Communications Officer, IICA-1, Vientiane, Laos

South East Asia and Pacific Multi Country Office (EAPMCO)

The South East Asia and Pacific Multi Country Office (EAPMCO) supports, develops and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific. EAPMCO was established in January 2023 following the merger of the Thailand Multi-Country Office, which covered 20 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific, and the Cambodia Multi-Country Office, which covered 4 countries South East Asia – 3 countries in the Mekong Sub-region (Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam) and the Philippines. EAPMCO currently covers 24 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific. With its head office in Bangkok, the Multi-Country Office comprises nine business units: EAPMCO Thailand, EAPMCO Indonesia, EAPMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, EAPMCO Papua New Guinea, EAPMCO China, EAPMCO Vietnam, EAPMCO Mekong, and EAPMCO Philippines.

In 2024, the UNOPS EAPMCO implemented projects worth more than USD 80 million, in the areas of Energy Transition, Digital Transformations, Sustainable Environmental Management, Climate Change, Waste Management, Rule of Law and Access to Justice, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Post Conflict Reintegration, Emergency Relief, Post COVID19 Economic Transformations, and Health, through HR, procurement, construction, contract management, fund and program management services.

The Multi Country Office head office in Bangkok provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight and assurance of the excellence of business processes and quality standards across all of the entire Multi Country Office locations. It is also responsible for developing, delivering and managing the portfolio of engagements in the country of the MCO location itself.

The Partnerships and Outreach Unit at UNOPS EAPMCO:

The Communications team for the Multi-Country Office is part of the Partnership and Outreach Unit. It works to set and implement the strategic direction for communication and outreach across the 24 countries of implementation, and oversees the communications and outreach of all project teams and Business Units across the Multi-Country Office.

The unit works to increase UNOPS visibility across East Asia and the Pacific to become better known and recognised. As a part of this, the team works to strengthen internal communication and knowledge sharing, as well as increasing the quality and effectiveness of external visibility and outreach.

Within this context, the communications team is looking for the support of a communications officer to strengthen the communication offering to all Country Offices falling under EAPMCO, at a time of repositioning communications and visibility within the Multi-Country Office.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Head of Partnerships, the Communications Officer will undertake the following duties and responsibilities, as relevant and applicable based on the detailed work plan to be established with the incumbent.

Summary:

1. Content development
2. Backstop project based communications
3. Strategic communications planning
4. Support to stakeholder management
5. Knowledge management
6. Other

1. Content development:

• Develop and disseminate high quality multi-media communication products;
• Draft high-quality copy for external news stories, newsletter, factsheets and web content for EAPMCO as directed by the Head of Partnerships;
• Draft and post social media content for EAPMCO owned channels, inline with UN and UNOPS requirements;
• Assist with monitoring social media analytics and adapting content as required;

2. Backstop project based communications:

• Advise on, in collaboration with the Head of Partnerships, support and coordinate project level communications, in support of overall EAPMCO objectives;
• As directed by the Head of Partnerships, actively identify and capitalize on communication and outreach opportunities to assist EAPMCO in becoming known, recognized and trusted by partners;
• Ensure data and visualization quality in internal and external communications such as intranet, presentations, monthly newsletters, and brochures;
• Support the organisation of promotional events and high-level meetings in coordination with the HQ Communication Group and EAPMCO units as directed by the Head of Partnerships;
• Provide guidance and support to all MCO personnel on effective media outreach, positioning and strategic visibility;
• Share information and knowledge, and provide proactive support and follow-up in building and maintaining effective project-communications unit relations;
• Backstop the communication and project teams across EAPMCO when and as needed;

3. Strategic communications planning:

• Support the development and the updating of EAPMCO’s communication strategy and plan, as well as relevant strategy development of communications within EAPMCO offices;
• Support the development of a communication network across the EAPMCO countries of operation by supporting the mapping of needs and advising colleagues on best practices to increase UNOPS branding and outreach in each locality;
• Develop and maintain EAPMCO’s editorial calendar based on project, Country Office and MCO needs;
• Identify and implement opportunities to increase partnerships, and resource mobilisation for EAPMCO through communications and visibility;

4. Support to stakeholder management:

• Under the delegation and at the request of the Head of partnerships, represent UNOPS in UN Country Team Communication Groups and develop joint agency communication opportunities, including facilitating organization of events, meetings and workshops, as appropriate;
• Coordinate with RCO communication groups to increase EAPMCO’s visibility under the guidance of the Head of Partnerships;

5. Knowledge management:

• Participate in the UNOPS communities of practice /contribute to the knowledge management and active sharing in Currents;
• Contribute to identification and sharing of lessons learned and the best practices;
• Close interaction with Programme/Project staff to share information and knowledge as related to projects and communications;

6. Other:

• Mainstream Gender Equality and Social Inclusion principles in all communications;
• Report on and monitor the impact of communications, tailoring approach on an ongoing basis as required;
• Any other Communications or Partnership related task as directed by the supervisor to ensure the support to EAPMCO’s communications and resource mobilization activities.

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• Advanced University degree (Master’s degree) in social sciences, journalism, international relations, development studies, political science, Economics, Engineering or related fields is required.
• First University degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the above mentioned field with additional two years of relevant experience may substitute an advanced degree.

Experience:

• Minimum one (1) year of relevant experience in business development, external relations, communications, program management or related fields is required;
• First university degree in combination with an additional two (2) years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.
• Minimum one (1) year of relevant work experience in international development is an asset;
• Experience in developing, disseminating and monitoring the reach of knowledge products, social media content and articles for a wide range of audiences is an asset;
• Experience working with graphic design and video production, and familiarity in making slide decks, info sheets, social media content and other standard communication products is desired;
• Experience of working in an international context is desirable;
• Understanding of local contextual knowledge in South East Asia and the Pacific is an advantage; and
• Experience of working in the UN system is an added advantage.

Languages:

• Full working Knowledge of English is required.
• Working knowledge of other UN languages, or local languages, is an asset.

Contract type, level and duration

• Contract type: International ICA
• Contract level: ICS 8 / IICA 1
• Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Vientiane is a family duty station.

Disclaimer: If the selected candidate is a national of the duty station, a Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA) will be issued.

Additional Information

• 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.