Communications Advisor

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) helps the United Nations (UN) and its partners provide peace and security, humanitarian, and development solutions. UNOPS services cover infrastructure, project management, procurement, financial management and human resources.

UNOPS mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.

UNOPS vision is a world where people can live full lives supported by appropriate, sustainable and resilient infrastructure and by the efficient, transparent use of public resources in procurement and project management.

In response to the request of the Government of Ukraine, UNOPS opened an office in Ukraine in 2017, which provides a broad spectrum of services to the Government and the people of Ukraine. Currently, the office has a portfolio of projects exceeding USD 60 million, in the areas of rule of law, crisis recovery, good governance, human resources management, procurement, and logistics. 

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment

Under the supervision of the Country Director, with day to day coordination by the Head of Programme Management Office, and in close coordination with PRAVO Senior Programme Manager, the Communications Advisor will be responsible for provision of specialist advice on development of effective and innovative communications approaches and tools, with a focus on PRAVO. Such approaches and tools will focus on the enhancement of the awareness and reputation of UNOPS with internal and external stakeholders. Other activities will include analytical and monitoring support, drafting of documents and public materials, assisting with media relations and other public communications related activities on demand.

The Communications Advisor will achieve and maintain a high level of credibility with supported government agencies and stakeholders with a particular focus on their communications needs as identified and agreed.   

The Communications Advisor will undertake the following activities/responsibilities:

• Advise UNOPS Senior Management, and partners as appropriate, on balanced and responsive communications and messaging contributing to increased awareness of the delivery of socio-economic benefits, including appropriate situation analysis, positioning statements and supporting narrative 

• Liaise with supported government agencies to ensure that communications advice/coordination is relevant with respect to organisation objectives, audience needs, changing situation and environment. 

• Anticipate, identify, suggest opportunities to promote success/progress consistent with objectives

• Advise on and assist with development of the communications related tools and materials with strong focus on on-line and digital communications

• Mentor staff of supported government agencies as necessary with special attention given to handling crisis or adverse situations/publicity   

• Anticipate and advise on potential areas of risk and assistance with development of the risk mitigation measures in consultation with supported government agencies and the Country Director, Communications Officer and other UNOPS Ukraine team members, as applicable

• Consult and coordinate the activities with the UNOPS Headquarters Communications Unit.

Products

The Communications Advisor will produce the following key products:

• Concept note for supported government agencies providing a situation analysis based on identification of stakeholder groups, related issues and needs, gaps and  mitigating actions, and related messages and recommended channels;;

• Communications strategy and plan for each supported government agency identifying actions and 12-month timeline, with assigned responsibility, to include suggested campaign, components, programme elements focusing on raising awareness;

•  Communications products;

•  Messages and questions/answers for public communications and events.

The product breakdown structure, including (but not limited to) quality, language, length, time needed for developing, and deadlines must be agreed/approved in advance with/by the supervisor. 

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• All works by the Communications Advisor should be performed in accordance with timelines and terms agreed (in writing by email and/or according to the respective minutes of the meetings including virtual via GoogleMeet) supervisor prior to the implementation;  

• All output documents, records, drafts and other related products developed by the Strategic Communications Advisor will be considered finalised upon approval by the supervisor (in writing by email and/or according to the respective minutes of the meetings including virtual via GoogleMeet).

• A Masters degree preferably in journalism & media, public relations, communications, linguistics, social sciences or other relevant studies is required.

• At least 7 years of experience in public relations and communications, and/or journalism and media.

• Prior experience in leading strategic communications in international organizations would be an advantage. 

• Working experience with G Suite is required..

• Previous experience in Capacity Enhancement of National Authorities is an advantage.

• Previous experience working in Ukraine is an advantage.

• Fluency in spoken and written English is required

• Fluency Russian and Ukrainian is desired

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1. Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA)
2. Contract level: International ICA Level 3
3. Contract duration:  Retainer up to 100 working days. 
   The position is home based with travel to Kyiv, Ukraine, as and when required.

• 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 retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• 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.