Communications Senior Officer

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

UNOPS Ethiopia Multi-Country Office (ETMCO) exciting career opportunity.

UNOPS-ETMCO is recruiting for this position: Communications Senior Officer based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Qualified females and candidates from underrepresented groups in UNOPS are highly encouraged to apply.

UNOPS has signed a project agreement with the Ministry of Health to strengthen the Capacity of the Ministry for the Realization of Health Sector Transformation Plan (HSTP-II) on selected priorities. This project will be implemented in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and the overall objective/purpose is to contribute towards the realization of selected strategic priorities of the Health Sector Transformation Plan (HSTP-II) which is more on project management focusing on institutional capacity building, technical assistance etc. UNOPS is selected to manage and implement the project by creating a project management unit (PMU). This unit will be formed by a group of experts and specialists in the relevant matters that will be in charge of delivering the outputs.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Communications Senior Officer is responsible for various communication and stakeholder management related activities as follows:

Project Communications and Visibility

• Devise a Communications and Visibility Strategy for the project. Define (costed) implementation plan for the the strategy.
• Produce different communication materials and outreach content including social media publications, digital stories (Shorthand), factsheets etc.
• Actively seek opportunities for visibility and communication initiatives in collaboration with the MOH Communications team and ensure that activities are appropriately branded.
• Identify and liaise with local/national media and communications agencies. Monitor news/media outlets for stories involving the project - Keep track of all communication/media documentation.
• Identify potential case studies or best practices that can be utilized by UNOPS/MOH.
• Organize and cover donors’ field visits and media engagements.
• Support field visits for MOH, donors, and other stakeholders in all matters related to project visibility.
• Plan and implement special events.
• Provide timely translations from English to Amharic and vice versa, of various types of outreach documents including social media content, website, factsheet, digital stories etc.
• Ensure branding according to agreed guidelines. Manage the implementation of communication products and events etc.
• Coordinate internal project communications and monitor the effectiveness of project communications process and strategies.

Support to Stakeholder Management and Governance

• Develop stakeholder profiles and facilitate the formulation of stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement and communication activities. Make sure that partner (MoH) teams are aware of project activities, progress, issues exceptions and are in a position to accept handover outputs.
• Provide regular support for project governance - maintaining the schedule, document discussions, direction and decision taken by the project board etc.
• Ensure Minutes of Governance Meetings are on record as per the document management guidance and procedure.
• Ensure effective record keeping of decisions in line with knowledge and document management guidelines.

Support for Project Reporting, Documentation and Formal Communications

• Support the Project Manager (PM) and partner (MoH) in developing and maintaining an effective communication and information sharing system as per the requirement of UNOPS and partner.
• Lead and closely work with the project team in preparation, documentation and sharing of project progress reports, lesson learnings, discussion and meeting minutes.
• Support the project Manager and partner (MoH) to identify opportunities for capturing and sharing of knowledge, and disseminating information about major project progress and results.
• Support the ProjectManager in preparation, documentation and sharing of project progress reports and other ad hoc reports as per the required guidelines.
• Closely work the PM and make sure that project progress reports, lesson learnings, and project related issues are shared to the donor and partners as per the schedule.
• Ensure effective record keeping of decisions in line with knowledge and document management guidelines.
• Closely work with the PM in organizing workshops, meetings and other events. Compile the workshop reports/ meeting/ event minutes, document and share it to the relevant body.

Knowledge sharing and Capacity Development

• Support the PM in conducting a need assessment to identify communication and knowledge management needs (of the staff and MoH team) and design an appropriate tools/ strategy to fill the identified gaps.
• Contribute to communications related capacity building activities to build the long-term and sustainable capacity of MOH counterparts.
• Interact with Communities of Practice to share case studies, lessons learned and best practices.
• Contribute to capturing lessons learned and ensuring they are shared in a timely and appropriate. manner.

other

• Work in close collaboration with UNOPS Communications personnel for external and internal communication of the project.
• Other duties that may be assigned by the Project Manager.

The effective and successful achievement of results by the Communications Senior Officer directly impacts on achievement of the projects and consequently reinforces the visibility and image of UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• Advanced (Master’s Degree or equivalent) University Degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, International Relations or related field is required; OR

  • First-level University (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) in University Degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, International Relations with an additional two (2) years relevant experience may be considered in lieu of the advanced degree.

  Experience:

• A minimum of two (2) years relevant experience with Master’s Degree, OR four (4) years experience with Bachelor’s Degree in communications, public relations, media, journalism, advertising, or related field is required.

  • One (1) year experience in managing communications or digital projects is required.

  Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written, reading and spoken English is required.

  • Working knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.

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

1. Contract type: Local Individual Contractual Agreement (LICA)
2. Contract level: LICA-9
3. 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

This is a local position and hence is open to Ethiopian nationals only.

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.