Communications Specialist

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is a United Nations entity responsible for infrastructure, procurement and project management (General Assembly Resolution 65/176 of 2010). Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development. UNOPS is a service provider, a technical advisor and an implementer of projects to support our partners.

1. Sustainable Infrastructure: UNOPS designs, builds, repairs and maintains infrastructure in some of the most challenging environments in the world. Its activities are focused on the development of transportation, education and health infrastructure, among other areas.

2. Public procurement: UNOPS is a central procurement resource for the United Nations system and  governments. It emphasizes an efficient, transparent and sustainable delivery of goods and services.

3. Project management: UNOPS manages more than a thousand humanitarian, development and peacebuilding projects per year for different partners, ensuring quality, effectiveness and results that meet the highest standards.

UNOPS work seeks environmental, social and economic sustainability, which contributes to the progress of equity and the common good of the countries in which it operates, thus promoting the improvement of the living conditions of the most needy people. UNOPS has a presence in 23 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Our services, products and technical assistance comply with the principles of the public administration of transparency, equity, integrity, free competition, impartiality, morality, effectiveness, efficiency and respect for national institutions.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Head of Partnerships for LAC; the Communications Specialist will have the following key responsibilities:

1. Strategic positioning of UNOPS in Latin America and the Caribbean;

2. Management and implementation of strategic external communication in Latin America and the Caribbean;

3. Development and follow up of strategic communication alliances Latin America and the Caribbean; and

4. Internal communication, knowledge management and gender mainstreaming in Latin America and the Caribbean.

1. Education

   • A Master Degree preferably in Communication, Journalism, Public Administration, Economics, International Development, Political Science,or International Relations or related field.

   • A First University degree in combination with a minimum of seven (7) years’ qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

2. Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years of hands-on experience in communication, public relations, outreach and any other related fields that aligns job described functions is required. 

• Demonstrated experience in successfully leading, managing and supervising large communication teams.

• Proven experience in effectively  devising and executing communication strategies at a regional level, spanning multiple countries and cultures. 

• Experience developing impactful communication strategies and campaigns.  (for example managing communications in crisis contexts, political complexities, fragile social contexts)

• At least two years of experience in the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region.

Desired qualifications (none of the below limit candidates eligibility)

• Expertise in impact communication and storytelling proficiency.

• Work experience in the LAC region with a well-established proficiency in cultivating relationships and strategic alliances with top-tier regional media outlets and/or editors.

• Knowledge and experience with United Nations agencies, government, international cooperation, international organizations  and / or multinational companies.

• Strong commitment to advancing sustainable development goals and improving lives to live no one behind.

• Experience leading communications teams across countries

• Fluency in Spanish and English is required.

• Knowledge of French or Portuguese is desirable.

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement Contract

Regular monthly: This contract is established in the form of a Regular Monthly Contract, that is, a continuous presentation of the services  required during the contract period, making the payments associated with the contract at the end of each calendar month

Level of contract: ICS 10, equivalent to LICA 10 in local scale and IICA 2 in the international scale - The salary scale will be determined in line with UNOPS HR policy.

Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

Panama City is a family duty station.

• 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.