Communications Associate (Office Based) [Open to Internal and External applicants]

Grade: National PSA- Regular · Schedule: Full time

Tier Decription
Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026
Tier 1: Other UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates)
Tier 2: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates”

Background:

Suriname's mangrove ecosystems are among the country's most valuable natural assets. Covering nearly 86,000 hectares and accounting for approximately 0.6% of the world's mangrove area (SBB, 2023; FAO, 2023), they provide critical habitat for biodiversity, support fisheries, strengthen climate resilience, and sustain coastal livelihoods and community well-being in areas where nearly 90% of the country's population resides (ABS, 2024). They also provide a foundation for sustainable economic opportunities through tourism, research, education, and other nature-based sectors.

UNDP has been a key development partner of the Surinamese Government and its people since 1994 and continues to support Suriname through its three broad programmatic areas: Democratic Governance, Social Development, Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resource Management. The three programmatic areas are interlinked, integrating nature-based solutions, justice and social services with the engagement of stakeholders that are relevant to all three programmatic areas.

UNDP in partnership with the European Union has been supporting Suriname in preservation and conservation of mangrove forests, especially through the two phases of the Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA+) programmes; phase one: from March 2016 to August 2019 and phase 2: 2020- 2023. In 2024, UNDP and EU launched a new initiative Protection, Restoration, and Sustainable Use of Mangrove Forest (PRSUMF) project (2024 to 2027).

The PRSUMF project builds on the results achieved in strengthening mangrove protection and conservation by the GCCA+ programme. The PRSUMF project aims to support Suriname in building the resilience of target coastal communities through inclusive, gender-responsive coastal zone management, mangroves conservation, and sustainable use.

SBB. 2023. Mangrove Monitoring System: Total Mangrove Forest Area per District in Suriname (2023).

FAO. 2023. The World's Mangroves 2000-2020.

ABS. 2024. Population and Housing Census (Census 9), population distribution by district.

The project aims to achieve this objective:

a) By strengthening coordination, legal and strategic frameworks, for integrated coastal zone management, water management, coastal defense, and governance.

b) By enhancing the meaningful participation of local communities in the co-management of mangroves and Multiple Use Management Areas (MUMAs) and

c) By increasing sustainable income generation with a focus on women and youth, from mangrove-based value chains such as honey, fisheries, and mangrove ecosystem based-tourism.

Through the above approach, the project aims to support mitigation of rising sea levels impact, frequent flooding, and support the country’s population to adapt to climate change by playing a central role in mangrove protection, restoration and sustainable use through nature positive economic activities.

The project is implemented through a Project Management Unit (PMU) headed by the Project Manager. The Communications Associate will be part of the project management unit.

Scope of Work:

The incumbent will contribute to stakeholder engagement, knowledge sharing, visibility, and public awareness efforts that support achievement of project outputs and donor communication requirements. S/He will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, and the overall guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Suriname. The Communications Associate will also work in close collaboration with the Technical Officer of the PRSUMF project.

The Communication Associate will design and implement specific targeted public relations (PR) and media activities highlighting project activities, results and accomplishments, including related products and articles for social media distribution.

Key functions and responsibilities of the Communication Associate include:

a. Implement and revise the Media/Communication and Visibility Plan as needed:

• Monitor implementation of and periodically update the Project Communication and Visibility Plan based on emerging communication needs, project progress, and donor requirements.
• Based on the Communication and Visibility and Communications Plan, develop a Media/Communication Action Plan and relevant budget in close collaboration with the Project Manager and supporting PMU members.
• Develop graphic designs for third party production (audiovisual and or print) in support of project branding communication and visibility, in line with UNDP and EU communication guidelines and requirements.
• Maintain and expand the network of project stakeholders and media and maintain regular contact with and provide information to media on project activities and project progress.
• Ensure and monitor visibility through the proper and correct use of logo’s during events, in photo-, audio-, and video productions and on all publication materials, equipment, materials and goods financed by the project as agreed with donors.
• Ensure that the project related information and communication materials are regularly updated on UNDP Suriname website, Facebook page, X and other social media platforms.
• Support the PRSUMF PMU in the organization and implementation of all project events and facilitate media coverage thereof.
• Advise and assist Project Manager and other project staff on aspects related to awareness and stakeholder engagement; dialogues and other stakeholder awareness activities.

b. Lead knowledge management and dissemination:

• Plan and prepare publication of articles, human interest stories, quarterly newsletters, and project results, this includes the gathering of supporting visual, audiovisual material and basic editing for publication.
• Liaise with specific sector specialists and technical resource persons for the development of folders, brochures and presentations and other communication material on climate change, mangrove conservation, sustainable use of mangroves for economic development.
• Develop and maintain a repository of communication, visibility, and knowledge products, ensuring accessibility and institutional memory for the project.

c. Support awareness and training activities of the project:

• In collaboration with project team, Support the design of behaviour-change and awareness campaigns tailored to local communities, women, youth, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholder groups.
• Assist with developing training material in general and specifically for policy makers; coastal communities, entrepreneurs and media professionals.
• Enable the production of video records of project activities and results achieved, as well as provide support for script writing; editing and formatting allowing for multiple media applications of the raw footage that will be captured.

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 Associate will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager of the PRSUMF project and under the overall guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative/Head of Office and collaborate closely with the PRSUMF project team and all other CO units.

Competencies:

Core

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: Appreciates/respects differences, aware of unconscious bias, confronts discrimination.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Communication

• Ability to 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 and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skillfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Customer Satisfaction/Client Management

• Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real stakeholder/ partner’s needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond stakeholder/ partner’s immediate requests. Ability to anticipate stakeholder/ partner’s upcoming needs and concerns.

DIGITAL

Social media

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

COMMUNICATIONS

Campaign management

• Ability to develop and implementcommunications and advocacy campaigns which lead to impactful change.

COMMUNICATIONS

Public relations

• Ability to build and maintain an overall positive public image for the organisation, its mandate and its brand, while ensuring that individual campaigns and other communications and advocacy initiatives are supported in reaching the public.

COMMUNICATIONS

Writing and editing

• Ability to create and/or edit written content in English and Dutch (Sranan Tongo is considered an asset).

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA

Minimum Education requirements & Professional Certificates

• Secondary education is required, OR
• A university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in communications, journalism, advertising, or related field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.
• Supplemented by formal training, professional certification, or other verifiable credentials relevant to the assignment.

Minimum years of relevant work experience

Minimum of 7 years (with high school diploma) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant communications experience preferably at the national level for Government, NGO’s or International Organizations is required.

Required skills

Experience in office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, knowledge of graphic design, content creation, website content management, and digital communication tools is required.

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

• Verifiable experience in branding, producing and publishing information articles, short social media targeted audio and video productions for education and awareness purposes is desired.
• Verifiable experience in social media strategy, content creation, storytelling, audience engagement, and analytics is desired.
• Verifiable experience with graphic design photography and/or videography is an asset.
• Candidates who can demonstrate equivalent practical expertise through recognized training and professional experience are encouraged to apply.

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in English and Dutch is required.
• Proficiency in Sranan Tongo will be considered 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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