Communications Associate

Under the supervision of the Partnerships Specialist, the Communications Associate will carry out the following responsibilities related to external and internal communications for the Somalia Country Office in full compliance with UNOPS rules, regulations and policies:

Communications:

• Coordinate implementation of an effective and quality communications strategy and work plan for SOCO under the guidance of senior management

• Manage SOCO’s social media accounts, ensuring regular updates and monitoring relevant posts and activities by key partners, including donors and the Somali government counterparts

• Coordinate UNOPS’s inputs to UN Somalia-wide publications, newsletters, websites, and other communication products led by the UN Mission to Somalia communications team.

• Develop and maintain a database of local journalists/press contacts. 

• Develop and maintain a database of SOCO partners (including government partners) and the international community.

• Follow local media for humanitarian and development-related content. 

• Coordinate inputs from different units and partners and produce consolidated social media posts, factsheets, presentations, and other written documents for internal and external use.  

• Liaise with the HQ Comms team and UN Communication Group and participate in relevant meetings.  

• Support the development and facilitation of in-house communication training for SOCO personnel and partners.

• Keep up-to-date SOCO communication plans.

• Develop and maintain web content for relevant UNOPS intra-/internet pages and social media.

• Issue bi-monthly internal newsletters.

• Support Project Managers, the Partnerships Specialist, and the SMT as required to organize audio-visual coverage (photography, videography) of project activities and achievements

• Ensure that all UNOPS communication guidelines are consistently applied across all SOCO communication activities and outputs.

  Reporting/Knowledge Management:

• Provide inputs to produce and keep up-to-date communication materials and a photo library with project photos

• Contribute to communication outputs to share information about SOCO-funded projects and results achieved, in liaison with relevant project and communication teams. 

• Draft stories and topics from the work of SOCO and its partners for publication in local and other appropriate media. 

• Share publication, information, and knowledge with colleagues, clients, and partners.

• Prepare draft communication materials as required for events, mission travel, and/or discussions with partners.

• Participate in relevant UN Somalia Working Groups or coordination mechanisms and provide necessary UNOPS inputs

• Collaborate with relevant support services units to lead and manage production and deployment of relevant resources, including booklets, briefing notes, posters and banners, through service providers such as audio-visual production companies, as well as printing and translation companies as required 

Partnership Development:

• Collect data and carry out research and analytical write-ups for concept notes and proposals. 

Other duties: 

• Support project visibility activities

• Brief senior management regularly on ongoing communication activities and coordinate efforts to follow up on identified communication needs

• Support the participation and/or representation of the SOCO Partnership Development Office team at events and technical meetings as required.

• Participate in meetings with donors and partners and produce high quality meeting minutes and action-oriented summaries.

• When needed, join SOCO monitoring visits or donor field visits of SOCO funded projects. 

• Other duties assigned by the supervisor.

• Completion of Secondary Education with six (6) years of relevant experience is required.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, Communications, Media, Social Studies, International relations or any related field with two (2) years of relevant experience is desirable.

B. Work Experience 

• A minimum of six (6) years of relevant experience working in the communications field is required.
• Experience in the use of the Google Suite application is an advantage
• Experience in graphic design is desired.

C. Language

• Fluency in written, reading and spoken English is required.
• Working knowledge of Somali will be considered a significant advantage.