Background

UNDP Moldova, through its Effective Governance Cluster implemented projects, has a long-standing experience in providing democratic governance assistance, building democratic frameworks to improve representation, accountability, and transparency for the benefit of citizens.

In this context, UNDP has a long-standing partnership with the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) and the Centre for Continuous Electoral Training (CICDE) aiming at advancing the electoral education and democratic electoral processes in Moldova. This partnership, which spans over 15 years, resulted in the establishment of strong professional institutions; development of a modern State Automated Information System “Elections” (SAISE); improved legal and regulatory electoral framework; implementation of effective long-term civic, voter and citizens education instruments; and increased accountability of political actors within the electoral process to advance electoral integrity, transparency and inclusivity.

Throughout recent electoral cycles, with the continuous support of UNDP, the CEC and CICDE have demonstrated strengthened capacities. Despite ongoing challenges and persistent financial and human resource constraints, these institutions have successfully delivered “well-administered elections,” as attested by OSCE/ODIHR Observation Missions.

Within the framework of the “Strengthening Democratic Resilience in Moldova” project, the position of Communication and Public Outreach Analyst is essential for enhancing institutional communication capacities in response to increasingly complex informational challenges. The project has entered Phase III, following successful previous stages, including the 2025 parliamentary elections, which highlighted the strategic importance of communication in safeguarding democratic processes.

The Central Electoral Commission faces a hostile information environment, marked by disinformation operations and cyberattacks aimed at undermining electoral integrity. The institution’s ability to counter these threats is limited, due the lack of dedicated strategic communication resources and lacks sufficient specialized personnel to manage the volume and complexity of informational threats affects the effectiveness of its institutional response. 

In this context, the Communication and Public Outreach Analyst will support the development and implementation of public communication activities, strengthen relationships with media and civil society, and promote transparency and public trust in electoral institutions. This position is a core component of the project’s efforts to build institutional resilience and enhance the capacity to respond to information manipulation, directly contributing to the achievement of the project’s objectives.

The project aligns with the ODIHR and Venice Commission recommendations and supports the implementation of the CEC and CICDE Strategic Plans (2024-2027). Through collaborative efforts with government bodies, civil society and international partners, the project seeks to build a resilient democratic framework in Moldova, ensuring the integrity and security of electoral processes while promoting inclusive participation and civic education.

Additionally, the “Enhancing social cohesion in Moldova through dialogue and community empowerment” Project seeks to empower target communities and their residents from both banks of the Nistru River to take an active role in addressing the needs of the people (older people, youth, women, under-represented groups and refugees), address local tensions and strengthen social cohesion. The project will contribute to increased collaboration with civil society organizations (CSOs), local stakeholders, private sector as well as local public authorities. The project also aims to empower communities to initiate local programs such as intergenerational support arrangements, intergenerational activities, discussion platforms for youth etc. Through these efforts, community members will be actively involved in decision-making processes and community life, fostering a deeper sense of connection and solidarity among them. This engagement will result in the cultivation of stronger social bonds and the establishment of robust mutual support networks within the community.

To achieve the objectives and ensure sustainability of results, the implementation strategy will be collaborative, engaging with government bodies, civil society, and international partners to achieve its objectives. Project interventions will have significant systematic implications at policy, legislation, institutional and electoral service provision levels, having a sustainable impact at the national level.

Scope of Work

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager (EDMITE) and Project Analyst (Social Cohesion), and in close cooperation with all members of the Project Team, UNDP Communications Analyst shall contribute to an effective and efficient development, implementation and oversight of the project’s communication and outreach plan, contributing to an increased visibility of the project. S/he will work in close collaboration with the Project Team for the effective achievement of results, anticipating and resolving complex project-related issues and information delivery. The incumbent is also expected to closely engage in establishing partnerships with project stakeholders (CEC and CICDE), Civil Society Organizations and Project Responsible Parties to ensure that their communication is aligned with UNDP’s requirements and project’s communication strategy, as well as ensure and maintain cooperation/liaison with donor’s and national counterparts’ communications officers. The Analyst will apply and promote the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

She/he shall exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies, and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems.

The Communication and Public Outreach Analyst will coordinate the implementation of the Project’s communication and public outreach portfolio, particularly focusing on:

Effective communication plan development and management

• Contribute to the timely and efficient delivery of outputs and products leading to the achievement of expected Project results and ensure full compliance of all the actions with UNDP policies and procedures;
• Review, implement and continuously monitor the project’s communication, using appropriate feedback mechanisms and monitoring tools;
• Establish meaningful partnerships with media outlets at the local and national levels, as well as influencers relevant to the project’s area of activities;
• Ensure synergies with other programmatic partners on joint outreach, communication, and capacity building activities, as well as monitor and ensure compliant use by Project Responsible Parties and/or Low Value Grant Recipient Organizations of UNDP and Donor editorial and visual guidelines;
• Identify appropriate suppliers for the provision of services required for the implementation of the communication plan and coordinate their activities from EDMITE’s and Social Cohesion side;
• Ensure compliance with all corporate rules and regulations of UNDP and the Donor organizations in the field of communication and visibility promotion, efficiently cooperate with the UNDP and the Donor organizations communication team(s);
• Provide solid inputs to project’s analytical products, work plans and progress reports, etc.;
• Support the Project Manager and the UNDP in general project implementation and related strategic processes.

Visibility of project results

• Support the communication capacities of project’s partners (including representatives of ministries, LPAs and private sector);
• Document best practices (via articles, success stories, interviews, press releases, etc.) and ensure wide dissemination and visibility of project achievements in the national media as well as in the local and regional media/websites;
• Design concepts for communication products and oversee their implementation;
• Organize press trips and ensure media coverage;
• Provide support to the project team on the conceptualization of new initiatives in line with the project’s objectives.
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Communication and Public Outreach Analyst shall act under the guidance and direct supervision of the EDMITE Project Manager and the Project Analyst of the Social Cohesion Project. It shall work in close cooperation with all members of the Project Teams and UNDP Communications Analyst on a daily basis. 

Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve results - LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline 

Think Innovatively - LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements  

Learn Continuously - LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback 

Adapt with Agility - LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible  

Act with Determination - LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident 

Engage and Partner - LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships 

Enable Diversity and Inclusion - LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination  

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Direction and Strategy - Entrepreneurial Thinking

• Ability to create clarity around UNDP value proposition to beneficiaries and partners and to develop service offers responding to client needs based on UNDP’s organizational priorities and mandate.

Business management - Communication   

• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and non- ambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication;
• Able to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience;
• Manage communication internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

Digital & Innovation - Data storytelling and communications  

• Skilled in building a narrative around a set of data and its accompanying visualizations to help convey the meaning of that data in a powerful and compelling fashion

Digital & Innovation - Social Media

• Knowledge of social media and ability to advise the use of social media for development outcomes\

Communications - Campaign management   

• Ability to produce and implement communications and advocacy campaigns which lead to impactful change

Communications - Creative direction and copywriting    

• Ability to creatively communicate concepts in an engaging and simple way

Business management - Digital content creation    

• Ability to coalesce multiple skills to identify a topic to engage intended audiences, decide which form the content should take – e.g., blog, social media, video, paid media, etc. – and produce material to specification and a high level of quality

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Journalism, Communication, Public Relations, Sociology, International Relations, or another relevant field is required.
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the above mentioned fields of study, in combination with additional two years of experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master’s degree.

Experience:

• Applicants with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.
• Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of progressive experience in communication, mass-media, public relations, and/or other relevant area will be given due consideration.

Desired skills:

• Demonstrated experience working with mass media in the Republic of Moldova. Knowledge of the government institutions, NGOs and donors working in the area, mass- media outlets and PR agencies;
• Previous engagement in civic education, “get out and vote” type of campaigns or other non-political communication activities in electoral field;
• Proven previous experience in similar positions in UN Agencies, donor institutions or development agencies will be considered an advantage;
• Experience in event management is an asset;
• Experience in development and implementation of media/ communication strategies and plans.
• Experience in conceptualizing and implementing national and local public outreach/communication campaigns.

Required Language(s):

• Fluency in English and Romanian is required;
• Working knowledge of one or more minority languages relevant for Moldova, including Russian, Romani, Gagauzian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian and sign language, is an asset.

Professional Certificates:

• Additional training and/or certification in communication and/or new media would be an advantage.

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. 

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.