Communications Senior Officer

Job Highlight

Lead strategic communication initiatives, craft high-impact content, and build key stakeholder relationships to drive organizational success.

About the Region

The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

Based in Nairobi, UNOPS East and Southern Africa supports sustainable development across 14 countries, including Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zanzibar, and Zimbabwe. Since 1995, UNOPS has expanded its footprint in Kenya, delivering services in project management, infrastructure, procurement, and financial management. Across the region, the office implements diverse, partner-funded initiatives that respond to national priorities. In Mozambique, this includes delivering specialized equipment (EU), supporting health services (UNICEF), promoting agro-processing (KOICA), and advancing peacebuilding efforts through a Multi-Donor Fund. UNOPS also supports agricultural input distribution and the Northern Crisis Recovery Project, both funded by the World Bank. In Malawi, efforts include developing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centres in partnership with the EU and the British Council. These initiatives reflect UNOPS’ commitment to strengthening national capacities, enhancing service delivery, and supporting progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the region.

Job Specific Context

This position requires a combination of strategic communications expertise and demonstrated hands-on technical capability in content development and multimedia production.

The incumbent will be expected to independently develop and deliver high-quality communications products across a range of formats, including editorial, digital, visual and multimedia content, while ensuring consistency with organizational branding and editorial standards. The role will also serve as a technical communications resource for ESAMCO, providing practical guidance and quality assurance support to communications interns, project teams and colleagues involved in content development.

Accordingly, demonstrated professional experience in digital content development and proficiency in professional content creation and editing tools, such as Adobe Creative Suite (including Photoshop, Premiere Pro, InDesign and Illustrator) or equivalent software, is particularly relevant to the effective performance of this role. This requirement reflects the operational needs of the position and the level of independent technical delivery expected from the incumbent.

This vacancy is at ICSC Level 9; equally qualified International ICA (IICA 1) and Local ICA (LICA 9) applicants are encouraged to apply.

Role Purpose

The Communications Senior Officer contributes to the development and execution of strategic communication initiatives. The role involves conducting research and drafting high-level reports and background papers for strategic events. The Senior Officer oversees the creation of all high-quality editorial content, including press materials, videos and knowledge products, ensuring that all messaging is consistent and targeted to the right audience. The role is furthermore accountable for building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders and media partners, providing guidance on communication standards and contributing to proposal development and strategic planning.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Strategic Communication and Policy Support

• Conduct research and draft analytical reports and background papers for high-level fora and events.
• Prepare key messages, statements and presentations for strategic events.
• Provide substantive input to the implementation and monitoring of strategic plans.
• Engage with agencies and partners to document lessons and facilitate knowledge exchange.
• Follow up on key recommendations and reporting deliverables from major events.

Communication Strategy and Planning

• Contribute to developing comprehensive communication strategies and ensure alignment with corporate priorities.
• Contribute to the day-to-day implementation of the strategy, ensuring timely, high-quality outputs.
• Monitor and analyze communication context and recommend adjustments.
• Contribute to communication budget tracking and ensure compliance with corporate standards.
• Collaborate with specialists on proposal development and methodological improvements.

Content Development and Editorial Standards

• Lead development of high-quality editorial content - press materials, digital media, videos and knowledge products.
• Oversee processes of capturing, analyzing and packaging content for strategic communication.
• Draft and refine messaging for targeted audiences and ensure brand coherence.
• Manage multiple content deliverables and ensure timeliness and quality.

Stakeholder Engagement and Representation

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders and media partners.
• Support organization and representation at external events, ensuring professional alignment with UNOPS principles.
• Provide guidance to teams on stakeholder messaging and communication standards.

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.

Skills

Communication, Corporate Communications, Internal & External Communications, Social Media Communications, Stakeholder Engagement

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational 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. For people managers only: 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 Requirements

Required

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with 4 years of relevant experience OR
• Master’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.

Experience Requirements

Required

• Relevant experience is work in communications, public relations, media, journalism or related fields.
• Experience in the use of collaboration and productivity tools (e.g. MS Office, G-Suite, etc) and web-based management systems are required.

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.

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirementEnglishFluentRequired

Additional Information

• 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.

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. 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.