Communications Officer At UNOPS

Background Information – Job-specific

The European Union Support to Social Housing and Active Inclusion Programme (SHAI) is designed to enhance implementation of social inclusion policies in Serbia and provide sustainable housing solutions accompanied with active inclusion measures for the most vulnerable population. The European Union (EU) has allocated 27 million Euros through the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) 2018 for the 63 month-long implementation of the Programme, and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has been selected as the implementing partner. National partners and the Programme beneficiaries are the Ministry for Construction, Transport, and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs, the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue and the Ministry of European Integration.

The Programme will strengthen capacities at the national and local level for identification, programming, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of sustainable social housing programmes and projects. It will also provide a range of housing solutions for vulnerable beneficiaries, ranging from construction of multi-family residential blocks, to procurement of village or prefabricated houses, and reconstruction of self-owned properties. Interventions will also include small scale infrastructure works in sub-standard settlements. In order to facilitate sustainability, the Programme will support implementation of complementary social inclusion measures, which will primarily focus on employment and economic empowerment of beneficiaries. The projects will be selected through open calls for proposals, which are transparent solicitation methods, respecting fairness and integrity.

Particularly targeted groups belong to the vulnerable and at-risk-of-poverty population, such as Roma, disadvantaged women, in particular women victims of domestic violence, youth in/leaving care, persons with disabilities, and others who live in inadequate housing conditions. The Programme will also benefit national institutions and local self-governments (LSGs), as well as social inclusion service providers from public and civil society sector.

The Programme, grounded in national and international frameworks, will contribute to meeting the European Union accession criteria under Chapters 19 that relates to social inclusion and Chapter 23 that covers fundamental rights, along with achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Functional Responsabilities

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Communications Officer will be responsible for efficient and effective management of communication activities. He/she will play a lead role in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of communication activities, while ensuring full compliance with the donor’s visibility requirements and guidelines, with the objective to raise awareness of target audiences about activities, results and impact of the project.

The Communications Officer will undertake the following activities/responsibilities:

Stakeholder Management:

Establish and cultivate relationship with the counterparts in the Delegation of the European Union, relevant ministries and governmental bodies, local self-governments, development organisations and programmes and other key stakeholders
Establish and cultivate partnerships with the key national, regional and local media
Collating and developing external reports used to inform donor and the key stakeholders of SHAI Project interventions, and key developments in the Project Area
Contribute to presentation of the Project’s support to key stakeholders, as per agreement with the Project Manager

Delivery and Performance:

Conduct at least one annual mapping of Project’s stakeholders
Prepare briefs and analysis of political, socio and economic trends relevant for the Project
Ensure and lead the development, implementation and evaluation of the Project Communication Strategy and the Project’s Internal and External Communications Plan in consultations with the RSPO Communications and Partnership Specialist
Manage activities related to the visibility and publicity of the support which the Delegation of the European Union the Serbian Government provide to the Project
Lead and supervise the organisation of the Delegation of the European Union, and Government officials visits
Lead organisation of the press conferences/public events to raise awareness of the Project
Provide communication support for organisation of trainings, workshops and other Project events
Provide communications support in order to promote activities, results and impact of the Project
Ensure cooperation with media and provision of information on the Project activities
Maintain the media contact database and the library of Project’s media coverage
Ensure monthly qualitative and quantitative analysis of Project’s media coverage to the Project Manager and all Project personnel and inform on any news, which may affect the Project activities
Lead the development of the Project website and social network accounts; ensure that they are systematically updated and maintained
Liaise with and supervise the graphic designers work on visibility/promotional material in accordance with the approved Communication and Visibility Plan
Prepare Terms of Reference for communications and other consultants needed for this portfolio
With the guidance of the Procurement Officer, support preparation of tenders for the publicity material (including print, graphics, web, audio and video)
Ensure the quality of implemented activities and products are accepted by the Project Manager and the donor
Ensure good governance and gender equality principles and practices are incorporated into the communications products, in accordance with the Project’s objectives and methodology
Provide inputs and contribution for the RSPO communications platforms, activities and initiatives

Procedures:

With support from the Project Manager and in consultation with the Communications and Partnership Specialist, ensure respect of communications requirements
With support from the Project Manager and in consultations with the Head of Programme, ensure respect of project management requirements
With support from the Head of Support Services and the Procurement Officer, ensure respect of UNOPS’ procurement procedures
In cooperation with the Project Manager and with support from the Head of Support Services and the Finance Officer, ensure efficient and effective management of the communications budget and that all expenditure complies with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations (FRR)
Contribute to development, update and implementation of the Project’s plans
Contribute to identification and assessment of risks and implement mitigation measures in accordance with the Project’s Risk Management Strategy
Contribute to the Project planning activities and ensure timely delivery of approved work, procurement, and financial plans for the Communications activities
Provide accurate and high quality inputs to Project’s reports
Provide accurate and quality inputs needed for monitoring of the Project’s performance, outputs and benefits as required by the Project Manager
Ensure respect of UNOPS and Project’s configuration management requirements

Knowledge Management:

Participate in the UNOPS’s Communities of Practice
Provide feedback to Practice Leads on policy, supporting guidance with an aim towards continuous improvement of UNOPS policies
Contribute to identification and sharing of the Project’s lessons learned and the best practices as per reporting format

Personnel Management:

Supervise, closely monitor and assess performance of external consultants

Education

Bachelor degree preferably in communications, journalism, public relations, international relations or a related field is required

Work Experience

Minimum two years of relevant work experience in communications, public relations, media or journalism is required
Experience with international organisations is highly desirable

Language Requirements

Fluency in Serbian and English is required

ALL CANDIDATES ARE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT A CV AND COVER LETTER ALONG WITH THEIR APPLICATION

Driving license and ability to travel independently is required

Competencies

Strategic Perspective – 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)

Integrity & Inclusion – 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.
Leading Self and Others – 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.
Partnering – 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).
Results Orientation – 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.
Agility – 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 behaviour. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Solution Focused – 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.
Effective Communication – 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.

Contract type, level and duration

**This is a local position, it is therefore open to nationals of the Republic of Serbia and to individuals who have a valid residence/work permit.

Contract type: Ongoing ICA
Contract level: Local ICA 8
Contract duration: Open-ended subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and/or to 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

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.

UNOPS Serbia

The UNOPS Republic of Serbia Multi Country Office (RSMCO) is implementing 12 projects in Serbia, North Macedonia and Montenegro.

In Serbia, where UNOPS has been active since 2000, and North Macedonia and Montenegro where UNOPS works since 2017, the organisation provides support in demanding socio-economic reforms and facilitating accession to the European Union. The projects focus on sustainable socio-economic development, good governance, social cohesion, environment and emergency response. The projects are implemented with the funding from the European Union (EU), Kingdom of Norway, Governments of Switzerland, Sweden and North Macedonia.

All projects have gender equality as a transversal theme, and have been contextualised within the broader Sustainable Development Goals frameworks and objectives.