Communications Officer

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Project Manager, the Communications Officer  will be responsible for all communications aspects of GoJUST II  in close collaboration with the Technical Assistance Team members. He/she will also actively liaise UNOPS Philippines focal point/s and UNOPS communications units to ensure cohesiveness and internal knowledge sharing.

Accordingly, the incumbent will be required to perform the following duties and responsibilities:

Stakeholder Management

• Establish and cultivate relationships with the counterparts in GoJUST2 Project key stakeholders, Donors, Government departments, development organizations and programmes.

• Establish and cultivate partnerships with the key national, regional and local media.

• Collate and develop reports and presentations about the GoJUST2 Project & UNOPS and its activities for key stakeholders.

• Assist  the UNOPS’ Focal Point for the United Nations and Communications Group in Philippines and take active part in the UNOPS Philippines Communications Unit.

• Maintain relationships with communications officers in MCO Cambodia, Asia Region, as well as with HQ CPG and external partners to gather information and advice on communications products and outreach.

Delivery and performance:

• Coordinate the development, review and updating of the Communications and Visibility Plan for the GoJUST II.

• Support in the effort to ensure timely development and implementation of activities  related  to  the  communication  strategy  to  publicize  priority  issues  and/or  major  events,  to include  drafting information  strategies,  coordinating  efforts, monitoring  and reporting on progress, taking appropriate  follow-up actions, and analyzing  the  outcome. 

• Assist in and coordinate all event activities in relation to the project from inception  to implementation and evaluation. 

• Work  in  close  collaboration  with  the  Project  Manager  to  monitor  and  analyze  current  events  and  produce  news  and  news  media  writing  and  proofing.  Gather  content and coverage of relevant efforts to further promote GoJust activities. 

• Contribute to produce and manage the production of all information communication products  (editorial  writing,  news  writing,  proofing,  pitching,  placement,  branded  items etc.). 

• Recommend appropriate information and communication materials  for use in media and other communication activities. 

• Act  as  a  focal  point  for  all  project  related  queries,  and  focal  point  for  all  communications  (internal  and  external  concerning  the  project,  and  between  relevant  organizations,  including  but  not  limited  to:  European  Union,  UNOPS,  Philippines  Supreme  Court  and  Department  of  Justice  and  Justice  Sector  Coordination Council (JSCC). 

• Assist in  the preparation and release/dissemination of project related information  is carried out in a timely, message and audience appropriate and consistent manner. 

• Participate in  selecting  the  new and media  related information  transmitted  to  key  constituencies. 

• Maintain  and  update  the  GoJUST  project  website,  ensuring  accurate  and  timely  dissemination of information; Provide substantive content for the project website, highlighting project achievements and other relevant evidence-based information generating through monitoring process;

• Support  the  GoJUST II project  team and  the  JSCC in  the  development and implementation  of  communication strategies. 

• Support the organisation of the officials visits, press conferences and public events.

• Collaborate with mass media through activities such as organizing project site visits, facilitating photo coverage and TV footage and utilizing both web-based and traditional media as appropriate;

• Ensure monthly qualitative and quantitative analysis of project media coverage.

• Liaise and supervise the graphic designers’ work on visibility/promotional material and ensure or enhance the quality and relevance of Project and country-specific communication materials, activities, processes and messages for sharing with partners.

• Produce fact sheets for GoJUST II as well as  success stories and UNOPS services in Philippines.

• Prepare briefing materials, reports, analysis of political, socio and economic trends relevant for UNOPS Philippines.

• Prepare materials for business development activities pursued by the Office, customising to specific stakeholder needs and interests.

• Contribute to development of a communications strategy for the Philippine Office  covering both internal and external communications as maybe requested.

• Lead and supervise organisation of internal Office events as directed.

• Assist the UNOPS communications focal point to maintain the media contact database and the library of UNOPS Philippines  media coverage.

• Contribute to the updates of  UNOPS website and social network accounts;  ensure that they are systematically updated and maintained.

• Support the UNOPS communication focal point in the development of  key messages on UNOPS programming in the region, including for partners, local and international media.

• Ensure a well maintained and continually developed contact list of individuals, groups, organizations and fora (including Government, UN, and bilateral counterparts) for purposes of communication.

• Ensure gender mainstreaming , gender equality and diversity principles and practices are incorporated into the communications products, in accordance with the UNOPS objectives.

Procedures:

• Ensure respect of project management, procurement and communications requirements/procedures.

• Ensure efficient and effective management of the communications budget and compliance with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations (FRR).

• Ensure that communications and visibility are in line with the approved legal agreement on communication and branding for the Project.

• Contribute to identification and assessment of risks and implement mitigation measures in accordance with the UNOPS  Risk Management Approach  and the GoJUST II Communications & Visibility strategy.

• Contribute to planning activities and timely delivery of approved work, procurement, and financial plans for the communications activities.

• Provide accurate and quality inputs needed for monitoring of the projects’ performance, outputs , benefits and reports.

• With the guidance of the Procurement Officer, support preparation of  tenders for the publicity and communication material (including print, graphics, web, audio and video).

Knowledge management:

• Participate in the UNOPS’ communities/contribute to the knowledge management and sharing in Currents.

• Contribute to identification and sharing of lessons learned and the best practices.

• Close interaction with Programme/Project staff to share information and knowledge as related to projects and communications.

Personnel management:

• Supervise external consultants/service contractors.

• Draft Terms of Reference for communications consultants/ services.

• May be asked to lead or assist with other activities in the Office as required.

• Advance university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent), preferably in communications, journalism, public relations, international development, linguistics, social  sciences, business administration, international relation, or other relevant discipline, is required.
• First-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in combination with two (2) years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advance university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent).

• Minimum  one (1) year of experience (or more based on academic credentials) in a communication , public relations, journalism or relevant role is required
• Experience in research and analysis, reporting, external relations, communications, advocacy,  business administration, and/or outreach in international organizations is an asset. 
• Experience in producing analytical reports and communications products is an asset.
• Experience in the humanitarian and/or development sector is an asset. 
• Experience in the Philippines is an asset.
• Experience in international organizations and/ or the UN system is as asset.
• Experience in preparing, coordinating, and leading donor reporting processes is an asset.
• Proficiency in the usage of computers and G-Suite applications as well as web-based management systems is desirable.
• Excellent understanding on the intersection of technology, web design, editorial, digital, social media and multimedia platforms is desirable.
• Knowledge of digital media, visual communications and interactive storytelling methods is desirable.
• Ability to analyze online communications using performance indicators is desirable.

• Fluency in both written and spoken English is required.
• Fluency in Tagalog is required
• Knowledge of other regional dialects is desirable.