Background

Launched in 2020, the UNDP Armenia "Sustainable Communities" programme is a comprehensive portfolio of projects aimed at advancing sustainable development across Armenia by addressing the critical challenges faced by local communities. The programme prioritizes fostering resilience, enhancing economic opportunities, promoting environmental sustainability, and strengthening inclusive governance. By empowering communities to adopt innovative and effective solutions, this initiative seeks to drive long-term improvements in living standards, contributing to the overall well-being and prosperity of the nation.

Within this framework, the programme is seeking a Communications and PR Analyst to support strategic communications, visibility, and knowledge-sharing efforts, ensuring that programme achievements, lessons learned, and impact are effectively communicated to diverse stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities

Support to the planning and design of “Sustainable Communities” (SC), Programme Public Relations and Communication Strategy: 

• Prepare and conduct communications needs assessment for the Programme;
• Provide input to the SC Programme communication and PR strategy based on the Country Office strategic priorities and Portfolio Action Plan;
• Provide input to and draft stories for local media to increase coverage and understanding of the SC Programme work and activities in the country;
• Develop Terms of Reference for different communications needs, outreach materials, press releases, newsletters, fact sheets, ensuring appropriate reflection of the programme/project goals and objectives;      
• Provide strategic input by designing and implementing communication work plan and guidelines, social media strategy and media engagement plans for SC Programme.

Social media management: 

• Prepare social media posts, stories, articles, publications, press releases and manage content for social media; 
• Design digital content and collect content from projects and make ready for website and social media; 
• Regular update and monitoring of the SC programme webpage, ensuring implementation of the assigned communication activities.

Partnership and Stakeholder engagement: 

• Promote and disseminate advocacy materials, newsletters, publications to support SC programme activities within the assigned area of responsibility;
• Ensure extensive communication with national and local stakeholders, communities, civic groups through various means of communication;
• Produce communication and advocacy materials for awareness-raising campaigns, including social media materials in coordination with the direct supervisor; 
• Explore digital tools and platforms to increase visibility for the SC programme, donors, partners and UNDP Armenia. 

Design and Communication Materials: 

• Coordinate the design and production of printed and online materials (reports, infographics, flyers, banners, etc.);
• Supervise and obtain the creation and production of photo/video materials related to the projects and other tools that would assist promotion and development of the projects in social media and other platforms;
• Ensure all communication products comply with UNDP corporate guidelines.

Events Management: 

• Support the organisation and communication aspects of SC Programme events, workshops, and conferences, including facilitation; 
• Prepare presentation materials, media kits, and visual content for Programme events;
• Assist in communicating with the media, dissemination of developed communication materials through effective channels.

Knowledge management and dissemination: 

• Provide support to Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to SC Programme/projects activities; 
• Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories; 
• Assist UNDP CO Communication Analyst in providing support and assistance as deemed necessary; 
• Draft and finalize newsletters and other multi-touch communications products to generate awareness of Programme/Project objectives and to share updates with beneficiaries and other local stakeholders. 

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 PR Analyst will work under the overall guidance of UNDP Socio-Economic Development Programme Analyst and direct supervision of Sustainable Communities Programme Manager, as well as in close cooperation with UNDP CO Communications Analyst, SED Projects team. 

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.
• Partnerships 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.

Communications     

• Social Media Management:    
  • Ability to represent and promote the UNDP brand in virtual communities and networks.

General (across the functions)    

• Events planning and execution:     
  • Ability to plan, manage and execute of public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNDP's overall brand and mandate.

Digital     

• Social media:    
  • Knowledge of social media and ability to advise the use of social media for development outcomes.
• Story telling:
  • Ability to empathise with people's perceptions, motivations, feelings and mental models and craft narratives to build an emotive argument for change accordingly. 
  • Ability to present data, insights or information in compelling ways to mobilise resources, talent or action.
  • Ability to choose media and channels that is fit for purpose to reach specific target audiences.

Business Development    

• Knowledge generation:    
  • Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. 
  • Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. 
  • Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Journalism, Communication, Public relations, social media marketing or other relevant field is required, or;
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university 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 2 years of relevant professional experience in development communication, journalism, public relations or any closely related field.  

Desired Skills:

• Experience in managing institutional social media platforms ( Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, LInkedIn, YouTube), including content calendars, audience targeting, performance tracking, analytics and content optimization. 
• Experience in producing high-quality communication materials, including press releases, human-interest sotries, analytical reports, donor narratives, and flagship publications for diverse audiences. 
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems such as ERP. 
• Strong hands-on content creation skills, including short videos, reels, photo stories, infographics, visual assets, on-camera presentation, scripting for professional shoots, and application of AI-based photo and video editing tools.
• Proven experience in cooperation with local and/or international organizations on PR, outreach, communication strategies across online and offline channels in line with programme objectives, donor visibility requirements.
• Ability to identify communication opportunities and risks and operate with minimum supervision, discretion and accountability.
• Sound experience in organization and facilitation of events, workshops, consultations with involvement of Government, private sector, civil society.
• Prior relevant experience with UN/UNDP Implemented projects.

Required Languages:

• Fluency in English and Armenian is required. 
• Working knowledge of Russian is an asset. 

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

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