Communications Specialist - Retainer

The Procurement Group (PG) is based at UNOPS HQ in Copenhagen. It leads the organization’s sustainable procurement practice and is responsible for: articulating strategy, policy positions and innovative solutions for procurement at UNOPS; enabling the operationalization and managerial oversight of UNOPS procurement activities through appropriate systems and reports; strengthening the knowledge, skills and career development of procurement practitioners; and leading the implementation of sustainable supply chains across the organization. 

As a central procurement resource for the United Nations system and its partners, UNOPS emphasizes efficient, transparent, cost-effective and sustainable delivery of goods, services and works, in line with public procurement best practices. On a yearly basis, UNOPS procures approx. USD 1 Bn worth of goods, services and works on behalf of our partners. These include a broad base of categories, including life-saving pharmaceuticals, mine action equipment, vehicles or road construction services. 

PG’s sustainability initiatives are led by the Head of Sustainable Supply Chains. 

Background Information - Job specific:

Sustainable Supply Chains go beyond simple sustainable procurement, they require strategic thinking to ensure that all activities linked to procurement integrate requirements, specifications and criteria that are compatible and in favour of the protection of the environment, social progress and in support of economic development, namely by seeking resource efficiency, improving the quality of products and services and ultimately optimizing costs.

Since 2015, UNOPS has been a leader in sustainable procurement, and sustainability is now one of the core principles of UNOPS Procurement. We have implemented best practices such as: 

• Sustainable Procurement Framework, effective as of 1st January 2020, requires that most of our procurement processes incorporate sustainability and gender mainstreaming considerations.

• Delivering Responsibility in Vendor Engagement programme (DRiVE). DRiVE is UNOPS supplier sustainability assessment, inspection and corrective action-planning programme. Its overall scope is to ensure UNOPS vendors operate responsibly and in accordance with high standards of integrity, with a focus on human rights, labour standards, equal opportunity, code of conduct, health and safety, quality management and environmental management.

• Possibilities Programme, which is UNOPS supplier diversity and inclusion programme. 

The Sustainable Supply Chains team is looking to strengthen our communications and guidance. We see an increase in complicated issues cropping up that need to be addressed through guidance, training and focused communication. We need the support of a communications specialist to develop the guidance together with our subject matter experts and find the right platform and space to make it available.

Reporting to the Sustainable Supply Chains Manager, the functional responsibilities of this retainer position are as follows: 

• Develop a comprehensive communications strategy that outlines the key objectives, target audience, messaging, content types, platforms, and metrics for specific programmes and projects run by PG

• Develop content plans for outlining the types of content needed for the various communications in the team, including how to improve communication with partners

• Analyse how the current communications are received by stakeholders such as suppliers, partners etc.

• Develop communication materials, including but not limited to content for newsletters and webpages, case studies, infographics, guidelines and presentations

• Develop templates for presentations that sets out a specific communication identity for the team

• Support the communications aspects of events held by PG including the development of event messaging, promotional materials

• Develop training materials including best practices, guidelines etc.

• Providing communication training for the team, to improve the team’s skills

• Provide feedback on existing communication materials and identify improvements

• Perform other tasks and responsibilities relevant to the scope of this position

Education: 

• Advanced university degree preferably in communications, social science, sustainability external relations, public relations and/or journalism, or related areas.

• Bachelor’s degree with two (2) years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience: 

• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in communications-related work is required.

• Experience in conceptualizing and managing the production of communication or learning materials is required.

• Experience in working on sustainability, sustainable procurement or corporate social responsibility topics is an advantage

• Experience working in complex, multi-faceted organizations is an advantage

• Experience with managing website content is an asset.

Language:

• Fluency in oral and written English is required.

• Knowledge of French and/or Spanish is an advantage

• 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 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.