Communication Analyst

Background Information – Job-specific

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement, and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors, and United Nations organisations. With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical, and management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

Local Context: With presence and experience in Ukraine since 2016, UNOPS has provided, on behalf of the Government and people of Ukraine, project management and procurement services to support the national reform and sustainable development agenda, take environmental and climate action, strengthen the rule of law, improve energy and healthcare solutions, as well as address economic and governance institutional weaknesses.

The invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has led to a severe and highly complex humanitarian emergency with a global impact not witnessed in Europe for over 70 years. The international response to the Ukraine crisis has been significant, with exceptional support being provided by many donor countries and organizations. UNOPS, with its ability to add considerable value in its core mandated areas of infrastructure, procurement, and project management services, is part of the response to the ongoing emergency and is augmenting its capacity to be able to provide robust and timely support over the long term, through the recovery and eventual reconstruction phases. Recognising the enormity and complexity of the challenges ahead, UNOPS is establishing a dedicated Ukraine Country Office (based in Kyiv), from where UNOPS’ operations will, with the support of the UNOPS ECR Regional Office (based in Geneva) and UNOPS’ HQ (Copenhagen), be planned, resourced, implemented, managed and controlled in the months and years ahead.

Functional Responsibilities

1. Communication Strategy

• Contribute to the design and implementation of an external communications strategy and the communication plan for the project, based on the donor’s requirements. Update and adapt the strategy and the plan as/when needed.
• Ensure the visibility and communication requirements of donor/s are met.
• Manage external communications for all channels, including managing a communications content calendar.
• Work closely with other colleagues 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. Content development and management

• Write and produce content, including media releases/statements, press kits, Q&As, donor briefings, case studies/feature stories, photographs and videos, social media content, internal and external newsletters, etc.
• Work with the project team and donor in designing a logo for the project, and ensure the design is disseminated, protected and promoted by all stakeholders of the Project in representing the Program.
• Develop with relevant experts a website to house information related to the Project and keep the website up-to-date with the latest content.
• 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.
• Regularly update content on the Project’s 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 Program’s objectives, strengths, and achievements.
• Prepare monthly feature stories and brief case studies of project accomplishments.
• Evaluate the effectiveness and impact of the project’s external communications activities.

3. Stakeholder and media relations management

• Work closely with the project team 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 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 project, 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 implement creative, efficient, and effective ways to engage relevant audiences and stakeholders.
• Support the management team in organizing press conferences, donor briefs, implementation support mission presentations, etc.
• Support the management team and the donor in preparing talking points and drafting speeches for project-related 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.
• Plan and execute communications campaigns for different channels as required for reaching strategic communication goals.

5. Knowledge building and knowledge management

• Support an increase in learning and knowledge management through the development, communication, promotion, and use of evidence and experience from the project’s and partner’s activities.

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• 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.

Experience

• A minimum of 2 years 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 stakeholder management, OR writing/editing or any other related fields is required.
• Experience working in communications for EU-funded projects is highly desirable.
• Experience working in advertising, public relations, or event management is desirable.
• Experience in developing strategies and plans for communications and in the organization of events and associated materials is highly desirable.
• Previous working experience in a similar position with the government, media organizations, UN, civil society, or private organizations is desirable.
• Previous experience in drafting and translating documents is desirable.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English and Ukrainian is required.

Contract type, level and duration

1. Contract type: Local ICA
2. Contract level: Local ICA Specialist -LICA 8
3. Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Information

• 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.