Background

Office/Unit/Project Description 

The Bureau for External Relations and Advocacy (BERA) is responsible for positioning UNDP as the world’s leading global development agency, working with 170 governments and hundreds of partners to achieve sustainable development through the interconnected issues of prosperity, good governance, environmental protection, crises stabilization, gender equity, sustainable finance and digital access. BERA leads and supports UNDP in building and nurturing strategic relationships and alliances essential to achieving its mission by coordinating, setting the strategy, and delivering the functions of partnerships, marketing and communications within UNDP. 

BERA delivers through a network of Representation Offices (Brussels, Copenhagen, Geneva, Tokyo, Washington D.C and Berlin) and Regional Team Members in hubs (Africa, Arab States, Asia Pacific, Europe and CIS, and Latin America and the Caribbean).

Scope of work

UNDP requires the services of a Strategic Communications Specialist (Writer and Editor) who can swiftly transform ideas into compelling, strategic content across multiple formats and to speak to different audiences. The role is critical to ensuring high-quality communications outputs aligned with organizational priorities. The Strategic Communications Specialist (Writer/Editor) will ensure the highest editorial and quality standards across UNDP’s key communications materials and will also improve the clarity of other people’s writing. S/he will collaborate with teams across BERA (specifically the Advocacy, Marketing and Communications Group and Partnerships Group) and across UNDP. Their responsibilities will include:

Produce high quality written content across multiple formats

• Generate original, high-quality content aligned with organizational priorities
• Translate complex ideas into clear and engaging copy, avoiding jargon while ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for diverse global audiences.
• Adapt writing style and tone for various formats including messages, narratives, press releases, media statements, op-eds, brochures, donor briefs, reports, speeches, blogs and internal communications
• Ensure consistency and coherence across platforms

Editorial Excellence and Quality Control

• Serve as lead writer and editor for high-visibility outputs, ensuring clarity, grammar, and logic.
• Use tools like Word’s Editor function and/or coordinate with a copy editor on retainer for fast turnaround.
• Provide final review and copy editing for different communications materials before dissemination.
• Oversee consistency in UN language use across all BERA outputs.
• Ensure text alignment with the UN terminology database and UN editorial guidelines

Rapid Response and Agile Writing

• Work under tight deadlines to produce or refine content in response to emerging priorities or crises.
• Collaborate with communications leads to ensure timely delivery of strategic outputs during high-stakes moments.

Management of external vendors

• Manage and oversee editing projects as needed, liaising with internal clients and coordinating with external editors to uphold high editorial and quality standards.
• Guide in the scoping of copyediting projects, including estimating the cost and timeline
   

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 Strategic Communications Specialist (Writer/Editor) will be based in the Advocacy, Marketing and Communications Group (AMCG) of the Bureau for External Relations and Advocacy (BERA). The incumbent will report to the Deputy Director of Communications. 

The incumbent will work closely across AMCG teams and with other teams in BERA.

Competencies

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA

Min. Education requirements          

• Advanced University Degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Communications, International Relations, Global Communications, or other relevant field is required, or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s 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 5 years (with Master´s degree) or 7 seven years (with bachelor’s degree) of experience in strategic communications, partnership engagement, or related field.

Required skills            

• Demonstrated experience writing across multiple formats: press releases, speeches, reports, donor briefs, blogs, and social media posts.
• At least 5 years of professional editing and writing experience in communications, journalism, publishing, or international development.

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

• Experience mentoring or guiding junior writers/editors, and coordinating with external vendors.
• Experience as a subeditor, copywriter, or journalist. 
• Proven track record of experience producing content for international organizations, NGOs, or media outlets.
• Hands-on experience using editing/proofreading tools (Word Editor, Grammarly, or similar).

Required Language(s) 

• Fluency in the English language is 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.

Scam alert

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