Media and Communications Officer

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

The Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) is a global, multi-stakeholder membership and partnership organization that works with poor people, their organizations, governments and small-scale entrepreneurs to improve sanitation and hygiene at scale. Founded in 1990, the Council maintains a membership of over 4,000 water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) professionals from over 80 countries.
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is the legal and administrative host of WSSCC.
The mission of the Council is to ensure sustainable sanitation, better hygiene and safe drinking water for all people, with focus on the poorest and most marginalized members of society in developing countries. In order to achieve its mission, WSSCC facilitates sector coordination at national, regional and global levels, supports national sanitation and hygiene programmes through its Global Sanitation Fund (GSF), coordinates knowledge platforms, and advocates on behalf of the 2.5 billion people without a clean and safe toilet to use.

More information on WSSCC can be found at: www.wsscc.org.

The External Affairs, Communications and Country Engagement Department promotes global and national efforts by members and partners to ensure that the issues of sanitation, hygiene and water supply are firmly on the international political agenda. It highlights the effective and life-changing work underway to provide access to those who are currently un-served, especially the poorest members of society, excluded groups, women and children. It also draws attention to the serious consequences to health and development that result when good sanitation and hygiene are missing.

The department’s main functions are the following: 1. Strategic Communications and Media Support to National, Regional and Global Engagement; 2. All aspects of Corporate Communications 3. Marketing and Outreach to External and Internal Audiences; 4. Corporate Stakeholder Engagement and 5. Production of Print and Audio-Visual Materials.

Media Relations

• To support implementation of media strategies, tactics and messages to achieve maximum measurable impact on WSSCC’s profile, specifically on WSSCC programmatic, policy and campaigns.
• To build and maintain excellent relationships with relevant journalists, broadcasters and commentators in international and target country media.
• To draft media announcements, releases and advisories.
• Prepare and support formulation of background notes, speeches and talking points for public appearances.
• To pitch stories to journalists and organizing press briefings, as authorised or directed.
• To support development and use of related infrastructure, including press lists, media monitoring services, online broadcast video delivery services, etc.
• To offer expert advice on reputational and other media risks arising from programmatic, policy and campaigns issues.
• Develop a media outreach plan to identify and build relations with a network of traditional and specialised media and maintain these relations to increase WSSCC’s media profile
• Produce media briefs, kits and timely press releases and build internal capacity to work with media effectively
• Actively create media visibility opportunities for WSSCC senior management, preparing talking points, and facilitating radio, TV and print media interviews where necessary.
• To monitor and evaluate media coverage. Including, advice on outreach activities with press and other communication target groups.
• Provide professional advice and support to colleagues in the WSSCC Secretariat and partner organisations involved in media relations work, including capacity building

Communications

• Provide support and lead (where needed) in developing communications material for external and internal use
• Provide content development/generating support to regional and country communicaitons team within the WSSCC universe
• Provide input to development of integrated communication plans · Develop adequate and effective internal information management systems to promote internal and external communication objectives
• Support senior management team in identifying and developing effective messages, framing and means for delivering them to reach communication objectives
• Oversee the corporate branding, design principles and guidelines for all of WSSCC materials and products, ensuring their consistent application across the WSSCC universe.
• Ensure that WSSCC has effective communication resources that are up-to-date and accessible for all staff with external relations responsibilities
• Develop and implement the annual audience surveying exercise in collaboration with the Web and Digital Analyst and integrate results in WSSCC’s comms and media plans and activities
• Actively contribiute to developing integrated communication and marketing plans for WSSCC brand and products
• Oversee the design and production of promotional materials for WSSCC for key events and campaigns
• Actively work with the web and digital analyst to expand WSSCC audience engagement and viewership, mailing lists etc 

• A minimum of 5 years (7 years for a bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in media relations and all aspects of communications work.
• Experience of working in a creative public relations or marketing role would be an added advantage.
• Proven ability to achieve coverage of issues and experts and develop good content is desired. Experience in the UN system is desirable.

• Ability & willingness to undertake additional work as and when requested by the Head of the department
• Strong computer skills.
• Political and Organization Awareness
• Negotiating/diplomatic skills/protocol awareness
• Knowledge of all aspects of Media Relations (management, relationship building, orgnaization’s reputation and risk management) at the global and regional level
• Leading Media Campaigns
• High level content development (articles, features and op-eds)
• Familiarity with communication for development
• Marketing Communications
• High level Proof-reading and Editing skills (English)
• Experience with Publication production
  

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.