Communication Senior Officer (Retainer contract)

Contract

This is a LICA Specialist-9 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 2 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA Specialist-9 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

*********** THIS IS A LOCAL POSITION FOR WHICH ONLY APPLICANTS WHO POSSESS THE NATIONALITY ****OR VALID RESIDENCE PERMIT IN DRC ARE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION**** *********** Fund management has become a recognized strength of UNOPS CDMCO and a potential new business model for other country offices in the region and beyond. The Technical Assistance Project will provide technical assistance to governments of Central African countries to provide capacity building and help governments achieve the objectives of the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI). It will provide strategic and technical support to governments in achieving the milestones of the letters of intent and will also aim to strengthen the capacities of national entities to receive direct funding under CAFI projects. The Project will therefore have a direct implementation component by UNOPS and a fund management component (grants management) for implementation by eligible national entities having demonstrated the necessary capacities to receive and use funds efficiently.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager, the incumbent is required to perform the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Communication strategy:

• Contribute to the design, update, and implementation of an external communication strategy and the communication plan for the Project, based on requirements dictated by the donors and in coordination with the Communications Group in UNOPS.
• Ensure the visibility and communication requirements to achieve the vision and priorities of the Office are met.
• Coordinate external communications for all channels, including managing a communications content calendar.

• Work closely with other colleagues and stakeholders in preparing and coordinating the production of communications materials for distribution to the media and other stakeholders, including local authorities, donors, partners, civil society organizations, and the general public, as defined by the project’s communications strategy.

  2. Contents development and management:

• Write and produce content, including newsletters, media releases/statements, press kits, Q&As, briefings, case studies/feature stories, photographs and videos, social media content, internal and external newsletters, etc, as required.

• Work with the teams in designing contents that are disseminated, protected and promoted by all stakeholders, in coordination with UNOPS Communication Group.
• Help develop with relevant experts a web platform to house information related to the teams’ output, as relevant, and keep the content updated.
• Develop communication products and informative materials that meet the needs of all stakeholders, including print, radio, and TV channels. Explore the outreach of the various channels and ensure contracting one with the widest coverage in the select Project coverage cities, where applicable.
• Regularly update content on social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube pages, ensuring they are both informative and attractive to the wider public audience and reflect the Office’s objectives, strengths, and achievements.
• Prepare monthly feature stories and brief case studies of accomplishments.
• Evaluate the effectiveness and impact of the external communications activities

3. Stakeholder and media relations management:

• Work closely with the teams to ensure a communication budget is prepared, made available, and utilized efficiently for the communication activities of the project.

• Develop relationships and maintain strong communication channels and networks with other UN system communication teams, as well as national, regional, and local media and other stakeholders, as required.

• Maintain relevant contact lists in support of effective working relationships.

• Conduct regular external media monitoring and compile all coverage of the work of the Office, file with proper referencing, and share with the internal team.

• Conduct sample checks on the effectiveness and reach of the communication products and social media pages of the project, and advise management on ways to improve the same.

4. Event management:

• Identify and suggest creative, efficient, and effective ways to engage relevant audiences and stakeholders.
• Support the teams in organizing press conferences, briefs, implementation support mission presentations, etc.
• Support the teams in preparing talking points and drafting speeches for conferences, press conferences, international days, etc.
• Identify event and conference participation opportunities, organize events for promoting and furthering the project’s work among key stakeholders.
• Liaise closely with colleagues in identifying event opportunities in different thematic areas, including field trips, missions, seminars, report launches, and workshops.
• In coordination with the Director, plan and execute communications campaigns for different channels as required for reaching strategic communication goals

5. Capacity Building innovation and strategic engagement

• Support contribution to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for planning and knowledge building in the context of intergovernmental affairs;
• Support in identifying and participation in multilateral intergovernmental forums and platforms that facilitate UNOPS’ deeper engagement on issues of key relevance in delivering impactful results on the 2030 Agenda.
• Provide regular feedback on existing systems, tools and resources to ensure their relevance and prepare standards operating procedures and other guidance documents and templates, as required.
• Support an increase in learning and knowledge management through the development, communication, promotion, and use of evidence and experience from the activities conducted by the Office.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education: - A first-level university degree (e.g. Bachelor) preferably in communications, media studies, journalism, international relations, public/media relations, public relations, event management or other relevant discipline is required. - A Master’s degree would be considered an advantage and may compensate for some of the required years of experience to qualify for the position.

Experience:

• A minimum of two (2) years with a Master’s degree, four (4) years with a Bachelor’s degree of experience in communications, or event management, or advocacy/government relations, or digital media, or journalism, or public/media relations, or marketing, or international relations, or writing/editing or any other related fields is required.
• Experience in the sectors of Environment, Climate change and Forestry is highly desirable.
• Experience working in advertising, public relations, or event management is desirable.
• Experience in developing strategies and communications plans and in the organization of events and associated materials is desirable

Language requirements: - Full working knowledge of French is required ; - Full working knowledge of English is 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.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local ICA Specialist Contract level: LICA9/ICS9 Contract duration: Retainer Contract

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.

*** THIS IS A LOCAL POSITION FOR WHICH ONLY APPLICANTS WHO POSSESS THE NATIONALITY ****OR VALID RESIDENCE PERMIT IN DRC ARE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION**** ***

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.

Background information - DR Congo

Based in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since 1991, the UNOPS Congo Multi-Country Office (CDMCO) covers fifteen countries: Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Comoros, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo, Madagascar and Rwanda. The multi-country office is operational in nine of the eleven countries to date; it has a portfolio of more than 30 projects and employs more than 260 people.

The Multi-Country Office has established strong working relationships with international partners and donors, UN agencies, including UN missions, and Central African governments. It provides technical support and capacity building in the areas of strategic national development, including the development of sustainable infrastructure in the health, education, public works, governance, and administration sectors, The CDMCO office also provides services in sustainable procurement, project management, fund management, and advisory services in the areas of peace and security, environmental preservation and protection, and revitalization of programs/projects, among others.