Communications Associate

Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO)

The Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO) is part of the UNOPS Europe and Central Asia Region (ECR). Specifically, AUMCO aims to enable achievement of Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement through global programmes and tailored interventions in the Balkans, South Caucasus, and Central Asia, focused on:

• Infrastructure

• Procurement 

• Project Management (full service, back on track)

• HR and Transactional Services

• Grants Management 

• Technical and Advisory Services

• Project Information

Under the direct supervision of the Project Management Specialist, the Communication Associate will carry out the following duties, in full compliance with UNOPS rules, regulations and policies to support communications and reporting efforts within UNOPS key focus and service areas:

1. Communications Content

2. Communications Focal Point 

3. Content Management

4. Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing

1. Communications Content:

• Write and edit a variety of communications materials, including stories, press releases, speeches, articles, web content and social media posts.

• Draft official letters, speeches, press releases, press invitations, website and newsletter stories

• Design and produce infographics, videos and other visual materials to support UNOPS' communications efforts.

• Support communications efforts of UNOPS' project teams, including the development of project-specific communications materials and the organization of events and press conferences.

• Develop and maintain web content for relevant UNOPS intra-/internet pages and social media.

• Ensure compliance of communications activities according to UNOPS rules, regulations, policies and strategies.

2. Communications Focal Point: 

• Develop and implement communications plans and campaigns that promote UNOPS' mandate, activities and achievements to a wide range of audiences.

• Build and maintain relationships with media outlets and journalists to secure coverage of UNOPS' activities and achievements.

• Work with the UNOPS' Communications team to ensure consistency of messaging and branding across all communications materials and platforms.

• Support in building good relations with relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, private sector companies, UN agencies, INGOs, research institutes and media. 

• Co-organize media facilitation for donor visits and field visits. 

• Provide communication support for organization of workshops and training.

• Manage and maintain local UNOPS' social media accounts, including support to social media strategies and campaigns.

• Support the development of ideas for new and innovative ways of communicating with the local population.

• Provide suggestions on cultural sensitivities for communications. 

3. Content Management:

• Keep up-to-date communication materials and a photo library with project photos.

• Contribute to communication outputs to share information about UNOPS Uzbekistan projects and results achieved, in liaison with relevant project and communication teams. 

• Follow local media for humanitarian and development related content. 

• Contribute communications content for briefing reports to the MCO / Regional Office and/or partners/donors. 

• Develop and maintain a database of relevant project contacts including local journalists / press contacts, partners and the international community.

4. Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing

• Provide guidance and training to project teams on communications best practices and UNOPS' communications policies and guidelines.

• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice by synthesizing lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in communications.

• Contribute feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize productively.

a. Education

• Secondary school (High School or equivalent) with a minimum of six (6) years of relevant experience is required.

• A first level university degree (Bachelor or equivalent) in Communications, Media, Social Studies, International Relations or related fields may substitute for some years of experience, but is not required. 

b. Work experience 

• Minimum of 6 years of relevant working experience within the communications field is required.

• Excellent interpersonal communication, planning and coordination skills are required. 

• Experience in social media management is an asset. 

• Prior experience with the UN system or an international NGO is an asset.

c. Languages

• Fluency in English is required.

• Fluency in Uzbek or Russian is required. Fluency in both is an advantage.

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA) Contract level: Local Support Level 6, LICA-6, ICS-6
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, satisfactory performance, and project duration. 

*** Only nationals of Uzbekistan or persons in Uzbekistan with residence and work permit are eligible for this position***

• 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.