Back Communications Consultant, Geneva, Switzerland

Posting Title: Communications Consultant

Department/Office: United Nations Environment Programme

Duty Station: GENEVA

Posting Period: 21 April 2021 - 28 April 2021

Job Opening Number: 21-United Nations Environment Programme-154225-Consultant

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Result of Service

In order to support Crisis Management Branch's external communications and internal communications, a Communications Consultant is needed to support the knowledge management and communications activities of the Branch and for the Director, in collaboration with the existing members of the team, in particular in the areas of publications, information management, internal communications, and communications-related administration work.

Work Location

Geneva

Expected duration

Duration of 7 months starting May 2021 with possibility of extension.

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.

The Crisis Management Branch extends UNEP's work to areas of the world where the natural and human environment have been damaged from conflicts or disasters. Specialized environmental expertise is provided to rapidly identify risks to health, livelihoods and ecosystem services and to integrate environmental needs within the recovery process.

The Crisis Management Branch's work demonstrates to decision makers the importance of natural resources management as a precondition for sustainable development and as an instrument for peacebuilding and disaster risk reduction. The Branch promotes sustainable management of natural resources in conflict and disaster affected countries. It works across four core pillars:

• Post-Crisis Environmental Assessments
• Post-Crisis Environmental Recovery
• Environmental Cooperation for Peacebuilding, and
• Disaster Risk Reduction

Since 1999, UNEP's Crisis Management Branch has responded to crisis situations, working in more than 40 countries to assess the environmental impacts of conflicts and disasters and address the subsequent risks to human health, livelihoods and security. Since the start of the new millennium, natural hazards and major conflicts have directly affected some two billion people. Not only do these tragic events destroy lives and infrastructure, they also fundamentally undermine human security and tear apart the fabric of sustainable development. By addressing environmental degradation and resource management, CMB is working to build more resilient and peaceful societies. More information can be found at www.unep.org/disasters-conflicts.

Communications are a key strategic priority for UNEP as part of the organization's mandate to advocate for the environment. This is achieved through a wide range of communications activities at national and global level, including an active social media presence. The Crisis Management Branch is working directly with its teams in Haiti, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Sudan and South Sudan, as well as at a global level on communications related to its work.

Objectives, output expectations and performance indicators

The overall objective is to support Crisis Management Branch's communications unit to enhance its communications activities and amplify its communications outreach at both global and country levels. Meanwhile, the Communications Consultant is expected to facilitate communications-related, administrative and management tasks requested by the Director.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Document minutes of meetings attended by the Director, prepare and circulate Meeting Agendas and other information materials for the meeting;
• Provide support to administrative and management tasks for the Director, including organizing and coordinating the efficient functioning of the Director's office; which may include:

o Draft emails, letters, memoranda, and other written communications related to the events and updates of the Branch;

o Liaise closely with UNEP Executive Office and other UNEP Special Assistants on issues relevant to the work of the Disasters and Conflicts and Crisis Management Branch;

• Create social media content for Director's Twitter and manage his profile;
• Identify key events for Director's engagement related to Disasters and Conflicts and maintain media relations with journalists and media outlets;
• Undertakes other time-bound assignments as requested by the Director, in coordination with colleagues;
• Draft Crisis Management Branch's weekly staff meeting minutes;
• Support the publications production process for the Crisis Management Branch and its country offices, including submitting publication forms to Publication Secretariat, layout, printing, and distribution;
• Support the maintenance of Disasters and Conflicts website, keeping it updated;
• Assist with the maintenance and update the Crisis Management Branch's publications inventory, photo library, video footage inventory, back-ups;
• Assist with Disasters and Conflicts mailing lists;
• Manage the Crisis Management Branch's mailbox;
• Facilitate webinars and meetings of the Crisis Management Branch;
• Support the Crisis Management Branch on Information Technology issues, acting as a focal point, including liaising with IT experts as required;
• Advise and inform staff of back-up requirements, and ensuring oversight of postconflict.ch server;
• Assist in the preparation and deliverance of presentations on the Branch, its thematic programmes as well as its country offices and field projects;
• Facilitate communications activities of Crisis Management Branch's events, including online webinars series on COVID-19 response, report and publication launch, workshops, trainings, etc.;
• Support layout design/formatting of Branch's project documents, information materials, workshop materials, event promotion materials, etc.;
• Support drafting social media content, website stories, press release for events and project communications as needed;
• Conduct media monitoring of the Branch and Ogoniland project;
• Explore new communications channels and creative ways for the Crisis Management Branch to improve its communications;
• Other communications tasks as requested.

Qualifications/special skills

Academic Qualifications: A master's degree in communications, administration, or a related subject is required

Experience: At least 2 years of relevant professional experience in communications, writing meeting minutes, social media content creation, publications, knowledge management, and administrative tasks;

• Previous experience with the UN system, especially related to Disasters and Conflicts, is an asset;
• Previous experience with project coordination is an asset.

Language: Fluency in English and French is required.

Competency:

• Strong interpersonal and communications skills;
• Respect for diversity;
• Attention to details;
• Ability to work in an information-sharing team environment;
• Strong computer skills (Microsoft Office, web applications etc.);
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team;
• Ability to respond to tight deadlines in an organized and efficient manner;

No Fee

THE 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.

cfVoV2e-owT1v