Communications Specialist
Deadline is 26 March 2025
Mission and objectives
UNDP Malaysia is committed to assist Malaysia and its people in establishing sustainable pathways to development. UNDP’s analytical work, household surveys, and policy offerings found uptake from multiple Ministries – Planning, Finance, Enterprise Development, National Unity, Environment, and Communications. UNDP led 3 of the 4 pillars of the United Nations Sustainable Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). We combine global networks and best practices to indigenous knowledge and experiences to overcome challenges in the areas of: Poverty Reduction and Inclusive Growth, Democratic Governance, Crisis Prevention and Recovery, Environment and Energy for Sustainable Development, Women's Empowerment and SDG Financing.
Context
Supervision, induction and duty of care of UN Volunteers
UN Volunteers should be provided equal duty of care as extended to all host entity personnel. Host entity
support to the UN Volunteer includes, but is not limited to:
• Introductory briefings about the organisation and office-related context including security, emergency procedures, good cultural practice and orientation to the local environment;
• Support with arrival administration including setting-up of bank accounts, residence permit applications and completion of other official processes as required by the host government or host entity;
• Structured guidance, mentoring and coaching by a supervisor including a clear workplan and performance appraisal;
• Access to office space, equipment, IT support and any other systems and tools required to complete the objectives of the assignment including a host entity email address;
• Access to shared host entity corporate knowledge, training and learning;
• Inclusion of the volunteer in emergency procedures such as evacuations;
• Leave management;
• DSA for official travel, when applicable;
• All changes in the Description of Assignment occurring between recruitment and arrival or during
the assignment need to be formalized with the United Nations Volunteer Programme.
Task description
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the YELL Project Manager or their designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Youth Communication Specialist will support YELL Project Team in its youth-related policy, programming, advocacy, innovation and outreach work.
The UNV will be expected to:
Strategic Communication, Content Development & Digital Engagement
• Engage with youth-led and youth-oriented organizations and entities in Malaysia and beyond, keeping up to date with latest developments and proactively identifying collaboration opportunities;
• Manage the YELL networks, including keeping databases up to date and supporting coordination,
communication, dialogue and engagement within and across networks;
• Manage the YELL Network Resource Hub (website), ensuring accuracy and currency of
information and content;
• Support communications, advocacy, and knowledge management, including editorial tasks such as light copywriting, copy-editing, proofreading, and translation, while considering the sociopolitical and development context of host countries
• Prepare blogs, media outputs, and outreach materials such as PowerPoint presentations, brochures, posters, and social media collateral, as needed related to work on nature and environment, biodiversity conservation, climate change and local and indigenous knowledge.
Provide support to the effective monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on progress of project implementation
• Provide administrative and logistical support to ensure successful project delivery that includes organization/coordination of project events, procurement and finance-related activities, contract management, and coordination of field visits and project-related missions;
• Support the preparation of weekly, quarterly, annual, and other requested project reports in line
with monitoring and reporting guidelines and donor requirements;
• Support mainstreaming gender equality in the project implementation, including in data collection
and compilation. Prepare gender equality background materials for use in discussions, briefings,
and correspondence;
• Ensure compliance of project business processes with UNDP Project Operational Policies and
Procedures (POPP) and UNDP Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). When necessary, provide
guidance to project staff on business processes, administrative and other requirements and
procedures;
Support knowledge building and knowledge sharing relevant to the assigned project
• Support the organizing and coordination of innovation and youth events, including event management and administrative and logistical support;
• Participate in UNDP activities, meetings, and events to develop understanding of UNDP work;
Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant
UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that
mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and
opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites,
newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local
individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically
possible.
Results/expected outputs:
As a committed, active and professional member of the YELL team, efficient, timely, and high-quality
support rendered on:
• Supporting integrated youth programming in Malaysia and UNDP’s youth-related policy, programming, advocacy, innovation and outreach work;
• Identifying opportunities for policy and programme interventions to address gaps and challenges in existing programmes from a youth and inclusion perspective;
• Development of innovative solutions, including strategic partnerships and stakeholder engagement, to address complex development challenges;
• Communications, Advocacy and Knowledge Management initiatives by being a Youth Advocate with a continued focus on ‘working out loud’ (blogging, social media engagement, etc.).
Whilst supporting UNDP in its work, UNVs should ensure that their assignment is a constructive learning journey that will enhance their leadership skills and potential.
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and
documented in all activities throughout the assignment;
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.
Relevant experience
3 years
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Malay, Level: Working knowledge, Required
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in communication, sustainable development, sociology, anthropology, environmental
sciences, education, public policy, or in a related field will be an advantage
Skills and experience
• Must be at least 27 years old by the specified year;
• Excellent organizational, communication and coordination skills;
• Excellent oral and written skills, particularly excellent drafting and reporting skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, culturally and socially sensitive, able to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; experience working in cross-cultural environments is an asset;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with website publishing and maintenance,as well as graphic design and video editing software (Adobe InDesign, Canva, Clipchamp, CapCut) is an asset;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Have affinity with or interest in volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System
Deadline is 26 March 2025
Mission and objectives
UNDP Malaysia is committed to assist Malaysia and its people in establishing sustainable pathways to development. UNDP’s analytical work, household surveys, and policy offerings found uptake from multiple Ministries – Planning, Finance, Enterprise Development, National Unity, Environment, and Communications. UNDP led 3 of the 4 pillars of the United Nations Sustainable Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). We combine global networks and best practices to indigenous knowledge and experiences to overcome challenges in the areas of: Poverty Reduction and Inclusive Growth, Democratic Governance, Crisis Prevention and Recovery, Environment and Energy for Sustainable Development, Women's Empowerment and SDG Financing.
Context
Supervision, induction and duty of care of UN Volunteers
UN Volunteers should be provided equal duty of care as extended to all host entity personnel. Host entity
support to the UN Volunteer includes, but is not limited to:
• Introductory briefings about the organisation and office-related context including security, emergency procedures, good cultural practice and orientation to the local environment;
• Support with arrival administration including setting-up of bank accounts, residence permit applications and completion of other official processes as required by the host government or host entity;
• Structured guidance, mentoring and coaching by a supervisor including a clear workplan and performance appraisal;
• Access to office space, equipment, IT support and any other systems and tools required to complete the objectives of the assignment including a host entity email address;
• Access to shared host entity corporate knowledge, training and learning;
• Inclusion of the volunteer in emergency procedures such as evacuations;
• Leave management;
• DSA for official travel, when applicable;
• All changes in the Description of Assignment occurring between recruitment and arrival or during
the assignment need to be formalized with the United Nations Volunteer Programme.
Task description
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the YELL Project Manager or their designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Youth Communication Specialist will support YELL Project Team in its youth-related policy, programming, advocacy, innovation and outreach work.
The UNV will be expected to:
Strategic Communication, Content Development & Digital Engagement
• Engage with youth-led and youth-oriented organizations and entities in Malaysia and beyond, keeping up to date with latest developments and proactively identifying collaboration opportunities;
• Manage the YELL networks, including keeping databases up to date and supporting coordination,
communication, dialogue and engagement within and across networks;
• Manage the YELL Network Resource Hub (website), ensuring accuracy and currency of
information and content;
• Support communications, advocacy, and knowledge management, including editorial tasks such as light copywriting, copy-editing, proofreading, and translation, while considering the sociopolitical and development context of host countries
• Prepare blogs, media outputs, and outreach materials such as PowerPoint presentations, brochures, posters, and social media collateral, as needed related to work on nature and environment, biodiversity conservation, climate change and local and indigenous knowledge.
Provide support to the effective monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on progress of project implementation
• Provide administrative and logistical support to ensure successful project delivery that includes organization/coordination of project events, procurement and finance-related activities, contract management, and coordination of field visits and project-related missions;
• Support the preparation of weekly, quarterly, annual, and other requested project reports in line
with monitoring and reporting guidelines and donor requirements;
• Support mainstreaming gender equality in the project implementation, including in data collection
and compilation. Prepare gender equality background materials for use in discussions, briefings,
and correspondence;
• Ensure compliance of project business processes with UNDP Project Operational Policies and
Procedures (POPP) and UNDP Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). When necessary, provide
guidance to project staff on business processes, administrative and other requirements and
procedures;
Support knowledge building and knowledge sharing relevant to the assigned project
• Support the organizing and coordination of innovation and youth events, including event management and administrative and logistical support;
• Participate in UNDP activities, meetings, and events to develop understanding of UNDP work;
Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant
UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that
mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and
opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites,
newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local
individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically
possible.
Results/expected outputs:
As a committed, active and professional member of the YELL team, efficient, timely, and high-quality
support rendered on:
• Supporting integrated youth programming in Malaysia and UNDP’s youth-related policy, programming, advocacy, innovation and outreach work;
• Identifying opportunities for policy and programme interventions to address gaps and challenges in existing programmes from a youth and inclusion perspective;
• Development of innovative solutions, including strategic partnerships and stakeholder engagement, to address complex development challenges;
• Communications, Advocacy and Knowledge Management initiatives by being a Youth Advocate with a continued focus on ‘working out loud’ (blogging, social media engagement, etc.).
Whilst supporting UNDP in its work, UNVs should ensure that their assignment is a constructive learning journey that will enhance their leadership skills and potential.
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and
documented in all activities throughout the assignment;
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.
Relevant experience
3 years
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Malay, Level: Working knowledge, Required
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in communication, sustainable development, sociology, anthropology, environmental
sciences, education, public policy, or in a related field will be an advantage
Skills and experience
• Must be at least 27 years old by the specified year;
• Excellent organizational, communication and coordination skills;
• Excellent oral and written skills, particularly excellent drafting and reporting skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, culturally and socially sensitive, able to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; experience working in cross-cultural environments is an asset;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with website publishing and maintenance,as well as graphic design and video editing software (Adobe InDesign, Canva, Clipchamp, CapCut) is an asset;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Have affinity with or interest in volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System