Communications & Partnerships Specialist

Contract

This is a IICA-2 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 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-2 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

The United Nations Office for Projects Support (UNOPS) is an United Nations body responsible for infrastructure, procurement and project management (General Assembly Resolution 65/176 of 2010). Our mission is to help people to improve their living conditions and countries to achieve peace and sustainable development.

In 1997, UNOPS began its operations in Guatemala in order to support the efforts prior to the signing of the peace agreement and subsequently, following that initiative, provided support to the ||Commission for Historical Clarification. Likewise, it has participated in boosting the local economy, by carrying out productive projects. In 2000, it focused on providing assistance to the Government of Guatemala, offering advisory services, project implementation, and transactional services.

In the last 24 years, it has contributed in the following areas: culture, sports, recreation, justice, governance, health, education, tax collection, decentralization of services, environment, water and sanitation, institutional strengthening and infrastructure. Currently, the Guatemala office works mainly with the IGSS (Guatemalan Institute of Social Security), in two projects named AMEDIGSS and INFRAIGSS.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Principal Technical Advisor- Country Director, and in coordination with the Regional Advisor on Partnerships and Project Managers; the Specialist on Communications & Partnerships will have the following key responsibilities:

1. Strategic positioning of UNOPS in Guatemala;
2. Management and implementation of strategic external communication in Guatemala;
3. Development and follow up of strategic alliances (Partnerships) in Guatemala;
4. Team management; and
5. Internal communication, knowledge management and gender mainstreaming in Guatemala

1. Strategic positioning of UNOPS in Guatemala - In coordination with the Principal Technical Advisor- Country Director, the Regional Advisor on Partnerships and Project Managers: develop, implement and monitor the Communication and Parthehips Strategy for Guatemala, keeping aligned with the regional and global UNOPS priorities. - Identify priority audiences and carry out a stakeholders’ mapping and follow-up.

2. Management and implementation of strategic external communication in Guatemala - Act as the spokesperson of UNOPS in Guatemala when needed, ensuring that public announcements are made through the most appropriate channels to maximize their impact. Manage media relations and resolve inquiries from journalists for interviews, statements and others.

• Develop, monitor and implement protocols to prevent and manage potential reputational or media communications crisis situations, in coordination with the Country Director, the Regional Office and the Project Managers.

  3. Development and follow up of strategic alliances (Partnerships) in Guatemala

• Support the Country Director and the Project Managers in the necessary management current and potential new strategic alliances (Partnerships) with national and international actors from various sectors.

• Carry out actions to strengthen and develop strategic alliances in line with the implementation of the UNOPS Strategic Plan for 2018-2021.

  4. Team Management

• Leads and oversees the work of the Communications and Partnerships Unit in Guatemala, which includes two Officers and one Assistant.

• Provides supervision, ensuring compliance with existing policies and good practices by members of the team, and in accordance with UNOPS standards of ethics, integrity and accountability framework and financial sustainability.

  5. Internal communication, knowledge management and gender mainstreaming in Guatemala

• Support the Country Director in keeping the UNOPS team and counterparts updated on information regarding the activities and projects of UNOPS in the country, as well as informing the regional office.
• Contribute to the dissemination and exchange of best practices and lessons learned.

* For a detailed description of the above please review the attached Terms of Reference.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

1. Education

• A Master Degree preferably in Communication, Journalism, Public Administration, Economics, International Development, Political Science, Communications or International Relations or related field.
• A First University degree in combination with a minimum of seven (7) years’ qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

1. Experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years of experience (depending on academic titles presented) developing communication strategies, public relations and / or strategic alliances.
• Experience in public relations (or an equivalent related to Partnerships and partnership development) is required in the public, private or cooperative projects.
• Personnel supervisory experience in communications is required.
• Experience in communication for development and/or partnership and portfolio development is required.
• Experience in communicating health issues will be positively valued.
• Knowledge and experience with United Nations agencies, international cooperation and / or international organizations will be valued.
• Experience in project management, capacity building and technical assistance will be an asset.
• Work experience in Guatemala and/or in the media will be valued.

1. Languages

• Fluency in Spanish and English (both written and oral) is required.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) 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: Individual Contractor Agreement

Contract Regular monthly: This contract is established in the form of a Regular Monthly Contract, that is, a continuous presentation of the services required during the contract period, making the payments associated with the contract at the end of each calendar month.

Level of contract: ICS 10, equivalent to LICA 10 in local scale and IICA 2 in the international scale - The salary scale determination wil be based on the nationality and place of residence of the selected candidate.

Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

UNOPS is an inclusive employer, so we invite women and men regardless of ethnicity, disability, secual orientation or gender indentity to apply. We are committed to promoting equitable representation.

Work and personal life balance: UNOPS values ​​its staff and recognizes the importance of maintaining a balance between professional and personal responsibilities. We have a personal-work balance policy and offer several flexible schedule possibilities. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel, under any contractual modality.

Upon request, UNOPS seeks the possibility of accommodating candidates with special needs.

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.
• 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.

Additional information