Communications Specialist, Multiple positions

UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. 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. 

New York Service Cluster (NYSC) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York - based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management. 

Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) It provides Services to partners' programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York. The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries. 

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the United Nations Office for Counter Terrorism (UNOCT) to implement the project activities for the International Hub on Behavioural Insights to Counter Terrorism.

The 'International Hub on Behavioural Insights (BI) to Counter Terrorism' has been established as a UNOCT Programme Office in Doha, the State of Qatar, through an Agreement signed between UNOCT and the State of Qatar on 15 December 2019, as well as a contribution agreement signed on 8 December 2020, to perform three core functions: (conduct and advance research in behavioural sciences to better understand the drivers and factors contributing to radicalization leading to violent extremism and terrorism; provide capacity- building assistance to Member States, regional organizations and civil society partners to develop and implement programmes, projects and initiatives that integrate behavioural insights to counter terrorism; and promote communication, outreach and partnerships to share knowledge, expertise, experiences and lessons learned on behaviourally informed counter- terrorism interventions. 

The incumbent of this position will be a personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility. 

Purpose and Scope of Assignment 

Overall objective: Raising the profile and visibility of the BI hub in Doha work among both internal and external audiences through wide-spread, effective and timely communication of its goals, activities and key achievements.

Specific objectives: 

a. Foster an ‘All-of-UN approach’ for communication on counter-terrorism.

b. Better communicating at and from the local level  

c. Better communicating for visibility, partnership and fundraising

Under the supervision of the Senior Portfolio ManagerCommunications Specialist will perform the following responsibilities:

• Lead the implementation of the Communication Plan for the BI hub in Doha. Advise on the project’s overall strategic direction and use ongoing findings and results from implementation of activities to update the communication plan; 

• Work closely with other team members and experts to develop clear, coherent and consistent messaging about the BI hub in Doha work and mandate;

• Initiate and maintain relations with local, regional and global media outlets to raise profile of the mandate, capacity building and programmatic delivery; 

• Be responsible for development and production Podcast series, including but not limited to strategic advice on objectives and audiences for the podcast, support in identification of third party podcasts;

• Supervise production of promotional video;

• Support the development of proposals for online and off-line public information material for campaigns, conferences, events and meetings promoted through the media, website,  web pages and social media presence;

• Assist in developing communication products and provide recommendations on the production processes as required.

• Perform other duties as may be reasonably required and in line with the incumbent’s scope of services above.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Outputs are delivered on time; their quality and impact are considered satisfactory by the Project Manager

• Engagement is professional, team oriented and positive.

• Demonstrates the core values of the UN (Professionalism, Integrity and Respect for Diversity) and the core competencies described below in the discharge of their duties.

*FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY
*CANDIDATES WITH NO UN OR UNOPS EXPERIENCE ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY



Education 

• Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) preferably in communication, literature, linguistics or other related fields.

• A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. 

Work Experience 

• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, including developing communications and advocacy strategies, or media is required. 

• Excellent drafting skills are required. 

• Experience in visual design is desirable. 

Language

• Fluency in English (write, read, talk) is required. 

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) 

Contract level: International Individual Contractor Agreement (I-ICA 2/ICS-10) 

Contract Duration: 6 months with possibility of extension

• 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.

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.