Communications Specialist

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UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services

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Application deadline 2 years ago: Wednesday 19 May 2021 at 23:59 UTC

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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

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. 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. With over 8,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR) supports UNOPS offices in the region, providing management and financial/programmatic oversight of Global and Country specific Portfolios, Clusters and Operations Centers including hosting services, fund management, management advisory services, implementing projects, 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.

Background Information - Job-specific

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system’s designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.

UNEP, in partnership with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), serves as the joint host of the Green Growth Knowledge Partnership (GGKP) Secretariat (www.greengrowthknowledge.org) on behalf of the GGKP Steering Committee (UNEP, UNIDO, GGGI, the OECD, and the World Bank). The GGKP is a global network of over 70 international organisations, research institutes, and think tanks focused on promoting a green economy transition by:

  1. Identifying major knowledge gaps in green growth theory and practice and addressing these gaps by promoting collaboration and coordinated research; and
  2. Using world-class knowledge management and communication tools to provide practitioners, policymakers, and other experts with opportunities to access, share, and utilize green growth policy analysis, guidance, information, and data.

A Communications Specialist is sought to support the GGKP in the execution of a Coordination, Communication, and Knowledge Management (CCKM) project for the Global Environment Facility (GEF) initiative, “Implementing Sustainable Low and Non-Chemical Development in Small Island Developing States” (ISLANDS). The GGKP will serve as the Executing Agency for the GEF ISLANDS CCKM project and the individual contractor will be tasked with coordinating the project’s communities of practice and leading programmatic communications activities. This work includes overseeing and coordinating communication activities of regional child projects being executed in the Caribbean, Indian Ocean and Pacific regions and ensuring that a programmatic approach is undertaken for all communications activities. The community and communications coordinator will also establish and moderate communities of practice on key SIDS issues (e-waste, health care waste management and end of life vehicles), as well as coordinate and produce webinars. The coordinator will be responsible for finalising the GEF ISLANDS programmatic communications strategy, providing training to communications staff hired by the regional child projects, and reviewing regional child project communication strategies. The coordinator will also oversee the finalisation and roll out of the GEF ISLANDS programmatic branding and develop two annual awareness raising events and campaigns relevant to chemicals and wastes in SIDS.

Functional Responsibilities

The purpose of this contract is to assist the GGKP in the execution of the GEF ISLANDS CCKM project through providing communications and online community building expertise. The contract is expected to include the following tasks;

  • Together with the Project Manager, oversee the finalisation and dissemination of the GEF ISLANDS Programme visibility guideline;
  • Establish and moderate GEF ISLANDS communities of practice (e.g. e-waste, end of life vehicles and healthcare waste management).
  • Finalise the GEF ISLANDS Programmatic communications strategy and present this strategy to the project inception meeting.
  • Train regional communication officers (involved in the execution of regional child projects) on the GEF ISLANDS communications strategy
  • Coordinate activities of regional communications officers, holding monthly calls with the network of communication officers, and provide feedback and review on regional communications strategies
  • Prepare, produce and host technical webinars on key SIDS issues.
  • Conceive and develop two annual awareness raising events and campaigns for GEF ISLANDS
  • Coordinate with ISLANDS partners and stakeholders; and
  • Any other tasks deemed necessary to achieve the project objectives.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

  • Successful finalization and dissemination of GEF ISLANDS visibility guide;
  • Successful completion of the GEF ISLANDS communications strategy and roll out (through training of regional officers);
  • Successful establishment of a minimum of three communities of practice;
  • Organization of a minimum of two annual awareness raising events and campaigns; and
  • Organization of a minimum of two technical webinars.

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

  • Minimum advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in communications, media or relevant field.
  • A combination of a first university degree (bachelor’s or equivalent) with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

Experience

  • Minimum 5 years of accumulated work experience in communications and outreach activities in an international organisation or public institution.
  • Proven ability to liaise with external stakeholders in Governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.

Language - English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) Contract level: I-ICA 2 Contract duration: 6 months

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

The position is based in Geneva, Switzerland which is classified as a family duty station.

The contract fee is not exempt from Swiss laws, including but not limited to laws regarding taxation, social security, accident and health insurance.

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.

Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: jobs.unops.org