Advocacy and Communications Senior Officer (Internal Candidates Only)

Contract

This is a IICA-1 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 2 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-1 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR) supports UNOPS offices in the region, providing management and financial/programmatic oversight of Global and Country specific Portfolios, Clusters and Operations Centers including hosting services, fund management, management advisory services, implementing projects, procuring goods and services and managing human resources.

ECR ensures that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between business units and projects across the entire region.

RBM Partnership to End Malaria

The past fifteen years have seen tremendous gains in reducing the burden of disease and progressing towards malaria elimination. Since 2000, global malaria deaths have been cut by more than half, saving 7 million lives, primarily among children less than five years of age. Expansions in financing, strong political commitments, novel diagnostic and preventative measures, and multi-sectoral coordination have facilitated this progress. Since 1998, RBM Partnership to End Malaria has been central to the global fight against malaria. It has been essential to mobilizing resources and scaling up innovative interventions, putting the world onto a path towards eliminating malaria. The Partnership comprises more than 500 partners committed to end malaria, including malaria endemic countries, their bilateral and multilateral development partners, the private sector, nongovernmental and community-based organizations, foundations, and research and academic institutions.

The RBM Partnership's Vision is of a world free from the burden of malaria.

The RBM Partnership is based in Geneva and hosted by UNOPS.

Functional Responsibilities

THIS IS AN INTERNAL VACANCY FOR WHICH ONLY CURRENT UNOPS PERSONNEL ARE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.

The incumbent will work under the guidance and supervision of the Chief Advocacy and Communications Officer, and in close collaboration with the Strategic Communications Partner Committee (SCPC) Manager, to achieve the core objectives and strategic priorities of the Partnership and the respective Partner Committees of Advocacy and Resource Mobilization (ARMPC) and Strategic Communications (SCPC):

• The purpose of the ARMPC is to design, and subsequently support implementation of the Partnership Advocacy Strategy related to advocacy and resource mobilisation at global and regional levels. The anticipated outcome of the ARMPC is increased political will and linked financial commitment for a malaria-free world, mostly through addressing identified resource gaps, and broader partnership advocacy activities, including multi-sectoral outreach;
• The purpose of the SCPC is to develop and implement, in collaboration with the Partnership Management Team, communications to achieve the advocacy objectives of the Partnership. The objective of the SCPC is to translate the overarching objectives of the Partnership into specific, aligned and inspirational messages that catalyse action.

The incumbent will provide integrated support to both PCs through functions specified below, with the overall objective of operationalizing the merger of the Advocacy and Communications to achieve elevated coordination, cohesion and collaboration with the Secretariat and the Partnership.

The incumbent is expected to be willing and able to travel up to 30% of their time.

Advocacy and Communications

• Contribute to the implementation of the Partnership’s advocacy and communications strategies and annual work plans.

• Support an effective network, collaboration, and exchange of information with partners by contributing in the convening of partner committees, workstreams, working groups and other Partnership mechanisms.

• As advised by the Chief Advocacy and Communications Officer, reach out to prospective partners, identify relevant contact persons and areas of potential collaboration.
• Serve as a communication point of contact for the ARMPC and the SCPC, following up on all professional correspondence, responding to requests, and referring queries as appropriate.
• Contribute to delivering effective external communications prior to and after RBM events.
• Maintain and regularly update the RBM website and social media channels, and assist Partner Committees and Working Groups in managing their respective sections.

Analysis and Documentation

• Provide research and analytical support in advocacy and communications.
• Undertake background research for advocacy and communications activities and workshops, and drafts concept notes, reports and other publications.
• Contribute to the documentation of knowledge by proposing examples of best practices and success stories, as well as replicable strategies and approaches, and actively share this knowledge.
• Draft the ARMPC, SCPC and RBM Secretariat newsletters.
• Develop and update advocacy and communications related materials on the RBM website.
• Provide analytical input to ARMPC and SCPC consultancy and grant management processes.
• Provide input to ARMPC and SCPC integrated budget and work plan monitoring.
• Produce regular updates on ARMPC and SCPC activities and achievements, as well as any other informative/ promotional materials as required.

Partner Committees Coordination Support

• Provide support to ARMPC and SCPC, contributing to effective partner engagement, knowledge sharing and coordination.
• Provide comprehensive meeting and event management support for the ARMPC and SCPC activities, workshops, conferences, regular meetings, and other events, including the travel arrangements.
• Support the Chief Advocacy and Communications Officer and the SCPC Manager by preparing briefing materials for appointments, conference calls, meetings and missions, coordinate such requests, take minutes and ensure relevant follow-up actions.
• Effectively manage queries received via the general RBM email address and provide follow-up with relevant colleagues as required.
• Manage and coordinate Advocacy and Communications team’s missions and representation schedule.
• Organize Partner Committees’ (PCs) conference calls, write and disseminate meeting minutes.
• Provide on-site and remote support during workshops and events, including taking minutes and supporting logistical coordination.
• Maintain the RBM calendar of events in coordination with the RBM Secretariat Team and the other PCs.
• Manage the ARMPC and SCPC contacts database and distribution lists, and the broader RBM Secretariat contacts database and distribution lists.

Other

• Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

The position maybe based in Geneva, Switzerland or Nairobi, Kenya. The exact location will be determined prior to the finalization of the recruitment process.

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• A Master’s degree in advocacy, communication, international relations, international development, business management, public administration, public health, social science or another relevant field is required.
• A Bachelor’ s degree will be accepted with an additional 2 years of relevant experience.

Experience

• Minimum 2 years of experience in advocacy and/or communications is required.
• Experience in partnerships, international development cooperation, operations, consulting, external relations or public affairs is a distinct advantage.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, as well as good planning, coordination and analytical skills are required.
• Experience working in public health, especially on malaria, is desirable.
• Experience working in or with malaria-endemic countries is an asset.

Language - Full working knowledge of English is essential. - Working knowledge of French, Spanish or another official UNOPS language is an asset.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) Contract level: International ICA - 1 / ICS-9 Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

*************This position if based in Switzerland is not exempt from Swiss laws, including but not limited to laws regarding taxation, social security, accident and health insurance.*************

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.