Result of Service1. An Inception Report and work programme 2. An updated UNITAC communications strategy and plan 3. An updated UNITAC Hamburg website and content 4. A new design for UNITAC developed tools and platform 5. A communications plan and design for specific UNITAC projects, tools and events 6. A catalogue of branding and multimedia assets 7. A design for reports and other publications 8. At least 12 blog posts and articles Work LocationHamburg, Germany Expected duration8 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the lead United Nations agency for cities and human settlements. The agency is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all and sustainable development. The main documents outlining the mandate of the organization are the Vancouver Declaration on Human Settlements, the Habitat Agenda, the Istanbul Declaration on Human Settlements, the Declaration on Cities and Other Human Settlements in the New Millennium, and UN General Assembly Resolution A/56/206. UN-Habitat, being the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system, has a role in delivering the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, adopted by Member States in 2015, specifically goal 11: make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. As our cities and towns grow at unprecedented rates, setting the social, political, cultural and environmental trends of the world, sustainable urbanization is one of the most pressing challenges for the global community in the 21st century. In 1950, one-third of the world’s population lived in cities. Just 50 years later, this proportion has risen to one-half and will continue to grow to two-thirds, or six billion people, by 2050. Cities are now home to half of humankind. They are the hub for national production and consumption - economic processes that generate wealth and opportunity. But they also create disease, crime, pollution and poverty. In many cities, especially in developing countries, slum dwellers number more than 50% of the population and have little or no access to shelter, water and sanitation. 2. United Nations Innovation Technology Accelerator for Cities (UNITAC Hamburg) The United Nations Innovation Technology Accelerator for Cities is an innovation lab in Hamburg, established in March 2021 by UN-Habitat in collaboration with the UN Office for Information and Communications Technology (UN-OICT) and HafenCity University. The Accelerator promotes open and participatory governance of data and digital platforms, innovations related to mapping, spatial analysis and data visualization and people-centered smart cities. UNITAC Hamburg is funded by the Government of Germany for four years. The Accelerator has a team of urban, technology and innovation experts who develop digital solutions to solve the world’s most pressing urban challenges and ensure that we speed up progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities. UNITAC Hamburg works with a bespoke urban technology innovation acceleration methodology that can be used to analyse real urban challenges and urbanization trends. The methodology is based around three themes: (1) Open, transparent and participatory governance of data and digital platforms (2) Mapping spatial analysis and visualization, and (3) People-centred smart cities. Within these fields, particular emphasis is placed on how to generate knowledge and use cases on smart city governance and the development of frontier technologies with a special emphasis on developing countries and cities with large informal populations. The solutions developed by UNITAC Hamburg are being tested and piloted through UN-Habitat’s networks across the world with a particular focus on less developed countries. Objective The objective of the consultancy is to support UNITAC Hamburg’s communications systems and strategy, platforms and working approaches, while proactively providing communications, outreach and advocacy support and managing partnerships, networks and advisory groups. Outputs For this consultancy, UN-Habitat is looking for a Communication and Advocacy Expert to assist with the development of the following outputs contributing to advancing UNITAC’s communication and advocacy engagement for the UNITAC initiative: • UNITAC Communication Strategy. Support the refinement and continued implementation and monitoring of the UNITAC Communication Strategy and advice on improvements; identify opportunities to build the visibility of UNITAC through strategic partnerships, whether through campaigns, events or other initiatives, in line with UN-Habitat’s branding guidelines, UNITAC’s brand and ensuring alignment with key initiatives from UNITAC partners, including HCU initiatives, UN-Habitat’s people-centered smart cities programme, UN Global Frameworks such as the SDGs and UN OICT data and innovation efforts. • Communication outreach and media activities. Function as media contact point and handle media queries and requests; Draft various communication products (including press releases, blogs, media messages, media packs and reports, briefings, etc.); Draft and disseminate newsletters and email campaigns to promote UNITAC projects to increase programme visibility and knowledge sharing. Strategically engage media and other partners to amplify the voice, results, leadership and messages of UNITAC among target audiences. • Events organising. Organise or participate in the organisation of conferences, forums, press briefings, interviews, etc.; prepare briefing materials for senior officials for to their participation in such events; promote events through different platforms including social media. • UNITAC online presence. Oversee the content of UNITAC website and its social media accounts; developing websites for specific initiatives, producing content, commissioning articles and blog posts and managing social media accounts. Ensure alignment with UN-Habitat’s people-centered flagship programme and other broader UN global frameworks such as the SDGs, Pact for the Future, etc. . • Communication liaison: Under the supervision of the programme management officer, act as the UNITAC communication focal point for liaising with UN-Habitat’s communication focal point network, HQ, regional offices and country offices; liaise with the UN Department for Global Communications, UN-OICT and HafenCity University communications teams. • Project Advisory Group. Support the communication activities of the UNITAC Project Advisory Group, including ensuring regular and accurate communication with the UNITAC Project Advisory Group members, providing timely reporting; undertaking outreach to potential new members of the Advisory Group and communicating the outcomes of the advisory group meetings. • Multimedia content creation and design. Production and dissemination of information material; photo and graphic research; editorial content (stories, photo galleries, advocacy images, campaigns, quote cards, video, graphics, etc.) and adaptation for digital platforms; development and coordination of the visual design of reports, websites, templates and general communication products, including flyers and brochures, to ensure a common identity for all meeting the institutional guidelines; • Digital platforms. Support the development of the identity design, UI and web architecture for specific UNITAC initiatives. Provide content and design support to other digital platforms as needed. Qualifications/special skillsAn advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, social sciences, political science, international development, urban planning, architecture, innovation or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) years’ experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of five years’ experience in communications, journalism or media is required. Experience in media outreach, engaging with journalists, facilitating interviews. Media/journalist network is desirable. Strong skills in writing, including writing web copy, press releases, news articles and publications is desirable. Experience in working with digital platforms and websites, including social media is desirable. Experience in developing communications strategies and policies is desirable. Experience in project management desirable. Experience in graphic design desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of German is desirable, and another UN language is desirable. Additional InformationThe principal competencies required to carry out the duties of the job are: Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to urban planning and design. Strong analysis of urban form, urban systems, underlying social, legal and financial mechanisms and the political context. Ability to develop strong graphic materials (concept plans, diagrams, street sections) as well as substantive reports. Knowledge of urban development issues. Ability to observe deadlines and achieve set goals. Ability to work and deliver under pressure. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively, listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately, asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two way communication, tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience, demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.