Communications Specialist (Home-Based)
UNDP Careers, New York, NY, United States
Tiered Approach
In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the organization, a majority of UNDP/UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process:
Tier 0: IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed‑term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts terminated or not renewed during 2026.
Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed‑term (FTA) appointments.
Tier 2: Staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers.
Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates.
Job Description Please make note of the tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
Background The Joint SDG Fund supports countries as they accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It operates through joint programmes that provide a mechanism for transformative solutions implemented by governments and national stakeholders and supported by the UN Country Team led by Resident Coordinators. The Fund’s strategic direction is set by the Strategic Advisory Group chaired by the Deputy Secretary‑General. It is managed by the Operational Steering Committee and hosted by the Multi‑Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF‑O).
Scope of Work Under the overall guidance of the Head of Communication and in close collaboration with the Secretariat’s Programme and Partnerships teams, the Communications Specialist will operate across three pillars: (1) Digital Communications; (2) Visual Identity; and (3) Graphic Design.
Demonstrate proficiency in Digital Communications
Expert knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud graphic software and tools.
Excellent understanding of new trends and technologies in web‑ and digital‑based graphic design.
Maintain the Fund’s presence in public dialogues where appropriate.
Develop relationships with key partners to maximize visibility and traffic to the Fund’s digital platforms.
Coordinate the production and publishing of daily content (text, images, video, or HTML) to engage audiences effectively.
Promote Visual Identity
Lead the production of high‑quality communications products for print, audio/visual, and social media in UN languages.
Work closely with the Development Coordination Office, Funds, and UN entities to share effective strategies and increase public awareness.
Identify new communication opportunities and products consistent with the Fund’s branding.
Cultivate strong internal relationships and partnerships with third‑party vendors.
Design modern visual materials for web platforms, newsletters, and social media in compliance with the Fund’s branding.
Create infographics, posters, leaflets, logos, brochures, and reports to support communication objectives.
Promote optimum visibility of Fund activities through media relations, placement, and creative partnerships.
Produce communication products for a wide variety of media and donor and government partners.
Edit and create short video clips for social media, ensuring cohesive subtitles and graphics.
Graphic Design
Develop multimedia content, including infographics and video editing for social media and web platforms.
Conceptualize and implement visual identities and brand guidelines for global campaigns.
Ensure all visual materials align with the Fund’s communication strategies.
Lead design projects from concept to completion, managing external vendors and coordinating with teams.
Coordinate design workflows, troubleshoot problems, and initiate process improvements.
Oversee and coordinate design and production across Fund projects, seeking stakeholder feedback.
Participate in internal and external meetings; organize or join working groups to streamline design production.
Ensure visual compliance with all media formats and file requirements.
Create robust visual content for campaigns, manage Trello boards, and produce designs for alternative languages when required.
Integrate communication messages into existing Fund initiatives linked to knowledge sharing.
Lead the effort of the country office’s knowledge management and dissemination
Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to goals and activities.
Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice, including corporate communications repositories.
Organize and provide training, consultancy, and advice to UNDP staff on internal and external knowledge management.
Ensure all knowledge products are captured, updated, and readily available as needed.
Perform other duties within your functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Joint SDG Fund Secretariat. Institutional Arrangement The Communications Specialist reports directly to the Head of Communications, Joint SDG Fund Secretariat. The Secretariat is hosted within the Multi‑Partner Trust Fund Office, New York, USA.
Competencies
Achieve Results – Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects to have lasting impact.
Think Innovatively – Proactively mitigate risks and develop new ideas to solve complex problems.
Learn Continuously – Create and act on opportunities to broaden horizons and diversify experiences.
Adapt with Agility – Initiate and champion change, managing multiple competing demands.
Act with Determination – Take action to achieve greater results beyond immediate tasks.
Engage and Partner – Navigate complex landscapes and champion inter‑agency collaboration.
Enable Diversity and Inclusion – Champion inclusivity and appreciate workforce diversity.
Cross‑Functional & Technical Competencies
Communications – Media Relations
Ability to develop media relations and prepare media materials.
Communications – Multimedia Writing/Editing
Ability to create and edit written content for multimedia.
Partnership Management – Relationship Management
Ability to engage with a wide range of partners and build trust.
General – Public Relations
Ability to maintain a positive public image for the organization.
Business Development – Knowledge Facilitation Ability to animate individuals and groups and facilitate knowledge sharing.
Business Development – Integration within the UN Ability to integrate UN system capacity and assets.
Business Direction & Strategy – Systems Thinking Ability to analyze interrelated elements and assess systemic impacts.
Minimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA Min. Education Requirements
Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Science, Communications, Journalism, or related field (required).
First‑level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the same fields plus an additional two years of qualifying experience will be considered.
Min. Years of Relevant Work Experience
Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant work experience in communications, preferably at an international level.
Required Skills
Experience in designing communication strategies and materials, public advocacy campaigns, editing articles, and human‑interest stories.
Experience in sharing stories and creating social media boards.
Experience forming relationships with web designers, graphic designers, videographers, and other creators.
Experience managing and working with teams, particularly in civil society engagement.
Proficiency with computer applications and software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web‑based management systems.
Desired Additional Skills and Competencies
UN field experience at an international level.
Knowledge or experience using Drupal.
Experience in private sector engagement.
Required Language(s)
Fluency in English (required).
Working knowledge of other UN languages (desirable).
Equal Opportunity As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity and encourages qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply. Employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. UNDP is 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. Selected candidates 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 and may retain applications for similar positions at the same grade level.
Scam Alert UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Tier 0: IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed‑term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts terminated or not renewed during 2026.
Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed‑term (FTA) appointments.
Tier 2: Staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers.
Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates.
Job Description Please make note of the tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
Background The Joint SDG Fund supports countries as they accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It operates through joint programmes that provide a mechanism for transformative solutions implemented by governments and national stakeholders and supported by the UN Country Team led by Resident Coordinators. The Fund’s strategic direction is set by the Strategic Advisory Group chaired by the Deputy Secretary‑General. It is managed by the Operational Steering Committee and hosted by the Multi‑Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF‑O).
Scope of Work Under the overall guidance of the Head of Communication and in close collaboration with the Secretariat’s Programme and Partnerships teams, the Communications Specialist will operate across three pillars: (1) Digital Communications; (2) Visual Identity; and (3) Graphic Design.
Demonstrate proficiency in Digital Communications
Expert knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud graphic software and tools.
Excellent understanding of new trends and technologies in web‑ and digital‑based graphic design.
Maintain the Fund’s presence in public dialogues where appropriate.
Develop relationships with key partners to maximize visibility and traffic to the Fund’s digital platforms.
Coordinate the production and publishing of daily content (text, images, video, or HTML) to engage audiences effectively.
Promote Visual Identity
Lead the production of high‑quality communications products for print, audio/visual, and social media in UN languages.
Work closely with the Development Coordination Office, Funds, and UN entities to share effective strategies and increase public awareness.
Identify new communication opportunities and products consistent with the Fund’s branding.
Cultivate strong internal relationships and partnerships with third‑party vendors.
Design modern visual materials for web platforms, newsletters, and social media in compliance with the Fund’s branding.
Create infographics, posters, leaflets, logos, brochures, and reports to support communication objectives.
Promote optimum visibility of Fund activities through media relations, placement, and creative partnerships.
Produce communication products for a wide variety of media and donor and government partners.
Edit and create short video clips for social media, ensuring cohesive subtitles and graphics.
Graphic Design
Develop multimedia content, including infographics and video editing for social media and web platforms.
Conceptualize and implement visual identities and brand guidelines for global campaigns.
Ensure all visual materials align with the Fund’s communication strategies.
Lead design projects from concept to completion, managing external vendors and coordinating with teams.
Coordinate design workflows, troubleshoot problems, and initiate process improvements.
Oversee and coordinate design and production across Fund projects, seeking stakeholder feedback.
Participate in internal and external meetings; organize or join working groups to streamline design production.
Ensure visual compliance with all media formats and file requirements.
Create robust visual content for campaigns, manage Trello boards, and produce designs for alternative languages when required.
Integrate communication messages into existing Fund initiatives linked to knowledge sharing.
Lead the effort of the country office’s knowledge management and dissemination
Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to goals and activities.
Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice, including corporate communications repositories.
Organize and provide training, consultancy, and advice to UNDP staff on internal and external knowledge management.
Ensure all knowledge products are captured, updated, and readily available as needed.
Perform other duties within your functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Joint SDG Fund Secretariat. Institutional Arrangement The Communications Specialist reports directly to the Head of Communications, Joint SDG Fund Secretariat. The Secretariat is hosted within the Multi‑Partner Trust Fund Office, New York, USA.
Competencies
Achieve Results – Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects to have lasting impact.
Think Innovatively – Proactively mitigate risks and develop new ideas to solve complex problems.
Learn Continuously – Create and act on opportunities to broaden horizons and diversify experiences.
Adapt with Agility – Initiate and champion change, managing multiple competing demands.
Act with Determination – Take action to achieve greater results beyond immediate tasks.
Engage and Partner – Navigate complex landscapes and champion inter‑agency collaboration.
Enable Diversity and Inclusion – Champion inclusivity and appreciate workforce diversity.
Cross‑Functional & Technical Competencies
Communications – Media Relations
Ability to develop media relations and prepare media materials.
Communications – Multimedia Writing/Editing
Ability to create and edit written content for multimedia.
Partnership Management – Relationship Management
Ability to engage with a wide range of partners and build trust.
General – Public Relations
Ability to maintain a positive public image for the organization.
Business Development – Knowledge Facilitation Ability to animate individuals and groups and facilitate knowledge sharing.
Business Development – Integration within the UN Ability to integrate UN system capacity and assets.
Business Direction & Strategy – Systems Thinking Ability to analyze interrelated elements and assess systemic impacts.
Minimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA Min. Education Requirements
Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Science, Communications, Journalism, or related field (required).
First‑level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the same fields plus an additional two years of qualifying experience will be considered.
Min. Years of Relevant Work Experience
Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant work experience in communications, preferably at an international level.
Required Skills
Experience in designing communication strategies and materials, public advocacy campaigns, editing articles, and human‑interest stories.
Experience in sharing stories and creating social media boards.
Experience forming relationships with web designers, graphic designers, videographers, and other creators.
Experience managing and working with teams, particularly in civil society engagement.
Proficiency with computer applications and software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web‑based management systems.
Desired Additional Skills and Competencies
UN field experience at an international level.
Knowledge or experience using Drupal.
Experience in private sector engagement.
Required Language(s)
Fluency in English (required).
Working knowledge of other UN languages (desirable).
Equal Opportunity As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity and encourages qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply. Employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. UNDP is 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. Selected candidates 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 and may retain applications for similar positions at the same grade level.
Scam Alert UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
#J-18808-Ljbffr