Head of Communications

Contract

This is a P-4 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 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 171,478 USD and 221,086 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

Background Information – SUN Movement Secretariat Since 2010, the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement has inspired a new way of working collaboratively to end malnutrition, in all its forms. With the governments of SUN Countries in the lead, it unites people—from civil society, the United Nations, donors, businesses and researchers—in a collective effort to improve nutrition. The SUN Strategy 2021–2025 (SUN 3.0) prioritizes country leadership and focuses on supporting systemic change at the country level. It seeks to capture the ambition of SUN countries and guide the work of all actors at all levels aligning concerted action behind and responding to commonly agreed national priorities set out by governments in SUN countries.

SUN 3.0 is committed to fundamental, effective nutrition action, with equity and the principle of leaving no one behind. For its third phase, the SUN Movement will drive forward gender equality and enshrine youth leadership across the Movement. SUN 3.0 will strengthen partnerships to achieve greater impact on nutrition through food systems, health, social protection, education, water and sanitation. In the current global context working with multiple stakeholders to ensure a climate smart and gender responsive approach will be key.

The SUN Movement Secretariat plays a convening and facilitating role for the stakeholders of the Movement to work together to advance progress on addressing malnutrition in all its forms. This is done by working at global, country and regional levels.

The SUN Movement Secretariat comprises of personnel, based in Geneva and teams based in regional hubs in Asia, African and Latin America. All parts of the Movement – member governments, and the four SUN networks (Civil Society, United Nations, Business, Donors) as well as the SUN Movement Secretariat - work together with the SUN Movement Coordinator, to align and focus efforts around national nutrition priorities. These priorities are advocated for in global and regional fora.

The SUN Movement Secretariat is hosted by UNOPS.

****Role of the Head of Communications****

The Head of Communications reports to the D1 Director of the SUN Secretariat and has a close working relationship with the Assistant Secretary-General for Scaling Up Nutrition/SUN Coordinator. The Coordinator is the most senior level appointee in the UN system on nutrition and therefore has a broad communication and advocacy role on behalf of the movement.

The purpose of the Head of Communications role is to lead the Movement’s communications work, identifying opportunities to profile SUN and its objectives with key partners and leaders to influence decision making at global, regional and national levels. The function is responsible for implementing, monitoring and updating the SUN communications strategy; leads strategic messaging by SUN as a movement in collaboration with the networks and supports the strategic communications engagement of the Coordinator.

The function also ensures strong profiling of SUN at key events and in the media and provides communications support for the Secretariat, with a strong focus on national SUN country priorities, gender and youth. The Head of Communication is part of a team that includes a communication and advocacy adviser (P4) and a communications analyst (P2).

Functional Responsibilities

Communications Strategy - Implement, update and monitor the SUN Movement communications strategy including its digital and media relations strategy and workplan. - Work alongside communications colleagues across the Movement (Network partners, key stakeholders and the SUN Secretariat) to develop clear messaging on the importance and value of investing in nutrition . - Develop and promote the SUN Movement brand and branded materials; ensuring consistent narrative, developing standards and consistency across Networks. - Direct the curation of online communication content that increases audience engagement on social media channels to elevate focus on SUN’s advocacy and communications priorities and monitor these on a regular basis. - Lead the development of SMS publications and communication outputs such as annual reports and updates. - Provide guidance to communication aspects of SUN Secretariat planned events including the SUN Movement Global Gathering. - Ensure key messages on important and sensitive issues are communicated across the SUN networks to ensure coherence and unity. Lead the Global Support System Communications Group, coordinating strategy, workplans and driving alignment. - Develop and maintain contact lists of journalists and media outlets that help promote and/or impact the Movement and actively cultivate and manage press relationships to ensure coverage of issues of strategic importance to the Movement.

Support to the Coordinator- Provide communication advice to the Coordinator and ensure they are kept informed of issues, trends, and changes which are relevant to the SUN Movement’s strategic positioning. - With input from substantive leads, develop audience-appropriate and quality speeches, talking points, social media input and multimedia production for the Coordinator. - Develop a communication plan for the Coordinator’s public appearances including key messages as well as their communication and dissemination, - Lead the dissemination of messaging and guidance around the Coordinator’s priorities and activities with the SUN Movement.

Management of SUN Movement Secretariat communications function

• Implement the communications plan in collaboration with the Global Support System Communications team. This should be done through setting annual objectives and targets, performance measurements and be closely aligned with advocacy strategies and plans.
• Monitor implementation, oversee progress toward annual objectives and take decisions to ensure the delivery of results as planned.
• Manage the communications resources of both staff and budget of the SUN Movement Secretariat.
• Lead messaging and response in crisis communications as required, ensuring management of reputational risks.
• Foster a positive work environment and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed

Innovation and knowledge management- Contribute to the implementation of communication activities that are part of the SUN Movement Secretariat’s internal knowledge management strategy to encourage collaboration and engagement across geographic boundaries. - Establish and implement SUN policies for communication and adapt these to accommodate changing needs. - Contribute to the planning, implementation and organization of strategic capacity building of staff in the area of communications.

Impact of Results The effective and successful achievement of results will support the SUN Movement and its Secretariat to achieve its vision of a world free from malnutrition in all its forms by 2030.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

A. Education:- Advanced University Degree (Masters Degree or equivalent) in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, International Development or other relevant discipline. - A bachelor's degree with a combination of two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the master's degree.

B. Work Experience: - A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in the Communication function of an international organization or international corporation is required. - Expertise in external/public relations, stakeholder management, working in a complex stakeholder environment is required. - Experience in preparing key messages, speeches, talking points and delivering them to a targeted audience is required. - Editorial experience in shaping narratives and building compelling multimedia content for targeted audiences is required. - Demonstrated capacity to establish and foster good relations with high level partners, e.g. government counterparts, UN agencies, and other partners is desirable. - Experience in working in developing countries with an understanding of development, human rights or humanitarian issues is desirable.

C. Language: - Full working knowledge of English is essential. - Knowledge of another official UN language, particularly French , is an asset.

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.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment (FTA - UN Staff Contract) Contract level: ICS-11 / P4 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.
• Geneva, Switzerland is a UN family duty station.

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.