Background Information – Philippines

UNOPS Philippines was established in early 2016 to support, develop and oversee UNOPS’ growing portfolio of programmes and projects in the Philippines. The office currently provides implementation services to a range of projects where UNOPS works closely with development partners, the Government and the Supreme Court focusing on the Governance/Justice, health and infrastructure sector.

The office is based in Manila, Philippines with project sites in Manila and Cotabato.

UNOPS Philippines is in the process of expanding its area of engagement in cooperation with its development partners and is looking for qualified and committed personnel to join its growing country/project teams.

Over  recent  years,  the  Philippines  has  demonstrated  a  high  potential  for  development.  In  2013, in  spite  of  Typhoon Haiyan, its Gross Domestic  Product  (GDP) grew  by  7.2%,  a net  increase from 6.8% in 2012. The country thereby became the fastest growing amongst the  five  largest  economies  in  the  Association  of  Southeast  Asian  Nations  (also  including  Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand) and the second in Asia after China. However,  the Philippines still faces some challenges to ensure inclusive growth for its population.

With  the specific aim of promoting inclusive growth by generating mass employment and  reducing  poverty,  the  Philippine  Development  Plan  (PDP)  2011-2016  sets  out  nine  key  priorities. Good governance and anticorruption constitute one of the nine distinct priorities,  as  well  as  being  an  overarching  theme  to  each  and  every  intervention.  Within  the  governance  chapter,  the  PDP  gives  a  particularly  prominent  place  to  the  rule  of  law,  emphasizing its function as a key driver for both economic and social development.

Despite  some  exceptions,  traditional  governance  indicators  for  the  rule  of  law  are  on  an  upward trend. The country’s percentile rank in the general rule of law measurement of the  Worldwide Governance Indicator has been steadily improving since its lowest score of 34.1  in 2009,  to 36.5 in 2012 and 41.7 in 2013, although it is  still  far  from its highest  score  of  52.2  in  1998.  Likewise,  the  more  detailed  2014  World  Justice  Project  Rule  of  Law  Index   shows  major  gains  with  regard  to  the  absence  of  corruption  and  order  and  security,  and  slight improvements regarding regulatory enforcement, constraints on government power,  and fundamental rights since 2010. On the other hand, the Index also indicates some lags in  the  standard  of  civil  and  criminal  justice,  might  be  partly  due  to  the  contrast  with  improvements in other sectors more than to an actual worsening. However it nevertheless  addresses the need to emphasize the areas in most need of attention.

To  support  the  reform  agenda  for  the  rule  of  law  as  part  of  the  Philippine  Development  Plan  (PDP)  2011-2016,  the  Government  of  the  Philippines  (GoPh)  and  the  European Union (EU) started to implement a Justice Sector Reform Programme to contribute to a  better  delivery  of justice  services.  The  Justice  Sector  Reform  Programme:  Governance  in  Justice  (GOJUST1), was implemented from 2016-2020, focused on four interrelated  components  laid the  ground  for  reforms such as: strengthened  sector  coordination  and  policy-making; implementation of case decongestion and automation; improvement  of  administrative  and  financial  management;  and  sustainability of reforms through enhanced accountability.

Building from the success of GoJUST I, EU in partnership with UNOPS and British Council agreed to support another five-year (2020-2025)  Justice Sector Reform Programme: Governance in Justice II (GoJUST II).  This successor project aims to strengthen the Rule of Law through a two-pronged approach by combining improved administration of justice and enhanced promotion and protection of human rights.  The GoJUST II will build on the experiences and lessons learnt from the work done in the previous GoJUST I and previous EU-Philippines Justice Support Programme in the sector.

UNOPS is one of the implementing partners of  GOJUST II under Indirect Management and will be responsible for the provision of logistical and administrative support, which may include the organization of training, workshops, seminars and study tours; procurement of goods and services; small works; grants management and communication and visibility.

Role Specific

Working closely with the Senior Project Manager and the Technical Assistance Teams, the Communications Officer will be responsible for the development and implementation of the Communication and Visibility Plan of the Action.  Taking into consideration EU Requirements for Communications and Visibility, the Communications Officer will also facilitate both the development and dissemination of internal/external communication relating to the project’s activities, events and engagements in order to facilitate greater exposure of the project as well as to support the enhancement of community engagement knowledge as a means of bolstering public opinion and trust.

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Project Manager, the Communications Officer  will be responsible for all communications aspects of GoJUST II  in close collaboration with the Technical Assistance Team members. He/she will also actively liaise UNOPS Philippines focal point/s and UNOPS communications units to ensure cohesiveness and internal knowledge sharing.

Accordingly, the incumbent will be required to perform the following duties and responsibilities:

Stakeholder Management

• Establish and cultivate relationships with the counterparts in GoJUST2 Project key stakeholders, Donors, Government departments, development organizations and programmes.
• Establish and cultivate partnerships with the key national, regional and local media.
• Collate and develop reports and presentations about the GoJUST2 Project & UNOPS and its activities for key stakeholders.
• Assist  the UNOPS’ Focal Point for the United Nations and Communications Group in Philippines and take active part in the UNOPS Philippines Communications Unit.
• Maintain relationships with communications officers in MCO Cambodia, Asia Region, as well as with HQ CPG and external partners to gather information and advice on communications products and outreach.

Delivery and performance:

• Coordinate the development, review and updating of the Communications and Visibility Plan for the GoJUST II.
• Support in the effort to ensure timely development and implementation of activities  related  to  the  communication  strategy  to  publicize  priority  issues  and/or  major  events,  to include  drafting information  strategies,  coordinating  efforts, monitoring  and reporting on progress, taking appropriate  follow-up actions, and analyzing  the  outcome.
• Assist in and coordinate all event activities in relation to the project from inception  to implementation and evaluation.
• Work  in  close  collaboration  with  the  Project  Manager  to  monitor  and  analyze  current  events  and  produce  news  and  news  media  writing  and  proofing.  Gather  content and coverage of relevant efforts to further promote GoJust activities.
• Contribute to produce and manage the production of all information communication products  (editorial  writing,  news  writing,  proofing,  pitching,  placement,  branded  items etc.).
• Recommend appropriate information and communication materials  for use in media and other communication activities.
• Act  as  a  focal  point  for  all  project  related  queries,  and  focal  point  for  all  communications  (internal  and  external  concerning  the  project,  and  between  relevant  organizations,  including  but  not  limited  to:  European  Union,  UNOPS,  Philippines  Supreme  Court  and  Department  of  Justice  and  Justice  Sector  Coordination Council (JSCC).
• Assist in  the preparation and release/dissemination of project related information  is carried out in a timely, message and audience appropriate and consistent manner.
• Participate in  selecting  the  new and media  related information  transmitted  to  key  constituencies.
• Maintain  and  update  the  GoJUST  project  website,  ensuring  accurate  and  timely  dissemination of information; Provide substantive content for the project website, highlighting project achievements and other relevant evidence-based information generating through monitoring process;
• Support  the  GoJUST II project  team and  the  JSCC in  the  development and implementation  of  communication strategies.
• Support the organisation of the officials visits, press conferences and public events.
• Collaborate with mass media through activities such as organizing project site visits, facilitating photo coverage and TV footage and utilizing both web-based and traditional media as appropriate;
• Ensure monthly qualitative and quantitative analysis of project media coverage.
• Liaise and supervise the graphic designers’ work on visibility/promotional material and ensure or enhance the quality and relevance of Project and country-specific communication materials, activities, processes and messages for sharing with partners.
• Produce fact sheets for GoJUST II as well as  success stories and UNOPS services in Philippines.
• Prepare briefing materials, reports, analysis of political, socio and economic trends relevant for UNOPS Philippines.
• Prepare materials for business development activities pursued by the Office, customising to specific stakeholder needs and interests.
• Contribute to development of a communications strategy for the Philippine Office  covering both internal and external communications as maybe requested.
• Lead and supervise organisation of internal Office events as directed.
• Assist the UNOPS communications focal point to maintain the media contact database and the library of UNOPS Philippines  media coverage.
• Contribute to the updates of  UNOPS website and social network accounts;  ensure that they are systematically updated and maintained.
• Support the UNOPS communication focal point in the development of  key messages on UNOPS programming in the region, including for partners, local and international media.
• Ensure a well maintained and continually developed contact list of individuals, groups, organizations and fora (including Government, UN, and bilateral counterparts) for purposes of communication.
• Ensure gender mainstreaming , gender equality and diversity principles and practices are incorporated into the communications products, in accordance with the UNOPS objectives.

Procedures:

• Ensure respect of project management, procurement and communications requirements/procedures.
• Ensure efficient and effective management of the communications budget and compliance with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations (FRR).
• Ensure that communications and visibility are in line with the approved legal agreement on communication and branding for the Project.
• Contribute to identification and assessment of risks and implement mitigation measures in accordance with the UNOPS  Risk Management Approach  and the GoJUST II Communications & Visibility strategy.
• Contribute to planning activities and timely delivery of approved work, procurement, and financial plans for the communications activities.
• Provide accurate and quality inputs needed for monitoring of the projects’ performance, outputs , benefits and reports.
• With the guidance of the Procurement Officer, support preparation of  tenders for the publicity and communication material (including print, graphics, web, audio and video).

Knowledge management:

• Participate in the UNOPS’ communities/contribute to the knowledge management and 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.

Personnel management:

• Supervise external consultants/service contractors.
• Draft Terms of Reference for communications consultants/ services.
• May be asked to lead or assist with other activities in the Office as required.

• Advance university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent), preferably in communications, journalism, public relations, international development, linguistics, social  sciences, business administration, international relation, or other relevant discipline, is required.
• First-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in combination with two (2) years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advance university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent).

Experience:

• Minimum  one (1) year of experience (or more based on academic credentials) in a communication , public relations, journalism or relevant role is required
• Experience in research and analysis, reporting, external relations, communications, advocacy,  business administration, and/or outreach in international organizations is an asset.
• Experience in producing analytical reports and communications products is an asset.
• Experience in the humanitarian and/or development sector is an asset.
• Experience in the Philippines is an asset.
• Experience in international organizations and/ or the UN system is as asset.
• Experience in preparing, coordinating, and leading donor reporting processes is an asset.
• Proficiency in the usage of computers and G-Suite applications as well as web-based management systems is desirable.
• Excellent understanding on the intersection of technology, web design, editorial, digital, social media and multimedia platforms is desirable.
• Knowledge of digital media, visual communications and interactive storytelling methods is desirable.
• Ability to analyze online communications using performance indicators is desirable.

Language:

• Fluency in both written and spoken English is required.
• Fluency in Tagalog is required
• Knowledge of other regional dialects is desirable.

• Contract type: LICA
• Contract level: ICS-8/LICA-8
• Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.
• Duty Station: Manila, Philippines. Manila is a family duty station.

The position is open for application only for Philippines nationals and those who hold valid permission to work in the country.

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

• 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.