Development Coordination Officer, Programme

Org. Setting and Reporting
- The UN Secretary-General launched on 1 January 2019 a bold and new global reform which repositioned the UN Development System to deliver more effectively and efficiently with the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. As part of this reform, UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO), under the leadership of an empowered and independent UN Resident Coordinator - the highest-ranking official of the UN Development System and Representative of the UN Secretary-General at country level - support countries in the achievement of their development priorities and the attainment of the SDGs. The position is located in the United Nations Resident Coordination Office (RCO) in Sri Lanka and reports to the Development Coordination Officer, Strategic Planning and Head of RCO. The position also maintains a close working relationship with the United Nations Department of Global Communications (DGC), which sets the communications and advocacy priorities of the United Nations around the world.
- Responsibilities
- Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: 1. PLANS AND FACILITATES STRATEGIC ADVOCACY AND PROGRAMME COMMUNICATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE UNSDCF: - Provides substantive support to the Resident Coordinator (RC) and UN Country Team (UNCT) in designing, implementing and monitoring the UN joint advocacy and communication strategy, promoting the UNSDCF as the primary instrument for the planning and implementation of UN development activities in the country, in support of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. - Researches, analyzes and presents inputs to the RC and UNCT on strategic advocacy and programme communications for the 2030 Agenda and to boost impact of programmatic objectives under the UNSDCF. - Plans and facilitates the promotion of advocacy and communications as a tool for a participatory approach to UNSDCF implementation and monitoring, reflecting the views and priorities of people, including those left farthest behind. - Monitors and analyzes the media in the areas related to the UN's mandates and programmes in the country, as well as other issues relevant to the UN brand and positioning. - Provides substantive support to the RC and UNCT on public messaging and media outreach, and assists in managing reputational risks or crises around sensitive issues. - Identifies and assesses potential issues, concerns and risks related to communications and advocacy, and suggests corrective actions to the RC and UNCT, Programme Management Team (or equivalent) and Results Groups. - Plans and facilitates the work of the UN Communications Group throughout the stages of the UNSDCF cycle. - In collaboration with the UN Communications Group and the UN Programme Management Team (or equivalent), and in coordination with the RCO colleagues responsible for data management and results reporting, prepares the annual communication plan to publicize and communicate results with a focus on the UN's development impact. - Ensures the effective functioning of the UNCG, with a focus on increased joint approaches to communication products across the UN Country Team, in close collaboration with the UNCG Chair where appropriate. - Assists the RC and UNCT in projecting the UN's image effectively and accurately as well as promoting transparency and accountability. - Provides substantive support to ensure that communication performance indicators are identified, incorporated, monitored and reported on throughout the UNSDCF cycle. - Drafts speeches, remarks and other public-facing products of the RC, RCO and UNCT. 2. CONTRIBUTES TO PARTNERSHIP BUILDING AND MEDIA RELATIONS: - Plans and facilitates the engagement of key traditional and non-traditional partners, including government, civil society, private sector, development partners and others new as well as traditional actors on the collective 2030 Agenda and the related role and impact of the UN's work in country. - Provides substantive support to the RC and UNCT in significantly expanding public outreach on the 2030 Agenda and the UN's role and impact in country. - Plans and facilitates public engagement on the UN's role and work in country, including through programme visits showcasing the UN's development impact. - Undertakes regular liaison with other partners for content development, information exchange, collaborative communication efforts, and innovative communication and advocacy tools, as assigned. - Compiles and analyzes communication experiences and shares findings with country, regional and HQ communication colleagues so that best practices benefit the UN's communication work. - Develops and maintains close working relationships with the media, including editors and journalists in key national and international news outlets; develops, maintains and updates media relations contact list/database. - Prepares official briefing materials, talking points, speeche