Communication and Advocacy Consultant at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Duties & responsibilities

• Provide expertise in developing clear, concise, and descriptive communication materials that convey the Division’s content to and for senior management in raising the organization’s profile on nature, biodiversity and ecosystems in general. 80% of time
• Prepare and review briefing notes, full speeches, key speaking points, publication forewords, media articles, and preparation for media interviews at short notice: Analytical review, development and/or compiling of substantive messages, etc. for the Division Director in addition to Senior Management requests that come to the Division, working with the technical and policy experts in the Branches like an investigative journalist on the different priority themes, to ensure that the messaging is clear and in line with the Division and UNEP’s overall priorities.
• Planning & key events calendar: Oversee the planning and delivery of Divisional related input for key events within the organization and make sure that the Division is prepared in advance for report launches, key events and dates in the UNEP calendar of events and overall UN calendar.
• Provide social media expertise to the Division: This includes creating a content calendar and drafting social media assets as needed to capture audience interest.
• Participate in the Division’s Communication Focal Point Group: Work with the Group to identify key events and moments for advocacy and communication activities, ensuring that the Director has readily available highlights that enhance the visibility of the Division’s lead role within the context of the organisation’s goals and priorities as outlined in the Medium-Term Strategy as well as other initiatives with high visibility on issues such as the UN Decade on Ecosystems restoration, Marine Litter and other key agendas for the division.
• Provide advocacy coordination across the division at key moments, including UNEA: 20% of time.
• Map, assess and store current briefs: Provide communication expertise in seeking to assess the state of the current briefs, identify gaps to be filled,
• Advocacy outreach: Where appropriate, to turn briefings into proactive advocacy outreach in liaison with other colleagues on communication and advocacy in the different Branches and Units in the Division for corporate and internal requirements;
• Reactive and opportunistic to news and events: Keep abreast of the news / policy agenda and recommend how UNEP’s perspectives could have traction in key global debates. Compile a short weekly media review of major trends and opportunities (based on a review of UNEP media alerts).

Qualifications/special Skills

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Communications, Journalism, Media, International Relations, Political Science or Environmental Studies; or discipline related to the work of ecosystems management; is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree
• Minimum five years of work experience in communication or related fields is required.
• Experience in preparing communication and advocacy related materials in an international organizational setting is desirable.
• Knowledge and expertise in high-level environment and sustainable development issues is an asset.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position fluency in English is required
• Knowledge of other UN official languages is desirable.

Closing Date: 03 November 2023