Partnerships Specialist- Liaison (Communications)

Background: VIEMCO

The Vienna Multi-Country Office (VIEMCO) was set up in August 2019 as a part of the UNOPS Europe & Central Asia Region (ECR). Specifically, VIEMCO aims to enable achievement of Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement through global programmes and tailored interventions in the Balkans, South Caucasus, and Central Asia, focused on:

• Infrastructure

• Procurement 

• Project Management (full service, back on track)

• HR and Transactional Services

• Grant Management 

• Technical and Advisory Services

Background: Project

UNOPS, through ECR VIEMCO, is partnering with the Government of Albania and the European Union, as well as with the UN system, to facilitate the post-earthquake rehabilitation and reconstruction of a large number of key cultural heritage sites, museums, and cultural hubs and to promote tourism and economic development of the sites. 

On 26 November 2019, Albania was hit by its most deadly earthquake in a century. The earthquake measured 6.4 on the Richter scale and caused significant casualties and property damage, resulting in 51 deaths, over 1000 injured, and nearly 14,000 people displaced. To measure and assess the economic damage, a Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) was conducted, estimating the total economic losses at nearly EUR 1Billion.  

The PDNA documented the destruction of public and private infrastructure. Of particular concern was the destruction of cultural heritage monuments and property, as 53 cultural heritage properties were significantly damaged by the earthquake. This project seeks to remediate the effect of the earthquake on Albania’s cultural heritage through the rehabilitation of monuments, as well as contribute to Albania’s socio-economic recovery through the construction and upgrade of these sites. It will be important also to support improvements in the capacity of institutions responsible for the management of these cultural monuments and sites to better accommodate tourism. A final outcome of the project is the effective communication of project results to the wider public and developing and implementing an advocacy platform resulting in better recognition of the important role of culture in the social and economic well-being of Albanian citizens.

Under the overall supervision of Senior Programme Manager, the Communications and Liaison Specialist will be responsible for efficient and effective management of communication and liaison activities with project partners and relevant stakeholders to ensure effective project positioning and delivery. He/she will play a lead role in supporting and advising regarding the strategies and best social communication techniques. Additionally, He/she is responsible for the design, monitoring, and evaluation of communication material and activities to raise awareness, while ensuring full compliance with both UNOPS guidelines and the donor’s visibility requirements.

Communications strategy 

• Support the Senior Programme Manager to develop a set of communication services that can strengthen communication within the partnerships of the office.

• Develop a Communications Plan, in accordance with the overall Communication Strategy developed by the EC under Special Measure 2 and coordinate with other implementing partners, the EC and the Government of Albania.

• Provide accurate and timely information on the EU assistance activities and benefits delivered as part of the Project to all key stakeholders and the end beneficiaries.

• Promote the EU values and contribute to better understanding and participation in EU Projects at different levels in Albania including national, regional and local authorities as well as citizens and private sector. 

• Responsible for the communication and visibility activities of the project, coordination of the development and implementation of the stakeholder management and communication strategy. 

• Ensures visibility of the donor in line with the EU guidelines, identifying specific and measurable goals, opportunities and tools for promotion of each result area, as well as target audiences and clear messages.

• Lead coordination of activities of the project related to design, photography, visibility events, visits, meetings, printouts, and other materials. 

• Monitor views and perceptions of the various target audiences of the UNOPS. This includes monitoring social media sites and the press to assess attitudes about UNOPS, general urban trends and make recommendations about the organisation’s positioning.

• Mainstream gender equality and women’s empowerment strategically in all activities related to communication, advocacy and branding.

• Engage proactively with communication representatives of UN agencies and the communications group in UNOPS.

Partnerships

• Support stakeholder management through active outreach to partners and relevant stakeholders, based on background research, assessments of client needs, analysis of partner surveys, preparation of stakeholder profiles.

• Maintain active contact and follow up with the partners and stakeholders and help manage UNOPS’s relations with those identified under the respective communications plans, including ensuring the respective vendors and experts are deployed and managed to ensure effective delivery of these.. 

• Serve as a focal point for partnership with the European Union, UN partners and forums, as well as relevant civil society organizations, and advise the Senior Programme Manager on all related issues.

• Keep abreast of market, social, economic, and political trends and reflect these in relevant documentation.

• Coordinate drafting project and programme related documents, concepts, etc.

• Close interaction with Programme/Project personnel to share information and knowledge; and to provide proactive support and follow-up in building and maintaining effective partner relations.

Branding the Donor, Project & UNOPS 

• Newsletters, flyers, brochures, corporate powerpoint presentations, speeches etc.;

• Web content, social media and blogs;

• Multimedia, videos and photos;

• Flagship products, annual reports and scorecards;

• Establishment of an annual communications work plan and dissemination plan for UNOPS’s materials ensuring effective identification and outreach to targeted audiences at the global and country levels, as well as in line with donor requirements;

• Review UNOPS style guide and ensure consistent approach, standards and branding across all products.

• Provide support to UNOPS programmes to boost their visibility and awareness including identification of key stories, content and results;

• Support the membership and partnership development functions of the team with the conceptualisation of fundraising and marketing materials to raise awareness of UNOPS and its work, and with a view to reaching new audiences and potential donors;

• Compile specialized media coverage press packages for projects as deemed necessary; arrange media briefings and respond effectively to inquiries to media as well as for public information materials.

Communication tools, social media

• Maintain the UNOPS website and other social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, etc). Generate, draft and edit content for the web sites ensure material content is consistent, fresh and up to date.

Efficient management of resources for communications

• Foster teamwork and space for innovation and creative thinking.

• Participate in corporate exercises that drive organisational maturity and operational excellence, and contribute to gender equality. 

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in journalism, communication, international development, political science, economics or a related field is required.

• A first level university degree with a combination of relevant academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree

Work Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in communications, liaison or partnerships functions  including experience at the international level, and preferably with experience facilitating partnerships.

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in implementing social awareness campaigns and developing materials for communication and sensitizing at the community level is required.

• Demonstrated excellent communication, research and analysis skills related to partner/business development in an international setting.

• Experience in the implementation of projects under the European Union communications and visibility regulations is an asset.

• Field experience or experience in developing countries is considered an asset;

• Experience with international organizations or public institutions is considered an asset.

Language

• Fluency in English is  required. 

• Knowledge of Albanian language is considered an advantage.

Contract type: Regular, International Individual Contract Agreement (IICA)

Contract level: ICS-10 / IICA-2

• 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.