Communication Specialist (Hygiene Retainer)

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations. With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it. A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

South East Asia Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO)

South East Asia and Pacific Multi Country Office (EAPMCO) supports, develops and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific. EAPMCO was established in January 2023 following the merger of the Thailand Multi-Country Office, which covered 20 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific, and the Cambodia Multi-Country Office, which covered 4 countries South East Asia - 3 countries in the Mekong Sub-region (Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam) and the Philippines. EAPMCO currently covers 24 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific. With its head office in Bangkok, the Multi-Country Office comprises nine business units: EAPMCO Thailand, EAPMCO Indonesia, EAPMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, EAPMCO Papua New Guinea, EAPMCO China, EAPMCO Vietnam, EAPMCO Mekong, and EAPMCO Philippines.

In 2024, the UNOPS EAPMCO implemented projects worth more than USD 80 million, in the areas of Energy Transition, Digital Transformations, Sustainable Environmental Management, Climate Change, Waste Management, Rule of Law and Access to Justice, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Post Conflict Reintegration, Emergency Relief, Post COVID19 Economic Transformations, and Health, through HR, procurement, construction, contract management, fund and program management services.

The Multi Country Office head office in Bangkok provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight and assurance of the excellence of business processes and quality standards across all of the entire Multi Country Office locations. It is also responsible for developing, delivering and managing the portfolio of engagements in the country of the MCO location itself.

UNOPS in Papua New Guinea

The EAPMCO Papua New Guinea was established in early 2020 to support the implementation of design and construction of infrastructure, sustainable procurement, capacity development to support technical and governance excellence, programme management, and to facilitate access to funding sources in Papua New Guinea.  

As an established office since 2022, EAPMCO PNG is demonstrating significant growth and portfolio diversification potential in a short period of time. Working with an increasing number of development partners, in 2023 EAPMCO PNG is quickly being recognised as a responsive and quality partner in climate change resilient infrastructure, sustainable procurement and governance support to the Government of PNG in its service delivery obligations to the people. There are a number of projects currently in the pipeline which will expand the portfolio of existing projects for the office.

Project Background Information – Hygiene Project

UNOPS, in collaboration with the World Bank, is launching a targeted hygiene behavior change campaign in five towns in Papua New Guinea. The initiative supports ongoing infrastructure investments and aims to promote handwashing, sanitation, and responsible water use through social behavior change communication (SBCC).

The Role

The Communications Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and in close collaboration with other team members, including implementing partners, national stakeholders, and Water PNG staff. The consultant is expected to deliver the Communication Plan as part of the campaign’s inception phase.

• Definition of culturally appropriate and inclusive key messages;
• Identification of target groups and outreach strategies;
• Customization of communication channels for each group (e.g., schools, churches, clinics, market audiences);
• Development of a time-bound implementation schedule;
• Definition of monitoring framework linked to behavior change indicators.

• Conduct consultations with Water PNG, community representatives, teachers, health workers, youth and women’s groups, and local authorities to inform the development of inclusive messages and formats.
• Integrate GEDSI (Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion) considerations across the plan, including through visuals, language, and access to materials.
• Ensure consistency of messaging with broader WSSDP and national hygiene objectives.

• Review and advise the Implementing partner (IP) on the design of outreach materials including posters, banners, outreach message and videos.
• Review and provide inputs on the training booklet and the methodology of the activities implemented by IP to ensure maximization of outreach and behavioral change impact
• Recommend clear instructions for trainers, teachers, and implementing partners on how to deliver and contextualize key messages in training and public sessions.

• Provide periodic updates to the UNOPS team and contribute to donor reporting as required.
• Submit a draft Communication Plan after fieldwork, followed by a final version incorporating feedback from stakeholders.

• Advanced university degree (Master degree or equivalent) in communications, journalism, public relations or another relevant field is required.
• A Bachelor’s degree in the above disciplines and in combination with additional two (2) years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of a master's degree.

• Minimum five (5) years of experience designing and implementing communication strategies for public health, WASH, or behavior change initiatives;
• Demonstrated experience applying GEDSI-sensitive approaches in communications is required;
• Experience in developing, disseminating, and monitoring the reach of knowledge products, social media content, and articles for grassroots level audiences is an asset.
• Experience working with graphic design and video production, and familiarity with creating slide decks, info sheets, social media content, and other standard communication products is desired.
• Understanding of local contextual knowledge in Papua New Guinea is an advantage.

• Full working knowledge of English is required.

• Contract type: International Individual Contract Agreement (IICA)
• Contract level: ICS-10/IICA 2/LICA-10
• Contract duration: Short term (2 months with the possibility of extension up to 12 months)

• When the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) has established the National Professional Officer (NPO) category in a duty station, a home-based Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA) will be issued instead of an International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA) 

• This is not a full-time position. Retainers may be requested to carry out tasks on an intermittent and need basis. There are no minimum hours or days guaranteed.

• For home-based position, it will be the responsibility of the selected candidate to make arrangements, to a standard deemed acceptable by UNOPS, for a secure internet connections, laptop and/or equipment necessary for work (as defined by UNOPS). 
• For home-based positions, candidates must have the necessary permissions to work in their home base location without sponsorship from UNOPS.

• 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. 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.