Communications Associate (PSA)

United Nations University (UNU)

UNU is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge in furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The mission of UNU is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.

For the past four decades, UNU has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on human survival, conflict prevention, sustainable development, and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 12 countries, UNU's work spans the 17 Sustainable Development Goals' full breadth, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU maintains more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies and leading universities and research institutions across the globe.

About United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER)

UNU-WIDER is one of 14 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system.

UNU-WIDER is a leading international development economics think tank. The Institute provides economic analysis and policy advice with the aim of promoting sustainable and equitable development for all. The Institute began operations in 1985 in Helsinki, Finland, as the first research centre of the United Nations University. Today, it is a unique blend of think tank, research institute, and UN agency — providing a range of services from policy advice to governments, as well as freely available original research. More information on UNU-WIDER and its current work programme are available at www.wider.unu.edu.

Responsibilities

1. Assume strategic, tactical, and coordination responsibilities on assigned research and knowledge mobilization projects, in line with the Institute’s knowledge mobilization goals and strategy

• Develop and implement project-specific communication plans, including related effective dissemination techniques, and work with other team members to achieve agreed objectives.
• As part of the research project team spear head the analyzes the needs of stakeholders and target audiences needs to design and execute effective communication and knowledge mobilization activities with the right tools and channels.
• Coordinate communications effectively with identified internal and external stakeholders (colleagues, vendors, partners, external consultants and other UNU-WIDER network members) in development and implementation of knowledge mobilization plans.
• Plan contracting and procurement needs, prepare needed documents for planned goods and services, serve as coordinator for contractors and vendors.

2. Knowledge translation

• Provide writing and editorial support to the Institute’s research staff; edit texts of specialized or technical nature to promote impact with the intended audience.
• Coordinate the production of policy and research briefs, reports, interviews, and other material.
• Draft, edit, design, and proofread the Institute’s research translation and dissemination products in line with UNU-WIDER, UNU, and UN style guidelines and strategic frameworks.
• Participate or lead in the planning and organization of events, including conferences, seminars, roundtable discussions, WIDER Annual Lectures, press briefings, interviews etc., and produce associated communications components.
• Spearhead and manage news media and social media engagement in assigned research projects.
• Conceptualize and lead the creation of material for varied print and electronic media projects such as brochures, flyers, posters, and online newsletters.

3. Knowledge management

• Draft and coordinate the development of communications work plans with particular attention to knowledge mobilization goals, timelines, budget and procurement plans in consultation with project team members and head of unit.
• Work closely with research project teams and other internal and external stakeholders to ensure knowledge mobilization and outreach of project research.
• Monitor the effectiveness and uptake of communications products in assigned projects and evaluate cost-effectiveness of efforts.
• Draft lessons learned and best practices relevant to knowledge mobilization, uptake and impact.
• Support knowledge sharing within the unit and Institute through input to calendars, circulars, newsletters, the WIDER Forum and other knowledge sharing mechanisms.

4. Institutional communications and brand building

• Contribute substantially or lead on assigned institutional tasks and projects in knowledge mobilization unit.
• Implement the institutional brand conceptually through all communications plans and outputs, as well as visual designs.
• Support substantially and coordinate innovation and conceptualization of new knowledge mobilization efforts.
• Take part in institutional working groups and task forces when required.

5. Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor

Key Performance Indicators

• Timely and quality knowledge management planning, implementation, outputs and events.
• Timely and quality knowledge translation.
• Timely and quality knowledge management.
• Ensures quality of institutional and organizational brand throughout plans and outputs.
• Maintains positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Competencies

Values:

• Inclusion - Take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity.
• Integrity - Act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any other breach of UN standards.
• Humility - Demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others.
• Humanity - Act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet.

Behaviours:

• Connect and Collaborate - Build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN
• Analyse and Plan - Seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action
• Deliver Results with Positive Impact - Hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves
• Learn and Develop - Pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others
• Adapt and Innovate - Demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways