Communication Senior Officer (Retainer contract)

1. Communication strategy:

• Contribute to the design, update, and implementation of an external communication strategy and the communication plan for the Project, based on requirements dictated by the donors and in coordination with the Communications Group in UNOPS. 

• Ensure the visibility and communication requirements to achieve the vision and priorities of the Office are met.

• Coordinate external communications for all channels, including managing a communications content calendar.

• Work closely with other colleagues and stakeholders in preparing and coordinating the production of communications materials for distribution to the media and other stakeholders, including local authorities, donors, partners, civil society organizations, and the general public, as defined by the project’s communications strategy.

2. Contents development and management:

• Write and produce content, including newsletters, media releases/statements, press kits, Q&As, briefings, case studies/feature stories, photographs and videos, social media content, internal and external newsletters, etc, as required.

• Work with the teams in designing contents that are disseminated, protected and promoted by all stakeholders, in coordination with UNOPS Communication Group.

• Help develop with relevant experts a web platform to house information related to the teams’ output, as relevant, and keep the content updated.

• Develop communication products and informative materials that meet the needs of all stakeholders, including print, radio, and TV channels. Explore the outreach of the various channels and ensure contracting one with the widest coverage in the select Project coverage cities, where applicable.

• Regularly update content on social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube pages, ensuring they are both informative and attractive to the wider public audience and reflect the Office’s objectives, strengths, and achievements.

• Prepare monthly feature stories and brief case studies of accomplishments.

• Evaluate the effectiveness and impact of the external communications activities

3. Stakeholder and media relations management:

• Work closely with the teams to ensure a communication budget is prepared, made available, and utilized efficiently for the communication activities of the project.

• Develop relationships and maintain strong communication channels and networks with other UN system communication teams, as well as national, regional, and local media and other stakeholders, as required.

• Maintain relevant contact lists in support of effective working relationships.

• Conduct regular external media monitoring and compile all coverage of the work of the Office, file with proper referencing, and share with the internal team.

• Conduct sample checks on the effectiveness and reach of the communication products and social media pages of the project, and advise management on ways to improve the same.

4. Event management:

• Identify and suggest creative, efficient, and effective ways to engage relevant audiences and stakeholders.

• Support the teams in organizing press conferences, briefs, implementation support mission presentations, etc.

• Support the teams in preparing talking points and drafting speeches for conferences, press conferences, international days, etc.

• Identify event and conference participation opportunities, organize events for promoting and furthering the project’s work among key stakeholders.

• Liaise closely with colleagues in identifying event opportunities in different thematic areas, including field trips, missions, seminars, report launches, and workshops.

• In coordination with the Director, plan and execute communications campaigns for different channels as required for reaching strategic communication goals

5. Capacity Building innovation and strategic engagement  

• Support contribution to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for planning and knowledge building in the context of intergovernmental affairs;

• Support in identifying and participation in multilateral intergovernmental forums and platforms that facilitate UNOPS’ deeper engagement on issues of key relevance in delivering impactful results on the 2030 Agenda. 

• Provide regular feedback on existing systems, tools and resources to ensure their relevance and prepare standards operating procedures and other guidance documents and templates, as required.

• Support an increase in learning and knowledge management through the development, communication, promotion, and use of evidence and experience from the activities conducted by the Office.

• A first-level university degree (e.g. Bachelor) preferably in communications, media studies, journalism, international relations, public/media relations, public relations, event management or other relevant discipline is required. 

• A Master’s degree would be considered an advantage and may compensate for some of the required years of experience to qualify for the position.

• A minimum of two (2) years with a Master’s  degree, four (4) years with a Bachelor’s degree of experience in communications, or event management, or advocacy/government relations, or digital media, or journalism, or public/media relations, or marketing, or international relations, or writing/editing or any other related fields is required.

• Experience in the sectors of Environment, Climate change and Forestry is highly desirable.

• Experience working in advertising, public relations, or event management is desirable.

• Experience in developing strategies and communications plans and in the organization of events and associated materials is desirable

- Full working knowledge of French is required ;
- Full working knowledge of English is required.

• 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 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.

Based in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since 1991, the UNOPS Congo Multi-Country Office (CDMCO) covers fifteen countries: Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Comoros, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo, Madagascar and Rwanda. The multi-country office is operational in nine of the eleven countries to date; it has a portfolio of more than 30 projects and employs more than 260 people.