Communication Officer

Contract

This is a LICA Specialist-8 contract. This kind of contract is known as Local Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally only for nationals. It's an external contract. It usually requires 0 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA Specialist-8 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

The ongoing conflict in Yemen has caused significant disruptions to the supply chain and to the overall availability of services. In light of the reduced or even absent provision of public services, communities have adopted various coping strategies, including using alternate water and energy sources, relying on alternate service providers and community-based service delivery initiatives to address the shortfall.

Physical damage to infrastructure and the lack of functionality in one sector often spills over into other sectors with significant consequences on both the access to, and quality of services, that are often interrelated. For example, in many cities of Yemen, the lack of functionality in the water sector is tied most directly to the lack of electricity rather than to physical damage to water infrastructure. As a result, wastewater continues to overflow into the streets, which in turn has significant implications for the health and transport sectors. Similarly, the absence of electricity across many cities in Yemen is not solely tied to infrastructure damage of energy facilities but rather to the lack of fuel, amongst others due to severe transport limitations and access constraints. These cross-sectoral linkages demonstrate the need for an integrated, multi-sectoral approach that provides synergies and responds to the multi-faceted needs on the ground.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Communication Specialist will be responsible for all communications aspects of UNOPS Office in Yemen and will work in close collaboration with the Communications Specialist at UNOPS Hub in Amman as well as in UNOPS Headquarters in Copenhagen to seek publication of communication materials.

The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

UNOPS is committed to achieving a fully diverse workforce.

Functional Responsibilities

The Communication Officer will be based in Yemen under the direct supervision of the Project Manager. Accordingly the incumbent will be required to perform the following duties and responsibilities:

Stakeholder management:

• Establish and cultivate relationships with the counterparts in the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), donors, Government ministries and bodies, local self-governments, development organizations and programmes
• Establish and cultivate partnerships with the key national, regional and local media
• Collate and develop reports and presentations about UNOPS/its activities for the key stakeholder.
• Serve as the focal point for the United Nations Communications Group in Yemen, and actively promote UNOPS within the inter-agency fora;
• Maintain relationships with Communications Officer in the Amman Hub, as well as with HQ, CPG and external partners to gather information and provide advice on communications products and outreach;

Delivery and performance:

• Conduct periodical mapping and documenting UNOPS stakeholders
• Prepare briefing materials, reports, analysis of political, socio and economic trends relevant for UNOPS Yemen
• Prepare materials for business development activities pursued by the Office, customizing to specific stakeholder needs and interests
• Develop a communications strategy for the Yemen Office, covering both internal and external communications; ensure and contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of the Communication Strategies and the Internal and External Communications Plans
• Conduct activities related to the visibility and publicity of UNOPS Yemen
• Support the organization of the officials visits, press conferences and public events
• Lead and supervise organization of internal Office events as directed
• Provide communication support for organizations' trainings and workshops
• Cooperate with media and provide information on UNOPS activities
• Maintain the media contact database and the library of UNOPS Yemen media coverage
• Ensure monthly qualitative and quantitative analysis of UNOPS media coverage
• Contribute to the updates of UNOPS website and social network accounts; ensure that they are systematically updated and maintained
• Liaise and supervise the graphic designers’ work on visibility/promotional material and ensure or enhance the quality and relevance of country-specific communication materials, activities, processes and messages for sharing with partners;
• Preparing briefings, presentations and background materials for the Regional/ Hub Director, the Head of Programme, Project Manager and/ or Partnerships Advisor;
• Provide substantive content for the project website, highlighting project achievements and other relevant evidence-based information generating through monitoring process;
• Contribute in the development of key messages on UNOPS programming in the region, including for partners, local and international media;
• Produce fact sheets on specific projects with success stories and UNOPS services in Yemen;
• Collaborate with mass media through activities such as organizing project site visits, facilitating photo coverage and TV footage and utilizing both web-based and traditional media as appropriate;
• Develop and maintain contact list of journalists and media outlets including print, TV, radio, web etc. and institutionalize a process of communicating and maintaining regular contact and close collaboration with the media to showcase and highlight the success and lessons from the ongoing UNOPS Projects;
• Ensure a well maintained and continually developed contact list of individuals, groups, organizations and fora (including Government, UN, and bilateral counterparts) for purposes of communication
• Ensure gender mainstreaming , gender equality and diversity principles and practices are incorporated into the communications products, in accordance with the UNOPS objectives

Procedures:

• Ensure respect of project management, procurement and communications requirements/procedures
• Ensure efficient and effective management of the communications budget and compliance with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations (FRR)
• Contribute to identification and assessment of risks and implement mitigation measures in accordance with the UNOPS Yemen Risk Management Approach
• Contribute to planning activities and timely delivery of approved work, procurement, and financial plans for the communications activities
• Provide accurate and quality inputs needed for monitoring of the projects’ performance, outputs , benefits and reports
• With the guidance of the Procurement Officer, support preparation of tenders for the publicity material (including print, graphics, web, audio and video)

Knowledge management:

• Participate in the UNOPS’ communities/contribute to the knowledge management and sharing in Currents
• Contribute to identification and sharing of lessons learned and the best practices
• Close interaction with Programme/Project staff to share information and knowledge as related to projects and communications;

Personnel management:

• Supervise external consultants
• Draft Terms of Reference for communications consultants
• The Communications Officer may be asked to lead or assist with other activities in the Office as required.

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 first level university degree prefereably in communications, journalism, public relations, international development, linguistics, social science , business administration or international relation.

Experience: - 2 years of experience in a communication , public relations ,Journalism or relevant role

• Experience in research and analysis, reporting, external relations, communications, advocacy, business administration, and/or outreach in international organizations is desired.
• Experience in producing analytical reports and communications products is required.
• Experience in the humanitarian and/or development sector is desired.
• Experience in international organizations and/ or the UN system is as asset.
• Experience in preparing, coordinating, and leading donor reporting processes is desired.
• Computer literacy in particular MS Word, Excel, Visio, and PowerPoint is highly desired.
• Ability to analyze online communications using performance indicators is desirable.
• Excellent understanding on the intersection of technology, web design, editorial, digital, social media and multimedia platforms is desirable.
• Knowledge of digital media, visual communications and interactive storytelling methods is desirable.

Language:

• Fluency in spoken and written English and Arabic is required.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local ICA Contractual modality Contract level: LICA-08 Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance (The contract tied to the lifespan of an emergency project)

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

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• 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 (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.