Communications Officer (Retainer), Multiple positions

Myanmar is one of UNOPS’ leading offices in Asia, acting as fund manager for three of the largest development programmes in the country, namely the Three Millennium Development Goal Fund (3MDG), the Livelihood and Food Security Fund (LIFT) and the Joint Peace Fund (JPF). In addition, UNOPS is Principal Recipient for the Global Fund in Myanmar and for the Global Fund’s regional artemisinin-resistance initiative targeting drug resistant malaria in the greater Mekong sub-region. UNOPS provides procurement, infrastructure and project management services to a wide range of organizations in the country, including the Government of Myanmar, international development partners, other UN agencies, NGOs and INGOs. UNOPS plays a critical role in ensuring that the quality of services provided to its partners meets stringent requirements of speed, efficiency and cost effectiveness.

The Livelihoods and Food Security Fund (LIFT) is a multi-donor fund set up in 2009, having recently marked its ten-year anniversary. LIFT aims to strengthen the resilience and sustainable livelihoods of poor households by helping people to reach their full economic potential. This is achieved through increasing incomes, improving the nutrition of women and children, and decreasing vulnerabilities to shocks, stresses and adverse trends.

LIFT is a significant actor in Myanmar’s development. To date, over 11.6 million people in 75 per cent of Myanmar’s townships have benefitted from LIFT’s programmes. For 2019-2023, the third strategic phase of the fund, LIFT’s four thematic areas are Agriculture, Markets and Food Systems; Financial Inclusion; Decent Work and Labour Mobility and Nutrition. LIFT is guided by a five-year strategy that puts ‘leaving no one behind’ at the centre of its work, and will in particular focus on social inclusion and cohesion, increased support to areas affected by conflict, bringing displaced people into LIFT’s development programmes and working with Government at all levels on targeted policies that achieve gains in these areas.

LIFT has received funding from 15 donors since it was established. The current donors are the UK, the EU, Australia, Switzerland, the USA, Canada and Ireland.

The incumbent will be required to abide by the security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and those of UNOPS.

Under the direct supervision of the Communications Specialist, the Communications Officer will work in the LIFT Communications Team and his/her tasks will consist of various communications tasks and projects, especially on drafting, editing and proof-reading of a broad range of texts in English.

The functions will consist of the following: 

Functional Responsibilities: 

• Produce various written materials as required in  the LIFT communications strategy;

• Produce information materials to strengthen awareness of the work of LIFT in Myanmar;

• Track, research and analyse information on assigned topics/issues; gather information from diverse sources and help to assess news value and/or potential impact;

• Monitor media coverage and the effectiveness of communications activities;

• Draft different types of information, learning & knowledge and communications products for different target audiences, including press releases, media kits and reports, brochures, briefing notes, video scripts, newsletters, website articles etc.;

• Organise the production and distribution of LIFT project/programme-related information material;

• Support communications activities under different projects for greater visibility, ensuring appropriate communications tools and innovative approaches are used;

• In consultation with the supervisor and the rest of the communications team, identify and propose communication opportunities, activities and approaches, in line with the context, the target audience and the LIFT communications strategy;

• Identify key contacts, constituencies and internal and external stakeholders and maintain efficient working relationships with them;

• Assist with the organisation of events such as conferences, seminars, briefings, interviews, etc.; prepare briefing materials for colleagues or partners prior to their participation in such events;

• Respond to a variety of enquiries and information requests internally and externally; prepare related correspondence;

• Ensure effective and efficient functioning of LIFT communications activities in full confidentiality in all aspects of the assignment, maintaining protocol procedures, managing information flows and keeping to on deadlines and commitments made;

• Coordinate and participate in MMOC communications group;

• Draft routine correspondence, general briefing notes, documents, reports, and minutes of meetings when requested;

• Prepare spreadsheets, database files, presentation slides and tables, ensuring appropriate style and accuracy of information;

Education 

• Master’s degree in Communications, Media Studies, Journalism, or another related or appropriate field is required.
• A Bachelor’s degree with additional two years of similar experience is considered  equivalent. 

Work experience

• Minimum of one years of experience in the field of communications, journalism, external relations and/or other communication role is required.
• Experience in a developing country is required.
• Experience in South East Asia and especially Myanmar would be an asset.
• Proven ability to write excellent reports and briefs is highly preferred.
• Excellent presentation skills would be an asset.

Language Requirement

• Fluency in both written and spoken English is required.

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement (Retainer)
Contract level: IICA 1/ICS8
Contract duration: Max 150 days per a year

Contracting approach

This position will be contracted for up to 150 days per calendar year, extendable based upon satisfactory services. There will be no guarantee of any number of work days under the contract. 

• 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.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• 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.