Communications Analyst

Job Description

Background

As the United Nations lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is concentrated in four focus areas: sustainable development, democratic governance and peace building, and climate and disaster resilience.

Responding in an integrated and coherent manner, UNDP is determined to end poverty and hunger, protect the planet from degradation, ensure that all citizens have prosperous lives, with growth that occurs in harmony with nature, and to foster peaceful and inclusive societies. UNDP mobilizes the means to implement the 2030 Agenda through a revitalized Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, based on a spirit of strengthened global solidarity. Key priorities that govern or provide direction for the work of the position to demonstrate link between the Unit priorities and position priorities/expected outcomes of incumbent.

UNDP in Kazakhstan contributes to the country’s development through the programmatic priorities outlined in the Country Programme Document (CPD) 2026–2030: i) human capital development and social protection, ensuring inclusive access to quality services and reducing disparities; ii) effective, transparent, and digitally enabled governance, strengthening accountability and citizen engagement; iii) Climate resilience and nature-positive, low-carbon transition, advancing environmental sustainability and disaster risk reduction; iiii) Diversified, innovation-driven, and green economic growth, promoting digitalization and sustainable financing. The CPD is implemented by the UNDP Country Office (CO) in Kazakhstan, headquartered in Astana, with a limited presence in Almaty and project-based locations.

The main objective is to influence the national development agenda, enhance public and media outreach, and mobilize strategic and financial support for UNDP’s programme in Kazakhstan. Communications work will be guided by the Partnership and Communications Action Plan (PCAP), a key instrument linked to the CPD that positions UNDP as a leader in development markets, boosts demand for service lines and expands business opportunities.

The Communications Unit adapts UNDP’s global communication strategy to Kazakhstan’s context and priorities. Through high-quality content and innovative use of targeted channels, the team works collaboratively to: a) position UNDP as a leader in sustainable development; b) promote visibility of programme outcomes and results; c) mobilize support for the Sustainable Development Goals; d) advance the principle of Delivering as One UN.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Resident Representative, the Communications Analyst participates in development and implementation of the country office communications strategy, as well as in the design, management and implementation of the Country Office communications and publication strategies, which are geared to influence the development agenda, promote public and media outreach, and mobilize political and financial support for UNDP, in line with the related corporate strategies and plans.

The Communications Analyst maintains a working relationship with the Regional Communications Adviser and may supervise Communication personnel. The Communications Analyst works in close collaboration with the CO Programme, Operations teams and project teams, staff of other UN Agencies, UNDP Communications Region and HQ staff, government officials, international and local media, donors, and civil society to ensure successful implementation of UNDP’s communication strategy.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

Implement internal/external communication strategies and outreach and contribute to their development

• Prepare and conduct communications needs assessments for the country office (e.g., for projects, the country programme, and corporate change initiatives).
• Design the country office communications and outreach strategy based on country office strategic priorities and the UNDP External Communication Action Plan.
• Leads on media engagement strategies to increase coverage and understanding of the UNDP’s work in the country or practice areas as guided by the UNDP External Communications Action Plan.
• Implement communications programmes to publicize priority issues and/or major events, to include drafting communication strategies (including social media), coordinating efforts, monitoring and reporting on progress, taking appropriate follow-up action, and analysing the outcome.
• Provide constructive and timely advice on inclusion of communications components in programme and projects formulations to integrate advocacy and communication strategies into all aspects of UNDP’s development programmes.
• Lead the communications specialists and consultants from programme and projects

Implement CO Communications strategy and plans through leading the development of the content of the communications products and digital platforms management.

• Supervise the design and maintenance of the UNDP website, intranet, CO web-based knowledge management system based on corporate requirements and, if necessary, in cooperation with the ICT staff.
• Supervise and prepare the content for the social media platforms ensuring consistency of the materials.
• Conduct social media analysis for UNDP platforms, measure audience engagement and contribute to building UNDP’s social media fan base through assessment of key audiences, content planning, content management, search engine optimization, analytics and assessment of effectiveness of platforms and content.
• Identify and develop storylines for publications and substantive articles contributing to debates on key development issues.
• Review reference materials and maintain an information and photo/video library.
• Coordinate and manage all CO publication activities, including content management, norms for publishing, design, liaison with suppliers to oversee production and supervision of publications dissemination.
• Participate in the implementation of the UNDP County Office Gender Strategy, contributing to implementation of its communications/visibility part.

Implement UNDP’s campaign initiatives to engage different stakeholders (i.e., government, donors, media and public) and increase awareness of UNDP’s mandate and goals.

• Promote and disseminate corporate advocacy materials for launching flagship initiatives and publications such as the Human Development Report.
• Develop and maintain close contacts with government officials, multilateral and bilateral donors, civil society and private sector for implementation of the communications strategy, organization of roundtable discussions, press conferences, project visits, briefing sessions, interviews, launches, etc;
• Promote and maintain public information campaigns on issues, including UNDP activities and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
• Coordinate inter-agency joint communication activities, contribute to joint UN information campaigns (UN Day, World AIDS Day, 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence, etc.);
• Prepare and disseminate newsletters as well as draft and produce regular updates to donors, donor reports, civic education, and community awareness, where appropriate, to support projects.
• Develop and produce other communication and advocacy materials for advocacy and awareness-raising campaigns, including briefing and me