Communications Officer

Sri Lanka

UNOPS has supported Sri Lanka’s development since 1998, expanding operations in 2005 to support the post-tsunami response and reconstruction process. Within the organization’s mandate in project management, infrastructure, and procurement, UNOPS Sri Lanka implements customized socio-economic development projects that benefit vulnerable people and develop national capacities. Achievements in Sri Lanka include the development of sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure, procurement services & capacity building, and project management in education, fisheries, roads, health, water supply systems; flood control and sanitation, and integrated solid waste management sectors. UNOPS works closely with Government counterparts and communities to ensure increased ownership, sustainability, and accountability of Projects. 

UNOPS Sri Lanka facilitated over $22 million worth of procurement of COVID-19 protection equipment and services in partnership with the World Bank, the Government of Japan, and the United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund. Currently, UNOPS is conducting about $5 million pharmaceutical procurement to strengthen the  Sri Lanka health system and support the people in need.

UNOPS is recruiting a Communications Officer who will be responsible for efficient and effective management of communication activities of UNOPS in Sri Lanka and Maldives.

Under the supervision of the PMO Manager, and secondary supervisory line to the Director of South Asia Multi-country Office (SAMCO), the Communications Officer will play a lead role in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of communication activities, while ensuring full compliance with UNOPS and donors’ visibility requirements and guidelines, with the objective to raise awareness of target audiences about results and impact of the projects UNOPS implements with its partners in Sri Lanka and Maldives. He/she will also support the SAMCO Director’s engagement with both internal and external stakeholders.

The Communications Officer will undertake the following activities/responsibilities:

Management and implementation of external communication 

• Contribute to the implementation of the external communication strategy and the action plan for the Sri Lanka and Maldives office.

• Draft communications materials for the supervisors’ review, (including, but not limited to press releases, web and media stories, briefing notes, presentations, talking points, video scripts and storyboards, social media posts).

• Provide inputs to the  production  of video and multimedia stories.

• Research and monitor relevant social media accounts.

• Coordinate and support updates to relevant pages on the UNOPS website related to Sri Lanka and Maldives.

• Support the organisation of events, equipment handover ceremonies, conferences, field visits and other similar functions. 

• Provide communications guidance  to UNOPS personnel speaking at or participating in events organised by partners.

• Contribute to development, monitoring and implementation of protocols to prevent and manage potential reputational or media communications crisis situations in coordination with the Management Team, other communications personnel, the Communications Group and other relevant stakeholders.

• Provide research and analytical support to projects in order to promote their activities, results and impact. 

• Ensure daily monitoring and ad-hoc qualitative and quantitative analysis of the UNOPS projects’ media coverage.

• Contribute to preparation and completion of tenders for the publicity material (including print, graphics, web, audio and video). 

• Screen incoming correspondence for the SAMCO Director and route to relevant internal stakeholders for follow-up. Respond to and/or direct inquiries to appropriate units for timely action/response.

• Draft, for SAMCO’s Director review, routine correspondences, such as letters, memos, and verbal notes.

• Prepare briefings, presentations and background materials for the Regional/Hub Directors, the Head of Programme, Project Managers and/or Partnership Advisors.

Management and implementation of internal communication

• Support communication of results of the Pulse Survey and the ensuing action plan.

• Support organisation of the retreats, Town Halls or other internal meetings, by preparing agendas, speaking points, organising activities to improve team work, to name the key.

• Provide inputs for the UNOPS internal communications platforms, to ensure timely updates. 

Stakeholder engagement

• Provide research and support for the establishment  and cultivation of partnerships with the key national, regional and local media. 

• Provide analytical input for the supervisor and MCO Director to present UNOPS work  to key stakeholders.

• Participate in the work of the UN Country Team’s Communications Group.

• Collect inputs, address comments, and review communications materials with relevant stakeholders (including donors and beneficiary institutions).

Personnel management

• Maintain and support with esearch the replenishment of the pools of communications consultants and service providers that can provide specialised support to the projects and office.

Knowledge management

• Participate in the UNOPS’ Communities of Practice.

• Provide feedback to Practise Leads on policy, supporting guidance with an aim towards continuous improvement of UNOPS policies.

• Contribute to identification and sharing of the lessons learned and the best practices.

• Participate in the SAMCO Communication Group meetings and contribute to implementation of a joint work plan. 

Education 

• Master’s degree preferably in communications, journalism, public relations, international relations or a related field is required

• A relevant Bachelor degree in combination with two years of relevant professional experience would be accepted in lieu of Master degree

Work Experience 

• Minimum two years of relevant work experience in communications, public relations, media or journalism is required

• Experience with international organisations is desirable but not mandatory.

• Experience in the humanitarian and/or development sector is desired. 

• Experience in international organizations and/ or the UN system is an asset.

• Experience in preparing, coordinating, and leading donor reporting processes is desired.

• Computer literacy in particular Google suite is highly desired.

• Ability to analyze online communications using performance indicators is desirable.

• Excellent understanding on the intersection of technology, web design, editorial, digital, social media and multimedia platforms is desirable.

• Knowledge of digital media, visual communications and interactive storytelling methods is desirable.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English is required.

• Fluency in one of the local languages (Sinhala or Tamil) is required. 

• This vacancy is open for SRI LANKAN Nationals ONLY.

• 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.