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UNOPS · 6 hours ago

Communications Officer

Philipsburg, PA

Full-time

Onsite

Mid Level

3+ years exp

UNOPS is seeking a Communications and Social Management Officer to ensure the effective implementation of communication strategies for projects in Sint Maarten. The role involves engaging with communities, managing stakeholder relationships, and supporting social management initiatives throughout the project lifecycle.

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Comp. & Benefits

Responsibilities

Support the developing of a Communication Strategy for the projects currently in the portfolio of SXM Office in coordination with the partners and the supervisor

Build the project narrative aligned with the national context and UNOPS corporate communication style and policies

Identify key audiences for internal and external communications at the country level, and develop a stakeholder map and engagement plan

Engage with the established stakeholder network for the project (government entities, counterparts, NGOs, academia, media, international organizations, among others)

Coordinate relations with national and regional media and journalists

Support the organization of project events (conferences, workshops, seminars, etc.)

Monitor major media outlets and news related to the project, its partners, or strategic topics

Support the PM and the partner in managing public opinion crises related to the project, in coordination with the Communications Specialist (Caribbean)

Identify and manage communication suppliers as needed

Review and edit the project's monthly reports and collaborate in the preparation of reports for counterparts

Develop and update content on project activities and results for the UNOPS website, social media, newsletters, and other communication needs of the regional and headquarters offices

Participate in the UNOPS Regional Communication Network for Latin America and the Caribbean (LCR) and the UN Communications Group in UN Trinidad and Tobago

Support training for office staff, project teams, and/or counterparts on key aspects of the Communication Strategy

Organize, maintain and share with the regional team a repository (virtual/physical) with the existing communication and outreach material

Identify, map, and analyze key social actors (e.g., local communities, businesses, authorities, and civil society groups) who may be affected or directly benefitted by the project

Establish and support managing a grievance redress mechanism to receive, track, and resolve community concerns

Organize and facilitate community meetings, consultations, and information-sharing sessions

Coordinate with institutional stakeholders, including government agencies and social service providers

Conduct awareness campaigns on project activities, expected impacts, and mitigation strategies

Support the PM and the technical team in the implementation of project activities which are implemented through a participative approach

Train project personnel and contractors on social safeguards, stakeholder engagement, and conflict-sensitive approaches

Assess the project's social context and impacts through baseline studies and perception surveys

Monitor and document the social effects of construction activities, proposing mitigation measures as needed

Support conflict resolution through mediation

Collaborate with the Senior Project Manager in the development and implementation of the Social Management Plan

Ensure adherence to social commitments derived from environmental approvals and national regulations

Prepare monthly reports and ad-hoc reports detailing stakeholder engagement activities, grievances, social risks, and mitigation measures

Support gender and inclusion efforts within the project

Monitor potential tensions between local communities and the construction workforce, ensuring fair labor practices, preventing labor influx issues, and addressing worker-community conflicts

Assess and mitigate any disruptions to local businesses, transportation, and daily life caused by construction activities

Engage with residents, ensuring that all affected parties receive due process

Work alongside Health & Safety Specialist to address potential public health risks

Identify and provide additional support to vulnerable groups

Support the technical team in organizing participation of the communities directly benefitted by the projects in activities being implemented through participative approach

Develop communication materials with a Gender and HSSE approach

Support the development of gender and innovation initiatives that allow increasing the incorporation of the gender perspective in the actions within the framework of the program and related to HSSE

Qualification

Social communicationsStakeholder engagementConflict resolutionCommunity engagementGender perspectiveSocial managementPublic relationsCommunication strategyProject reportingTraining facilitation

Required

Bachelor's degree preferably in one of the following disciplines: journalism, public relations, social work, sociology, psychology, communications, political science or related areas

A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in social communications, communication with international organizations and social management

Experience working with stakeholders, social/citizen dialogue action, and/or conflict resolution

Preferred

A master's degree preferably in one of the following disciplines: journalism, public relations, social work, sociology, psychology, communications, political science or related areas

Experience in projects, activities, and/or initiatives with a social component, applying a human rights approach, gender perspective, diversity, and inclusion

Experience in social management of infrastructure projects

Experience in organizations of the UN System and in international organizations

Experience in reputational crisis situations