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Communication Specialist

Port Moresby

  • Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
  • Location: Port Moresby
  • Grade: Mid level - IICA-2, International Individual Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Communication and Public Information
  • Closing Date: 2025-03-28

Job categories Communications, Partnerships
Vacancy code VA/2025/B5524/29828
Level ICS-10
Department/office APR, EAPMCO, Papua New Guinea
Duty station Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Contract type International ICA
Contract level IICA-2
Duration Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.
Application period 14-Mar-2025 to 28-Mar-2025
Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.

Functional Responsibilities

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.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

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.
We do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.