Communications Senior Associate - Public Relations and Outreach

Background Information - UNOPS Amman Hub

The UNOPS Hub in Amman implements projects in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, in partnership with bilateral donors, national governments, and other UN agencies.  With an established presence across the region, the office runs operations including large-scale procurement, project development, and technical management, and provides financial, human resources, and infrastructure-related services. The functional objective of the UNOPS Hub in Amman is to deliver its projects efficiently and effectively and in line with the principles, rules, and regulations of UNOPS, to support the response to the current needs and national priorities in the region.

The project team will be based in Erbil, Iraq, and will be supported by the UNOPS Hub in Amman. UNOPS has been active in Iraq since 2004, delivering close to 50 projects worth over USD 260 million. UNOPS has a very strong relationship with its key counterparts at both central and regional government levels in Iraq. 

Background Information: Project Specific

UNOPS is providing operational support to UNAMI in Iraq to facilitate electoral preparations and processes, with the primary objective of strengthening democratic institutions in Iraq through the promotion of regional parliamentary elections. The project aims to enhance the credibility and transparency of the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) and promote inclusion and participation in electoral processes by national legal and policy frameworks. The project aligns with the Sustainable Development Goal 16 and the Iraq Vision 2030 plan. UNOPS will conduct an assessment of the capacity of relevant entities who will organize the upcoming elections and provide training needs, provide technical assistance, carry out a UN communication campaign, support national observation, and conduct post-election activities including a lessons learned workshop. 

UNOPS will recruit a team consisting of local and international staff to provide the requested assistance in the areas of support identified by UNAMI. 

Within delegated authority, the Communication Associate  will be responsible for the following duties:

• Provide strong transnational support to the work of the Communications Advisor (CA) with the IHEC the electoral team on planning, developing and implementing a media and communications strategy for the IHEC using social media;

• Assist the Communications Advisor with the current civic and voter education landscape in KRI, identifying existing gaps and opportunities for improvement;

• Support the facilitation of workshops and capacity-building sessions for IHEC staff and other relevant stakeholders including civil society organizations;

• Support the Communications Advisor with media and civil society organizations to enhance the outreach and effectiveness of civic and voter education initiatives;

• Support the Communications Advisor and IHEC counterparts on social media used for public relations activities both national and provincial level, in particular to the External Media Section, Office of the Spokesperson and Media Units;

• Support the implementation of guidance and technical advice provided to the IHEC on all media and communications activities using social media, including the development of relevant internal procedures, media relations, information provision (press releases, press conferences, call centre, use of print, audio/visual and new media etc.), development of the website and media monitoring;

• Assist the CA and SEA advise the IHEC on the development and implementation of effective social media campaigns for specific electoral events;

• Support in the promotion of the incorporation of electoral best practices and suggest innovative and effective ways to conduct social media for electoral processes;

• Support the Communications Advisor in the coordination of IHEC media staff with other IHEC units, including finance, legal, administration, operations, translation and graphic design etc.;

• Assist the Communications Advisor in following up with transactional partnership development cases with relevant opinion leaders (traditional, cultural, media etc.) for the awareness campaign;

• Accompany the Communications Advisor during meetings with influencers, religious leaders and other community principal personalities who can act as channels for messages and feedback on the constitution-building process; 

• Support the incorporation of cross-cutting themes such as youth, gender and human rights   into the electoral process through  social media and communications.

• Assist in providing regular reports on progress and activities.

Education

• A minimum of a high school diploma is required.

• A first-level university ( Bachelor’s  Degree)  preferably in Communications, Journalism, Social Science, or a related field is desired.

Work Experience

• At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in media, communications, or advocacy; 

• Previous experience with a multilateral or international organization is desired.

• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, good knowledge, and experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Languages

• Fluency in English and Kurdish in speaking and writing is desired.

[Instructions: Please delete this paragraph and insert relevant information below:

1. Contract type (eg. ICA, staff)
2. Contract level (eg. I-ICA 2, P3, Local ICA Support, etc.) and
3. Contract duration (select appropriate wording below)

• Fixed-term staff contracts - 'One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability'
• Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’
• Short-Term ICA – ‘Short-term ICA – Maximum duration 3 months’]

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• This position is a short term position for 2 months.

• 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.