UNTIL Communication and Partnerships Officer

In adapting to the growing complexity of the 21st century, the United Nations need to respond dynamically to ensure it remains instrumental in supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and targets for the 2030 agenda. Technological innovation and the role of partnerships across sectors have become increasingly important to accelerate progress in addressing the problems that humanity face.

In close partnership with the Government of Finland, the UN is establishing and operationalizing the United Nations Technology Innovation Lab (UNTIL) located in Espoo, Finland.

The priority focus of the UNTIL Finland Lab will be establishing partnerships with UN Funds and Programmes as well as Governments, Academia, NGOs and private sector leveraging technology to address SDGs challenges in the areas of Education, Health, Circular Economy and Peace and Security.

This position is located in the United Nations Technology Innovation Labs (UNTIL) under the Global Services Division (GSD) of OICT. The UNTIL Communication and Partnerships Officer reports to the UNTIL Finland lab manager.

Within delegated authority, and in close cooperation with the global UNTIL and corporate OICT partnership teams, the Communication Partnerships Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Establish and oversee the implementation of a partnerships, communication and outreach strategy for UNTIL Finland.

• Develop and ensure implementation of information programmes to publicize priority issues, major events, programme initiatives and accomplishments, and major activities of UNTIL Finland; draft information strategies, monitor and report on progress, take appropriate follow-up action, and analyse outcomes; participate in selecting the information transmitted to key constituencies.

• Monitor and analyse current events, public opinion, press coverage, and information needs of the Parties and key stakeholders; identify issues and trends and advise management on appropriate responses.

• Promote and coordinate media coverage (e.g. press conferences, interviews, press seminars, and special events) of priority issues and major events; develop a media strategy and action plan, initiate pro-active media outreach.

• Propose, arrange and participate in press conferences/media coverage, disseminating materials and consulting with press on approach/story angle and other information requests, undertaking appropriate follow-up action and analyzing and reporting on the impact of coverage.

• Produce or oversee the production of information communications products (e.g. press kits, press releases, feature articles, speeches, booklets, brochures, backgrounders, audio-visual materials, radio spot program, social media etc.); propose topics, undertake research, determine appropriate target audience, prepare production plans, write drafts, edits copy, and coordinate design approval, printing procedures and distribution.

• Prepare, on the basis of official UN documentation and other sources, initial drafts of articles or chapters for inclusion in UN newsletters, periodicals, reports and books.

• Use the full range of communications approaches, tools, and methodologies essential to planning and executing effective campaign strategies and programmes, e.g. campaign management, media operations, marketing and promotion, audience outreach, message targeting.

• Use diplomaticy to handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships.

• Produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. Deliver oral presentations to various audiences.

• Develop and maintain information architecture of the UNTIL Finland websites and UNTIL social media presence; coordinate and exercise quality control over website and social media content; follow up with and advise content managers to ensure information is up-to-date and adhere to standards for style, clarity, and coherency of content; create standard formats and templates for web sections and web pages.

• Plan and coordinate exhibitions and side events during the meetings of the UNTIL Finland Advisory Board and Thematic Advisory Groups.

• Participate in the planning and preparation of the budget, work programme and spending plan for the partnerships and communication program of the lab.

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, public relations, environmental sciences, international relations, business or public administration or related field is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Required

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in any of the following areas: public information, communication, outreach,  journalism or related area
  
  

Desirable

• A minimum of two years experience in implementing programmes with local and global scope within an international organization is an advantage.
• A minimum of two years experience in establishing and implementing partnerships and  communication strategies in the areas of education, health, circular economy or peace and mediation is an advantage.
• Experience in establishing and directly overviewing  partnerships for the Sustainable Development Goals is desirable.

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required; Knowledge of another official UN language is an advantage. 

Contract type: Staff
Contract level: P3
Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability

• 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.
• 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.

Background Information – Sustainable Development Cluster

Based in New York, the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations.

The SDC’s services include grants management, development and special initiatives support, and technology support to the UN and UN agencies.

The SDC is part of the New York Service Cluster that supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as a broadening community of other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.