Senior Media Specialist

The post is located in the Communications Group (CG), UNOPS Headquarters in Copenhagen. Under the guidance and supervision of the Head of Communications, the Media and Communications Specialist will support the production, dissemination and promotion of information about UNOPS for external audiences through media outreach, the corporate website and publications. The Media and Communications Specialist will also collaborate with UNOPS regional and country offices, UN organizations, subject matter experts and UNOPS stakeholders to raise the visibility of UNOPS, in line with the organizations strategy.

Purpose and scope of assignment

Under the guidance of the Head of Communications, the Media and Communications Specialist is responsible for the promotion and oversight of all information material produced by the Communications Group, as well as any other strategic or operational tasks required. This will include representing the Group, supervising the rest of the team when necessary, acting as quality control on all work produced, as well as running the content team and managing all UNOPS information products.

• Developing story lines and securing media coverage to increase the visibility of UNOPS and partner project activities, nationally and internationally.
• Designing, project-managing and acting as a focal point for all external communications campaigns (in three languages).
• Promoting UNOPS though coordinating media coverage associated to attendance at events (often through senior management representation) through media management and media partnerships.
• Managing writing projects: researching, selecting and assigning articles, and providing quality control to ensure all communications products follow institutional guidelines, messages are targeted to audiences, and are of a high quality and are completed to deadline.
• Developing and refining media-related guidelines and strategies, and monitor and evaluate results and impact.
• Providing support in drafting speeches, op-ed’s and input to senior management briefing notes.
• Building relationships with field offices, other departments and external partners to gather information and provide advice on communications products and outreach.
• Keeping abreast with emerging and trending news and media stories to seize opportunities for positioning UNOPS as thought-leaders on issues related to UNOPS core mandate.
• Working closely with all other teams in UNOPS Communications Group to ensure final products reflect the strengths and capacities across the broader group
• Supervise the day-to-day operations and manage UNOPS team of writers, training personnel in pitching, writing and editing.
• Performing other duties as required. 

• Master degree in communication, journalism or related is required. 
• A bachelor degree in combination of 2 additional years relevant profession experience in one of the above field may be accepted in lieu of the Master Degree.  
• Applicants with a Technical/professional Diploma or a Professional Certification in Journalism, communication or related fields must have 9 years of relevant experience. 

• A minimum of 5 years of significant experience working as a press officer, national or international journalist is required.

• Full fluency in English is required.  

• Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

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.