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

New York Service Cluster (NYSC) 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

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.

This Project is delivered under the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) ‘Youth Engagement and Empowerment Programme’. The Programme aims to advance, reinforce and consolidate current youth-focused PCVE-efforts and to empower and enable young people to contribute meaningfully in global, regional and national efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism and terrorism. It focuses on building and strengthening community resilience and social cohesion. Output 2.2 of the Programme aims to recognize, promote and communicate the positive role of youth in efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism and terrorism. 

The Communications Specialist will support the delivery of Output 2.2 of the Programme and report directly to the Programme Manager for Youth Engagement and Empowerment, and under the overall supervision of the Chief of Branch for PCVE, Human Rights and Victims of Terrorism. The position may require travel.

This is a position in UNOPS for supporting projects carried out for UNOCT. The incumbent of this position will be a personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

The Communications Specialist will provide technical and operational support as follows: 

• Support the development and implement a comprehensive communications strategy for the Youth Programme, under the supervision of the Programme Manager, and in close coordination with relevant stakeholders, including the UNOCT Public Information Officer and the Office of the Under-Secretary-General.
• Develop appealing and effective communications products, content and materials in support of the Programme’s deliverables and results, including policy briefs, reports, engagement platform and social media messages.
• Design, establish and maintain an engagement platform, in collaboration with young people
• Design and conduct interviews and video recordings with young people and other program participants, taking into account guidance on security and branding from the Office of the Under-Secretary-General.
•  Design and produce youth-centered video /audio content, including documentaries, in line with the Engagement Strategy and overall objectives of the Youth Programme. 
• Create a series of social media content based on participants' experiences and priorities in relation to violent extremism.
• Assist with the planning and delivery of youth engagement activities, technical support and capacity building, under the supervision of the Programme Manager, as needed.
• Liaise with communications counterparts in Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact entities, and other Programme partners and entities on the implementation of project activities, under the guidance of the Programme Manager. 
• Identify opportunities to improve visibility and implementation of the Programme. 
• Contribute to the project’s Measurement and Evaluation framework and apply lessons learned.
• Perform other duties as may be reasonably required and in line with the contractor’s scope of services above    

Monitoring and Progress Controls

The Communications Specialist will: 

• Deliver media and communications activities in support of the project outcomes
• Assist and support the delivery of youth engagement activities to support the project outcomes
• Contribute to the continued development and incorporation of good practice and lessons learned into the project delivery. 
• Contribute to the project’s Measurement and Evaluation framework.

• Advanced university degree 
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with additional two (2) years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, media content production, storytelling, social media, or other relevant areas required.  

• Experience working on youth engagement and empowerment, peace and security, preventing violent extremism and/or international political affairs would be an asset. 
• Experience in communicating difficult topics and issues would be an asset. 
• Experience of working with relevant United Nations bodies and other key multilateral forums would be an asset.
• Experience in project management, capacity building and technical assistance would be an asset. 

• Fluency in English (write, read, speak) is required. Working knowledge of an additional UN language is an asset. 

Contract type: International Individual Contractual Agreement (IICA) 

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