Communications Senior Assistant

Angul, an aspirational district in the India state of Odisha, is rich in mineral and natural resources. Given the availability of coal, kyanite, graphite, fireclay, and other raw materials, well-developed infrastructure in urban and industrial areas, connectivity with the state capital, the district is dominated by the manufacturing sector. In recent years it is experiencing further industrial expansion leading to various environmental issues. These are loss of biodiversity, transformation of farming lands, pollution, active mines and degradation of water bodies in terms of quantity as well as quality.

In alignment with the global goals and national/ subnational plans for sustainable development, the Angul district envisions to develop Angul as the country’s model of mining area development in a challenging environment, with its sustainability embedded in ecological protection, cultural heritage, and human development.

To realise this vision and to build a local level circular, green and inclusive model of economic growth based on judicious use of resources and a life cycle approach, the Angul District Administration in partnership with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) aims to develop and implement a first of its kind district level road map on circular and inclusive green economy. The programme will concentrate on the following priority sectors: 1) Plastic; 2) Electronics; 3) Textiles; 4) Aluminium; 5) Steel; 6) Infrastructure; 7) Water management

UNOPS is supporting the DMFT (District Mineral Foundation Trust) Angul by establishing a Programme Management Unit (PMU) that will advise the district administration in the management, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of the programme. UNEP will work as a knowledge partner in this project who will bring international best practices and learnings in this project.

Under the overall supervision of the Programme Management Senior Associate, the Communications Senior Assistant will undertake the following activities/responsibilities:

Media Outreach & Information, Education & Communication (IEC) management

• Support in developing the communication strategy for the programme.

• Support the development of digital and other media outreach materials (for example; flyers/brochures). 

• To provide support in visibility to the Programme and its activities to stakeholders and public.

• Provide support to manage all print, electronic and social media platforms to effectively disseminate the project activities and process documentation, reports for events and project activities conducted for donors.

• To provide support to the project manager in collection of success stories from field with good quality pictures and videos.

• Support in preparing of press briefs, notes, releases and support in liaising with the media wherever required.

Documentation Support 

• Assist in the development of technical specifications and terms of references for purchase of services and goods needed for delivery of print, and audio-visual communication materials.

• Assist in the preparation of requisitions, payment requests and other administrative documentation related to the communication activities. 

• Support in preparation of project reports/ brochures/ fliers and other communication materials as necessary. 

• Maintain physical inventory of all communication material procured and disseminated by the project. 

• Support in incorporation of gender mainstreaming into the communication activities in accordance with the project objectives. 

• Any other communication and/or related administrative support tasks.

Education

• High school diploma is required. 

• Bachelor or Master’s degree preferably in communications or related field (Media Studies, Journalism, Political Science, or International Relations) would be an asset and may substitute some of the required years of experience.

Work Experience

• Minimum 5 years of cumulative experience in supporting communications and operations, preferably with an international organization is required.

• Good communication, confident writing, and good analytical skills are essential.

• Experience in creating and dissemination of information through e-newsletters and/or producing content for websites and social media in English is an asset.

• Previous experience in Local Angul/Bhubaneswar will be an asset. 

• Prior experience of working in challenging operating environments and limited-access areas would be a significant asset. 

• Experience/knowledge of web-based applications and Google Suite products, especially Google forms, sheets, docs, and slides is an asset.

Languages and other eligibility requirements

• Full working knowledge of English and Hindi is required. Working knowledge of Odia is an asset.

• This is a local position; therefore, only Indian nationals can apply, and the duty station is Angul.

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)
Contract level: LICA-5
Contract duration: Open-ended. Initially one year; extension is 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.

• This position is stationed in Angul, India which is a 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. 

• 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.