Communications Specialist

The incumbent will support the Flagship Initiative Team to develop communication strategies, in coordination with other parts of OCHA. Under the close collaboration with OCHA Policy Branch under supervision of UNOPS Project Manager,  the incumbent will be responsible for the following: 

• Develops and implements a multi-year communications and external relations strategy for the Flagship Initiative.
• Coordinates all communications and advocacy aspects of the Flagship Initiative at HQ, in close collaboration with the focal points in the select countries. Provides hands-on support and guidance to country-level communications focal points.
• Participates in the development and monitoring of communication flows being maintained through appropriate electronic media, including but not limited to, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs' (OCHA) corporate website and intranet.
• Galvanizes and promotes support from key stakeholders, including developing messaging and story angles, pro-actively reaching out to journalists and public figures, anticipating and mitigating potential risks, and supporting the organization of country-level missions as required.
• Builds media coverage and stakeholder awareness around the key objectives as well as learning events of the Flagship Initiative. Arranges strategic placement of articles and feature stories.
• Organizes other activities to promote awareness and outreach, including interviews and other activities.
• Develops high-quality written, visual, and multimedia content pertaining to the Flagship Initiative, including but not limited to press releases, status updates, op-eds, articles, media products, and infographics to amplify coverage of the Flagship Initiative and related humanitarian issues.
• Provides advice and expertise to managers, senior officers and other public information staff on a range of communications issues, methods, and approaches; anticipates and resolves communications/external relations issues/problems.
• Evaluates results and impact of communications activities; reports on developments, trends and attitudes regarding the Flagship Initiative. Analyzes and reports on the impact and effectiveness of advocacy campaigns, external outreach and media coverage.
• Prepares the organization of meetings, seminars, conferences, workshops, etc. with other agencies and partners to facilitate exchanges of professional expertise and views and issues related to communications and advocacy for the Flagship initiative.
• Develops and maintains productive relationships with relevant parties, including senior UN officials, public information officers, journalists, and representatives of international, regional and national organizations, to advance the goals of the Flagship Initiative.

Monitoring and Progress Control:

• Multi-year communications and external relations strategy
• High-quality written, visual, and multimedia content pertaining to the Flagship Initiative
• Media coverage and stakeholder awareness
• Activities that promote awareness and outreach, including interviews and other activities

*FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

• An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) preferably in communication, journalism, international relations, political sciences, public administration or related fields to the post description with five (5) years of relevant experience is required; OR
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) preferably in communication, journalism, international relations, political sciences, public administration or related fields to the post description with seven (7) years of relevant experience is desirable.

b. Work Experience 

Required:

• Relevant experience is defined as progressively responsible experience in public information, public relations, journalism, international relations or related areas.
• Experience in the development and implementation of communications strategies is required.
• Experience in producing a variety of communications products is required.

Desirable (The following experiences are optional, candidates who do not have it are welcome to apply)

• Knowledge of the full range of communications approaches, tools, and methodologies is desirable.
• Experience in working with communication and media partners from international organizations, government officials, academia/professional bodies among others is desirable.

c. Language:

• Fluency in English (read, write, speak) is required. 
• Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.