Communication Specialist

Job Description

Dutystation: Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Functional responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Country Manager, the Communications Specialist will undertake the following duties and responsibilities:

Communication and Planning

• Draft a communications plan for the PNG Office that accounts for the three pronged communications efforts: program and project level communications, partner relations, and business development, as a part of the country strategy.
• Coordinate communications planning, execution, and management of communication activities across the country projects and programmes in accordance with country strategy
• Identify and manage program and project communication interdependencies across the portfolio.
• Identify and manage program and project communication innovation, risk, resource efficiency opportunities across the country portfolio.
• Collaborate with the Programme and Project Managers to ensure alignment with programme goals, including climate resilience, gender equality, and social inclusion in alignment with the programme monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) plan.
• Undertake communication engagements with senior stakeholders as delegated by the country manager; and support the programme management and project managers with their communication efforts
• Develop, maintain and implement a communications plan.
• Build a UNOPS brand through contemporary and context inspired communications material in line with UN requirements.
• Manage programme and project level communications, in collaboration with the senior staff of the PNG Office, EAPMCO Partnership Specialist and relevant project teams
• Capitalize on UNOPS comparative advantage and drive communication and outreach opportunities to enhance the visibility and recognition of UNOPS among partners and the people of PNG.
• Work closely with government counterparts and donor partners to understand diplomatic protocols and expectations in event management in remote locations and implement these with a clear understanding of what success looks like.
• Systematically share project and country-level communication content in PNG and to the EAPMCO, ORD and UNOPS.
• Working directly with Senior stakeholders, governance and sponsoring groups, including Government Ministers, Senior Diplomats, Directors on behalf of the Country Manager.
• Work directly with the media, communications community of UNOPS external partners, including development partners and the government and the business sector.

• Identify and develop material that highlights key achievements of UNOPS PNG programme based activities and provides insight into UNOPS engagement with communities in PNG through the work of individual projects.
• Develop and disseminate high-quality multimedia communication products.
• Draft high-quality news stories, newsletters, factsheets, and web content.
• Draft and post social media content for channels owned by UNOPS PNG, in line with UN and UNOPS requirements.
• Develop PNG focused content for the EAPMCO communication level as required.
• Regularly identify and share UNOPS PNG communication content with the EAPMCO communication level for amplification.
• Assist with monitoring social media analytics and adapting content as require

• Develop and implement the communication plan for UNOPS PNG in collaboration with the team and in support of achieving its objectives.
• Ensure data and visualization quality in internal and external communications, such as intranet, presentations, monthly newsletters, and brochures.
• Support the organization of promotional events and high-level meetings in coordination with the HQ Communication Group and other units, as directed.
• Provide guidance and support to all UNOPS PNG personnel on effective media outreach, positioning, and visibility.
• Share information and knowledge, and provide proactive support and follow-up to
  build and maintain consistent and high quality material that resonates with a diverse audience.

• Contribute to the implementation of EAPMCO communications, and planning on the MCO level.
• Represent UNOPS in relevant communication groups and develop joint agency communication opportunities, including organizing events, meetings, and workshops.
• Build interagency cooperation through UNCG participation and coordinate with EAPMCO Communications on inputs/Assist in the development of a communication network and best practices across the UNCT and with other government and donor partners in PNG.
• Coordinate with relevant stakeholders to increase the visibility of UNOPS PNG, as directed.

• Participate in UNOPS communities of practice and contribute to knowledge management and sharing.
• Contribute to the identification and sharing of lessons learned and best practices.
• Collaborate closely with project staff to share project-related information and
  knowledge.

• Develop and Implement Outreach Strategies: Design and execute community
  engagement plans tailored to diverse cultural contexts, ensuring inclusive
  participation and fostering trust among local stakeholders in international deployment initiatives.
• Build and Strengthen Partnerships: Establish and maintain strong relationships with community leaders, NGOs, government entities, and other key stakeholders to enhance collaboration and support for development programs.
• Facilitate Community Feedback Mechanisms: Create and manage channels for collecting, analyzing, and incorporating community feedback to ensure that programs are responsive to local needs and contribute to sustainable development goals.
• Coordinate Capacity-Building Activities: Organize workshops, training sessions, and awareness campaigns to empower community members, enhancing their understanding of and involvement in development projects.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences, journalism, international relations, development studies, political science, or related fields is advantageous.
• A first university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the above-mentioned fields with two (2) additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree or higher degrees.

Experience:

• Minimum five (5) years of relevant experience in communications, branding, outreach, or related fields in combination with a relevant advanced university degree is required.
• Within the required 5 years, a minimum two (2) years of relevant work experience in international development communications content development at a duty station/field site is required.
• Experience in developing, disseminating, and monitoring the reach of knowledge products, social media content, and articles for a wide range of audiences is an asset.
• Experience working with graphic design and video production, and familiarity with creating slide decks, info sheets, social media content, and other standard communication products is desired.
• Understanding of local contextual knowledge in Papua New Guinea is an advantage.
• Experience in the Pacific region or with PNG, DFAT, and MFAT is an asset.

Language Requirement:

• Full working knowledge of English is required.

About the Organization

TOGETHER, WE BUILD THE FUTURE

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.

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

We are proud of our people and embrace diversity and are committed to equal employment opportunities. Our workforce brings together approximately 160 nationalities, represented by over 5,000 UNOPS personnel as well as some 7,800 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners. Spread across 80 countries from a range of backgrounds, and languages and have different gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities.

We encourage women and candidates from underrepresented groups in UNOPS to apply. These include candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.