Communications Officer

Tegucigalpa

Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
Location: Tegucigalpa
Grade: Junior level - IICA-1, International Individual Contractors Agreement
Occupational Groups:
- Communication and Public Information
- Partnerships
Closing Date: Closed

Background Information - UNOPS

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 7,000 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.

Background Information - Job-specific

Since 2014, UNOPS in Honduras has been executing projects for the acquisition of drugs and medical supplies with beneficiaries such as the Honduran Social Security Institute (IHSS). In these projects, UNOPS provides technical assistance to carry out procurement and contract management processes under United Nations standards.

In 2020, UNOPS Honduras has again signed a collaboration agreement with the IHSS for the procurement of medicines and medical supplies. This position will be inserted in this executing unit of health projects.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Communications Officer is responsible for advising and supporting the communication and partnerships strategies, plans and actions in favor of the projects. In addition to this advice, he or she will implement the dissemination of project activities at national level, in order to effectively communicate (internally and externally) the projects that UNOPS manages with its counterparts and achieve a strategic positioning of UNOPS in Honduras.

In addition to the deliverables on communications, the incumbent’s work is focused on supporting strategic partnership activities, to establish opportunities and maintain current alliances, at the national and regional levels; strengthening efforts to develop these alliances and the strategic positioning of UNOPS in Honduras with entities of the United Nations System, IFIs, international organizations, among others

Functional Responsibilities

The Communications Officer will work as part of the national Office health projects team on issues related to Communications, Outreach and Partnerships activities. S/he reports to the Project Manager and works in a coordinated way with the National Communications Specialist and the Partnerships & Communications Team of the Regional Office to support the dissemination of the projects at national and regional level and their results. S/he will have the following key responsibilities:

1. Support the Strategic positioning of the project at the national and regional levels

In coordination with the National Communications Officer and Regional Communications Specialist, support, implement and monitor the Communication and Parthehips Strategy for keeping aligned UNOPS priorities.
Support and provide quality-control in the research of national trends or events that can influence UNOPS activities.
Provide inputs, quality assurance and drafting for the preparation of reports, contribute to the monitoring of results and evaluation of country reports.

2. Support the implementation of the external communication

Supports, gives advice and implements of the external communication strategy, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Support the coordination of communication priorities with the Project Manager and the project partner(s).
Apply communication guidelines to prevent and manage potential media or reputational crisis situations. Support the digital communication activities of UNOPS.
Support the holding of conferences, workshops, seminars and / or other activities within the framework of the project.

3. Strengthening of strategic alliances (Partnerships)

Implement and support opportunities to establish strategic alliances related to the activities of UNOPS at national level, through the following activities:

Support the country office in the necessary management to establish strategic alliances (Partnerships) with national and international strategic actors from various sectors.
Support actions for the development of strategic alliances in line with the implementation of the UNOPS Strategic Plan for 2018-2021.
Participate in the implementation of initiatives and tools to effectively address the development of Partnerships / alliances linked to innovative solutions, such as Fair Public Management and others.

4. Support Internal communication and knowledge management

Support the implementation of an internal communications strategy and knowledge management, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Promote the circulation of information within the project teams, the country office and the regional team, in order to create communities capable of strengthening the project's positioning in the country and the region.
Support the development of communication materials with a gender perspective.
Support the development of gender and innovation initiatives that increase the incorporation of a gender perspective in the actions that UNOPS implements.

For more detailed information about the responsibilities please check the attached terms of reference

Education/Experience/Language requirements

A. Education

A First University degree preferably in Communication, Journalism, Public Administration, Economics, International Development, Political Science, Communications or International Relations or related field A
Master Degree or third level education is desirable and can substitute some of the years of experience preferably in Communications, Journalism, Public Administration, Economics, International Development, Political Sciences, International Relationships or related areas.

B. Experience

A minimum of two (2) years of experience developing communication strategies, public relations and / or strategic alliances.
Experience in public relations (or an equivalent related to Partnerships and partnership development) is required in the public, private or cooperative projects will be valued.

C. Valuable

Experience in communication for development and/or partnership and portfolio development.
Experience in communicating health issues.
Knowledge and experience with United Nations agencies, international cooperation and / or international organizations will be valued.

D. Languages

Fluency in Spanish and good working level in English (both written and oral) are required.

Competencies

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.

Contract type, level and duration

Type of Contract: ICA - Individual Contractor Agreement (regular monthly contract)

Regular Monthly Contract: This contract is established in the form of a regularly monthly contract, that is, a continuous presentation of the services required during the contract period, making the payments associated with the contract at the end of each calendar month.

Contract Level: IICA 1 (international candidates)

Contract Duration: Ongoing ICA -- open ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

Duty Station: Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The position is located in family duty station.

UNOPS is an inclusive employer, so we invite women and men regardless of ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity to apply. We are committed to promote equitable representation.

Work and personal life balance: UNOPS values its staff and recognizes the importance of maintaining a balance between professional and personal responsibilities. We have a personal-work balance policy and offer several flexible schedule possibilities. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel, under any contractual modality.

Upon request, UNOPS seeks the possibility of accommodating candidates with special needs.

For more details about the ICA contract modality please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

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
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 (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.