At UNOPS, I developed and implemented profile-raising communications strategies that helped transform advocacy, inform policy and boost programming, visibility, media coverage, engagement and partnerships. This included managing the production and dissemination of prominent content including flagship publications, digital platforms and websites, campaigns, social media content, and audiovisual content.
Brand building: Global Sanitation Fund
I led brand development and positioning for the UNOPS-hosted Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council’s Global Sanitation Fund (GSF). This included developing and implementing targeted communications strategies, developing and promoting key messages, and producing and disseminating a range of targeted products including the GSF publications, social media content, audiovisual content and newsletters. Read more
Digital campaigns
She Builds: She Builds was a month-long global conversation on Devex, that began on International Women’s Day in March 2014. The campaign put a spotlight on the critical role women play in creating healthy, stable and thriving communities around the world. I managed the development and coordination of content, as part of UNOPS’ contribution to the campaign. Read more about the campaign
Social media
I led the development and dissemination of social media content and campaigns to enhance advocacy, branding, visibility, partnerships, learning and behaviour change. My work leading social media content and campaigns for the Global Sanitation Fund helped enhance online engagement by more than 50%.
Publications
My work in leading the writing, editing, production and dissemination of the report contributed to increased media coverage, visibility, engagement and downloads. The 2016 Progress Report is the most downloaded Global Sanitation Fund publication.
I managed the editing, production and dissemination of this flagship independent study on equality and non-discrimination in Global Sanitation Fund (GSF)-supported programmes (English/French). The study was the most most downloaded GSF product in 2017. Download the study
Managed by UNOPS, the Annual Statistical Report on United Nations Procurement (ASR) is the flagship procurement report for the United Nations system. I managed the production of the 2012 and 2013 editions of the ASR and its Thematic Supplement. This included coordinating content development, editing, design, printing and dissemination. My work led to increased media coverage and downloads, new partnerships and an expanded media network for UNOPS. See examples
Global Sanitation Fund partnership resource: I have extensive experience managing the production of partnership and resource mobilization products, such as the flagship Global Sanitation Fund product, ’10 reasons to partner with the Global Sanitation Fund’. The product was frequently used for GSF resource mobilization and awareness raising activities. Read the publication
Practical case study: I produced widely used guidance and tools, including this case study on Community-Led Total Sanitation. Read more
Published by the Global Sanitation Fund, the Follow-up MANDONA handbook provides a step-by-step guide to facilitating a proven approach to improving sanitation in rural communities. I managed the production and dissemination of the handbook (English/French), which was very well-received and widely used by water, sanitation and hygiene practitioners.
Factsheet: Conveying an organization’s work with the right balance of strong visuals and concise text is an area I excel in. I have produced a range of factsheets in English, French and Spanish, including this fact sheet highlighting UNOPS school infrastructure work. Download the factsheet
This widely accessed case study focuses on gender equality and dynamics in the community-led total sanitation process. I managed the editing, production and dissemination of the publication. Download the case study
Digital platforms, websites and newsletters
At UNOPS, I managed a range of intranets, extranets, websites, blogs, online communities and newsletters. This included managing and promoting the Global Sanitation Fund’s website pages and newsletters, which boosted traffic by over 50%. I also led overall content development for a new and more interactive UNOPS website, increasing traffic by over 25%, and also help enhance internal communications by developing targeted intranet pages and content. Moreover, I relaunched and improved the coordination and quality of the monthly UNOPS global newsletter, distributed to approximately 6,000 personnel in three languages, which led to a 15% increase in reader satisfaction.
Writing/editing
As an expert writer at UNOPS, I wrote, edited, pitched and oversaw the editorial process for compelling and targeted content widely accessed by tens of thousands of internal and external stakeholders.
Post-disaster recovery: Building schools and health centers in Indonesia: “Hundreds of primary schools have been built in Indonesia, increasing the quality of education and the number of primary school students in the country following the 2004 tsunami.” Read more
Renovated schools boost sustainable development in Sri Lanka: “Seven thousand students in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province are benefiting from newly renovated schools, as part of the Government’s efforts to boost education and reconciliation in the country.” Read more
Audiovisual production
Freddy the Fly: I led the development, production and dissemination of the widely viewed ‘Freddy the Fly’ sanitation awareness video. Read more
UNOPS results video: I drove the conceptualization and dissemination of a range of UNOPS videos highlighting results, staff experiences and projects.
Okechukwu Umelo 