorities, governance arrangements, performance standards, and accountabilities.
Set strategic messaging and ensure quality assurance and compliance with UNDP branding standards across platforms and major products.
Advise senior management on media relations, high-level press engagements, crisis and sensitive communications, political context, response options, and risk mitigation.
Draft and review press releases, speeches, newsletters, success stories, and other communication products.
Provide strategic oversight and quality assurance for the Country Office website, social media platforms, and digital campaigns.
Establish performance, audience, and influence metrics; commission or lead periodic analysis; and use evidence to advise on corrective action, investment priorities, and strategic adjustments.
Identify, cultivate, negotiate, and steward high-value relationships with senior government counterparts, donors, UN entities, international financial institutions, civil society, and private-sector partners.
Develop partnership engagement strategies and collaboration frameworks; participate in senior policy dialogues, donor consultations, forums, and negotiations; prepare advice and engagement options for the Resident Representative and Deputy Resident Representative; and follow up on institutional commitments.
Lead the substantive development and negotiation of partnership frameworks, memoranda of understanding, financing arrangements, and other collaborative initiatives, ensuring strategic fit, due diligence, risk management, and clear accountabilities.
Maintain a stakeholder database and engagement plan, and strengthen networking opportunities for organizational growth and influence.
Lead or provide final strategic quality assurance for major funding proposals, investment cases, and concept notes, ensuring a compelling value proposition, programme coherence, and alignment with partner priorities.
Prepare communications materials for donor engagement and fundraising campaigns.
Lead development and implementation of the Country Office partnership and resource mobilization strategy; direct opportunity analysis, prioritize prospects, and oversee the diversified pipeline, targets, risks, and conversion performance with Programme teams.
Provide office-wide governance and quality assurance for donor engagement, visibility, reporting, and stewardship commitments; resolve cross-unit bottlenecks, escalate material risks, and hold responsible teams accountable for follow-up.
Develop promotional materials highlighting organizational achievements and impact.
Set priorities and provide strategic direction and final quality assurance for multimedia content, publications, and digital campaigns.
Document project results, beneficiary stories, and best practices; develop case studies, factsheets, annual reports, and impact reports; and facilitate internal knowledge-sharing initiatives.
Set strategic direction, risk parameters, and performance expectations for social media and digital engagement.
Monitor online engagement, media coverage, and public perception; coordinate digital campaigns; respond to media inquiries and coordinate public information activities; and analyze communication metrics and prepare performance reports.
Supervise and develop Unit personnel, establish accountabilities, make recommendations on resource allocation and service delivery, and ensure the quality and timeliness of office-wide communications, partnership, and resource mobilization results.
Perform other duties within the functional profile as necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and Organization.