Background

The Ishonch Fund is a UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) established to manage the transparent and accountable restitution of assets from Switzerland to Uzbekistan. The Fund supports high-impact development initiatives in Uzbekistan and upholds the highest standards of fiduciary management, due diligence, transparency, and public accountability.

To ensure smooth operations of the fund at the country level, a dedicated Secretariat function has been established in Uzbekistan. This Secretariat is supported operationally by UNDP Uzbekistan through a joint management project, providing the operational backbone of the Fund. The Secretariat delivers a range of services, including oversight of implementation, risk and compliance management, and strategic communications. It directly supports both the Management Committee and the High-Level Strategic Committee, ensuring compliance with Fund rules and procedures by all participating UN organizations and implementing partners.
 

Job Purpose

The Risk Management, Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Relations Specialist plays a central role in safeguarding the integrity, reputation, and operational soundness of the Fund. Reporting to the Head of the Secretariat, the Specialist leads risk management processes and due diligence oversight while driving strategic and crisis communications. The role combines analytical expertise with strategic insight and coordination skills to ensure that risks are managed proactively and that communications are purposeful, timely, and aligned with the Fund’s objectives and stakeholders’ expectations.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across 
interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, 
teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities
 

Under the strategic guidance of the Head of Fund Secretariat, the Risk Management, Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Relations Specialist will provide the following functions:  

1)    Risk Management: Lead the Fund’s risk management by maintaining the risk register, monitoring compliance, and guiding implementing partners.
    Lead the Fund’s overall risk management framework.
    Maintain, regularly update, and communicate the Fund’s risk register, including risk identification, assessment, mitigation controls, and tracking.
    Prepare risk updates and analysis for the Fund Management Committee and other government bodies.
    Oversee risk-ranking methodologies and ensure consistency and transparency in application.
    Identify emerging risks and propose mitigation strategies in consultation with stakeholders.
    Oversee compliance with Fund-level due diligence protocols across procurement, partnerships, and recruitment processes by implementing organizations.
    Provide technical support and guidance to implement organizations in exercising due diligence, aligning with UN and Fund-specific policies.

2)    Strategic Communications: Implement the Fund’s communications strategy to ensure consistent messaging, transparent reporting, and effective crisis response.
    Maintain and implement a strategic communications plan in line with the Fund’s objectives and reputational requirements.
    Coordinate closely with the Communications Manager of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) and the UN Communications Group to ensure strategic alignment.
    Ensure consistency and accuracy in public messaging across all Fund communications channels.
    Oversee public reporting of Fund performance and project results in collaboration with the Fund’s Programming Officer and implementing organizations.
    Maintain active engagement with communications officers of all implementing organizations to ensure coordinated messaging and content development.
    Serve as the lead for crisis communications, including rapid response planning and media management during sensitive situations.

3)    Communications Infrastructure: Manage the Fund’s communications platforms, tools, and products to maintain reach and impact.
    Oversee the maintenance and updating of the Fund website, the Fund Gateway Portal and other Fund communication channels.
    Coordinate with the Administrative Agent of the Fund and the Fund Management Committee on communication tools and platforms.
    Monitor and evaluate the reach and impact of communication products and propose improvements.

4)    Stakeholder Relations: Coordinate stakeholder engagement by guiding public reporting and overseeing civil society input to governance.
    Provide leadership on the timing, content, and audiences of public and stakeholder reporting, ensuring communications serve both local and international interests.
    Oversee a group of UN Volunteers that provides civil society advice to the Fund Management Committee.

5)    Ensure provision of top-quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management.
    Identify policy-driven issues; and identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals.
    Establish/strengthen national and international advocacy networks. Implement relevant, high -impact advocacy with key partners

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: None
 

Competencies

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical Competences

• Business Management: Portfolio Management: Ability to select, priorities and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key
  principles of project, programme, and portfolio management
• Business Direction & Strategy: System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system. 
• Business Management: Communication: Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. ‡Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
• Business Management: Risk Management: Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks.
• Business Management: Partnership management: Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
• 2030 Agenda: Engagement and Effectiveness: Crisis and Fragility Policy and Engagement: Crisis risks and early warning
• 2030 Agenda: People: Gender: Communication and Advocacy for Gender Equality 
   

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Risk Management, International Relations, Communications, Public Administration, or a related field is required. Or

A first-level university degree (bachelor´s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
 

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in risk management, compliance, strategic communications, or related areas is required.
• Experience within the UN system or International Financial Institutions (IFIs) or in managing trust funds is an asset.
• Proven experience in engaging with multiple stakeholders, including donors, UN agencies, IFIs, and national authorities is an asset.
• Experience with risk-ranking methodologies and the capacity to apply them consistently and transparently are preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in leading crisis communications, including rapid response planning and media management during sensitive situations is desired.
• Demonstrated experience in managing stakeholder relationships is desired. 
• Demonstrable relevant experience working with risk management and due diligence is desired.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English is required
• Knowledge of another UN language is desirable
   

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also 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. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Probation

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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.