Communications and Outreach Specialist (Home-Based)

Office/Unit/Project Description

The Global Disability Fund (GDF) (formerly UNPRPD) is a multi-partner trust fund dedicated to advancing disability-inclusive development globally. It supports the implementation of the CRPD and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by providing technical assistance, policy guidance, and financial support to governments, UN agencies, civil society, and businesses.  The GDF is hosted within the UNDP Governance team in the Bureau of Policy and Programme Support (BPPS). The GDF Secretariat operates in accordance with its own Strategic Plan and agreed annual work plan approved by its Steering Committee

Background

As GDF expands its strategic reach and portfolio, it is essential to ensure that its impact, effectiveness, and accountability are continuously monitored and evaluated. In 2025 GDF will launch a new strategy building on successes of the unique GDF model to accelerate transformative change at national, regional and global levels on disability inclusion and enhance the leadership of persons with disabilities in development.  A key component of the new strategy is to foster catalytic partnerships and collaborative approaches.  GDF will strengthen our partnership with the International Disability Alliance (IDA), the global network of organisations of persons with disabilities (OPD).   

Position purpose

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Research and Diversity Advisor at UN GDF, the Communication and Outreach Analyst will support the UN Global Disability Fund global communication starategy to local context and to national level development priorities.  Through the production of high quality communication materials and innovative use of relevantly targeted communication channels (internal and external), the Communication and Outreach Analyst works collaboratively to position UN GDF as a leader on disability inclusion in development and promote visibility of program outcomes.  The Communication and Outreach Analyst works in close collaboration with Programme and Communciation and Outreach teams, partners, participating UN organisations (PUNOs), international and local media, subject matter experts, donors, and civil society to

ensure successful implementation of UN GDF’s communication strategy. The Communication and Outreach Analyst will support the  communication and outreach efforts around those initiatives including IDAs  re-branding campaign and strengthen partner engagement . Through this role, the GDF seeks to deepen collaboration with the IDA around the agreed joint global influencing initiatives and promote external communication on joint efforts to support disability inclusion in development.

Through this role, the GDF seeks to deepen collaboration with the IDA around the agreed joint global influencing initiatives and promote external communication on joint efforts to support disability inclusion in development. 

Scope of Work

1. Implement internal/external communication strategies and outreach and contribute to their development:
   • Lead communication and outreach strategy implementation including the agreed   IDA UN GDF joint initiatives.
   • Support communication and outreach on IDA and GDF joint global influencing initiatives, agreed between GDF and IDA, to bolster communication and visibility on joint initiatives and support stakeholder engagement. 
   • Strengthen stakeholder outreach to governments, UN agencies, philanthropic foundations, and media influencers.
2. Implement UN GDF global advocacy communications and publications strategy and plan based on UN GDF strategy and partnership plan:
   • Manage and oversee a network of specialized external consultants (e.g., designers, social media experts, podcast producers) to support communication campaigns.
   • Coordinate visual identity and rebranding initiatives, including website re-designs, multimedia and storytelling projects to support joint initiatives. 
3. Provide technical support to UN GDF and its partners on digital communications that includes social media, website and online knowledge management:
   • Ensure accessibility across all communication formats, platforms, and channels.
   • Develop inclusive feedback mechanisms and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) on joint initiatives such as global reach, stakeholder engagement, donor growth, and local impact.   
4. Implement UN GDF’s campaign initiatives including joint campaigns with partners to engage different stakeholders (i.e. government, donors, civil society and media)
   • Manage major external facing campaigns on joint initiatives (e.g., #WeLeadChange, Inclusive Cities Challenge) to amplify the voices of persons with disabilities and increase global visibility
5. Assist i