Communications 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- ECR

Based in Geneva, the Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR) supports UNOPS offices throughout the region through: management, financial and programmatic oversight of global and country-specific portfolios, clusters and operations centres, including hosting services; fund and management advisory services; project implementation; procuring goods and services; and managing human resources.

ECR ensures that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between business units and projects across the entire region.

ECR strategy is to:

• Strengthen UNOPS role in operationalizing the Sustainable Development Goals with particular emphasis on health, environment and economic development.
• Position UNOPS in the Balkan sub-region, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
• Strengthen the implementation of ECR global and regional programmes, with revitalized partnerships in infrastructure, procurement and project management.

ECR operates global portfolios from offices in Geneva, Brussels and New York, and country-specific programmes from its operations and project centres located in Eastern Europe and Central Asian countries.

Background Information - Job-specific

The EU Action ‘Lives in Dignity – EU Global Facility for Refugees’ is a strategic, flexible operational structure to improve responses to forced displacement and ensure early development oriented engagement in key displacement situations. The Action builds on the EU’s successful championing of a new approach to forced displacement through their engagement in the Middle East (Syrian crisis), the Horn of Africa and South Asia. The overall objective of the action is that refugees and other displaced persons become productive members of their host communities and participate in furthering their common resilience, socio-economic growth and development. UNOPS task consists of ensuring “Seed funding to promote development-oriented policy approaches to new, recurrent and protracted refugee crises”. This will be done through a tailor made Fund and Grant Management facility.

The purpose of the Fund and Grant management Facility is to efficiently and effectively channel funding to promote development oriented policy approaches to new, recurrent and protracted refugee crisis, focusing on early operational engagements with a development focus. The grants will be of varying sizes depending on the specific issues they are responding to. UNOPS will be responsible for administering the grant and advising the EU on best practices and operational modalities for grant management. UNOPS will also be responsible for monitoring and reporting the grantees performances and deliverables.

The Communications Specialist will be part of a dedicated UNOPS Fund and Grant Management team who oversees the entire grant process. The team is managed by a Senior Project Manager, with oversight from the Head of the UN Portfolio in Geneva and the UNOPS Geneva Senior Management. The Fund and Grant Management team consists of 5 personnel: Project Manager, Grants Management Officer, Senior Technical Expert, Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation Senior Analyst, and this position, the Communications Specialist. The team is assisted by the UNOPS Geneva Support Services Team (with experts in HR, Finance/Fund Management, Procurement, Administration, Logistics etc).

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Project Manager, the Communications Specialist tasks will consist of various communications tasks and projects with the donor and the grantees: - Work on the drafting of the communications strategy according to the EU Communication and Visibility Requirements for EU External Actions. - Create different types of information, learning & knowledge and communication products for different target audiences, including press releases, media kits and reports, brochures, briefing notes, video scripts, newsletters, website articles, social media posts, etc.; - Review grant case studies and develop innovative means of highlighting results and success stories; - Liaise with the donor communication team to ensure the communications products and services meet the donor’s expectations - Monitor media coverage and the effectiveness of communications activities and propose measures, strategies to improve the effectiveness; - Monitor communication activities ensuring appropriate communication tools and innovative approaches are used; Propose and train on new and innovative approaches as needed. - Coordinate with the supervisor and the rest of the project team, identification and proposed communication opportunities, activities and approaches, in line with the context, the target audience and the project communications’ strategy; - Any other tasks assigned by supervisor to support the communication on the project

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Comprehensive and systematic documentation of all communications related documents as per the agreed work plan
• The incumbent will define his/her work schedule based on the requirements sets by the Senior Programme Manager

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. 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

a. Education

• Master’s degree in Communications, Media Studies, Journalism, or other related field is required.

• A Bachelor’s degree with additional two years of similar experience is considered equivalent.

b. Work Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in the field of communications, journalism, external relations and/or other communication role is required.
• Proven ability to write excellent reports and briefs.
• Experience working on EU funded projects is an advantage
• Experience working with international organizations in the area of force displacement in a field setting is an advantage

c. Language requirements

Full working knowledge of English is essential.

Fluency in French, or another UN language, is an advantage.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: ICA Contract level: I-ICA2 Contract duration: 40 days per year (between 01 December 2020 to 30 June 2024)

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 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.