Communications Specialist - Public Relations and Outreach

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

Rural communities in Cameroon lack access to safe drinking water supply, with a detrimental impact on their health and life quality. KOICA and the Government of Cameroon have identified access to potable water as a priority need, and the exchanges within KOICA and several Ministries such as MINEPAT, MINEE and MINSANTE have resulted in the development of the “Potable Water Supply Project in Rural Areas of Cameroon” to be implemented in 3 Regions: Centre, Littoral and West.

The Project targets a maximum of 80 communities and is articulated into 3 main components:

• Provision of Drinking Water Supply (Facilities)
• Capacity Building of Stakeholders
• Project Management

The Project implementation has been divided into two subsequent phases: the first one for all preparation activities (completed) and the second for physical implementation (construction and rehabilitation of water supply facilities and training/capacity building), to start after the completion of phase 1.

Background information - DR Congo

Based in Kinshasa, DRC, the UNOPS Multi country Office (CDMCO) in Central Africa covers eleven countries including DRC, RC, CAR, Angola, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Rwanda, Burundi, and Madagascar. The office has developed strong working relations with the international partners, UN agencies including UN Missions and Governments across Central Africa over the years. It provides technical support and capacity building in strategic development areas including infrastructure construction and rehabilitation and development across health, education, public works, governance/public administration sectors; procurement, project management, amongst others.

UNOPS in Cameroon provides services from its main office in Yaoundé and will be opening offices located in several regions of the country. The organization responds to the needs of the Cameroon Government through funding from bilateral donors such as KOICA and AFD, international financial institutions such as the World Bank and Islamic Development Bank and United Nations agencies such as UNHCR. UNOPS in Cameroon provides a wide range of procurement, contract management and human resources services and aims to expand into project management, basic service provisions and other related services, specifically in economic and social infrastructure (construction and rehabilitation) and financial management in sectors such as WASH, Agriculture, Health, Environment & Climate Change Mitigation.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the leadership of the Senior Programme Manager, the Communications Specialist-Public Relations and Outreach will oversee the Cameroon office communications and outreach activities in order to position UNOPS uniqueness in the country. She/he will be responsible for the following:

• Maintain a strategic perspective on the communications and outreach needs of the region, and identify opportunities for visibility and outreach related, including media events, speaking opportunities, conferences and strategic meetings with existing and potential partners.
• Promote, advocate and raise awareness around UNOPS activities, results, flagship initiatives through a variety of communication vehicles in LCR.

• Establish mutual benefit relationship with distinguished Universities, Epistemic Communities, Technical Experts networks, Professional Organizations in the region.

• Identify, connect and cultivate relevant influencers on UNOPS mandate area, and nurture long lasting relationships with the target audience.

• Oversee the production of communication materials and be responsible for media relations.
• Coordinate communications and outreach network to ensure it supports and is aligned with UNOPS strategy for Latin American & Caribbean region.
• Ensure that all regional messaging and communications are in harmony with global messages and goals.

Education

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Communications, International Relations, Political/Social Science or related fields is required.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, International Relations, Political/Social Science or related fields in combination with two (2) additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master's degree.
• Technical/Professional Diploma in Communications, International Relations, Political/Social Science or related fields in combination with four (4) additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master's degree.

Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years or more of relevant experience either in Communication and/or Public Relations and/or Outreach at the national (government) or international level, non-governmental organizations or private sector in the field of development cooperation or public administration is required;
• A minimum of two years experience on international politics, diplomacy, partnership development, institutional and government relations, public relations/public affairs, and/or resource mobilization is required;
• Experience in leading institutional/external relations or advocacy activities is an asset;
• Experience in working with Partnership Development, Outreach, Marketing and/or Communication programmes/activities is an asset ;
• Experience within the Central African region, or experience in an organization that has been engaging with one or several governments in the region in the context of humanitarian or development work is desirable;
• UN/UNOPS experience would be an added advantage.
• Experience /knowledge of web-based applications and Google Suite products, especially google forms, sheets, docs and slides is an asset.

Languages

• Fluency in French and English (reading, writting and speaking) 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: International Individual Contractor IICA

Contract level: IICA2 (ICS10) Contract duration: Ongoing IICA - 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 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.
• Yaounde is a family duty station

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.