Communications Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, focusing on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices in North, West, Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa, as well as the Horn of Africa, the office aims to advance national priorities through strategic initiatives in various sectors including Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas such as Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery and fostering knowledge sharing, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and improved quality of life for communities across the continent.

Job Overview:
The Communications Officer is responsible for developing and implementing strategic communication plans to support the objectives of various projects and programs. This role involves analyzing communication contexts, managing editorial calendars, and producing a wide range of high-quality content, including press releases, social media posts, and reports. The incumbent will also act as a focal point for external partners and donors, ensuring effective stakeholder engagement and appropriate representation of the organization. The position requires a proactive approach to communication strategy, content creation, and stakeholder mobilization, contributing to the overall success of UNOPS initiatives in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support communication strategy and planning: Contribute to the development and implementation of approved communication strategies and plans for projects/programs. Provide analyzed data and relevant information to inform communication strategy definition. Ensure timely implementation of communication activities aligned with project/program objectives, adhering to high-quality standards. Monitor implementation and compliance with UNOPS rules and regulations. Analyze local communication contexts, target audiences, and various channels to optimize the reach and impact of communication actions. Contribute to the dissemination of strategic messages across different forums and media.
• Content creation and management: Develop editorial content, including messaging elements, FAQs, press releases, social media posts, website content, videos, and information sheets. Collect and structure data to transform it into accessible communication materials tailored to different audiences. Manage editorial calendars and coordinate content production across various communication channels. Collaborate with technical experts to produce comprehensive and relevant reports and articles.
• Stakeholder mobilization and representation: Maintain effective communication with donors, clients, partners, and other stakeholders. Contribute to organizing external events and ensure that the organization's representation meets UNOPS standards. Collaborate with technical and thematic experts in strategic reporting activities and initiatives aimed at enhancing project/program visibility.
• Knowledge development and sharing: Contribute to organizing, facilitating, and implementing training and learning sessions on communication-related topics. Participate in knowledge-sharing initiatives and Communities of Practice (CoP), providing contributions, ideas, and lessons learned from communication activities. Conduct research on communication-related topics and assist in drafting reports, summaries, and information notes.

Required Qualifications:
Required: A bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in marketing, communication, journalism, or another relevant field, along with 2 years of relevant professional experience. A master's degree (or equivalent) in marketing, communication, journalism, or another relevant field is acceptable without prior professional experience. Desired: A nationally or internationally recognized professional certification in communication, journalism, or digital and social media communication is preferred.

Educational Background:
Required: A bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in marketing, communication, journalism, or another relevant field, with 2 years of relevant professional experience. A master's degree (or equivalent) in marketing, communication, journalism, or another relevant field is acceptable without prior professional experience. Desired: A nationally or internationally recognized professional certification in communication, journalism, or digital and social media communication is preferred.

Experience:
Required: Relevant professional experience in communication, public relations, media, journalism, or related fields. Experience in using collaboration and productivity tools (e.g., MS Office, G-Suite, etc.) and online management systems is required. Desired: Experience working in multicultural environments or within UN system organizations in developing countries is preferred. Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is preferred. Experience in creating and monitoring content for local/community-level audiences is preferred. Experience in using graphic design tools, video production, and content creation is preferred.

Languages:
Language Proficiency Level Requirement: English - Fluent - Required; French - Fluent - Required; Arabic - Intermediate - Desirable.

Additional Notes:
UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. Applications must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Late applications will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for 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.