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Communications and Training Advisor

Helsinki

  • Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
  • Location: Helsinki
  • Grade: Mid level - IICA-3, International Individual Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Communication and Public Information
    • Education, Learning and Training
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background Information - Job-specific

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations. 


UNOPS is in the process of establishing a Sustainable Infrastructure Impact Investments (S3I) Office in Helsinki, Finland. The S3I Office is a dedicated and integrated subsidiary within UNOPS with a significant degree of operational independence. The S3I Office bolsters UNOPS’ current business model by enhancing UNOPS’ brand as an innovative player in inclusive infrastructure, providing forward-looking strategic advisory services to UNOPS’ existing clients, and drawing new partners from the private sector to expand UNOPS’ portfolio of initial investments while catalyzing resources to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  


The S3I Office activities focus on enhancing private sector engagement in target markets, crowding in commercial investment into regions of the world that historically have had trouble attracting capital. These activities help S3I develop a strong track record of commercially viable projects, build a new set of inclusive investment capabilities, and secure project implementation roles. Through this endeavor, S3I will also convene a broad range of investment partners, including donors, development finance institutions (DFIs), multilateral development banks (MDBs), and private institutional investors to drive progress toward the SDGs.  


The goal of S3I is to catalyze investments in inclusive infrastructure by developing, brokering, managing, and investing in high-quality, socially and environmentally responsible, and commercially viable transactions, in the domains of affordable housing, renewable energy and health infrastructure. 


  • In the short-term, S3I makes minority investments in infrastructure projects best aligned with UNOPS’ mission and serves as a pipeline for UNOPS-led deal management services. Deal management, in this context, is the fee-based provision of project management and procurement services toward inclusive infrastructure projects. By engaging with the private sector, UNOPS uses its investing activities to address the lack of bankable infrastructure projects, while diversifying and expanding its deal management portfolio.   

  • In the long-term, the S3I Office could bolster its self-sustainability by developing and scaling other revenue streams that would complement its investing and deal management functions. These could include fund management, development impact advisory, and due diligence advisory work, and would enable S3I to operate more broadly with private sector participants and projects in a way that UNOPS cannot currently.  

S3I is fully committed to equal opportunity employment, including gender parity, and lack of bias in relation to candidates’ national, religious, sexual and other backgrounds.

Under the supervision of the S3I Chief Executive, the Communications and Training Advisor manages outreach, communication, and trainings within UNOPS, working alongside the Senior Portfolio Manager, to empower UNOPS personnel to help identify potential investment or program opportunities.

The incumbent will act according to the S3I management framework and related annexes, as well as to the UNOPS legislative framework, including where relevant, delegations of authority applicable to the role. 

Functional Responsibilities

The responsibilities will include:

  • Develops a proactive media outreach plan and leads internal & external communications efforts for the S3I Office; 

  • Coordinates with UNOPS Communications colleagues on responses to press inquiries concerning S3I, on key project developments and crisis communications and on promoting newsworthy content and narratives in international publications and digital platforms, including social media;

  • Works with the S3I team to develop communications strategies in support of acquisitions, divestitures and development projects; 

  • Support internal communications including intranet content & updates and other internal initiatives as required;

  • Develops external branding program for S3I through marketing brochures and materials to inform clients of S3I Office offerings and key projects; 

  • Coordinates with UNOPS communications colleagues in writing creative and engaging feature and human-interest stories, blogs, profiles and other materials for publication (this could include assigning colleagues to travel to project sites, conducting phone interviews of stakeholders, identifying suitable projects to focus on in collaboration with operational and regional management teams, etc.);

  • Drafts talking points for managers (as needed) and organises participation at relevant conferences & events;

  • Works on developing trainings and internally socializing the S3I Office’s investment activities throughout UNOPS and identifying potential investment opportunities through country offices;

  • Consolidates, manages, systematizes, and disseminates the knowledge the UNOPS and the S3I Office acquires as it gains the capabilities needed to participate in larger infrastructure deals, including lessons learned documentation, development of standards, tools, and guides;

  • Contributes to UNOPS’ knowledge management initiatives; captures external lessons learned and benchmarking with other organizations to keep UNOPS on the cutting edge of infrastructure and impact investment; 

  • Conducts special projects as required.


Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent), preferably in Communications, Journalism, Public Affairs, Marketing/Business or related areas; 2 additional years of relevant work experience, in combination with a relevant first level university (bachelor’s degree or equivalent), may substitute for the requirement of a master’s degree.

Experience

  • Holds at least seven years of relevant experience in the financial services industry with particular focus on infrastructure investments; Renewable energy and affordable housing sectors is an asset.  

  • Media relations skills and strong experience in developing effective strategic communications strategies and campaigns that deliver strong business results.

  • Existing relationships with journalists covering financial services and the markets.

  • Highly developed verbal and written communications skills, ability to convey complex messages succinctly and diplomatically.  

  • Demonstrates in-depth understanding of target audience, highly effective writing style, and expertise in high-impact messaging to wider and more strategic audience.

  • Crafts strategic, high-level company positioning in the market, linked to desired reputation and branding attributes.

  • Has excellent working knowledge of digital media, including social media platforms and processes – particularly Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – with experience in creating and sharing digital content. 

  • Shows sensitivity when delivering politically sensitive communication to large group/public forums and/or strategic parties.

  • Understanding of the financial services industry and private equity-style investing.

  • Proven ability to work collaboratively and partner with a wide range of stakeholders.

  • Experience in interfacing with senior executives and developing a reputation as a trusted advisor.

  • Experience in effectively counsels /coaches team members, senior management in their delivery of messages to a variety of constituents, even on challenging topics.

  • Anticipates problems and opportunities; with potential problems, surfaces contributing factors and resolves them before there is negative impact.

  • Proven ability to collaborate with and oversee diverse and senior teams.

  • Exceptional quality standards and an ongoing desire to push for new approaches and insights.

  • Experience in working with international organizations is highly desirable.

Languages

Excellent writing and oral skills in English. Working knowledge of French or Spanish would be an asset.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement Contract level: IICA 3
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

The selected candidate will be offered a highly competitive and tax-free (in Finland) remuneration package.

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 

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.
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.

Additional Considerations

  • 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.
  • UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
  • Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
  • UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
  • For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
  • The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  
  • Due to the COVID19 outbreak, starting dates in the roles may be extended.

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.

This vacancy is now closed.
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