Communications Officer: Public Relations and Outreach

The position is located within the Communications Group (CG) at UNOPS headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark.  

Corporate communications strive to raise the visibility and profile of the organization, maintaining a coherent brand and corporate identity.

External communications are guided by UNOPS strategic ambition to be known and recognized. Internal communications underpin a common understanding across the organization, and in doing so, help personnel work together towards delivering on UNOPS strategic plan.

• Support efforts to increase proactive engagement with the media to promote UNOPS projects and skills at national and international level, in close coordination with project, country and regional colleagues -this support will include drafting communications materials, developing story ideas, helping with media outreach, pitching to journalists, among others.

• Support national and regional offices to identify and develop storylines for media outreach (e.g. media pitches, op-eds, press releases) to maximise on public relations and outreach.

• Seek, arrange, and facilitate media interviews for national and regional spokespeople and assist with media skills development.
  
  

• Support the development of media strategies in coordination with project, country and regional colleagues, and the Communications Group to ensure that all media work is aligned to the UNOPS brand message and priority themes.
  
  

• Work with colleagues in partnerships and thought leadership functions to develop and coordinate joint messaging and events outreach materials
  
  

• Develop existing relationships with journalists and the media, and build new relationships across international media outlets to generate high-value media coverage

Education 

• Advanced university (Master’s) degree, preferably in journalism, digital media, communications, social sciences, or other relevant areas of expertise is required

• A combination of a first-level university degree with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree

Experience

• Minimum of two years relevant experience in a communications or media role; strong media relations background and experience working with press is an advantage

• Experience writing and editing high-quality, engaging copy including op-eds, blogs, press releases, and other editorial content on a broad range of topics 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills is highly desirable

• Excellent organization and planning skills is highly desirable

Language requirements

• Fluency in English is required 
• Knowledge of French or Spanish would be desirable

Contract type: ICA
Contract level: IICA1
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

• 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. 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.