Communications Officer (Architecture and Urban Design)

General Background 

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 Nepal context: 

During 2015 – 2022 UNOPS Nepal has engaged closely with the Government of Nepal and several development partners in the reconstruction efforts of the government of Nepal including assessment of damaged buildings and enrolment of beneficiaries into housing grant schemes. UNOPS supported homeowners engaged in the reconstruction process, modernization and improving policing services, retrofitting damaged houses and reconstruction of disability-friendly schools, and delivering some essential equipment to support COVID-19 response efforts. The functional objective of UNOPS Nepal is to deliver its projects efficiently and effectively in alignment with government priorities following UNOPS rules and regulations, to achieve the outcomes sought by the Government and funding partners, and contribute to the achievement of SDGs.

While ensuring gender, diversity and inclusion is mainstreamed in all its projects, UNOPS Nepal is currently working on several new engagements to support the government of Nepal under Health, Rule of Law, Climate Change, DRR, Urban development, procurement support among others and create new opportunities and jobs for the people of Nepal.

Assignment Context

In alignment with government priorities, the UNOPS Nepal country office looks forward to providing long-term strategic and advisory support to the country by enhancing the capacity of national and sub-national governments and partners within all three tiers of government. By prioritizing evidence-based planning, capacity building, and developing model projects for creating sustainable and inclusive cities UNOPS Nepal country office also aims to build strong relationships with urban municipalities at the local level. Aiming to create sustainable cities by promoting a green and resilient, climate adaptive, and socially inclusive development approach the assignment will focus on integrating urban planning and design in municipal infrastructure implementation processes, focusing on public spaces.

Position’s objectives

Under the overall guidance of the Project Manager, the Communications Officer will undertake the following duties and responsibilities, as relevant and applicable based on the detailed work plan to be established with the incumbent. 

1. Strategic Communications and Reporting
2. Capacity building and support
3. Public Information / Media Relations
4. Coordination
5. Knowledge Management

1.  Strategic Communications and Reporting

Provide support on all communications  activities of the social protection projects in line with the project’s communication strategy in line UNOPS corporate policies and procedures;

●      Plan and implement a reporting/communications plan for all internal and external communications for the project;

●      In conjunction with project personnel, and the Project Manager, ensure the timely delivery of progress reports to the donor and project partners in compliance with grant and coordination requirements;

●      Maintain regular contacts with all project teams to ensure timely and accurate data relating to the progress of works;

●      In close consultation with the country office Communications Officer     ,provide specific and direct communication support to each project’s field location as required;

●      Ensure adherence to internal reporting mechanisms;

●      Ensure the implementation of the communications and visibility plan including the production of project’s factsheet and other visibility materials including the timely distribution of press releases when required;

●      Coordinate regularly with the Communications Team and other internal stakeholders to ensure the timely update of project related information;

●      Support the project reporting       for internal and external audiences on project  performance and other issues, as and when required;

●      Ensure rapid and information dissemination relating to the organizational policies, guidelines and directives to the project personnel;

●      Lead the implementation of the project communication strategy, in coordination with communication teams to raise the profile and visibility of the project;

●      Develop communications materials and facilitate actions in line with the project communication to publicize project results and achievements, including through press releases, interviews, social media, video clips etc.

2.  Capacity building and support

●      Ensure that project personnel are provided with professional expertise and advice on all aspects of external relations communication for the project as required.

3. Public Information / Media Relations

●      Support the Project Manager to lead the required media relations to ensure the desired level of positive press coverage in national and international media; analyze and report on the impact of coverage;

●      Provide media briefing drafts to the Project Manager prior to sharing them externally;

●      In consultation with  the Project Manager collaborate with mass media through activities such as organizing project site visits, facilitating media coverage and utilizing both web-based and traditional media as appropriate.

4. Coordination

●      Closely support the Project team in dissemination of information related to Country Office;

●      In consultation with the country office Communication Specialist and the Project Manager, represent  in UN  interagency  communication working groups to ensure coordination with other UN Agencies;

●      Provide guidance and advice on communication with government and non-state actors (donors, embassies, INGO) paying attention to relevant communication protocols.

5. Knowledge Management

●      Organize and co-facilitate share fairs, design competitions, and workshops.

●      Coordinate the scheduling of the Knowledge Management meetings, and provide support by taking meetings and following up action points.

●      Create and maintain Social media professional network for Mayors, Deputy Mayors, and municipal staff through project communication support

●      Provide support to translation exercises, including review of translation as requested.

●      Setup web conferencing and other online collaborative workspaces as requested.           

●      Maintain the Knowledge Management site on the intranet, including relevant material and documents on the KM intranet.

●      Develop, maintain and update partners and clients contact list/database;

Impact of Results:

The effective and successful achievement of results by the Communications Officer affects the performance of major aspects of the relevant business unit/s, and partnership activities, impacting the timely and effective implementation of the respective services and deliverables.  This ensures client satisfaction and promotes the image and credibility of UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management. This enhances UNOPS’ competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services in the country/region served.

Education:

●       A Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Monitoring and Evaluation, Project Management, Business Administration, Political/Development Studies, or other relevant discipline combined with two (2) years of work experience is required.

Experience:

●       Minimum two (2) years of relevant experience in communications, branding, outreach or related fields is required;

●       Minimum one (1) year of  relevant work experience in international development communications content development is required;

●       Experience in developing, disseminating and monitoring the reach of knowledge products, social media content and articles for a wide range of audiences required;

●       Experience working with graphic design and video production, and familiarity in making slide decks, info sheets, social media content and other standard communication products is desired;

●       Experience of working in an international context is desirable;

Language:

●       Excellent knowledge of English Language, both written and verbal, is required.

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreements (LICA)

• 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. 

• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• 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.