Communications Associate

Contract

This is a LICA-6 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 6 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA-6 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement, and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors, and United Nations organizations. With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical, and management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

Background Information - Job-specific

With presence and experience in Ukraine since 2016, UNOPS has provided management and procurement services to support Ukraine’s national reform and sustainable development agenda, take environmental and climate action, strengthen the rule of law, improve energy and healthcare solutions, as well as address economic and governance institutional weaknesses.

The Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has caused a severe and highly complex humanitarian emergency with global impact not witnessed in Europe for over 70 years. The international response has been significant, with exceptional support provided by many donor countries and organizations. UNOPS, with its ability to add considerable value in its core areas of infrastructure, procurement, and project management services, is part of the response to the ongoing emergency and is expanding its capacity in the country to be able to provide robust and timely support over the long term, through the recovery and reconstruction phases.

Recognizing the enormity and complexity of the challenges ahead, UNOPS established a dedicated Ukraine Country Office (based in Kyiv), from where its operations will be planned, resourced, implemented, managed, and controlled in the months and years ahead, with the support of the UNOPS Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (based in Geneva) and UNOPS HQ (Copenhagen).

UNOPS Ukraine is looking to strengthen its communication function, specifically in relation to one of its largest projects under implementation at the moment, “School Repairs in Ukraine”, funded by the EU. The project aims to restore over 70 schools across four oblasts (Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv), providing around 20,000 students with safe learning environments. Project communications are expected to be extensive, as dozens of schools are repaired at the same time, and will require solid management and execution.

It is in this context that UNOPS Ukraine is looking to recruit a Communications Associate. The Associate will work closely with the Communications Analyst to implement the communications plan of the “School Repairs in Ukraine” project, as well as achieve UNOPS Ukraine’s overall communications objectives.

Functional Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

• Communications strategies and plans
• Content production and management
• Stakeholder relations
• Knowledge building and knowledge sharing

Communications strategies and plans - Contributes to developing, reviewing, and updating the communications strategies, plans, and objectives for UNOPS Ukraine and individual projects.

• Supports the development of new and innovative ways of communicating with target audiences and advises on cultural sensitivities.

• Retrieves data on project progress from relevant project teams as instructed by the Communications Analyst, to be used in communications materials.

Content production and management - Writes and edits a variety of text-based external communications materials, including but not limited to stories, press releases, speeches, articles, web content and social media posts, in support of external communication plans and objectives. The Associate clears these products with relevant internal and external stakeholders, responding to feedback as appropriate, and ensures publication. The Associate stores the products as instructed.

• Drafts official letters and emails to current and potential partners where requested.

• Develops and disseminates relevant messages for internal communications purposes where requested.

• Designs and produces basic infographics, presentations, and other visual materials to support UNOPS communications efforts.

• Plans and supervises the collection and production of visual content (advanced infographics and presentations, photos, videos) to support office and project communication efforts where additional professionals (graphic designer, photographer, videographer) are engaged. The Associate sets their objective(s), scope of work, plans their deployment on site, receives their outputs, and stores them appropriately.

Stakeholder relations - Engages with external stakeholders as requested, which include donor representatives, project beneficiaries, relevant authorities, service providers, the media, and others. The Associate approaches these interactions with professionalism, projecting a positive image for UNOPS and its projects.

• Assists in organising online and offline events to promote UNOPS and its activities.

Knowledge building and knowledge sharing - Provides advice, guidance, and training to UNOPS Ukraine personnel on communications best practices, UNOPS communications policies and guidelines. - Provides sound contributions to internal knowledge networks and communities of practice by synthesizing lessons learnt, sharing experiences and best practices. - Contributes feedback, ideas, and suggestions regarding business processes, seeking to improve their efficiency and effectiveness.

The Communications Associate may be required to perform additional tasks as requested by the Communication Analyst.

********This is a local position, it is therefore open to Nationals of Ukraine and to individuals who have a valid residence/work permit.********

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education: - High School Diploma is required; - A Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in communication, media, linguistics, journalism, social studies, international relations, or related fields will be considered as an asset and may substitute some of the required years of experience.

Experience: - With a high school diploma, a minimum of 6 years of work experience in copywriting, media, public relations, or communications is required.

• Experience in managing social media accounts and websites is desirable.

• Experience with international technical assistance projects, working with the UN, international, or national NGOs is desirable.

• Skills in image editing are an asset.

Language requirements: Fluency in Ukrainian, Russian, and English is required.

**************This is a local position, it is therefore open to Nationals of Ukraine and to individuals who have a valid residence/work permit.**************

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: ICA Contract level: Local ICA Support Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘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

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.