Communication Analyst (NPSA-8) - Green Transition Project, UNDP Moldova, Short-Term

Communication Analyst (NPSA-8) - Green Transition Project, UNDP Moldova, Short-Term - 24534

Deadline / Termenul-limită: 12 March 2025

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Job Description

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Project Description

On 23^rd of June 2022, the European Council granted the Republic of Moldova the status of EU candidate country which is a substantial achievement, but which comes with great responsibilities and obligations. One of such obligation is the “Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity” which includes Chapters of the environment and climate change acquis. In this sense, meaningful reform are expected in view of European Green Deal targets. 

The proposed Green Transition Project takes due account of this endeavor. Hence, it will put in place the enabling conditions for a green transformation in Moldova through a combination of cross-sectorial decision-making in joint stakeholder platforms, capacity building measures, general education and awareness raising, dissemination of best policy practices, information sharing and networking, as well as pilot-testing green-transition related solutions and other activities, to ensure that the green transition concept is well understood and implemented.

The established enabling conditions and the investments into green-transition solutions will respond to the key development challenges that the country is currently dealing with such as the climate change, environmental pollution and the energy crisis.

It is well acknowledged that Moldova is highly vulnerable to climate change, given the limited resources and institutional capacities to address the climate change impacts. It is also due to the heavy reliance on the agricultural sector, water scarcity and other geographical factors. Currently the country is advancing with the national adaptation planning, including in the agricultural sector, aimed at putting in place proper intuitional, technical and budgeting capacities in the context of climate change, however significant gaps remain in embarking of the sectors into achievement of the long-term adaptation targets.   

Environmental degradation is also posing a major threat to Moldova’s development agenda as its economy relies greatly on natural resources which leads to their overexploitation and pollution. Inadequate waste management practices and outdated practices and technologies in the key sectors of the economy also contribute to the environmental degradation and pollution. Mainstreaming of the green agenda into the country’s economic activities is taking place slowly. 

Moldova is in line with the global trend of continuously growing urbanization, with the proportion of the population living in urban areas expected to rise from 47% in 2010 to 60% in 2030 (UN Habitat). Cities are increasingly and significantly contributing to the main drivers of global environmental degradation. The municipalities have the greatest impact on air quality and are responsible for more than 50% of total air pollution in Moldova. 

From energy security perspective – Moldova is highly dependent on imported energy sources and rely mostly on the use of fossil fuels. In addition, inefficient energy supply and consumption across all sectors exacerbates the situation. Until recently being 100% dependent on Russian gas import, the country is actively seeking diversification of energy supplies after the war of aggression in Ukraine. Improvements both in energy efficiency and in the development of domestic resources – including renewable energy resources – for strengthened sustainability, competitiveness, and energy security rank high on the political agenda. Energy sector si also the main source of GHG emissions in the country.

Against this background, the Green Transition Project aims to support the Government of Moldova to engage sustainably in a transformative green agenda by enhancing awareness, building capacities and encouraging investments into low-emission and resource efficient economy.

The target areas of the project are resource efficiency, green and circular economy, cleaner and sustainable energy, and mobility.

The Project is be implemented under the following three specific components:

1. Socio-economic framework for a gender-responsive and inclusive green transition enabled.

2. Capacity and awareness on the inclusive green transition increased among key stakeholders.

3. Additional funding attracted by promoting and piloting investments in green and innovative technologies, while evidence-based decision-making for green transition is improved by deploying a reliable air quality monitoring system.

The implementation period of the project is 48 months, and the total budget is 10 mln EUR.

Moldova has committed to advance the green development agenda and to deliver transformative reforms as part of the EU candidacy effort. The Association Agreement with the European Union is expressly aimed at ensuring sustainable development and promoting the green economy. By signing the Agreement, the Republic of Moldova undertakes to harmonise national legislation with European legislation and to ensure the integration of environmental protection, rational use of resources and energy efficiency, eco-labelling, eco-innovations in all sectors of the national economy and social life.

The Ministry of Environment develops and promotes Moldova’s state policy on environmental protection and rational use of natural resources, oriented toward creating conditions beneficial for life, the country’s sustainable development, the approximation of national legislation to the European Union. MoEnv aims to align its environmental and climate policy with the objectives of the European Green Deal to enable Moldova’s green transition.

The environment protection sector is one of the top priorities for the Government and it is addressed in Government’s Plans and a number of policy documents, laws and regulations. In accordance with the Environment Strategy for the 2024-2030 years, the Government aims to guarantee safe conditions for environment and life nationally, according to the European environmental goals. Thus, decision-makers aim at reducing the pollution and pressure on the climate and the environment related to production and consumption, especially in the fields of energy, industry, buildings and infrastructure, mobility, tourism, international trade and food system. One aspect regards the reduction of the net emissions of greenhouse gas by at least 70 per cent till 2030 against the level from 1990 (NDC).  The ecological education has to play an essential role, in order to help the citizens become aware of the problems concerning the environment and undertake individual actions of protecting the environment, as well as at level of local communities. In the long term, the document provides ways of development of the green economy, gives new possibilities for the use of technological innovations and receiving of technical assistance for reduction of climate change impacts. Green economy is a cross-cutting area, and effective collaboration between the institutions involved at national and local level contributes to achieving the given objectives by aligning them with the priorities of the European Green Deal.

Another key policy document in this field is the Green and Circular Economy Promotion Program for 2024-2028, which examines the major environmental challenges posed by the economy. The program is supported by an action plan focused on objectives, actions, monitoring indicators, timelines, and estimated implementation costs. This plan assigns clear responsibilities to the institutions involved and aims to advance the Republic of Moldova’s transition to a green and circular economy. The program aligns with priorities and commitments stemming from Moldova's EU candidate status, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and other international agreements that support an environmentally protective economy and contribute to improving the state of the environment.

To fulfill commitments for promoting a green and circular economy in line with the National Development Strategy "European Moldova 2030," the European Green Deal objectives, and the EU-Moldova Association Agreement with the 2021-2027 Association Agenda, the Ministry of Environment (MoEnv) and Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization (MoEDD) established the Interministerial Working Group for Promoting the Green and Circular Economy (WGGCE). The WGGCE aims to drive decarbonization goals, promote green technologies and investments, and maintain a sustainable interministerial coordination mechanism for implementing national green and circular economy initiatives as outlined in relevant strategies and programs. It also facilitates the implementation of regional projects such as the "Green Agenda" (Sida/SEI), the "GREEN Action Program" (OECD), the Batumi Initiative on Green Economy (BIG-E), and the Nicosia Ministerial Declaration (2022). The WGGCE's regulations and membership were last updated in July 2023 through Common Ministerial Decree #94/117.

In parallel, another platform led by the MoEDD is actively working on related goals. This platform, known as the Working Group on ESG (WGESG), is responsible for coordinating efforts to integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards into corporate strategies and ensuring sustainable economic growth in line with global trends toward a circular economy. The WGESG brings together a diverse group, including representatives from the business community, public sector, development partners, academia, civil society, and both local and international experts and investors. They meet regularly to discuss ESG standards, emerging trends, regulatory developments, and practical solutions for implementing ESG practices in Moldova.

Together, these two platforms are pivotal in advancing the country’s green transition agenda, promoting both green and circular economy principles, and embedding ESG into the national economic framework.

In this context, UNDP Moldova is seeking to hire a communication analyst to support the activities of the Working Groups (WGs). The analyst will coordinate the development and implementation of communication and public outreach WGs activities.

Scope of Work

Summary of key functions:

The Communication Analyst will coordinate the development and implementation of communication and public outreach WGs activity, particularly focusing on:

Effective Communication Plan Management

• Develop and implement a strategic Communication and Public Outreach Plan for the Working Group (WG) on Green and Circular Economy, ensuring alignment with national policies and international best practices.
• Identify key stakeholders, target audiences, and the most effective communication channels to disseminate WG activities, initiatives, and achievements.
• Develop and maintain an editorial calendar to ensure timely and relevant dissemination of key messages across various platforms.
• Monitor and analyze the impact of communication activities, using data-driven insights to refine strategies and enhance outreach.
• Provide regular updates and recommendations to the WG on communication trends, opportunities, and emerging tools to enhance visibility and engagement.

Visibility of the Working Group’s Results

• Draft and publish press releases, success stories, newsletters, and reports to highlight WG activities, progress, and outcomes.
• Develop and disseminate information materials on green and circular economy topics, tailored to different audiences, ensuring clarity, accessibility, and engagement. 
• Create and implement awareness campaigns that highlight the benefits of green and circular economy practices, using various communication channels. 
• Engage with media and key stakeholders to promote green economy principles through interviews, opinion pieces, and partnerships, ensuring a broader public understanding of sustainability and circularity. 
• Develop engaging digital content (infographics, videos, social media posts) to simplify complex topics and increase public understanding of the green and circular economy.
• Coordinate and manage media engagements, including press briefings, interviews, and public events to amplify WG’s visibility.
• Organize and support awareness campaigns, workshops, and public consultations, ensuring effective dissemination of WG results to a broader audience.
• Collaborate with national and international stakeholders to facilitate knowledge exchange and enhance the reach of WG initiatives.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and maintain a stakeholder engagement strategy, identifying key actors in government, private sector, civil society, and academia.
• Facilitate regular consultations and dialogue with stakeholders to ensure their perspectives are reflected in WG initiatives.
• Establish and manage stakeholder communication channels, including newsletters, working groups, and online platforms, to ensure continuous engagement.
• Support the WG in drafting policy briefs, advocacy materials, and position papers to influence decision-making and promote the green and circular economy agenda.

Support the Green Transition Project communication activities

• Ensure the visibility of the donor ad UNDP.
• Organization of the public events. 
• Drafting of press-releases and social media posts on implemented activities.  

Communication Analyst might perform other duties within its functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the WGs and the Organization. 

Institutional Arrangements

The Communication Analyst will work in close collaboration with the representatives of Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization, entities that ensure the secretariate of the WGs, as well as with Green Transition Policy Analyst and under the supervision of the UNDP Project Manager, to contribute to an effective and efficient implementation of the WG’s communication and outreach plan, contributing to an increased visibility of the activity. The Analyst will apply and promote the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Communication Analyst shall exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies, and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems.

Competencies

Core Competencies

• Achieve results     
  • LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively    
  • LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
• Learn Continuously    
  • LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility    
  • LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
• Act with Determination    
  • LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner   
  • LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion    
  • LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional and Technical Competencies

• Business management: Communication     
  • Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels
• Business management: Resource Management    
  • Allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical was in line with principles of accountability and integrity
• Business development: Human-centered Design    
  • Ability to develop solutions to problems by involving the human perspective in all steps of the problem-solving process. Knowledge and understanding of human centered design principles and practices
• Business development: Knowledge Facilitation    
  • Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange.
• Business management: Digital Awareness and Literacy    
  • Ability to monitor new and emerging technologies, as well as understand their usage, potential, limitations, impact, and added value. Ability to rapidly and readily adopt and use new technologies in professional activities, and to empower others to UNDP | People for 2030 – Competency Framework – Cross-functional Competencies (2024) use them as needed. Knowledge of the usage of digital technologies and emerging trends. 
• Communications: Campaign management    
  • Ability to produce and implement communications and advocacy campaigns which lead to impactful change
• Communications: Social Media management    
  • Ability to represent and promote the UNDP brand in virtual communities and networks

Minimum qualifications

Minimum education requirements

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Journalism, Communication, Public Relations, Sociology, International Relations, or another relevant field.
• Bachelor’s degree with additional two years of experience can be taken into consideration in lieu of Master’s degree.

Minimum years of relevant experience

• At least 2 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of progressive experience in communication, mass-media, public relations, and/or other substantive area is required. 

Required skills

• Experience in development and implementation of media/ communication strategies and plans.
• Experience in conceptualizing and implementing national and local public outreach/communication campaigns.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

• Proven experience in similar positions in UN Agencies will be considered an advantage; 

Required language(s)

• Fluency in oral and written English, Romanian and Russian;
• Knowledge of one or more minority languages relevant for Moldova, including  Romani, Gagauzian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian and sign language, is an asset.

Professional certificates

• Additional training and/or certification in communication and/or new media would be an advantage.

The monthly net salary for this position is 48,700 MDL

Disclaimer 

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements. 

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. 

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