Communications Senior 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

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.

Role of the New York Board and External Relations Office

The New York Board and External Relations Office is responsible for fulfilling UNOPS intergovernmental affairs and external relations functions on behalf of UNOPS. The team manages the arrangements for (a) The UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board governance over UNOPS; (b) The Organization's relationship with components of the UN system entities, including the UN Secretariat, (c) Its interaction with UN Member States and positioning of UNOPS in legislative and other instruments and documents.

The Office positions UNOPS and its Executive Director with a view to increase or enhance UNOPS’ influence and organisational outreach through various strategic events, initiatives and dialogues. The Office also supports the organization on UN system-side issues and reforms, such as the UN development system reform. The Office further supports liaising with Member States and agencies headquartered in multilateral capitals, as needed, on host country agreements and the accreditation of UNOPS representatives, as well as representing the organization in UN Inter-Agency Working Groups. In close proximity to a number of UN entity headquarters, the Office is also responsible for interaction with the UN Funds and Programmes such as UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF and UN-Women.

Role of the Communications Senior Officer

Reporting to the Director of the Office, the Communications Senior Officer provides communication services to the Office with a view to positioning UNOPS, including outreach and advocacy during events and initiatives. The role is responsible for the office's communication activities. They will liaise regularly with the Director of the Office and the three Office’s teams to ensure that communication activities are aligned with the office's strategic development outlook. Such outlook include communication activities that support the implementation of strategies and approaches to maximize the effectiveness of UNOPS’ interactions with the Executive Board and with a view to advancing UNOPS mandate and positioning. (S)he will have strong communications skills, especially written ones, and relationship management skills through a proven track record in supporting the arrangement of events and initiatives and an ability to work and act under pressure and with discretion in a politically sensitive and challenging environment.

Functional Responsibilities

1. Communication strategy

• Contribute to the design, update and implementation of an external communication strategy and the communication plan for the Office, based on requirements dictated by Executive Board members, Member States and the UN system and in coordination with the Communications Group in UNOPS’ HQ.
• 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 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.
• 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.

Impact of Results

The effective and successful performance by the Communications Senior Officer reinforces the visibility and image of the 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.

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.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education Requirements: - 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 count for some of the required years of experience to qualify for the position.

Experience Requirements: - A minimum of 2 years with a Master’s degree, 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 working in communications for intergovernmental processes is desirable. - Experience working in advertising, public relations, or event management is desirable. - Experience in developing strategies and plans for communications and in the organization of events and associated materials is desirable. - Previous working experience in a similar position with the government, media organizations, UN, civil society, or private organizations is desirable

Language Requirements: - Language Requirements: Full working knowledge of English is essential with excellent written and oral communication skills. - Knowledge of another official UNOPS language, particularly French, or Spanish is an asset.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement - ICA

Contract level: ICA1 - ICS9 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 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.