Communications and Change Management Specialist United Nations Development Programme Experience: Atleast 7 years New York, United States of America Apply By: 19-12-2024

Job Purpose and Organizational Context

The General Operations (GO) as part of the Bureau of Management Services (BMS) in UNDP is responsible for premises, facilities, asset management, travel management and BMS Operations.  GO is actively seeking a Communications/Change Management Specialist who will design, manage and facilitate all corporate communications both internally and externally and implement corporate communications strategy, pertaining to services provided by GO.    

As the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Headquarters in New York City has embarked on a major renovation project to transform 1 UN Plaza (DC1) building into the central hub for all UNDP headquarters personnel, the selected candidate will also work closely with the dedicated project team on this renovation project to ensure the implementation of regular communication and project timeline updates across UNDP Headquarters.   

Under the direct supervision of the Director of General Operations, the Communications/Change Management Specialist works closely with several members of GO team and other internal personnel and stakeholders involved in this renovation project.  The incumbent will also collaborate with relevant counterparts such as the BMS Directorate, Bureau for External Relations and Advocacy/Office of Communications etc. 

The Communications/Change Management Specialist will also provide specialized communications plan regarding the change management process of the entire major renovation project to transform the 1 UN Plaza into the central hub for all UNDP HQ personnel. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Lead in designing the plan for the ‘’ Change Management ‘’

• Understands the GO service lines as well as DC1 renovation project’s direction and identify change management approach/methodology to address the people side of change to align with the direction, thereby minimizing employee resistance and maximizing employee engagement.
• Assess the scope of change and develop change management strategy which includes addressing potential people-side risks and resistance
• Integrate change management activities into the project plan, communication activities, stakeholder engagement
• Identify resources and stakeholders required in the change management process including individuals/parties that will be involved throughout the process.

Lead in planning and designing the internal and external strategies for communications and outreach 

• Planning and elaboration of communications needs assessments for GO services including the DC1 renovation project
• Drafting/editing of communications and outreach strategy
• Develop schedule of both internal and external communications ensuring all updates on the GO service delivery including DC1 Renovation Project implementation status
• Elaborate all corporate communications and outreach strategy for GO

Contribute to the effective implementation of GO services 

• Management, promotion, and dissemination of informational materials pertaining to GO services including DC1 renovation project
• Prepares promotional materials and project updates through appropriate visual and communication mechanisms (e.g. regular townhall meetings, mass email to internal clients as well as regular updates through BMS Directorate weekly updates).
• Prepares briefing notes for Director, General Operations to present the GO services as well as implementation update on the DC1 renovation project to Senior Management including Executive Group

Build Strategic Engagement with stakeholders 

• Development and maintenance of close contacts with all stakeholders involved in implementation of GO services including DC1 renovation project
• Prepare and disseminate regular updates to all external stakeholders ensuring that constant and update to date information on GO service delivery through appropriate communication means.
• Ensure increased coverage of the progress on DC1 renovation project
• Effective responses to inquiries from stakeholders on the various GO services

Ensure to produce resources to be disseminated via the UNDP website and intranet

• Prepare material regarding implementation updates on various GO services and project and disseminate to all internal clients
• Identification and development of storylines for projects and activities implemented by GO.
• Preparation of the content for intranet, Yammer, Viva and other platforms to ensure consistency of the materials and wide coverage.
• Proactively identify and pursue opportunities for the documentation and communication of best practices, programme results, and lessons learned.

Lead knowledge sharing and knowledge management

• Actively participate in and make substantive contributions to external networks and communities of practice to promote advocacy for UNDP’s work and opportunities for collaboration in addressing development trends.
• Support establishment of knowledge platforms and innovative mechanisms for capturing and disseminating knowledge from the project; and ensure development of knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDP’s engagement in this area.
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Minimum Qualifications 

Min. Academic Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Management, Communications, or any other related discipline is required Or
• A first level university 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.

Min. years of relevant Work experience

• Minimum of seven (7) years (with master’s degree) or   nine (9) years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level in change management experience, familiarity working with project management framework in a change management environment, formulating and implementing communications strategy in change management set up.

Required skills and competencies

• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, good knowledge and experience in handling of web-based management systems.
• Desired additional skills and competencies
• Prior work experience in change management communications highly desirable.
• Experience in creating digital products is highly desirable. 
• Prior work experience with United Nations Common System highly desirable.

Required Language(s) (at working level)

• Fluency (verbal and writing communication skills) in English required.
• Knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.

Source: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/22612