Communications and Outreach Specialist - Home-Based, Part-time

Job Description

Background and organizational context

The United Nations Global Disability Fund (GDF) 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.

GDF funds and coordinates collective action to deliver country-led programmes fostering inclusive and resilient communities. The Fund operates through a Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) established to channel resources for participating UN organizations. Other GDF partners include the International Disability Alliance (IDA) and the International Disability and Development Consortium (IDDC), each with a permanent seat in the governing bodies.

The Technical Secretariat of the Global Disability Fund (GDF) is based in the UNDP Governance team in the Bureau of Policy and Programme Support. The Secretariat operates in accordance with the GDF Operational Framework 2025–2030 and agreed annual work plan developed following strategic direction from the Policy Board and upon approval by the Management Committee (MC).

• Ensure strong and efficient coordination of partners, including liaison with global focal points within the GDF various constituencies.
• Develop and implement a resource mobilization strategy.
• Manage GDF external relations and external communications and outreach strategy.
• Develop and submit an annual work plan for MC approval and allocation of funds.
• Update GDF members on delivery of annual work plans.
• Coordinate relevant review and decision-making processes for the selection of GDF-supported initiatives and allocation of GDF funding.
• Monitor and oversee joint programmes to identify and support capacity building needs, distil learning, develop knowledge management tools and systems, and facilitate the development of these tools and systems in accordance with the Strategic Operational Framework.
• Provide technical support to UN Country Teams for country programmes.
• Develop internal management processes to ensure efficient operational delivery.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the GDF Director, the Communications and Outreach Specialist implements the corporate communications strategy, designs, manages and facilitates the implementation of the GDF communications and publication strategies with a view to influence the development agenda, promote public and media outreach and mobilize political and financial support for the GDF.

The Communications and Outreach Specialist supervises and leads the communications providers and vendors and has a strong regular working relationship with the Programme Coordinators. The Communications and Outreach Specialist works in close collaboration with the Fundraising and Advocacy Specialist, other UN participating organizations, donors, organizations of persons with disabilities, government officials, international and local media and experts in disability inclusion to ensure successful implementation of GDF’s communication strategy.

GDF adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, GDF personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

• Lead and advise on strategic external communications and resource mobilization efforts in close collaboration with the Director of the GDF Secretariat.
• Plan and elaborate communication needs assessments for the GDF Technical Secretariat.
• Design, implement, and oversee integrated communication and outreach strategies that align with GDF’s global objectives and ensure…