Background Information – Job-specific

Under the direct supervision of the RSMCO Director, the Communications Officer will be responsible for efficient and effective management of internal and external communication activities in the RSMCO. She/he will play a lead role in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of communication activities linked to enhancing the overall visibility of the Multi Country Office, entailing meeting and event organisation and participation, content production and distribution, as well as UNOPS representation in relevant fora. Considering the geographical coverage of the Multi Country Office (Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina), the Regional Office in Geneva and UNOPS HQ in Copenhagen, the Communication Officer is required to travel to prepare/support the MCO Director’s missions.

The Communications Officer will also provide support in preparing the MCO Director’s missions in the countries covered by the Multi Country Office and elsewhere, in terms of arrangements with external interlocutors, leading the protocol, providing briefings, dealing with media and other.

The Communications Officer will also work closely with the Partnerships Specialist and Head of Programme, to whom she/he will provide support when needed. She/he will be required to provide communications support for the projects with no communications personnel.

She/he will ensure full compliance with UNOPS and the donors’/partners’ visibility requirements and guidelines as well as messages that need to be communicated.

The Communications Officer acts as the UNOPS RSMCO communication focal point within UNOPS (with project communications personnel, between UNOPS offices, with the Regional Office and with HQ), with the UN Country Teams and with partners.

Finally, the Communications Officer supervises communications retainers, including on-call designers, translators/interpreters, videographers and other profiles engaged to ensure quality internal and external communications in RSMCO.

Functional Responsibilities

The Communications Officer will undertake the following activities/responsibilities:

Strategic Planning:

• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of the RSMCO Communication Internal and External Strategies and Plans that will identify the purpose, objectives, means, channels and resources, goals, opportunities and tools for the promotion of the projects’ actions

Stakeholder Management:

• Establish and cultivate relationship with the counterparts in international organisations and national institutions in Serbia, Montenegro and North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina: UN and donor community, relevant ministries and governmental bodies, local self-governments, development organisations and programmes and other key stakeholders;
• Maintain a database of RSMCO stakeholders, to be populated with participation of RSMCO Management Team and relevant personnel;
• Establish and cultivate partnerships with the key national, regional and local media;
• Maintain the contact database of media and the library of RSMCO media coverage;
• Ensure daily monitoring and ad-hoc qualitative and quantitative analysis of the RSMCO media coverage, with particular focus on reputational aspects

Positioning:

• Play a leading role in developing thematic external reports and papers according to the RSMCO priorities or partners’ interest.
• In line with UNOPS mandate and RSMCO’s priorities and value proposition, present UNOPS and RSMCO to key stakeholders, with guidance from the RSMCO Director, Partnerships Specialist and Head of Programme
• Prepare briefings, presentation, background notes, etc. for the RSMCO Director and, when needed, Head of Programme, Partnerships Specialist or high level internal stakeholders such as Executive Director
• Manage activities related to the visibility and dissemination of the UNOPS and RSMCO initiatives
• Manage RSMCO social media activities
• Lead organisation of the RSMCO events, conferences, field visits and high level functions related to RSMCO positioning;
• Lead the preparation and production of visibility/promotional material in accordance with the approved Communication and Visibility Plans
• Provide communication support for organisation of trainings, workshops and other events organised within RSMCO
• Represent the RSMCO at UNCT Communication groups in countries identified by the Director and will represent UNOPS in external fora following guidance by the Director.
• Provide inputs for the UNOPS internal and external communications platforms, to ensure timely updates and present RSMCO achievements

Service Provision Management:

• Manage and oversee communications consultants and service providers
• With support and guidance of HR Officer, prepare Terms of Reference for communications and other relevant consultants needed for the RSMCO
• With the guidance of the Procurement Specialist, support preparation of tenders for the publicity material (including print, graphics, web, audio and video, etc.)

Procedures and Processes:

• Ensure that quality and corporate standards are incorporated in the communications products and practices, taking care that the UN values, good governance and gender equality and diversity principles are respected throughout the processes.
• With support from the Head of Support Services and the Procurement Specialist, ensure respect of UNOPS’ procurement procedures
• In cooperation with the Partnerships Specialist and with support from the Head of Support Services and the Finance Specialist, ensure efficient and effective management of the communications budget and that all expenditure complies with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations (FRR)
• With support of the Head of Programme, contribute to identification and assessment of risks and implement mitigation measures in accordance with the Risk Management Strategy
• Contribute to the RSMCO planning activities and ensure timely delivery of approved work, procurement, and financial plans for the communications activities
• Provide accurate and high quality inputs to RSMCO documents, reports and papers
• Provide support to communication activities of projects if/when needed.

Internal Communications and Knowledge Management:

• Lead the preparation and publication of UNOPS RSMCO Internal Newsletter (Quarterly Highlights) to ensure information flow and keeping the personnel up to date with developments
• Participate in the UNOPS’ relevant groups, fora and communities for information and knowledge sharing
• Stimulate coordination, information flow and lessons exchange through regular engagement with project communications personnel
• Contribute to identification and sharing of the RSMCO lessons learned and the best practices

Other:

• Perform other duties as may be reasonably required and in line with the incumbent’s scope of services above.

 

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree preferably in communications, journalism, public relations, international relations or a related field is required
• Master’s degree in the relevant field would be considered as an asset

Work Experience

• Minimum two years of relevant work experience in communications, public relations, media or journalism is required
• Experience with international organisations is desirable but not mandatory

Language Requirements

• Fluency in Serbian and English is required

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

Certifications

 

• Driving license is an asset

 

Competencies

 

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.

 

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 Individual Contractor (LICA) 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

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• 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.

 

Background information – UNOPS Serbia

In Serbia, where UNOPS has been active since 2000, and North Macedonia and Montenegro, where UNOPS works since 2017, the organisation provides support in conducting demanding socio-economic reforms and facilitating accession to the European Union. The projects focus on sustainable local development, good governance, rule of law, social cohesion, environment and emergency response. The projects are implemented with the funding from the European Union (EU), Governments of Switzerland, Sweden, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia and the UN organisations. UNOPS Serbia Multi-Country Office (RSMCO) also covers Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the need for support and potential engagements are being assessed. The work of UNOPS and the projects it implements is contextualised within the broader Sustainable Development Goals frameworks and objectives of the countries of its operations.