Communications Officer

Job categories Communications

Vacancy code VA/2024/B5109/27353

Department/office ECR, RSMCO, Serbia

Duty station Belgrade, Serbia

Contract type Local ICA Specialist

Contract level LICA Specialist-8

Duration Open-ended, subject to organisational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

Application period 18-Jan-2024 to 08-Feb-2024

Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.

Functional Responsibilities

The Communications Officer will undertake the following activities/responsibilities:

Strategic Planning:

• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of the RSMCO Communication Internal and External Strategies and Plans that will identify the purpose, objectives, means, channels and resources, goals, opportunities and tools for the promotion of the projects’ actions

Stakeholder Management:

• Establish and cultivate relationship with the counterparts in international organisations and national institutions in  Serbia, Montenegro and North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina: UN and donor community, relevant ministries and governmental bodies, local self-governments, development organisations and programmes and other key stakeholders; 
• Maintain a database of RSMCO stakeholders, to be populated with participation of RSMCO Management Team and relevant personnel;
• Establish and cultivate partnerships with the key national, regional and local media;
• Maintain the contact database of media and the library of RSMCO media coverage;
• Ensure daily monitoring and ad-hoc qualitative and quantitative analysis of the RSMCO media coverage, with particular focus on reputational aspects

Positioning:

• Play a leading role in developing thematic external reports and papers according to the RSMCO priorities or partners’ interest.
• In line with UNOPS mandate and RSMCO's priorities and value proposition, present UNOPS and RSMCO to key stakeholders, with guidance from the  RSMCO Director, Partnerships Specialist and Head of Programme
• Prepare briefings, presentation, background notes, etc. for the RSMCO Director and, when needed, Head of Programme, Partnerships Specialist or high level internal stakeholders such as Executive Director
• Manage activities related to the visibility and dissemination of the UNOPS and RSMCO initiatives 
• Manage RSMCO social media activities
• Lead organisation of the RSMCO events, conferences, field visits and high level functions related to RSMCO positioning;
• Lead the preparation and production of visibility/promotional material in accordance with the approved Communication and Visibility Plans
• Provide communication support for organisation of trainings, workshops and other events organised within RSMCO
• Represent the RSMCO at UNCT Communication groups in countries identified by the Director and will represent UNOPS in external fora following guidance  by the Director.
• Provide inputs for the UNOPS internal and external communications platforms, to ensure timely updates and present RSMCO achievements  

Service Provision Management:

• Manage and oversee communications consultants and service providers
• With support and guidance of HR Officer, prepare Terms of Reference for communications and other relevant consultants needed for the RSMCO 
• With the guidance of the Procurement Specialist, support preparation of tenders for the publicity material (including print, graphics, web, audio and video, etc.) 

Procedures and Processes:

• Ensure that quality and corporate standards are incorporated in the communications products and practices, taking care that the UN values, good governance and gender equality and diversity principles are respected throughout the processes.
• With support from the Head of Support Services and the Procurement Specialist, ensure respect of UNOPS’ procurement procedures 
• In cooperation with the Partnerships Specialist and with support from the Head of Support Services and the Finance Specialist, ensure efficient and effective management of the communications budget and that all expenditure complies with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations (FRR)
• With support of the Head of Programme, contribute to identification and assessment of risks and implement mitigation measures in accordance with the Risk Management Strategy 
• Contribute to the RSMCO planning activities and ensure timely delivery of approved work, procurement, and financial plans for the communications activities 
• Provide accurate and high quality inputs to RSMCO documents, reports and papers
• Provide support to communication activities of projects if/when needed.

Internal Communications and Knowledge Management:

• Lead the preparation and publication of UNOPS RSMCO Internal Newsletter (Quarterly Highlights) to ensure information flow and keeping the personnel up to date with developments
• Participate in the UNOPS’ relevant groups, fora and communities for information and knowledge sharing
• Stimulate coordination, information flow and lessons exchange through regular engagement with project communications personnel
• Contribute to identification and sharing of the RSMCO lessons learned and the best practices 

Other:

• Perform other duties as may be reasonably required and in line with the incumbent’s scope of services above.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education 

• Bachelor’s degree preferably in communications, journalism, public relations, international relations or a related field is required
• Master’s degree in the relevant field would be considered as an asset

Work Experience 

• Minimum two years of relevant work experience in communications, public relations, media or journalism is required
• Experience with international organisations is desirable but not mandatory

Language Requirements

• Fluency in Serbian and English is required

ALL CANDIDATES ARE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT A CV AND COVER LETTER ALONG WITH THEIR APPLICATION