Communications Associate (Open to all applicants)

Job Description
Please note the appropriate Tier indicated in the vacancy title and ensure that you are holding the applicable contract as defined below:
Tier 1: 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) and personnel on regular PSA contracts
Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Background

Improving waste management in Asia and the Pacific islands is a critical environmental issue due to increasing waste production, driven by urbanization, population growth, and consumerism. By 2030, waste in the region is projected to rise from 802 million tonnes (2016) to 1.1 trillion tonnes, exacerbating environmental challenges. Organic waste makes up 50-70% of municipal waste, while plastics, though a smaller fraction, pose significant long-term environmental and health risks. Despite efforts, waste management systems, particularly in rural areas, are underdeveloped, with informal sectors playing a key role in recycling. To address this, stronger waste management frameworks, including circular economy models and investment in infrastructure, are needed.

The Coca Cola Foundation is prioritizing the fight against plastic waste by investing in circular economy solutions, aiming to reduce waste leakage into rivers and oceans. Through a partnership with UNDP, the initiative will provide strategic support to over 9 Asia Pacific countries, fostering an enabling environment for circular interventions in the plastic lifecycle. The project is structured into regional and national components, with the Regional Component managed by UNDP’s Bangkok Regional Hub, which will coordinate the partnership and support national efforts. National Child Projects will focus on plastic waste collection, recycling, piloting innovative business models, and providing training and strategic assistance to governments and stakeholders.

In the Philippines, waste management is a growing concern, with municipal solid waste (MSW) expected to rise significantly by 2025. The country is a major contributor to marine plastic litter, and while the government has enacted policies like the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act of 2022 to tackle plastic pollution, challenges remain. Efforts such as the EU-PH Partnership for Green Economy and the Green LGUs Project aim to enhance circular waste practices at the local level, involving the private sector and civil society. The project will support marginalized groups, including youth and gender-focused initiatives, by providing opportunities through social enterprises and innovative business models that promote plastic waste reduction and recycling. These initiatives will help develop sustainable waste management systems that continue beyond the project’s lifespan.

The proposed interventions focus on developing an inclusive business model for targeted plastic waste collection and recovery from specific sources, institutionalizing a plastic waste system in a target area, and supporting Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) groups, particularly in the informal sector. This includes providing storage facilities and seed capital, along with developing behavioral change modules and conducting training for targeted waste sources. Additionally, a digital app will be created to track waste diversion and incentivize plastic collection. Expected results include the collection of 1,460 metric tons of plastic waste, establishment of at least two inclusive business models, creation of a satellite recovery facility and a plastic recycling facility, support for two GEDSI groups, and the development of educational tools, with training provided to at least 750 individuals.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Communications Associate will work under the TCCF Project Manager. The Communication Associate is expected to work closely with the TCCF Project Team, and other Projects implementing circular economy and plastics work.

Under the guidance and supervision of the PH Plastic Circularity Project Manager, and in coordination with the UNDP Philippines Communications Analyst, the Communications Associate supports the implementation of the TCCF Project Communications and Advocacy Strategies to increase the standing and awareness of UNDP with partners, the media, and the public.

Key Summary of Functions:

• Implement the Project’s communications strategies and ensure approved branding guidelines are followed;
• Develop and manage of content and other knowledge product;
• Support to management of digital platforms, media engagement and outreach;
• Support to partnership, stakeholder and community engagement;
• Support to the implementation and monitoring of social behaviour change communication strategies
• Support to events management, campaigns and advocacies;
• Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management ;
• Support to monitoring and reporting

Detailed Functions:
Implement the Project’s communication plan, and ensure approved branding guidelines are followed;

• Implement communication and campaign activities to support the achievement of goals and objectives of the sustainable waste management, plastic circularity, circular economy and climate mitigation projects;
• Support project implementation by integrating communications strategies and ensuring project and donor’s visibility in regular activities;
• Supports in coordinating with the Communication Unit of Country Office, and Partnerships team of UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub, and TCCF Philippines External Communications to maximize the achievement of communications targets;

Develop and manage multimedia content and other knowledge product

• Draft and design communication materials and multimedia content for the project and CE portfolio (e.g. press releases, social media posts, infographics, brochures, templates, factsheets, FAQs, talking points, presentations, briefs, newsletters, photos and videos) to be to be populated in UNDP website and social media channels;
• Edit and proofreads materials to ensure clarity, accuracy, consistency and alignment with UNDP and TCCF visual brand
• In collaboration with MEAL Focal, field coordinator and other project staff, document Project work and showcase impact stories;
• Coordinate with partners in developing joint knowledge products and stories;
• Ensures all communications materials and content align with UNDP and donor branding guidelines and principles, project goals, values, and visual identity.

Support to management of digital platforms, media engagement and outreach

• Manage and update the project’s digital platforms (Project webpage in coordination with BRH, social media).
• Monitors media coverage and releases; and prepare media briefs and reports.
• Coordinate with media partners and stakeholders for coverage of project milestones.
• Organize media visit, if necessary, depending on the requirements of the project;
• Ensure UNDP’s positioning and attribution as UN and development agency in all media releases;
• Coordinate with the Communication Unit of country office for media outreach;
• Provide quality assurance to the social media postings and communications materials of partner LGUs bearing the name of the Project, UNDP and donor agencies.

Support to partnership, stakeholder and community engagement

• Provide necessary support to partners in communication and campaign components.
• Support the organization of public events, workshops, webinars and community outreach
• Document success stories, testimonials, and case studies from project beneficiaries.
• Draft promotional and IEC materials tailored to local communities and LGUs.
• Support the project management in organizing and documenting project advisory and board meetings
• Handles event communications and collaterals

Support to the implementation and monitoring of social behaviour change communication strategies

• Co-facilitation of knowledge management and documentation of lessons learned and impact stories
• Co-manage implementation of SBCC activities and production of SBCC materials

Support to events management, campaigns and advocacies

• Initiate and roll-out mini-campaign, as necessary, to promote CE and plastics circularity
• Coordinate with program and project and teams, partner LGUs and agencies in designing and implementing joint information, education and campaign activities

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management

• Identification of sources of information related to project implementation-related issues.
• Identification and synthesis of good practices and lessons learned directly linked to the project; Support in maintaining an effective network with development partners and government at the national level and sub-national level; and,
• Lead and participate in the knowledge management networks and communities of practice

Support to monitoring and reporting

• Track communication metrics/ key indicators (e.g., engagement, reach, sentiments) and prepare monthly reports.
• Maintain a repository of communication assets and documentation.
• Contribute to donor reports and knowledge products
Support the development of monitoring and evaluation tool to assess effectiveness of communication strategies

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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 competenciesซ

Business Direction and Strategy

• System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system. Uses analytics to inform communication strategies.

Business Development

• Knowledge Generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need
• Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange

Business Management

• Communications: Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channel. Ability to communicate in a clear concise and unambiguous manner, has strong speaking, writing, editing, and visual storytelling skills

Communication

• Digital Awareness: Proficient in using social media, communications and design tools and platforms to convey messages
• Campaign management and advocacies: Ability to produce and implement communications and advocacy campaigns which lead to impactful change
Brand & quality management: Ability to position a UNDP brand and uphold it to a high level of quality

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Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary education is required, OR
• A university degree in Development Communication, Social Development, Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, or related field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years (with high school diploma) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressive experience in communications for development (C4D), social development, climate action, environment work or and related areas

Required skills:

• Proficient in writing impact and development stories.
• Experience producing multi-media products and stories using with digital tools, graphic design and multimedia production (such as Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva, and other social media channels and analytics)
• Experience in communication strategy development and execution
• Experience in events management, campaign and advocacy

Desired skills

• Relevant work experience with international non-government organizations, bilateral and multilateral donors, and national government organizations.
• Familiarity with UN or UNDP branding guidelines and style guide.
• Experience working in environmental projects with a specific focus on climate change, disaster risk and recovery, biodiversity conservation, plastic waste management, marine litter, and other relevant field.
• Familiarity in designing creative content and collaterals targeting social behavior change, conducting scoping and field interviews for story development
• Proven ability to understand and speak Hiligayon

Required Languages:

• Proficiency in spoken and written English and Filipino required

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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