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 whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV 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

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. 

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous references and background checks.

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization in fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.

Amid a dynamic socio-economic context of Moldova, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP) is embarking on a deeply transformative process. The “Digital Transformation of Social Protection” Project, financed by the Government of Italy through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), stands as testimony to this momentum forward. Moldovan social protection system faces substantial challenges caused by inefficiencies, limited digital integration, and an unmet demand for institutional framework and service delivery better addressing contemporary socio-economic uncertainties. The MLSP's endeavour is to reengineer this landscape, enhance its digital infrastructure and create a framework that is efficient, inclusive, resilient, and adaptable to changing contexts and conditions. The Ministry has launched three major reforms, namely that of social services (RESTART); that of the National Employment Agency (NEA); that of the State Labour Inspectorate (SLI); and that of the National Council for Determination of Disability and Work Capacity (CNDDCM). These initiatives are not just a response to evolving needs but a visionary stride towards a future where social protection is seamlessly inclusive, empowering, and a realized right for every citizen, as defined by the 2030 Agenda.

The Project aims to address the fragmented digital infrastructure of the social protection system, which currently operates with multiple, disparate, and non-interoperable information systems. This fragmentation causes binding inefficiencies in data management and service delivery and undermines the ability to provide timely and appropriate support to beneficiaries. By developing a new, integrated Information System – eSocial, the Project aims to achieve delivery of social protection & employment services in a more coherent, accessible, and resilient way, enhancing the Ministry's ability to meet existing demands and adapt to future changes.

Complementing the processes above, the Project supports the enhancement and institutionalization of the Ministry’s capacities to lead ongoing efforts of digitalisation of social protection services via a dedicated Digital Center for Social Innovation (DCSI), which will ensure the intervention’s sustainability and advancements. DCSI experts engaged by the Project support the development of the eSocial digital platform and its adoption within MLSP and subordinated institutions: ATAS (regional agencies for social assistance), STAS (regional structures for social assistance), NEA, SLI, CNDDCM, AGSSSI (the Agency for the Management of Highly Specialized Social Services), etc.

Additionally, within this broader reform agenda, UNDP supports MLSP and the National Employment Agency, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry and the Agency for Intervention and Payments in Agriculture (AIPA) through the project “Promoting Agricultural Development and Quality Employment for the Most Vulnerable” financed by the EU, which focuses on strengthening employment services, labour market governance, the institutional and digital capacities of NEA. This support is closely coordinated with UNDP’s Digital Transformation of Social Protection project financed by the Government of Italy, ensuring coherence across reforms, alignment of digital architectures, and interoperability between employment and social protection systems within a unified government-wide digital ecosystem. The EU-funded project also promotes agricultural development by supporting farmers, boosting productivity, and enhancing rural livelihoods.

A core pillar of this support is the re-engineering of NEA business processes and the development of a modern, interoperable Information System of the NEA, aligned with the national social protection digital ecosystem (eSocial) and the future Labour Market Information System (LMIS). This work encompasses the functional redesign of NEA digital portals, modernization of core service modules, strengthening of labour market observatory and reporting functions, and establishment of robust integration mechanisms with other government systems.

The Projects’ strategic approach is enrooted in Moldova’s national priorities, as defined by the RESTART Reform of Social Assistance and the UNDP Country Programme Document for the Republic of Moldova (2023-2027). The Project is designed to leverage technology as a key driver of change, streamline processes, enhance user experience, and strengthen institutional resilience. It involves comprehensive mapping and optimization of current business processes, ensuring they are streamlined and designed for the best possible user experience. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The Communications Analyst in close cooperation with the project team, under the direct supervision of the “Digital Transformation of Social Protection” Project Manager and of the “Promoting Agricultural Development and Quality Employment for the Most Vulnerable” Project Manager, will provide support in the design, planning, management, monitoring and reporting of the project activities related to the communication, visibility, public awareness efforts and information campaigns. These will encompass all thematic areas of the Projects: digital transformation of social protection through the development of the eSocial platform; the Energy Vulnerability Reduction Fund; digital transformation of the National Employment Agency; refurbishment of social protection buildings; digital product adoption through the organization of trainings for social workers, and promotion of agricultural development through the digital National Farmers Registry, enhancement of agricultural productivity, rural livelihoods, and dissemination of best agricultural practices. More specifically:

Effective Communication Plan Management: 

• Elaborate and lead the implementation of the Projects’ Communication Strategies and Visibility Plans in close collaboration with the Project Managers and UNDP Communications Analyst.
• Elaborate the matrix of key stakeholders, target audiences, and the most effective communication channels to disseminate information about the Projects’ activities, initiatives, and achievements.
• Support the national partners in designing and implementation of joint civic education and information campaigns, as well as in developing and delivering the key messages.
• Draft talking points, briefs, factsheets, handout materials and dynamic presentations, considering the gender and human rights aspects.
• Monitor and analyse the impact of communication activities, using data-driven insights to refine strategies and enhance outreach.
• Provide advice and recommendations to mitigate potential public communication crisis and sensible issues. This shall include, but not be limited to, press monitoring (pre and post crisis), drafting of press releases and/or written reactions, and ad-hoc crisis reports.

Visibility of the Project activities and achievements: 

• Draft and publish press releases, success stories, newsletters, and reports to highlight activities of the two projects, progress, and outcomes.
• Develop and disseminate information materials tailored to different audiences, ensuring clarity, accessibility, and engagement. 
• Collect testimonials to communicate Projects’ outputs and results.
• Contribute to the implementation of awareness campaigns, trainings, workshops, and public events, using various channels of communication and engaging with media representatives for a broader audience.
• Develop engaging digital content (infographics, videos, social media posts) to simplify complex topics and increase public understanding of the electoral corruption and illicit financing. 
• Coordinate and manage media engagements, including press briefings, interviews, and public events to amplify the visibility of the the Government of Italy and the EU Delegation, UNDP and Projects.

Stakeholder Engagement: 

• Develop and maintain a stakeholder engagement strategy, identifying key actors in government, private sector, civil society, and academia. 
• Facilitate regular consultations and dialogue with national partners and stakeholders to ensure their perspectives are well reflected in the civic education and public awareness efforts. 
• Establish and manage stakeholder communication channels, including newsletters, working groups, and online platforms, to ensure continuous engagement.

Facilitate knowledge sharing 

• Organize training, workshops, and capacity building activities in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs,donors, and/or academia.
• Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and implementing partners.

Note: Under the EU-funded project, the Communications Analyst will ensure that all visibility materials, communication products, media outputs, event-related materials, and campaign assets developed under the project are properly coordinated and approved through Digitool, in line with EU visibility requirements, and in close coordination with the EU Delegation prior to publication or dissemination.

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

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 and Technical Competencies

Business Development               

• Knowledge facilitation: 
  • Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and 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.
• 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
• 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.             

Communications           

• Campaign management:             
  • Ability to produce and implement communications and advocacy campaigns which lead to impactful change
• Creative direction and copywriting:       
  • Ability to creatively communicate concepts in an engaging and simple way
• 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

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.

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, 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 two (2) years of relevant professional experience in communication, mass-media, public relations, and/or other substantive areas.

Desired Skills:

• Experience in development and implementation of media/communications strategies and plans, visibility and awareness raising campaigns, drafting communication materials and products.
• Experience in conceptualizing and implementing national and local public outreach/communication campaigns
• Proven experience in similar positions in UNDP or other UN Agencies.
• Proven experience in working in the areas of social protection, energy vulnerability, energy efficiency or employment.
• Previous experience in development assistance or related work for a development organization, governmental institution, NGO or private sector / consulting firm.

Required Languages:

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

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