Director, Communications

Overview

Lead UNOPS communications strategies and enhance global visibility.

You have:

• A Master’s degree in communications, social science or other relevant related field is required.
• A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in communications/information management, outreach, planning and operations in a large international and/or corporate organization is required.
• Experience in UN system organizations or multilateral organisations is desirable.
• Full working knowledge of English is essential.
• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset.

Contract

This is a D-1 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 15 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 227,811 USD and 287,475 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Background Information - Job-specific

About the Group

The UNOPS Communications Group (CG) plays a vital role in enhancing the organization’s visibility, strengthening its profile, and promoting a consistent brand identity. Through strategic storytelling, digital engagement, and thought leadership, CG positions UNOPS as a key contributor to sustainable development. The team manages corporate communications across internal and external platforms - ranging from media and social media to websites, newsletters, and the intranet - ensuring coherent messaging and broad dissemination of knowledge and best practices. CG also produces flagship products, including the UNOPS Annual Report and GRI Sustainability Report, and provides guidance on branding, crisis communications, and public messaging. CG supports global communications efforts by offering tools, templates, and policies, and by fostering a vibrant Communications Community of Practice. Internally, CG cultivates shared understanding of strategic priorities; externally, it promotes UNOPS’ expertise and impact to partners and the public.

Role Purpose

The Director, Communications reports directly to the Executive Director of UNOPS and serves as the organization’s chief strategist and advisor on global communications, advocacy, and reputation management. As a key member of the senior leadership team, the Director leads the development and execution of integrated communications strategies that engage both internal and external audiences, reinforce UNOPS’ brand, and advance its position as a trusted partner in sustainable development. The Director is responsible for enhancing the organization’s global visibility, expanding its media presence and digital footprint, and shaping strategic narratives that connect diverse audiences to the tangible impact of UNOPS’ work in infrastructure, procurement, and project management. The role plays a critical part in safeguarding institutional reputation, strengthening strategic positioning, and supporting cross-functional initiatives that promote the relevance and credibility of UNOPS in meeting the urgent needs of people, countries, and communities around the world.

Functional Responsibilities

Summary of functions:

1. Strategic Alignment and Direction
2. Communications Functional Leadership
3. Strategic Communications and Advisory
4. External Engagement and Partnership
5. People Leadership

6. Knowledge Management and Innovation

7. Strategic Alignment and Direction

- Define and lead the overarching strategic and operational priorities of the Communications Group (CG) in alignment with UNOPS’ multi-year strategic plan. - Lead UNOPS’ global communications and advocacy, driving the organization’s visibility, influence and reputation across diverse audiences and platforms. Champion and strengthen UNOPS’ brand, positioning the organization as a trusted thought leader and strategic partner in sustainable development through compelling storytelling, proactive media engagement and high-impact advocacy.

• Elevate communications priorities within corporate planning and standard-setting processes, working closely with UNOPS Management and Policy functions.
• Collaborate with Group Directors to ensure that corporate policies, processes, and systems effectively enable the delivery of high-impact communications services.
• Partner with leaders of client-facing teams at headquarters, regional, and country levels to identify and drive cross-organizational collaboration to strengthen communications at all tiers.
• Contribute to the development of UNOPS’ organizational strategies and policies by advising the Executive Director and participating in senior management discussions on current and future operations.

2. Communications Functional Leadership

• Set and cascade strategic direction for the Communications Group (CG), translating organizational priorities into clear goals, measurable objectives and actionable plans across teams and functions. Ensure communications strategies support organizational objectives and enhance engagement with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Oversee the implementation and performance of global communications strategies, ensuring measurable progress towards near- and long-term objectives. Proactively assess delivery against expectations and make data-driven decisions to maintain alignment with evolving partner, client and stakeholder needs. Recommend strategic shifts to the Executive Director to sustain relevance, impact and operational excellence.
• Advise the Executive Director and senior leadership by providing timely, strategic counsel and robust analysis on communications issues, risks and opportunities. Oversee the delivery of high-quality reporting that supports informed decision-making and positions communications as a driver of organizational credibility and influence.
• Ensure strategic coherence and integrity across all corporate communications activities - internal and external - by regularly evaluating initiatives for consistency with UNOPS’ brand, values, accountability standards, and ethical frameworks.
• Drive innovation in corporate communications by leading the strategic adoption of emerging technologies, digital tools and platforms to enhance global reach, deepen stakeholder engagement, and strengthen UNOPS’ influence and visibility across internal and external audiences.
• Work with direct reports to plan, recruit and develop a flexible workforce with the competencies needed to drive optimal performance while ensuring gender and geographical diversity.

3. Strategic Communications and Advisory

• Lead the execution and continuous refinement of UNOPS’ global communications strategies and policies, ensuring they remain responsive to evolving organizational priorities, stakeholder needs, and the external communications landscape.
• Oversee the creation of high-impact communications content for the Executive Director and senior leadership, including speeches, talking points, social media content, multimedia assets, and key messaging for global audiences.
• Serve as principal advisor to senior leadership on strategic communications matters, including brand positioning, stakeholder engagement, and the proactive management of reputational risks and crisis communications.
• Ensure the timely preparation of written materials for high-level events such as Executive Board sessions, international conferences, and media engagements, maintaining consistency, clarity, and impact across all channels.
• Direct the coordination and integration of internal and external communications strategies, ensuring alignment with UNOPS’ brand and identity across all platforms and touchpoints.
• Oversee the governance, content, and performance of corporate digital channels, including websites and social media, ensuring they are current, secure, engaging, and risk-aware.
• Act as Editor-in-Chief for UNOPS' Annual Report to the Executive Board, ensuring editorial excellence and strategic alignment with organizational reporting obligations.
• Lead the design and execution of global communications campaigns, enhancing visibility, influence, and the strategic value of UNOPS to key audiences, including partners, donors, and the public.
• Monitor, anticipate, and respond to reputational risks, developing proactive messaging strategies and coordinated crisis communications plans to safeguard UNOPS’ credibility and trust.

4. External Engagement and Partnership

• Foster strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to stay ahead of evolving communications trends, promote knowledge sharing, and drive innovation in support of shared goals and cross-cutting initiatives.
• Build and sustain high-level media relationships, proactively engaging global, regional, and sectoral outlets to amplify awareness of UNOPS’ impact, capabilities, and contributions to sustainable development.
• Represent UNOPS in key interagency and external communications forums, influencing policy dialogue, contributing to the development of joint initiatives, and aligning with UN system-wide communications strategies and practices.
• Cultivate collaborative relationships with communications leaders across the UN system and the development sector, ensuring coherence in messaging, optimizing visibility opportunities, and harmonizing outreach efforts.
• Position UNOPS as a thought leader by driving participation in global platforms and publishing compelling, strategic content that showcases the organization’s expertise, values, and impact on sustainable development.

5. People Leadership

• As a member of UNOPS global leadership team, role-model UNOPS values and behavioral competencies.
• Promote teamwork and collaboration across CG, ensuring team members have clear direction, objectives and guidance to enable them perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.
• Foster a positive work environment that is respectful of all. Ensure appropriate focus on team well-being, empowerment, diversity and inclusion and that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

6. Knowledge Management and Innovation

• Oversee the successful implementation of policies, standards and tools to effectively manage internal and external communications and enhance UNOPS’ competitive edge as a provider of effective project services for sustainable results.
• Lead ongoing research, development and implementation of best practice and innovative approaches to maximize performance and sustain achievements.
• Drive knowledge sharing on strategic communications at HQ, country and region levels in order to collaboration and continuous feedback through communications networks and other channels, as appropriate.
• Lead the planning, implementation and organization of strategic capacity building of personnel, partners and stakeholders for strategic communications.

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

Education - A Master’s degree in communications, social science or other relevant related field is required. - A first (bachelors) degree in a related discipline plus an additional two years of work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience - A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience that combines strategic and managerial leadership in communications/information management, outreach, planning and operations in a large international and/or corporate organization is required. - Experience in UN system organizations or multilateral organisations is desirable.

Language - Full working knowledge of English is essential. - Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Staff Contract level: D-1, ICS13 Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability.

For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.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.
• 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.

Potential interview questions