Communications Officer

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

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. UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian, and development projects. 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.

UNOPS Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) UNOPS Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) supports the design and management of multi-stakeholder initiatives by providing services in financial and grant management, procurement, human resources, and project management.The cluster has supported projects in the areas of water resource management, climate change adaptation, mitigation and transparency, energy access and distribution and environmental conservation under the Paris Agreement.

The WEC has also supported operations and financial management services, in Vienna, the rest of the Europe & Central Asia Region (ECR) region and beyond.The main partners include UN agencies, bilateral agreements (with the Nordics, Germany, and Italy), the Green Climate Fund and several NGOs (such as Children's Investment Fund Foundation and ClimateWorks Foundation). Initiative for Climate Action Transparency

The Initiative for Climate Action Transparency was established in 2015 at the Paris Conference of the Parties (COP) to support implementation of the Paris Agreement and its Enhanced Transparency Framework.

ICAT provides countries with tailored support and practical tools and methodologies to build robust transparency frameworks needed for effective climate action in sync with national development priorities. The projects ICAT supports relate to building or enhancing transparency systems for mitigation actions; building a monitoring approach for adaptation actions; implementing and further delivering nationally determined contributions; assessing the impacts of policies related to climate action; integrating and/or aggregating climate actions at the subnational level and for non-state actors; and identifying and increasing domestic benefits and synergies from enhanced climate action.

ICAT offers a range of methodologies and guides to assist countries. The Initiative works with over 50 developing countries ranging from large countries, like China, to small islands, such as Antigua & Barbuda.

ICAT is managed by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Communications Senior Manager, the Communications Officer will be responsible for the following:

Social media: - Assist with the preparation and implementation of an annual social media calendar. The calendar will ensure ICAT has a range of material to maintain its social media presence. - Draft relevant content for Twitter and LinkedIn, and prepare social media posts - including social videos. - Support the planning, implementation and assessment of social media campaigns, often in conjunction with ICAT’s partners. - Listen, respond and share on Twitter and LinkedIn, alerting relevant team members when required. - Assist with the assessment of social media analytics.

Website: - Ensure the ICAT website is kept up to date, and functional. - Upload content to the ICAT website (wordpress). - Assist with the assessment of website analytics.

Writing, editing and proofreading: - Translate information in technical reports into simple stories, and convert these into social posts, photo essays or videos. - Assist with the monitoring and management of the ICAT editorial calendar to ensure there is a constant flow of news and content for our channels. - Write content for an array of channels including social media, website, newsletters and press releases.

Knowledge Management Platform development and launch: - Assist work with partners and/or service providers to assist with the development of an online knowledge management platform. - Assist with the planning, scheduling, implementation and monitoring of discussions and other content for the platform. - Support the promotion of the platform and its content.

Media liaison: - Assist with the development of media databases (using an online database subscription service) for each of ICAT’s implementing countries. - Support with the planning and implementation of relevant events, including press conferences. - Write press releases, media kits and media pitches, and assist with pitching these to relevant media. - Assist with monitoring and assessment of press release distribution, pick up and publication.

Newsletter assistance: - Support the development of a content plan for ICAT’s quarterly email newsletter and ensure content is prepared and edited as planned. - Draft content for the newsletter.

Other elements: - Basic design (e.g. invitations, flyers, certificates) - Contribution to the writing of speeches. - Assist with the research required to write more complex articles. - Assist with the maintenance of an ICAT key contacts list. - Perform other duties based on the ICAT Secretariat’s needs.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education: - Master’s degree in mass communication, journalism, or other related areas is required; or Bachelor’s University degree combined with 2 years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

Experience - Previous experiences in developing communication products on sustainable development is an asset.

Language Requirements: - Fluency in English, with exceptional writing skills in English is required. - Knowledge of other UN languages would be preferred.

Additional Requirements - Strong journalistic writing skills from experience working in a media environment, studying, or on-the-job training is a strong advantage - Ability to translate technical information and communicate it clearly is an asset

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: I-ICA-1 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

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.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and it is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or disability.
• 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.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, 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 recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.