Communications Senior Officer

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

Afghanistan
UNOPS strategy for Afghanistan is aimed at providing maximum support to the Government and people of Afghanistan though the delivery of projects and services in line with the government’s own priorities. The UNOPS Afghanistan has been established as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been designated as the implementation agency. At present, UNOPS AFGHANISTAN is implementing a number of projects in a range of sectors including infrastructure (roads and schools) development, capacity building to various ministries, and environmental protection, among others, on behalf of the Government of Afghanistan and the donor community.

The functional objective of UNOPS Afghanistan is to deliver projects in an efficient and effective manner, to achieve the development outcomes sought by the Government of Afghanistan and the donor community, where capacity building is always considered and encouraged. The aim of UNOPS Afghanistan is to provide implementation services to the Government of Afghanistan, the donor community and partner agencies in the reconstruction and development of the country. In doing so, UNOPS aims to exceed client expectations in the delivery of quality services throughout the country.

In order to ensure sound projects and financial management of bilaterally funded projects in AFOC, and support the development of further projects in the portfolio, UNOPS is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Programme Manager, RSHQ.

Established in 2015, Resolute Support (RS) is a NATO-led, non-combat mission with a mandate to train, advise and assist the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF), who assumed nationwide responsibility for Afghanistan’s security following the conclusion of the previous NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission.  

The purpose of RSHQ is to help the Afghan security forces and institutions develop the capacity to protect its citizens in a sustainable manner and to manage/improve security enhancements with Kabul city.  The purpose of the UNOPS/RSHQ engagement is to support NATO for both the ANA Trust Fund and Kabul Security Force funding streams; for procurement of goods and services, contract management, maintenance of equipment(s), physical security enhancements, construction projects and construction work packages, as well as coordination and facilitation of RSHQ operations, programs and activities (non-kinetic only).

The UNOPS/RSHQ engagement is a complex and challenging programme which is set to expand significantly during 2020 and beyond.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

Under the overall guidance and direction of the Program Management Specialist, and as a sub-set to the AFOC Programmes unit, the Communications Senior Officer will be responsible for delivering the reporting requirements of the RSHQ Program.  Specific responsibilities and duties include but are not limited to:

●      In coordination with the Program Management Specialist, Senior Program Manager and AFOC Programmes unit, establish a reporting schedule for the RSHQ programme and projects, and ensure the timely drafting and development of precise, concise and high quality reports, and the submission and circulation of said reports internally and/or externally, as required;

●      In consultation with the Program Management Specialist and Senior Program Manager, ensure effective monitoring of RSHQ program and project activities, in line with logical frameworks, for use for objective and effective reporting to the program team and all stakeholders as required;

●      Provide quality assurance, including data verification, on all reports and information products produced by the RSHQ project teams by editing and consolidating reports for external distribution;

●      Coordinate with RSHQ project managers and local counterparts to obtain information on new developments as they arise;

●      Liaise with the Programme Unit regarding dissemination of reports and the accuracy of information included in visibility materials and publications;

●      Prepare ad-hoc reports and briefing notes as required;

●      Provide oversight and analysis of project delivery data from a reporting perspective;

●      Provide editorial support to the RSHQ project teams, ensuring the efficient and timely dissemination of accurate and consistent information;

●      Assist with internal and external project meetings as required, take minutes and disseminate in a timely manner;

●      Provide communications and administrative support to formal project board meetings as required;

●      Any other relevant duties as may be assigned. 

Monitoring and Progress Controls

●      The accurate production and dissemination of reports in adherence to agreed quality and timescales. 

●      Effective sharing of knowledge and best practices with RSHQ projects and stakeholders as necessary.

Education

●      Advanced-level university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Journalism, Communications, International Relations, Business Administration or a related field.  A Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field with an additional two years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master’s Degree. A technical or professional diploma in a relevant field with an additional four years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of a degree. 

●      Training and/or certification in project management, business development, communications, programme management or related fields an advantage. 

Work Experience

●      At least 2 years of progressively responsible experience in reporting and information analysis.

●      Previous experience within the UN/UNOPS an advantage.

●      Knowledge of UNOPS financial and procurement rules and regulations, and financial management tolls, a distinct advantage. 

●      Experience in a post-conflict environment desirable. 

Languages

●      Excellent working knowledge of English, both written and verbal.

●      Knowledge of Dari desirable.

Technical Competencies  

●      Demonstrated reporting skills including report compilation, analysis, drafting and editing required.

●      Experience with information management systems and enterprise management systems is highly desirable. 

Contract type: International ICA Contract level: IICA-1
Contract duration: Ongoing ICA - Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and 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 

• 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
• 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.  

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.