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.

2. Office/Unit/Project Description

Sao Tome and Principe is the second smallest country and the smallest economy in Africa, and considering its insularity is susceptible to external shocks, particularly the ongoing conflicts, geopolitical disruptions and their potential cascading effects. The United Nations Development Programme, present in São Tomé and Príncipe since 1976, has been working to help the country meet its international commitments, mainly to achieve Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations Agenda 2030. In alignment with the Country Project Document - CPD (2023-2027), the Country Office (CO) of UNDP will continue focusing on the identified priorities: (1) inclusive social systems, (2) climate action, natural resource management, and energy; (3) green and blue growth; and (4) transparent and accountable institutions.

The country’s priorities, UNSDCF, and UNDP’s CPD lay out the priorities in networking, partnership and communications. This is in particular critical to enable the country for transformative change and preparedness for graduation while meeting the country’s global, regional, and national goals.

Under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative and in close coordination with the Deputy Resident Representative, the Communications Officer participates in development and implementation of the partnership and communications strategy of the office, as well as in the design, management, and implementation of the Country Office’s internal and external communications and digital strategies, with a focus on equipping teams to communicate, geared toward influencing the development and resource mobilization agenda, promoting public and media outreach and mobilizing political and financial support for UNDP, in close collaboration with the respective partners.

The Communications Officer keeps abreast of the lastest guidelines, instructions, and trends in UNDP, and maintains a working relationship with the communication network of the Organization and Regional Communications Adviser, and Headquarters. The Communications Officer works in close collaboration with both the Programme and Operations teams of the Country Office, staff of other UN Agencies, and the UN Communications Group staff Regional Communications Adviser and HQ, ensuring the successful UNDP internal and external communication strategy implementation. The Communications Officer will endeavor to facilitate and provide capacity to programme staff on communication strategies that benefit and promote their thematic interventions and activities and enhances the visibility of UNDP.

3.    Scope of Work (5 to 7 items only)
A.    Planning and design of the internal and external Communications strategies, geared towards supporting the UNDP communication for results, partnership-building, and resource mobilization.
-    Design the communications strategy to position UNDP as a credible and trusted development partner and thought leader in the country.
-    Lead on the strategic direction of communications for the Senior Management and Programme Leads of UNDP.
-    As a member of the UN Communications Group position UNDP as a leader in the relevant joint advocacy initiatives of the UN Country Team.
-    Manages the work plan and related budget; and adjust to include unforeseen opportunities as well as changes in programme work plans.
-    Plan and elaborate the communications needs assessments.
-    Develop and implement the communications and outreach strategy based on UNDP Country Office priorities and in line with the corporate Communication priorities and standards.
-    Engage with programme and project staff to ensure constructive and timely advice on the inclusion of communications components in programme and projects formulation to integrate advocacy and communications strategies in all aspects of the CO programme.
-    Develop and maintain a photo database that contains images expressive of the issues, actions, and results UNDP is working on in the country.
-    Ensure media monitoring; review and record media coverage of UNDP and circulate to relevant authorities.
-    Explore innovative formats that make UNDP communication and knowledge products in line with current industry best practice and position the organization at the forefront of audience and donor partner engagement.
B.    Promotes optimum visibility of UNDP Sao Tome and Principe activities, results, and thought leadership through effective media relations, placement, and distribution of information material and creative partnerships with UN agencies, multilateral, Government and non-governmental organizations, and the private sector.
-    Form strategic partnerships with media counterparts at other UN agencies and with external media networks, strengthening internal capacity for media outreach and technical expertise.
-    Enhance media/press coverage of UNDP Sao Tome activities, results, and thought leadership in line with corporate standards and communication strategies.
-    Advocate for and promote the UNDP mandate, mission, and purpose, including the SDGs.
-    Identify opportunities for and organize press conferences; facilitate interviews with senior managers.
-    Draft and disseminate press releases, advisories, background information, press/media kits, and updated information and stories to inform media and the general public of UNDP work programme initiatives, results, and achievements.
-    Draft and disseminate regular results-oriented partner newsletters and donor reports.
-    Organize communication events and conferences in line with the communications strategy and annual work plan.
-    Leads on the design of the internal communication strategy to enhance a creative, safe and effective working environment, contributing to a UNDP CO which puts learning at its center.
C.    Promotes and leads on digital communications, overseeing the content development, expansion, and continual assessment of the quality and relevance of digital communications and services.
-    Ensure the website is regularly updated with news, stories, images, blogs etc. in line with the corporate guidelines.
-    Leverage social media to complement the UNDP CO communications strategy and plan, and develop a digital communications strategy to use social media efficiently and effectively for better outreach.
-    Ensure the smooth flow of information internally and externally by producing digital content regularly.
-    Draft stories for web and social media.
-    Lead the process of engaging with government, partners, donors, and programme participants, and beneficiaries through social media.
-    Advocates for the use of new tech tools to better communicate in the digital space, in line with corporate guidelines.
D.    Write, design and disseminate diverse products (e.g. publications, programme/project informations, and news releases) through a variety of media, including print, broadcast, online, and social media.
-    Elaborate and implement the communication strategy with publications based on the annual work plan and in line with the corporate publications policy.
-    Identify and develop storylines for publications and substantive articles contributing to UNDP priorities (including active seeking and verification of inputs).
-    Coordinate and manage all UNDP CO publication activities, including content management, editing, norms for publishing, design, liaison with printers and other suppliers to oversee the production and dissemination of communications material and publications.
E.    Facilitation of knowledge building and management
-    Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country goals and activities.
-    Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories.
-    Contributes to the overall training on story-telling and media-savviness of the CO staff.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation

4. Institutional Arrangement

The incumbent will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Resident Representative and in close coordination with the Deputy Resident Representative.

5. Competencies

Core: Full list of UNDP Core Competencies can be found here
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
Thematic Area    Name    Definition
Business Direction & 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
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 - Portfolio Management • Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment
Communications - Digital Asset Management • Ability to use digital asset management (DAM) systems to effectively store, share and organize digital assets such as images, videos and other media

Communications - Multimedia Writing/Editing • Ability to create and/or edit written content for multimedia
Communications - Social Media Management • Ability to represent and promote the UNDP brand in virtual communities and networks

Communications - Writing and Editing • Ability to create and/or edit written content in different UN languages.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

6. Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA
Min. Education requirements

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in media, communication, journalism, publishing, or related field is required, or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Min. years of relevant work experience

• Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in public relations, advocacy, or communications is required.

• 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.

Required skills

Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, good knowledge, and experience in handling of web-based management systems;

Experience in managing digital communications is required;

Experience in working with media is required;

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

Knowledge of design thinking and systems thinking processes a plus;
Experience in developing communications strategy is an advantage;
Experience in website management is highly desirable

Required Language(s)

Fluency in English and Portuguese languages is required.
Fluency in French will be an asset.
Professional Certificates Certifications in relation to communications and media will be considered as an asset.

7. The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

a) Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.
b) A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.

Égalité des chances

En tant qu'employeur offrant l'égalité des chances, le PNUD valorise la diversité comme une expression de la multiplicité des nations et des cultures dans lesquelles nous opérons. À ce titre, nous encourageons les candidats qualifiés de tous horizons à postuler aux postes au sein de l'organisation. Nos décisions en matière d'emploi sont basées sur le mérite et l'adéquation au poste, sans aucune discrimination.

Le PNUD s'engage également à créer un environnement de travail inclusif où tout le personnel est encouragé à contribuer à notre mission, est valorisé, peut s'épanouir et bénéficier d'opportunités de carrière ouvertes à tous.

Harcèlement sexuel, exploitation et abus d'autorité

Le PNUD ne tolère pas le harcèlement, le harcèlement sexuel, l'exploitation, la discrimination ni l'abus d'autorité. Tous les candidats sélectionnés subissent donc les vérifications appropriées et sont tenus de respecter les normes et principes correspondants.

Droit de sélectionner plusieurs candidats

Le PNUD se réserve le droit de sélectionner un ou plusieurs candidats à partir de cette annonce de poste. Nous pouvons également conserver les candidatures reçues et considérer les candidats postulants à ce poste pour d'autres postes similaires au sein du PNUD, au même niveau de grade et avec une description de poste, une expérience et des exigences éducatives similaires.

Alerte aux arnaques

Le PNUD ne facture aucun frais à quelque étape que ce soit de son processus de recrutement. Pour plus d'informations, veuillez consulter : www.undp.org/scam-alert .

Même description de poste pour les candidats internes et externes

Communication Officer [Ouvert aux Candidats internes & externes]