Communications Officer (stakeholder management)

Background Information - Afghanistan

Afghanistan

With more than 20 years of experience in the country, UNOPS Afghanistan focuses on providing maximum support to the people of Afghanistan through the delivery of projects and services that improve the lives of people in need. The UNOPS Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) serves as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been designated as the implementation agency. At present, UNOPS AFCO activities cover a range of sectors including humanitarian, basic human needs, cash for work, infrastructure, development, procurement and HR services.

The functional objective of UNOPS AFCO is to contribute to improving the lives of girls, boys, men and women living in Afghanistan. The aim of UNOPS AFCO is to provide efficient and cost-effective implementation services on behalf of all our partners to support the humanitarian response and development of the country. UNOPS AFCO’s mission is to exceed the expectations of all stakeholders in the delivery of AFCO services, at all times, in all places, in all circumstances, in order to improve the lives of Afghans in need.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

Under the supervision of the Senior Project Manager, the Communications Officer (Stakeholder Management) will have the following responsibilities related to external and internal communications for the WERP, in full compliance with UNOPS rules, regulations and policies. Specific responsibilities and duties include but are not limited to:

Summary of Key Functions

Stakeholder management

Communications

Strategy and plan

Content development and translation

Reporting/Knowledge Management

Partnership Development

Support

Stakeholder management

The WERP has multiple stakeholders that must be consulted, coordinated and kept informed. The responsibilities for this aspect include:

updating and elaborating the stakeholder engagement plan

Develop and maintain a database of WERP stakeholders, including the private sector companies targeted by the project, UN agencies active in solar power, irrigation and livelihoods, the DFA, relevant donors and iNGOs/NGOs

arranging information sharing events for stakeholders

preparing correspondence and arranging meetings with external stakeholders

managing meetings and events, including sending invitations and arranging access for visitors, ensuring online meeting facilities are functional, presentations are projected, attendance lists maintained, attendees are welcomed, catering is arranged, IT support is arranged, reminders are sent, etc.

preparing presentations for meetings and events

preparing communication materials for meetings and events

Preparing meeting notes and distributing approved notes/minutes

Managing and tracking stakeholder engagement

Cooperating with the community and beneficiary management teams and supporting stakeholder engagement needs of these teams.

Communications:

Act as WERP Communications Focal Point, responsible for developing and implementing an effective and quality communications strategy and work plan for WERP under the guidance of the Senior Project Manager.

Monitor and follow the relevant UNOPS Communities of Practice and attend meetings.

Support the team leads and Project Managers, to organize audio-visual coverage (photography, videography) of project activities and achievements

Ensure that all UNOPS communication guidelines are consistently applied across all WERP communication activities and outputs.

Support project visibility activities.

Brief The project manager and team regularly on ongoing communication activities and coordinate efforts to follow up on identified communications needs.

Translate all materials for the team into Dari and Pashto.

Manage external communications for all channels, including managing a communications content calendar.

Manage WERP’s social media accounts, ensuring regular updates and monitoring relevant posts and activities by key partners, including donors

Ensure the visibility and communication requirements of donor/s are met.

Strategy and plan

Update and elaborate WERP communication strategy and plan

Contribute to the design and implementation of an external communications strategy for the project. The strategy should include objectives and outreach to all key stakeholders, including but not limited to the wider Interim Taliban Administration (ITA), the expected and actual beneficiaries, IDP/returnee displaced populations, the donor community, the media etc. Update and adapt the strategy as/when needed.

Content development and translation

Work closely with other colleagues in preparing and coordinating the production of communications materials for distribution to the media and other stakeholders, including local authorities, donors, partners, civil society organizations and the general public, as defined by the project’s communications strategy.

Write and produce content, including media releases/statements, press kits, Q&As, donor briefings, case studies/feature stories, photographs and videos, social media content, internal and external newsletters, etc.

Develop brochures, posters, banners and other media for use in WERP communications, reports, meetings and events

Work with the project team and donor in designing a logo for the project, and ensure the design is disseminated, protected and promoted by all stakeholders of the Project in representing the Program.

Develop with relevant experts a website to house information related to the Project and keep the website up-to-date with latest content, including press releases and feature articles, for relevant WERP extra-/internet pages and social media, ensuring approvals from relevant managers and units for release and content

Develop communication products and informative materials that meet the needs of all stakeholders, including print, radio and TV channels. Explore the outreach of the various channels and ensure contracting one with the widest coverage in the select Project coverage cities.

Regularly update content on the Project’s social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube pages, ensuring they are both informative and attractive to the wider public audience and reflect the Program’s objectives, strengths and achievements.

Prepare monthly feature stories and brief case studies of project accomplishments.

Evaluate effectiveness and impact of the project’s external communications activities.

Coordinate inputs from different teams and produce consolidated social media posts, factsheets, presentations and other written documents for internal and external use.

Reporting/Knowledge Management:

Maintain a directory of photographs, videos and audio recordings

Produce and keep up-to-date communication materials and a photo library with project photos.

Maintain an external communication registry for WERP project

Contribute to communication outputs to share information about WERP projects and results achieved in liaison with relevant project and communication teams.

Suggest/write stories and topics from the work of WERP and its partners for publication in local and other appropriate media.

Prepare communication materials as required for events, mission travel and/or discussion with partners.

Participate in relevant UN Afghanistan Working Groups or coordination mechanisms and provide necessary UNOPS inputs.

Collaborate with relevant support services units to lead and manage the production and deployment of relevant resources, including booklets, briefing notes, posters and banners, through service providers such as audio-visual production companies, as well as printing and translation companies as required.

Partnership Development:

In conjunction with the Head of the Partnerships Development Unit, develop the expression of interests, concept notes, and proposals for potential new projects and prepare budgets and costs for new project proposals.

Support the coordination and participation in meetings with donors and partners and produce high-quality meeting minutes and action-oriented summaries.

Conduct country-specific research and analysis on donor and partner focus areas, funding cycles, and processes and identify opportunities for AFCO project development.

Support the Head of the Partnerships Development Unit in revisions of budgets, legal agreements, project scope and timelines as and when needed and in accordance with UNOPS internal controls and processes.

Support/Other Duties:

Support the participation and/or representation of the WERP at events and technical meetings as required.

Other duties assigned by the supervisor.

a. Education

A bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, Communications, Media, Social Studies, International relations or any related field is required.

b. Work Experience

A minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience working in the communications field is required.

Excellent interpersonal communication skills and good attention to detail are highly preferred.

Excellent planning and coordination skills are desired.

Experience in social media management is an asset.

Experience in the use of the Google Suite application is an advantage

Experience in graphic design is desired.

Knowledge of the UN system is an advantage.

c. Language

Fluency (oral and written) in English is essential.

Pashto and Dari languages are essential

Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.

Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

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. For more information on a retainer contract 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.