Director of Communications [Open to internal and external applicants]

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.

Background

As the lead United Nations agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries For six decades, and in some 170 countries and territories, UNDP has shaped the progress of human development, providing integrated support at scale to improve lives for millions of people worldwide. UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2026-2029 helps countries and communities in their progress towards high human development while protecting the planet through four strategic objectives – prosperity for all, effective governance, crisis resilience, and healthy planet. The plan is powered by three accelerators: digital and AI transformation; gender equality; and sustainable finance. All are underpinned by a commitment to human rights and to leaving no one behind. 

The Bureau for External Relations and Advocacy (BERA) leads and supports UNDP to build and deliver essential strategic relationships and alliances. It creates and delivers a strong public narrative about the organization, impact of our work, and how we align with partners to identify and build solutions towards achieving sustainable development. The Bureau also leads UNDP’s work with traditional donors, as well as building innovative and diversified funding relationships.  BERA communications enable strong political and financial backing by providing partners and supporters with a clear understanding of what UNDP does and how our mission, capabilities and services reinforce global, regional, and national development priorities.

The Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) is responsible for developing all relevant policies and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s 2026-2029 Strategic Plan.  BPPS staff provide technical advice to Country Offices, advocate for UNDP corporate messages, represent UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government, and civil society dialogues, and engage in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas.  BPPS works closely with BERA and the UNDP Executive Office to craft technical and thematic messages and advocacy initiatives. 

Job Purpose and Organizational Context

The Director of Communications reports to the Bureau for External Relations and Advocacy and the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, setting, coordinating, and executing strategic communications direction and corporate standards and ensuring delivery across the functions of partnerships, marketing, thematics, and external and internal communications within UNDP. 

The Director is responsible for eight Communication Specialist Teams, which are the standard bearers for excellence in communication channels and tools across UNDP. The eight teams comprise: Strategic Communications, Planning & Engagement, Brand, Visibility and Impact for Partnerships, Social & Digital Engagement, Thematic Strategic Communications, Multilateral Events, Media Engagement, and Digital Platforms and Web Design. This pooled and shared resource also supports the Executive Office (ExO)  and ensures the best optimal communication practices are being leveraged across UNDP and reinforce the UNDP Strategic Plan. 

The Director has dual reporting accountability to both the head of BERA and BPPS, and the Strategic Communications Leadership Team (SCLT).  This role requires strong strategic leadership and performance management skills to ensure that the function provides world class communications across UNDP and to leverage the rich diversity of skill sets in the communications teams around the globe. The Director is also expected to encourage and instill a strategic communications mindset across all of UNDP. 

The Director, together with the SCLT, will set, decide, monitor, and evaluate annual communications priorities for UNDP, ensuring that the communications efforts deliver on their part of the UNDP strategic plan 2026 – 2029. The Director will be accountable for the degree to which communications work is leverag