Head of Communications

Background Information – SUN Movement Secretariat

Since 2010, the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement has inspired a new way of working collaboratively to end malnutrition, in all its forms. With the governments of SUN Countries in the lead, it unites people—from civil society, the United Nations, donors, businesses and researchers—in a collective effort to improve nutrition. The SUN Strategy 2021–2025 (SUN 3.0) prioritizes country leadership and focuses on supporting systemic change at the country level. It seeks to capture the ambition of SUN countries and guide the work of all actors at all levels aligning concerted action behind and responding to commonly agreed national priorities set out by governments in SUN countries. 

SUN 3.0 is committed to fundamental, effective nutrition action,  with equity and the principle of leaving no one behind. For its third phase, the SUN Movement will drive forward gender equality and enshrine youth leadership across the Movement.  SUN 3.0 will strengthen partnerships to achieve greater impact on nutrition through food systems, health, social protection, education, water and sanitation. In the current global context working with multiple stakeholders to ensure a climate smart and gender responsive approach will be key.  

The SUN Movement Secretariat plays a convening and facilitating role for the stakeholders of the Movement to work together to advance progress on addressing malnutrition in all its forms.  This is done by working at global, country and regional levels.

The SUN Movement Secretariat comprises  of personnel, based in Geneva and teams based in regional hubs in Asia, African and Latin America.  All parts of the Movement – member governments, and the four SUN networks (Civil Society, United Nations, Business, Donors) as well as the SUN Movement Secretariat - work together with the SUN Movement Coordinator,  to align and focus efforts around national nutrition priorities. These priorities are advocated for in global and regional fora.

The SUN Movement Secretariat is hosted by UNOPS.

• Implement, update and monitor the SUN Movement communications strategy including its digital and media relations strategy and workplan.  
• Work alongside communications colleagues across the Movement (Network partners, key stakeholders and the SUN Secretariat) to develop clear messaging on the importance and value of investing in nutrition .  
• Develop and promote the SUN Movement brand and branded materials; ensuring consistent narrative, developing standards and consistency across Networks.  
• Direct the curation of online communication content that increases audience engagement on social media channels to elevate focus on SUN’s advocacy and communications priorities and monitor these on a regular basis.
• Lead the development of SMS publications and communication outputs such as annual reports and updates.
• Provide guidance to communication aspects of SUN Secretariat planned events including the SUN Movement Global Gathering.
• Ensure key messages on important and sensitive issues are communicated across the SUN networks to ensure coherence and unity. Lead the Global Support System Communications Group, coordinating strategy, workplans and driving alignment.
• Develop and maintain contact lists of journalists and media outlets that help promote and/or impact the Movement and actively cultivate and manage press relationships to ensure coverage of issues of strategic importance to the Movement.

• Advanced University Degree (Masters Degree or equivalent) in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, International Development or other relevant discipline. 
• A bachelor's degree with a combination of two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted  in lieu of the master's degree.

• A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in the  Communication function of an international organization or international corporation is required. 
• Expertise in external/public relations, stakeholder management, working in a complex stakeholder environment is required.
• Experience in preparing key messages, speeches, talking points and delivering them to a targeted audience is required.
• Editorial experience in shaping narratives and building compelling multimedia content for targeted audiences is required.
• Demonstrated capacity to establish and foster good relations with high level partners, e.g. government counterparts, UN agencies, and other partners is desirable.
• Experience in working in developing countries with an understanding of development, human rights or humanitarian issues is desirable. 

• Full working knowledge of English is essential.
• Knowledge of another official UN language, particularly French , is an asset.

• 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.

• Geneva, Switzerland is a UN family duty station.

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. 

• 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.