Communications Specialist (Open to external applicants)

UNDP in the Arab States region; Bonn, Köln; Vor Ort; EUR 55.000 - 75.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

An international development organization based in Bonn seeks a Communications Specialist to lead communications strategies and media relations. The ideal candidate will have a Master’s degree and at least 7 years of relevant experience. Responsibilities include developing advocacy strategies, producing editorial content, and enhancing the organization's digital presence. This full-time position offers valuable opportunities to work within a vital global campaign supported by the UN.

Qualifikationen

• 7 years of experience with a master's degree or 9 years with a bachelor's.
• Experience developing communications strategies in the UN system.
• Fluency in English required.

Aufgaben

• Lead communications and advocacy strategies and workplans.
• Develop and implement digital strategies to raise awareness.
• Produce editorial content, ensuring clarity and alignment with branding.
• Monitor performance metrics across digital platforms.

Kenntnisse

Drafting skills for articles and blogs

Media relations management

Social media management

Event coordination

Ausbildung

Master’s Degree in Communications or related fields

Bachelor’s Degree with additional experience

Jobbeschreibung

Overview

Bonn, Germany. Location: Bonn, Germany. Posting Date: 01/07/2026. Apply Before: 01/29/2026. Job Schedule: Full time. Agency: UNDP. Grade: IPSA-11. Vacancy Type: International Personnel Service Agreement. Practice Area: SDG Integration. Bureau: Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy. Contract Duration: 1 Year. Education & Work Experience: Master’s Degree - 7 years of experience OR Bachelor’s Degree - 9 years of experience. Required Languages: English.

Job Description

The UN SDG Action Campaign, hosted and supported by UNDP and based in Bonn, Germany, seeks to recruit a Communications Specialist to provide support across editorial content development, social media engagement, and Campaign communications, ensuring consistent messaging, visibility, and outreach aligned with the Campaign’s priorities.

Scope of Work

• Lead the Campaign’s Communications and Advocacy Strategies and Workplans
• Develop and implement communications and advocacy strategies and workplans, including digital strategies, to raise awareness, drive engagement, and build support in line with Campaign priorities.
• Lead the communications for flagship events, including the UN SDG Action Awards, and other Campaign events and activities.
• Manage editorial planning and content calendars, and craft compelling narratives and messaging across Campaign platforms.
• Monitor, evaluate, and report on communications activities, capturing lessons learned.
• Lead Content Development and Media Outreach
• Produce high-quality editorial content such as blogs, newsletters, reports, presentations, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and alignment with branding.
• Oversee the development and dissemination of multimedia content (e.g. videos, infographics) and compelling storytelling products to drive engagement.
• Oversee the development and dissemination of creative content, including artistic content and exhibits.
• Identify media opportunities, prepare press kits, media pitches and coordinate media outreach during campaigns and events.
• Ensure that all communications and advocacy products adhere to high-quality standards, branding guidelines, and deadlines.
• Oversee Content Dissemination across Digital Platforms
• Oversee and contribute to the growth of the Campaign’s social media presence on digital platforms, ensuring consistency in messaging and branding across all channels.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of the Campaign websites, in coordination with colleagues, including managing full digital project lifecycles and annual redesigns.
• Supervise consultants, external vendors and developers, ensuring efficiency and alignment with UNDP data governance policies.
• Monitor and analyze performance metrics across digital platforms (social media, newsletters, websites) to evaluate effectiveness and drive growth and share reports.
• Leverage and optimize digital tools to enhance engagement in events.
• Oversee Internal Communication Workflows and Support Strategic Partnerships
• Oversee and streamline communication workflows between the communications and other workstreams to enhance efficiency, quality, and strategic alignment of Campaign events and initiatives.
• Coordinate regular team meetings for content planning and editorial production, ensuring timely delivery of assets.
• Support the engagement and collaboration with strategic creative partners to amplify the Campaign’s advocacy impact.
• Identify and maximize joint communication opportunities with partners including the UN system and collaborate with external partners, donors, and stakeholders to deliver joint outreach and advocacy initiatives.
• Support donor and partner engagements by monitoring partner and donor communications and tailored outreach materials.
• Supervise one PSA Communications Analyst and one PSA Web Developer
• Supervise consultants as required, including offshore development teams.
• Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic areas.
• Ensure project reports capture results, lessons learned and good practices for possible wider application.
• Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on development issues; support knowledge platforms and dissemination of knowledge from the project, and develop knowledge resources for project partners and UNDP engagement.
• Promote advocacy and opportunities for collaboration in addressing development trends in coordination with project partners and UN teams.

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 Communications Specialist reports to the Deputy Director and will have access to relevant information necessary for execution of tasks. The position is based at the UN Bonn Office in Germany.

Expected Demonstration of Competencies

Core Competencies

• Achieve Results – LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging objectives for multiple projects with lasting impact.
• Think Innovatively – LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate risks and develop new ideas to solve complex problems.
• Learn Continuously – LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons and diversify experiences.
• Adapt with Agility – LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple demands.
• Act with Determination – LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task barriers to achieve greater results.
• Engage and Partner – LEVEL 3: Navigate a complex landscape and champion inter-agency collaboration.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion – LEVEL 3: Foster inclusivity within the workforce.

Thematic Area Name Definition

• Business Management: Communication — manage internal and external communications across media and channels; tailor messages for audience.
• Advocacy strategy and implementation — create and implement impactful advocacy strategies.
• Media Relations — develop media relations and materials.
• Digital content creation — identify topics, decide content form, produce material to specification and quality.
• Storytelling — convey information through engaging narratives.
• Event planning and execution — plan and execute events to support advocacy initiatives.

Minimum Education Requirements

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s) in Communications, Media Studies, Journalism, International Relations, Development or related fields is required.
• Or a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s) with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced degree.

Minimum Years Of Relevant Work Experience

• Minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of experience in developing and implementing communications and advocacy strategies in the UN system.

Required Skills

• Proven drafting skills for articles, newsletters, web content, blogs and talking points.
• Proven track record managing media relations for UN teams.
• Experience coordinating communications for high-level international events, including UN events.
• Experience with digital platforms and social media management.

Desired Skills

• Experience in digital community building is an asset.
• Experience in donor relations and partner engagement is an asset.
• Knowledge of Sustainable Development Goals and related international debates is an asset.

Required Language
Fluency in English (written and verbal) is required.

Equal Opportunity

• As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity and encourages qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply; decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

Scam alert

• UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For information, see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

Right to select multiple candidates

• UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement and may retain applications for other similar positions at the same grade level and with similar requirements.