Communications Associate

In Latin America and the Caribbean, UNOPS operates across 23 countries, delivering high-impact solutions that drive sustainable development. UNOPS focuses on building and improving resilient infrastructure—including roads, bridges, public facilities, sanitation systems, and housing—to enhance quality of life and foster inclusive growth. UNOPS also supports public health by procuring essential medicines and medical equipment, ensuring broader access to healthcare services. By strengthening institutional capacities, UNOPS promotes transparent, efficient, and equitable public management. As a trusted partner to governments and development stakeholders, UNOPS aligns its interventions with national priorities, helping countries advance the Sustainable Development Goals through practical, results-driven support.

Based in Brazil, the UNOPS Southern Cone Multi-Country Office (SCMCO) also oversees operations in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, supporting national priorities and development goals across the subregion. In Argentina, UNOPS strengthens public institutions by providing technical assistance in planning, procurement, and oversight of infrastructure projects—particularly in public buildings—and building capacity in public procurement, with a focus on technological innovation. In Brazil, where UNOPS has operated since 2012, the office collaborates with UN agencies, financial institutions, and government bodies at all levels to deliver services in health, education, urbanization, social rehabilitation, PPPs, and institutional strengthening. UNOPS has played a key role in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and currently manages 17 active projects across the country. Its work emphasizes transparency, operational efficiency, and results-driven management while aligning with the strategic and operational needs of its partners. Across the Southern Cone, UNOPS promotes sustainable development by enhancing national capabilities and supporting the delivery of high-impact, inclusive infrastructure.

Em 2023, após chamamento público conduzido pelo Ministério Público Federal em Alagoas, o UNOPS Brasil firmou acordo de cooperação para operacionalizar o programa de reparação dos danos morais coletivos relacionados ao desastre socioambiental causado pela Braskem em Maceió. O programa é gerido pelo Comitê Gestor dos Danos Extrapatrimoniais, que define as diretrizes e prioridades da reparação na capital alagoana.

No âmbito do programa, estão previstos o planejamento e a execução de atividades estratégicas de comunicação, para trazer visibilidade aos danos extrapatrimoniais e aos projetos de reparação em andamento na cidade. A pessoa a ser contratada será responsável pela coordenação do Núcleo de Comunicação do programa, orientando a equipe específica e trabalhando na articulação com os demais núcleos.

Para isso, exige-se formação em Comunicação, com experiência relevante na área de Comunicação, Relações Públicas, Jornalismo ou áreas correlatas. Também pede-se experiência com gestão de equipes, com assessoria de imprensa e no apoio à implementação de planos de comunicação para projetos e/ou iniciativas de impacto. A experiência com gestão de crises será considerada um diferencial.

O trabalho é presencial, em Maceió, com dois dias de home office por semana.

The Communications Associate contributes to developing and implementing communication efforts to enhance UNOPS’ visibility and reputation. The position is responsible for creating and editing a wide range of content, including web stories, press releases and social media posts, ensuring all materials align with corporate style and partner requirements. The  incumbent also supports external communications and media relations, helping to coordinate events and campaigns. The Communications Associate is a proactive professional who can manage content production, assist with communications planning, and provide essential administrative support related to communication plans.

Communications Implementation and Visibility

• Assist in identifying opportunities to strengthen visibility and outreach nationally, regionally and globally.
• Ensure communication deliverables meet partner/donor visibility requirements and UNOPS guidelines.
• Support the implementation of project communication strategies and stakeholder mapping.
• Contribute to crafting project narratives aligned with UNOPS corporate style.

Content Development and Production

• Draft, edit and proof-read communication materials: web stories, newsletters, press releases, reports and social-media content.
• Support production of multi-media products (infographics, videos, photos), ensuring message consistency.
• Coordinate communication inputs for events, workshops and campaigns.
• Serve as a focal point for internal communications queries. 

External Communication and Media Outreach

• Support messaging that enhances UNOPS and project positioning at the national/ regional level.
• Assist in managing media relations.
• Support crisis and reputation communication where needed.
• Contribute to the production of outreach materials and press interactions.

Documentation and Administrative support

• Assist in developing Terms of Reference (ToRs) and technical specifications for the procurement of communication services.
• Prepare requisitions, payment requests, and maintain inventories of materials.
• Support gender-responsive communication activities and related reporting.

Knowledge Building and Sharing

• Support the organization, facilitation and delivery of training and learning sessions on communications topics.
• Participate in knowledge-sharing initiatives and Communities of Practice (CoPs), contributing insights and lessons learned from communications project implementation, 
• Conduct research on communication-related topics and contribute to the drafting of reports, summaries and briefing notes.

Required

• Secondary school (or equivalent) with 6 years of relevant experience OR
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 2 years of relevant experience is required.

Desired

• A globally or nationally recognized professional certificate in communications, journalism, or digital and social media communications is desired.

Required

• Relevant experience is work in communications, public relations, media, journalism or related fields.

Desired

• Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.
• Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.
• Experience in developing and monitoring content for grassroots-level audiences is desired.
• Experience in use of graphic design, video production, and content creation tools is desired.

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
  

• 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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click 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.