Communications Senior Manager – Strategic Communications

*FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY*

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 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 (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 UN Digital Cooperation Multi-Partner Trust Fund (Administered by UNDP MPTFO) to implement the project activities for the Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology. 

Background Information - Job-specific

The Office of the Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology (OSET) is dedicated to advancing the United Nations' digital cooperation agenda. OSET leads the implementation of the Secretary-General's vision on digital cooperation by working closely with various UN entities and multi-stakeholder groups, facilitating dialogue to accelerate global digital cooperation, seizing on the opportunities that are presented by technology – while mitigating the risks – so that progress towards achieving the Goals by 2030 can be accelerated, as well as carrying out other related duties and responsibilities assigned by the Secretary-General. This includes follow-up to the Global Digital Compact (GDC) adopted in September 2024.

OSET has a broad stakeholder community, encompassing governments, private sector entities—particularly within the digital economy—civil society organizations, and young people worldwide. OSET is committed actively engaging with this community in an inclusive and accessible manner. A critical part of the stakeholder engagement is proactive and state-of-the-art communication, which effectively reaches and engages stakeholders with key messages strategically placed across various channels. 

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

The purpose of this role is to lead OSET’s overall communications effort. This role requires a seasoned communications strategist who can set overall communication strategy direction and manage detailed planning and daily execution, manage media relations to advance the OSET’s mission.

Strategic leadership and advice:

• Set the vision for OSET’s external communications that aligns with OSET’s mission and goals.
• Lead the development and implementation of a data-driven, KPI-focused communications strategy, to ensure messaging that is clear, consistent, and impactful across all platforms over time in ways that promote OSET’s strategic objectives.
• Coordinate influential press and social media interventions and interesting stories which reflect or further the Office’s priorities.
• Provide the Tech Envoy with high-level strategic advice on tailored messaging to be included in speeches, editorials and other written material as appropriate.
• Coordinate and develop and maintain internal/external repositories of communications materials, including articles, speeches, interviews, etc.
• Coordinate OSET’s liaison with communications colleagues in the United Nations, especially the Secretariat, to keep aligned with system-wide communications and campaigns and exchange information.

Strategy execution, monitoring and management:

• Convene weekly planning sessions to update target audiences, messaging objectives and engagement channels for communications arising from priorities and engagements of the Office.
• Manage the delivery of communications outputs, setting daily priorities and deliverables to ensure timely dissemination of messages to target audiences across appropriate channels.
• Analyze and report on communications KPIs, adjusting strategies based on data-driven insights to continuously improve outreach efforts.

Public Relations:

• Manage media and public relations activities, building strong relationships with journalists, influencers, and thought leaders in the tech and digital governance sectors, and act as the primary liaison for the Office
• Coordinate, originate, secure and manage the delivery of media interventions by the Tech Envoy.
• Manage timely response to external information requests.

*FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY*

*CANDIDATES WITH NO UNITED NATIONS OR UNOPS EXPERIENCE ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

a. Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in Communications, Public Policy, Business Administration or related areas with seven (7) years of relevant experience OR.
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) preferably in Communications, Public Policy, Business Administration or related areas with nine (9) years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

b. Experience 

Required

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Media or related field.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in developing and executing communications strategies, particularly in the context of digital policy or public-sector communications.

Desirable:(The following experience is optional. Candidates who do not have it are welcome to apply)

• Experience in technology policy such as global AI governance, human rights online, e-government or digital diplomacy is desirable.
• Experience in leading a communications team is desirable.

c. Languages

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

• Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA)
• Contract level: ICA 3-ICS 11
• Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’ Although an ongoing contract will be offered, the contract is expected to have a duration of at least 12 months.

• 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.

• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.

• 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

• This position is based in New York, USA which is a family duty station. 

• 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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. 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.