Senior Media & Communications Analyst

In Sierra Leone, the Rural Renewable Energy Project (RREP), a DFID-funded project, is collaborating with the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) to supply up to 5 MW of sustainable renewable electricity in rural communities through installations of at least 94 solar mini-grids to be operated and managed by private sector partners.

The implementation of the project is developed around five Work Packages (WP):

Work package 1 / 1+:  6kWp solar photovoltaic (PV) generation plants at 54 Community Health Centres (CHCs) were installed between April and July 2017. These generation plants were then extended into small mini-grids with a capacity between 16kW and 36kW and distribution networks installed which will eventually connect all other public institutions and households in 50 of these communities. All 50 mini-grids are installed and ready for operation as of October 2018.

Work package 2: aims to bring the country’s photovoltaic (PV) power generation capacity up to 5MW by attracting the private sector to invest in the mini-grid market while drawing on the lessons of WP 1/1+. WP2 will install mini-grids in additional 40 communities with >36kW systems (up to max. 200kWp) using sustainable business and delivery models developed by the private sector.

Private sector operators have been selected through a competitive tender process, and will take on operation and maintenance of WP1/1+ mini-grids and co-invest in the development of the WP2 sites. The operators will be responsible for the last mile connection to identified customers and the in-house wiring of customer homes.

Work package 3: provides Technical Assistance (TA) and institutional capacity building to the Ministry of Energy, the Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission, other relevant government agencies as necessary, as well as to private sector companies selected to operate WP1 sites and co-invest in and operate WP2 sites.

Work Package 5: This work package focus majorly on the Monitoring and Evaluation function. An M&E Plan including Impact Evaluation design will be developed for learning and accountability.

Work Package 6: Private sector development. Through this work package, RREP seeks to develop a private sector engagement and strengthening strategy, underpinned by a keen understanding of local market systems, to promote productive use economies in mini‐grid catchment areas; supporting both the commercial viability of the privately operated mini‐grids.

UNOPS, Sierra Leone is seeking a highly motivated and dynamic Senior Media & Communications Analyst to develop the communication strategy and action plan to support the objectives of the RREP project with the aim of expanding the visibility of the project and the developmental results delivered and, ensure the project is branded or marketed in way that is consistent with its intended developmental outcomes.  He/she will report to the Team Leader, RREP Communications Sub Work Package, collaborate with a small team dedicated to communication activities of the project.

Communications strategy for RREP

• Develop, implement and manage a communication, advocacy and branding Action plan for RREP to strengthen communication both locally, and internationally:
• Actively support the Team Leader to develop and implement project communication services
• Monitor views and perceptions of the various stakeholders, and audiences of the project. This includes monitoring social media sites and the press to assess attitudes about the project, general mini-grid electrification trends and make recommendations about the  positioning of the project
• Mainstream gender equality and women’s empowerment strategically in all activities related to communication, advocacy and branding.
• Engage proactively with communication representatives of DFID, MoE, UNOPS, other UN agencies, and other communications groups relevant to the project.

Branding the Project within the Energy Development Space

• Lead the content development, editing, production and dissemination of communication and marketing materials for the project to facilitate uptake of new and improved rural energy-reliant economic opportunities and productive use equipment in the mini-grid catchment areas; 
• Promote partnerships with public, private and social sector stakeholders working to drive developmental outcomes in health, education, gender parity and overall poverty reduction, to promote investment opportunities in Sierra Leone mini-grid sector; and to identify the achievements of the project
• Review DFID and UNOPS communication style guide and ensure consistent approach, standards and branding across all products.
• Provide support to RREP to boost its visibility and awareness including identification of key stories, content, lessons learned, and outcomes;
• Actively taking part in stakeholder engagement to collect case studies and human interest stories on their experiences.
• Support the business development functions of the team with marketing/partnership materials to raise awareness of the project, and with a view to reaching new audiences and potential donors;
• Compile specialized media coverage press packages for the project as deemed necessary; arrange media briefings and respond effectively to media inquiries as well as for public information materials.

Communication tools, social media, and corporate events

• Collaborate with UNOPS Communication team to generate, draft and edit content for the web site to ensure material content is consistent, fresh and up to date.
  • Manage and coordinate the communication aspects of RREP participation in major local and international events, and social media. Ensure communication is in compliance with UNOPS communication policy

Teamwork and effective and efficient management of resources for communications

• Foster teamwork and space for innovation and creative thinking.
• Supervise external consultants and firms on contract (editing, translations, design, and printing) ensuring quality of work and value for money.
• Participate in corporate exercises that drive organizational maturity and operational excellence; and contribute to gender equality. 

 Core Values and Principles:

• Understand and respect UNOPS sustainability principles

                I.   Look for ways to embed UNOPS sustainability principles in day to day project management

                II.  Seek opportunities to champion gender equality in the work place

                III.  Champion and communicate the project’s sustainability aspects with key stakeholders

• Understand and Respect National ownership and capacity

           i.  Understand the principles of the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness and mainstream them into the project plans

          ii.  Seek opportunities to support recruitment of qualified local personnel

          iii.  Look for ways to build capacity of local counterparts

          iv.  Understand the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF); and UNOPS, and the project’s place in the UN system:

          v.   Strive to build strong partnerships and effective coordination among relevant project actors (e.g. United Nations, governments, and non-governmental organizations or other relevant partners)

• Accountability for results  and the use of resources

          i.   The project management processes are designed to deliver maximum accountability, transparency and results. If a project or process is not in line with this, it is the responsibility of the Senior Media & communications Analyst to raise the issue with  a supervisor.

• Excellence

           i.  Contribute to innovation and the adaptation of best practice standards of sustainability and quality.

Additional Requirements:

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Effective work package/ Work stream governance, and risk management
• Timeliness and accuracy of reporting on Work package performance
• Accuracy of Work package planning and delivery according to plans
• Identification and implementation of continuous process improvement and risk management.

• Master’s Degree in Journalism, Communications, Marketing, international Development, Political Science, Economics or a relevant discipline is required.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, Communications, Marketing, international Development, Political Science, Economics or other relevant discipline with additional two (2) years may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degrees.

• Technical/professional Diploma, in relevant discipline, in combination of six (6) years of experience maybe accepted in lieu of a first-level University degree.

• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in communications in public, private or international sector organizations is required. 
• Good understanding of international development and the work of multilateral, bilateral and civil society development partners in development is highly desirable.
• Experience in a lead role in implementing public awareness campaigns is an asset
• Past experience working on DFID funded projects/programmes is an advantage.
• Demonstrated previous experience in developing communications strategies and action plans is highly desirable
• Work experience in the UN system organizations and/or a developing country is an asset.
• Knowledge and experience in the energy market sector is an asset
• Experience with applying best practices for data management (metadata, content hierarchy, document libraries), workflows, import/export of data etc is highly desired.
• Previous experience in brand & media strategy and marketing is highly distinct

• Fluency in English (both oral/verbal and written) is required
• Knowledge of other UN Official languages is an advantage

Contextual Skills

• International organisations experience
• Cross-institutional Knowledge Management
• Accountability for results

Contract type: Local Individual Contract Agreement (LICA)

Contract level: Local ICA Analyst 9 / ICS 9

Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’

• 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.
• This is a local position, therefore only Nationals of the duty station.
• Freetown, Sierra Leone is a family duty station.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• 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.