Communications Specialist

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.

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

The 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, UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), and the Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio.  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.  SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries. 

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the United Nations to implement defined activities in support of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

In developing the Strategic Plan, OCHA committed to build a humanitarian system that "saves lives, strengthens community resilience and reduces humanitarian need. The definition of success must go beyond enabling survival to improving outcomes for people in and at risk of crises." The Flagship Initiative and its related learning component, which the related posts will work to implement, were designed specifically to deliver the transformational priorities of the Strategic Plan and develop the enablers articulated in the Plan. 

The Policy Branch leads on the implementation of the Flagship Initiative. The Initiative was launched in 2023 to redesign humanitarian action from the ground up in four pilot countries of Colombia, Niger, the Philippines, and South Sudan. The initiative is shifting the drivers of humanitarian action, organizing assistance around the priorities of crisis-affected communities rather than the priorities of aid providers.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment 

The purpose of this assignment is to provide strategic communication support for the Flagship Initiative under OCHA, coordinated closely with the Policy Branch and UNOPS. The consultant will develop and implement a multi-year communications and external relations strategy, supporting HQ and country-level focal points to ensure cohesive and impactful communication across various platforms, including digital media, press, and stakeholder engagement. 

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

The incumbent will support the Flagship Initiative Team to develop communication strategies, in coordination with other parts of OCHA. Under the close collaboration with OCHA Policy Branch under supervision of UNOPS Project Manager,  the incumbent will be responsible for the following: 

• Develops and implements a multi-year communications and external relations strategy for the Flagship Initiative.
• Coordinates all communications and advocacy aspects of the Flagship Initiative at HQ, in close collaboration with the focal points in the select countries. Provides hands-on support and guidance to country-level communications focal points.
• Participates in the development and monitoring of communication flows being maintained through appropriate electronic media, including but not limited to, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs' (OCHA) corporate website and intranet.
• Galvanizes and promotes support from key stakeholders, including developing messaging and story angles, pro-actively reaching out to journalists and public figures, anticipating and mitigating potential risks, and supporting the organization of country-level missions as required.
• Builds media coverage and stakeholder awareness around the key objectives as well as learning events of the Flagship Initiative. Arranges strategic placement of articles and feature stories.
• Organizes other activities to promote awareness and outreach, including interviews and other activities.
• Develops high-quality written, visual, and multimedia content pertaining to the Flagship Initiative, including but not limited to press releases, status updates, op-eds, articles, media products, and infographics to amplify coverage of the Flagship Initiative and related humanitarian issues.
• Provides advice and expertise to managers, senior officers and other public information staff on a range of communications issues, methods, and approaches; anticipates and resolves communications/external relations issues/problems.
• Evaluates results and impact of communications activities; reports on developments, trends and attitudes regarding the Flagship Initiative. Analyzes and reports on the impact and effectiveness of advocacy campaigns, external outreach and media coverage.
• Prepares the organization of meetings, seminars, conferences, workshops, etc. with other agencies and partners to facilitate exchanges of professional expertise and views and issues related to communications and advocacy for the Flagship initiative.
• Develops and maintains productive relationships with relevant parties, including senior UN officials, public information officers, journalists, and representatives of international, regional and national organizations, to advance the goals of the Flagship Initiative.

Monitoring and Progress Control:

• Multi-year communications and external relations strategy
• High-quality written, visual, and multimedia content pertaining to the Flagship Initiative
• Media coverage and stakeholder awareness
• Activities that promote awareness and outreach, including interviews and other activities

*FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

• An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) preferably in communication, journalism, international relations, political sciences, public administration or related fields to the post description with five (5) years of relevant experience is required; OR
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) preferably in communication, journalism, international relations, political sciences, public administration or related fields to the post description with seven (7) years of relevant experience is desirable.

b. Work Experience 

Required:

• Relevant experience is defined as progressively responsible experience in public information, public relations, journalism, international relations or related areas.
• Experience in the development and implementation of communications strategies is required.
• Experience in producing a variety of communications products is required.

Desirable (The following experiences are optional, candidates who do not have it are welcome to apply)

• Knowledge of the full range of communications approaches, tools, and methodologies is desirable.
• Experience in working with communication and media partners from international organizations, government officials, academia/professional bodies among others is desirable.

c. Language:

• Fluency in English (read, write, speak) is required. 
• Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable. 

• 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 

• 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.