Communication Specialist
JOB DETAIL
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 organizations. 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.
Background on South East Asia and the Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO):
UNOPS South East Asia and Pacific Multi Country Office (EAPMCO) supports, develops and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific. EAPMCO was established in January 2023 following the merger of the Thailand Multi-Country Office, which covered 20 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific, and the Cambodia Multi-Country Office, which covered 4 countries South East Asia – 3 countries in the Mekong Sub-region (Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam) and the Philippines. EAPMCO currently covers 24 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific. With its head office in Bangkok, the Multi-Country Office comprises nine EAPMCOs: EAPMCO Thailand, EAPMCO Indonesia, EAPMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, EAPMCO Papua New Guinea, EAPMCO China, EAPMCO Vietnam, EAPMCO Mekong, and EAPMCO Philippines.
In 2023, the UNOPS EAPMCO implemented projects worth more than USD 76 million, in the areas of Energy Transition, Digital Transformations, Sustainable Environmental Management, Climate Change, Waste Management, Rule of Law and Access to Justice, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Post Conflict Reintegration, Emergency Relief, Post COVID19 Economic Transformations, and Health, through HR, procurement, construction, contract management, fund and program management services.
The Multi Country Office head office in Bangkok provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight and assurance of the excellence of business processes and quality standards across all of the entire Multi Country Office locations. It is also responsible for developing, delivering and managing the portfolio of engagements in the country of the MCO location itself.
Local Context: UNOPS in Papua New Guinea
The EAPMCO Papua New Guinea (PNG) was formed in early 2020 to support the implementation of design and construction of infrastructure, sustainable procurement, capacity development to support technical and governance excellence, programme management, and to facilitate access to funding sources in Papua New Guinea.
As an established office since 2022, EAPMCO PNG is demonstrating significant growth and portfolio diversification potential in a short period of time. Working with an increasing number of development partners, in 2023 EAPMCO PNG is quickly being recognised as a responsive and quality partner in climate change resilient infrastructure, health infrastructure, sustainable procurement and governance support to the Government of PNG in its service delivery obligations to the people.
UNOPS has been instrumental in delivering essential services in PNG. Notable initiatives include implementing off-grid energy solutions that have benefited over 20,000 individuals in Telefomin and Daru, and improving access to clean water for approximately 3,000 people in Banz, Jiwaka Province. These projects not only provide vital resources but also promote safe sanitation and hygiene practices within communities.
Collaboration with various partners, such as the Australian Government, the European Union, and the World Bank, has been central to UNOPS’s operations in PNG. Through these partnerships, UNOPS continues to support the government’s efforts in delivering quality healthcare services and advancing sustainable development initiatives throughout the country. In addition to seeking enhanced visibility of its partners’
programs implemented via UNOPS, UNOPS aims to refresh and update the development community and the government of its capacities and develop a strong forward looking business development plan.
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.
Content Development
- 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
Quality and Reach
- 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.
Support to Stakeholder Management
- 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.
Knowledge Management
- 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.
Community Outreach
- 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.
| Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) |
| 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:
- 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.
- Contract type: International ICA
- Contract level: IICA-2/ ICS-10
- Contract duration: Ongoing
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
