Writer at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP's mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP's Communications Division communicates UNEP's core messages to all stakeholders and partners, raising environmental awareness and enhancing the profile of UNEP worldwide.

The Associate Writer will focus on the core pillar of UNEP's programme on pollution and waste. The consultant will produce well-researched, innovative stories, messages, and other written content to engage the public on issues related to the #beatpollution campaign and the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution.

Under the supervision of the Head Writer, the consultant will perform the following duties:

• Liaise with UNEP's communication division and subprogramme coordinators to identify, research, conduct interviews and develop story ideas on pollution and waste-related issues.
• Draft stories, campaign content and web copy for UNEP and partner websites to support UNEP's policy positions and advocacy goals on pollution and waste.
• Follow the news agenda on these topics, and proactively identify and pitch topics for stories.

Qualifications/special skills

• Academic Qualifications: A University degree in journalism, communication, international relations, social sciences or other related field, or a first university degree with an additional two years of qualifying experience is required.
• Experience: A minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience in public information, communication, programme management or related field is required.
• Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in written and spoken English is required.