Job Description
Dutystation: Copenhagen, Denmark
Functional responsibilities
Summary of functions:
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Strategic Alignment and Direction
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Communications Functional Leadership
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Strategic Communications and Advisory
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External Engagement and Partnership
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People Leadership
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Knowledge Management and Innovation
1. Strategic Alignment and Direction
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Define and lead the overarching strategic and operational priorities of the Communications Group (CG) in alignment with UNOPS’ multi-year strategic plan.
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Lead UNOPS’ global communications and advocacy, driving the organization’s visibility, influence and reputation across diverse audiences and platforms. Champion and strengthen UNOPS’ brand, positioning the organization as a trusted thought leader and strategic partner in sustainable development through compelling storytelling, proactive media engagement andhigh-impact advocacy.
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Elevate communications priorities within corporate planning and standard-setting processes, working closely with UNOPS Management and Policy functions.
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Collaborate with Group Directors to ensure that corporate policies, processes, and systems effectively enable the delivery of high-impact communications services.
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Partner with leaders of client-facing teams at headquarters, regional, and country levels to identify and drive cross-organizational collaboration to strengthen communications at all tiers.
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Contribute to the development of UNOPS’ organizational strategies and policies by advising the Executive Director and participating in senior management discussions on current andfuture operations.
2. Communications Functional Leadership
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Set and cascade strategic direction for the Communications Group (CG), translating organizational priorities into clear goals, measurable objectives and actionable plans across teams and functions. Ensure communications strategies support organizational objectives and enhance engagement with both internal and external stakeholders.
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Oversee the implementation and performance of global communications strategies, ensuring measurable progress towards near- and long-term objectives. Proactively assess delivery against expectations and make data-driven decisions to maintain alignment with evolving partner, client and stakeholder needs. Recommend strategic shifts to the Executive Director to sustain relevance, impact and operational excellence.
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Advise the Executive Director and senior leadership by providing timely, strategic counsel and robust analysis on communications issues, risks and opportunities. Oversee the delivery of high-quality reporting that supports informed decision-making and positions communications as a driver of organizational credibility and influence.
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Ensure strategic coherence and integrity across all corporate communications activities – internal and external – by regularly evaluating initiatives for consistency with UNOPS’ brand, values, accountability standards, and ethical frameworks.
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Drive innovation in corporate communications by leading the strategic adoption of emerging technologies, digital tools and platforms to enhance global reach, deepen stakeholder engagement, and strengthen UNOPS’ influence and visibility across internal and external audiences.
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Work with direct reports to plan, recruit and develop a flexible workforce with the competencies needed to drive optimal performance while ensuring gender and geographicaldiversity.
3. Strategic Communications and Advisory
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Lead the execution and continuous refinement of UNOPS’ global communications strategies and policies, ensuring they remain responsive to evolving organizational priorities, stakeholder needs, and the external communications landscape.
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Oversee the creation of high-impact communications content for the Executive Director and senior leadership, including speeches, talking points, social media content, multimedia assets, and key messaging for global audiences.
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Serve as principal advisor to senior leadership on strategic communications matters, including brand positioning, stakeholder engagement, and the proactive management of reputational risks and crisis communications.
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Ensure the timely preparation of written materials for high-level events such as Executive Board sessions, international conferences, and media engagements, maintaining consistency, clarity, and impact across all channels.
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Direct the coordination and integration of internal and external communications strategies, ensuring alignment with UNOPS’ brand and identity across all platforms and touchpoints.
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Oversee the governance, content, and performance of corporate digital channels, including websites and social media, ensuring they are current, secure, engaging, and risk-aware.
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Act as Editor-in-Chief for UNOPS’ Annual Report to the Executive Board, ensuring editorial excellence and strategic alignment with organizational reporting obligations.
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Lead the design and execution of global communications campaigns, enhancing visibility, influence, and the strategic value of UNOPS to key audiences, including partners, donors, and the public.
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Monitor, anticipate, and respond to reputational risks, developing proactive messaging strategies and coordinated crisis communications plans to safeguard UNOPS’ credibility andtrust.
4. External Engagement and Partnership
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Foster strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to stay ahead of evolving communications trends, promote knowledge sharing, and drive innovation in support of shared goals and cross-cutting initiatives.
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Build and sustain high-level media relationships, proactively engaging global, regional, and sectoral outlets to amplify awareness of UNOPS’ impact, capabilities, and contributions to sustainable development.
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Represent UNOPS in key interagency and external communications forums, influencing policy dialogue, contributing to the development of joint initiatives, and aligning with UN system-wide communications strategies and practices.
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Cultivate collaborative relationships with communications leaders across the UN system and the development sector, ensuring coherence in messaging, optimizing visibility opportunities, and harmonizing outreach efforts.
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Position UNOPS as a thought leader by driving participation in global platforms and publishing compelling, strategic content that showcases the organization’s expertise, values,and impact on sustainable development.
5. People Leadership
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As a member of UNOPS global leadership team, role-model UNOPS values and behavioral competencies.
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Promote teamwork and collaboration across CG, ensuring team members have clear direction, objectives and guidance to enable them perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.
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Foster a positive work environment that is respectful of all. Ensure appropriate focus on team well-being, empowerment, diversity and inclusion and that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
6. Knowledge Management and Innovation
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Oversee the successful implementation of policies, standards and tools to effectively manage internal and external communications and enhance UNOPS’ competitive edge as a provider of effective project services for sustainable results.
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Lead ongoing research, development and implementation of best practice and innovative approaches to maximize performance and sustain achievements.
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Drive knowledge sharing on strategic communications at HQ, country and region levels in order to collaboration and continuous feedback through communications networks and other channels, as appropriate.
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Lead the planning, implementation and organization of strategic capacity building of personnel, partners and stakeholders for strategic communications.
Education/Experience/Language requirements
Education
- A Master’s degree in communications, social science or other relevant related field is required.
- A first (bachelors) degree in a related discipline plus an additional two years of work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Experience
- A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience that combines strategic and managerial leadership in communications/information management, outreach, planning and operations in a large international and/or corporate organization is required.
- Experience in UN system organizations or multilateral organisations is desirable.
Language
- Full working knowledge of English is essential.
- Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset.
