Communications Specialist

Job Description

Dutystation: New York, United States of America

Functional responsibilities

• Within assigned authority, the Communications Specialist will provide support to the Spokesperson and communication team in developing, writing and preparing written material for delivery by the High Representative and senior management and managing communications, both external and internal, between the senior management and a wide range of audiences, including media.
• Perform day-to-day tactical communications such as social media posts, news items, letters, and informational updates, all with a view to build strong, bold, sharp and principle-based brand; works with UN departments, funds and agencies to develop ways to implement and collaborate on campaigns system-wide and to incorporate the campaign message and themes into all relevant events and products.
• Participate in the development and implementation of assigned programme/projects in the area of communication activities.
• Identify problems and issues to be addressed and propose corrective actions.
• Research, analyze and present information gathered from diverse sources that could/may impact the work of UNAOC;
• Seek input and information from substantive staff, review relevant material, project documents and reports with a view to drafting speeches, statements and talking points for the High Representative, Spokesperson and senior management, while ensuring policy coherence and accuracy.
• Prepare minutes, and coordinating media and social media.
• Maintain regular contact and enhance media network and arrange media encounters between the High Representative and the media and assist him/her in these encounters.
• Work closely with programme/project counterparts to enhance visibility and contribute to advocacy of policy including to maintain a database of relevant media contacts in the US and internationally.
• Write articles and opinion pieces on behalf of the High Representative for high-profile media in order to maximize the impact of UNAOC activities by identifying and developing newsworthy ideas/topics and identifying possible high-profile media for placement.
• Monitor and analyze daily media for stories and opportunities related to UNAOC activities and mandates
• Take the lead in writing press releases, regular newsletters, web content and generate content for various social media platforms, including Twitter and Facebook.
• Prepares or oversees preparation of a diverse range of information communications products in support of programmatic initiatives. Oversees the production and design of reports, multimedia products and microsites.
• Write prefaces and forewords for UNAOC publications.
• Proofread and review reports developed by UNAOC as required.
• Perform other duties as may be reasonably required and in line with the incumbent’s scope of services above.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

A work plan will be developed based on the UNOPS PER cycle and serve as the overarching document to monitor progress and record performance.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

*FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in journalism, communications, public information, business administration, management, social sciences, political science, or in a field related to the post description with five (5) years of relevant experience is required; OR
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) preferably in journalism, communications, public information, business administration, management, social sciences, political science, or in a field related to the post description with seven (7) years of relevant experience is desirable.

Required Experience:

• Relevant experience is defined as professional experience at the international level in programme management, policy support, journalism, communication, public information or related fields is required.
• Experience in writing speeches for senior or high-level officials within strict deadlines is required.
• Experience in social media and monitoring impact is required.
• Experience in communicating with the media is required

Desirable experience(the following experienceis optionalcandidates who do not have it are welcome to apply):

• Experience in the United Nations system or a similar international organization is desirable.
• Experience in the development and implementation of communication projects and plans is desirable.

Language requirements:

• Fluency in English (read, write and speak) is required;
• Knowledge of additional languages is an advantage.

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.