Background

Sustainable management of water resources, in line with the principles of integrated water resources management (IWRM), is a national priority for the Republic of Moldova. The Ministry of Environment, together with its subordinate institutions, is responsible for advancing water policy reform, strengthening the regulatory framework, and ensuring continuous dialogue with neighbouring countries on the integrated management of transboundary water resources, with the objective of safeguarding water quantity and quality for sustainable socio-economic development and a healthy environment.

The Dniester River is the most important surface water resource of the Republic of Moldova, covering approximately 70 percent of the country’s water consumption needs. Its sustainable management is therefore of strategic importance for environmental protection, public health, economic development and national security. At the same time, water governance reforms face a range of challenges, including outdated standards, institutional capacity constraints, limited human resources, and the need for harmonization with European Union environmental directives.

The Dniester II project, funded by Sweden and implemented by UNDP Moldova, supports the Government of the Republic of Moldova in strengthening integrated water resources management in the Nistru River Basin. The project focuses on improving the national regulatory framework for water management and aligning it with the EU Water Framework Directive, developing the second cycle River Basin Management Plan for 2025–2030, enhancing the capacities of national authorities responsible for water governance, and supporting transboundary cooperation with Ukraine. In addition to regulatory and institutional reforms, the project contributes to practical interventions aimed at improving the ecological status of the Dniester River and its related ecosystems.

The Communications Analyst will provide communication and visibility support across all project activities, ensuring consistent messaging, donor visibility and alignment with UNDP corporate standards. In addition, the Communications Analyst will play a direct and hands-on role in coordinating and supporting the implementation of communication activities related to the National Awareness Campaign on Water Protection and the Eco-Media Academy, including planning, coordination with service providers and partners, content oversight, and media engagement.

In this context, effective communication plays a critical role in:

• ensuring visibility of UNDP and donor support;
• translating technical and policy-level outputs into clear and accessible messages;
• supporting institutional credibility and ownership of project results;
• strengthening public awareness and behavioural change related to sustainable water resources management and biodiversity conservation;
• engaging media, civil society, influencers, youth and local communities.

To respond to these needs, UNDP seeks to engage a Communications Analyst (NPSA-8) who will support the planning, implementation and coordination of communication, visibility and public outreach activities under the Dniester River Project, in close coordination with the UNDP Country Office Communications function and in full compliance with corporate communication standards and donor visibility requirements.

Scope of Work

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager, and in close cooperation with the UNDP Moldova Country Office Communications function and the Project Team, the Communications Analyst will contribute to the effective planning, implementation and coordination of the project’s communication, visibility and public outreach activities, with the aim of ensuring increased visibility, stakeholder engagement and public understanding of project results.

The Communications Analyst will support communication and visibility across the full range of project activities, while playing a more direct and hands-on role in coordinating and supporting the implementation of communication activities related to the National Awareness Campaign on Water Protection and the Eco-Media Academy. The incumbent will ensure alignment with UNDP corporate communication standards, donor visibility requirements and results-based management principles.

The Communications Analyst shall exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, administrative and communication policies, rules and procedures.

Communication Planning and Management

• Contribute to the development, implementation and regular updating of the Project’s communication and visibility plan, in line with approved work plans and corporate requirements;
• Support the timely and efficient delivery of communication outputs contributing to the achievement of expected project results;
• Monitor and assess the effectiveness of communication activities using appropriate feedback mechanisms and monitoring tools;
• Ensure coordination and synergies with communication activities of project partners and other relevant UNDP initiatives;
• Identify and coordinate service providers required for the implementation of communication activities, in close cooperation with the Project Manager;
• Provide inputs to project reports, analytical products and work plans, as relevant to communication and visibility.

Visibility of Project Results and Media Engagement

• Draft and disseminate communication materials, including press releases, news stories, success stories, interviews and other visibility products;
• Develop tailored social media posts and assets (using web-based tools like Canva) for UNDP’s and donor’s social media channels;
• Develop sketches and scenarios for video stories;
• Support the documentation and dissemination of best practices and project achievements at national, regional and local levels;
• Liaise with national and local media outlets, journalists, opinion leaders, influencers to ensure adequate social media and media coverage of project activities and results;
• Support the conceptualization and implementation of communication products, including digital and visual materials;
• Coordinate media-related activities, such as press briefings, media field visits and event-related coverage.

Campaigns and Public Outreach Activities

• Provide direct coordination and communication support for the National Awareness Campaign on Water Protection, including planning, design, crafting messages, sketches, scenarios, coordination with partners and service providers, oversight of communication outputs and media and social media engagement;
• Support the communication and visibility of the Eco-Media Academy, including youth-generated content, storytelling and outreach activities;
• Ensure consistency of messaging, branding and visibility across all campaign-related activities, in line with UNDP and donor requirements.

Events Communication

• Support communication and visibility for key project events, including national and local awareness activities, public presentations, conferences and high-level events;
• Ensure appropriate visibility of UNDP, Sweden and national partners at all public events.
• The incumbent performs other communication-related duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Project and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Communications Analyst will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and in close cooperation with the Project Team and the UNDP Moldova Country Office Communications Analyst. The position is home-based, with required availability for participation in project events, field activities and coordination meetings, as needed.

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 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 - Digital Awareness and Literacy   

• Ability to monitor new and emerging technologies, as well as understand their usage, potential, limitations, impact, and added value.
• Ability to rapidly and readily adopt and use new technologies in professional activities, and to empower others to use them as needed. Knowledge of the usage of digital technologies and emerging trends.

Business Development - Knowledge Facilitation 

• Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. 
• Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange.

Communications - Campaign Management 

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

Communications - Creative Direction and Copywriting 

• Ability to present complex concepts in an engaging, accessible and audience-oriented manner.

Digital - 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 - Social Media     

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

Required Skills and Experience

Minimum Education Requirements:   

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Journalism, Communication, Public Relations, Sociology, International Relations, Environmental Studies or another relevant field; or
• Bachelor’s degree in the above-mentioned fields, combined with at least two (2) additional years of relevant professional experience.

Minimum years of relevant work experience: 

• Applicants with a Master’s degree are not required to have prior professional experience.
• Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree are required to have at least two (2) years of relevant experience in communication, media, public outreach, visibility or related fields.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:  

• Experience working with mass media in the Republic of Moldova and familiarity with the national media landscape.
• Experience in communication related to public policies, environmental protection, sustainable development or international projects.
• Previous experience with UN entities, international organizations, international programmes or NGOs.
• Experience in event-related communication and visibility support.
• Experience in the development and implementation of communication strategies, media plans or public awareness campaigns.

Required Language(s):

• Fluency in English, Romanian and Russian is required.
• Knowledge of one or more minority languages relevant for Moldova, including Bulgarian, Gagauzian, Romani, Ukrainian and sign language, will be 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.

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