Title: Communication Specialist
Duration: Three months part time (possible extension). To start as soon as possible and stay on until all advocacy activities are completed after the launch (expected by end-September).
Duty Station: Beijing, China

A. Brief Background

The National Human Development Report (NHDR) is the flagship publication of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It aims at placing human development at the forefront of the national political agenda. For more than a decade, NHDR has been serving as a tool for policy analysis reflecting people’s priorities, strengthening national capacities, engaging partners, identifying inequities and measuring progress.

UNDP in China produces a National Human Development Report (UNDP) every 2-3 years. The themes of the report are highly relevant to China’s development needs, reaching into the core of national debate and discussion on development issues. UNDP China has produced 4 NHDRs since 1997 and the NHDR 2007/8 is themed “Basic Public Services for 1.3 Billion People.” The report seeks to contribute to the ongoing policy dialogue about equalization of basic public services through analysis of gaps in public service delivery and the development gaps that they cause, and presentation of policy recommendations for overcoming these challenges.

To lead the media campaign related to the launch and advocacy of the NHDR and ensure that the NHDR be made full use of by its target audiences, including national and local level government and civil society representatives, UNDP China wishes to engage a full-time media specialist.

B. Roles and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Economist and in close cooperation with the Communications Officer, the Communications Specialist shall undertake the following tasks:

1. Take primary responsibility in creating and executing a comprehensive communication strategy for promotion and advocacy of NHDR, with key results including, but not limited to a large readership of and a sustained media focus on the report. Because the content of the report is highly relevant to challenges faced by the people in rural areas, and in the Central and Western regions, as well as other social groups such as women and migrant workers, the plan should pay close attention to reaching these target groups.
2. Design, develop, produce and distribute audience-specific English- and Chinese-language communication tools for the report.
a) These may include, but not be limited to, things such as:
i. Short press releases, Q&A and key message sheets on different themes
ii. 20-page brochure/information pamphlet
iii. Postcards to be sent to students and academics
iv. Website content
b) Create a comprehensive data pool of media stakeholders and partners relevant to the mission of Human Development Reports.
3. Take full responsibility for the conceptualization, planning and execution of a pre-launch media training course/workshop.
4. Take the lead in mobilizing media coverage of the NHDR. Identify, contact, confirm and establish agreements with at least five media partners with whom the UNDP will maintain a close working relationship during the course of the launch.
5. Design, advertise, and give an award for excellence in development reporting in the Chinese news media to encourage coverage of the report.
6. Play an essential role in creating and distributing donor-specific resource mobilization tools. (these include, but are not limited to emails, brochures, packets, and other tools thought of by the Communications Specialist)
7. Mobilize 30-50 mainstream media partners to participate in the launch events and report on the content of the NHDR.
8. Create indicators and checklists to monitor progress and ensure that the stated goals and agreed deadlines are met. Provide weekly updates to Senior Economist and Country Director on the status of progress.
9. For one week after the launch, collect clippings of media coverage of the launch, the report and its contents.

C. Required Profile

• A Chinese professional with commitment to development work and at least three years of relevant work experience in Chinese news media.
• At least a master’s degree in communications, politics, or a related field.
• Very strong publishing and work record in Chinese news media; Knowledge of development issues as related to communication and advocacy.
• Demonstrated functional network of connections in news media industry. Strong skills in and record of partnership development and services.
• Proven analytical and organizational skills for media events.
• Strong communication (including interpersonal / diplomatic) skills.
• Proven language ability in both speaking and writing English and Chinese.
• Deep understanding of the communication needs of target audiences.

Dear friends,

UNDP China is recruiting a part-time communications specialist to help launch the 2008 China Human Development Report, a flagship publication of UNDP. The new Report will be focusing on providing basic public-service to all Chinese.

I am attaching the Terms of Reference for this job. Grateful if you can share it with your colleagues and friends who are interested in this opportunity. We would like to find an experienced communications professional who can effectively identify and package the key messages and deliver good visibility to the Report. This person should enjoy years of communications experience, excellent English writing skills and a solid, extended media network.

For those who may be interested, please send the Resume to Ms. Zhang Wei, Communication Officer at wei.zhang@undp.org or Mr. Wang Dong, Programme Assistant, UNDP China, at dong.wang@undp.org.

This job advertisement originally appeared on Danwei.org.