Head of Corporate Communications and Advocacy

The Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) was established in 1990 and mandated by name in United Nations General Assembly resolution A/RES/45/181.The WSSCC Secretariat is hosted by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and aims to accelerate the achievement of sustainable sanitation, hygiene and water services for all people, with special attention to the unserved poor, by enhancing collaboration and coordination of all sector stakeholders. The WSSCC Secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland. More information on WSSCC can be found on the website at www.wsscc.org.

• Under the guidance of the Executive Director and in consultation with the Deputy Executive Director/Programme Director, develop, maintain and update the corporate communication and advocacy strategy and related workplan.
• Manage the communication and advocacy team, ensuring appropriate contribution to organizational outputs and activities (global, regional and national) while upholding quality and standards in communication and advocacy.
• Facilitate global partnership engagement to advance advocacy for WSSCC’s principles and priorities.
• Work closely with the Deputy Executive Director/Programme Director to design, implement and measure WSSCC’s societal engagement and harnessing of social movements.
• Work with the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director/Programme Director to agree corporate messaging and to ensure consistent use across all aspects of WSSCC’s internal and external work; and provide authoritative advice on media relations and positioning of WSSCC.
• Promote through media and other communication channels, WSSCC’s principles to assist a better understanding of the right to sanitation and hygiene  (SDG6.2); gender, equity and the concept of leave no-one behind.
• Oversee WSSCC’s social media platforms, ensuring quality, timeliness and relevance of the WSSCC’s image on relevant platforms; and monitors reach and impact.
• Establish and maintain a broad, collaborative network of traditional and social media contacts, seeks out opportunities to position WSSCC’s principles and priorities and monitors value added of engagement.
• Identify and manage external media and communication contractors ensuring quality, cost effectiveness and timely creation of externally produced work.
• Act as spokesperson for the Executive Director as appropriate
• Undertake the function of member of the Senior Leadership Team; and Unit Head, displaying management excellence and corporate citizenship throughout
• Prepare periodic budget projections for the Unit and once approved, oversee its implementation in accordance with the rules and procedures of UNOPS; and undertake all aspects of management, administration, planning and human resource supervision to ensure a well-functioning Unit.
• Other related duties as assigned by Executive Director and/or Deputy Executive Director/Programme Director.

• Minimum seven (7) years of progressive professional experience in communications, public relations, media or journalism or related fields is required. 
• Experience is required in development agencies and building linkages between communication, social and behavior change communication and societal engagement to establish new social norms  

• Demonstrates commitment to WSSCC mission, vision and values, including cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude; remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure
• Analytical, organizational and inter-personal skills
• Public speaking clear and focused, with ability to effectively communicate complex ideas to a non-specialist audience with little background in labour market economics
• Formulates written information clearly and persuasively
• Accountability for management of time, establishing clear performance goals, standards, & responsibilities
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside the Council

• 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.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• 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 is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.