CityAdapt Communication Specialist

Result of Service 2. Objective. The objective of this consultancy is to carry out all communication and public awareness initiatives for the CityAdapt Project in Jamaica. To execute all needed actions, the consultant will work closely with all project implementing partners and the national coordinating team with reference to the regional communication strategy. This includes developing and disseminating public awareness materials, providing recommendations for updating the Climate Change Division's communications strategy to include Urban EBA considerations, updating all local and regional virtual platforms with lessons learned, and providing all other communications support for the national project.

3. Scope of Work The Communication specialist will perform the following specific activities under the overall supervision of Climate Change Adaptation Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean in close collaboration with CityAdapt Project's National Coordinating Team:

a) Provide Technical advice to prepare and implement project communication strategy to include protocol on project referencing by partners b) Prepare regular communication reports and updates while maintaining a log of all communication activities c) Liaise with UNEP's climate change regional communication team for planning purposes and content production d) Develop programmes to foster behavioural changes in targeted areas in collaboration with Project partners. e) Update the stakeholder map as needed to ensure that the stakeholder communication strategy supports effective communication. f) Work closely with essential stakeholders and project partners to ensure that they are involved in the development, testing, and implementation of communication strategies throughout the project's life cycle. g) Develop innovative communication tools and approaches to deliver the highest quality results including social media channels where necessary. h) Develop appropriate messages for all education and awareness campaigns. i) Assist project partners with the implementation of activities as needed (eg. Toolkits for schools, project signage). j) Ensure the development of material such as posters, brochures and fact sheets in support of public education and awareness activities being undertaken by the Project. k) Conduct awareness-raising campaigns using a variety of media, including print ads, videos, radio public service announcements (PSAs), and television broadcasts, among others. l) Conduct pre- and post-evaluation for large communication initiatives. Conduct assessment of communications activities to include in each report to aid in the implementation of adaptive management techniques. m) Ensure timely dissemination of accurate information to different media, project partners, and local and regional stakeholders. n) Prepare articles and picture stories on project activities, major milestones and outputs for distribution to stakeholders, publication in print and electronic media, and posting on the project website. o) Plan and carry out all project activities and logistics, such as community meetings, environmental expositions, workshops and symposiums, among others. This involves the management and coordination of project photography and videography. p) Maintain record of the project's material for further use q) Plan events to honour important international and national environmental and urban days. r) In collaboration with the Communications Specialist of the Climate Change Division, provide recommendations to update the national climate change communications strategy to include urban EbA. s) Perform any other related duties applicable to such portfolio or assigned by the national coordination team. Detailed specifications for each assignment will be given to the selected CityAdapt Communication Specialist.

4. Outputs / Work Assignments

Output 3.1 Communication strategies developed to collate and disseminate knowledge on urban EbA. Product 1 - Communication workplan including media campaigns, associated communication tools and communications roadmap, as well as a communication protocol on project referencing by partners

Output 3.1 Communication strategies developed to collate and disseminate knowledge on urban EbA. Product 2 - Communications strategy based on product 1, to include stakeholder map, detailed communication material budget to be procured.

Output 3.2 Public awareness communication materials developed and shared with decision-makers, community members and identified stakeholders. Product 3 - Materials developed to support at least 3 project activities such as signage, educational toolkits, Electronic magazine on project achievements, regularly scheduled social media posts, website updates, press releases, PSAs, etc

Output 3.2 Public awareness communication materials developed and shared with decision-makers, community members and identified stakeholders. Product 4 - Report on engagement activities targeted at, at least 3 agreed stakeholder groups (such as private sector, communities, policymakers, etc)

Output 3.5 Knowledge generated by the CityAdapt project, including lessons learned, shared through a web-based portal. Product 5 - An assessment of the current project visibility at the beneficiary, regional, national and global levels, and planned actions to increase visibility with targeted indicators

Output 3.2 Public awareness communication materials developed and shared with decision-makers, community members and identified stakeholders. Product 6 - Materials developed to support at least 3 additional project activities such as protocols, signage, educational toolkits, Electronic magazine on project achievements, regularly scheduled social media posts, website updates, press releases, PSAs etc

Output 3.5 Knowledge generated by the CityAdapt project, including lessons learned, shared through a web-based portal. Product 7 - Urban EbA advocacy programme geared towards teachers, students and other general school communities

Output 3.1 Communication strategies developed to collate and disseminate knowledge on urban EbA. Product 8 - Recommendations to update the existing Communication Strategy of the Climate Change Division of the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation to include urban EbA, as well as report on engagement activities targeted at, at least 3 additional agreed stakeholder groups (such as private sector, communities, policymakers, etc), and report on programme geared towards school community

Output 3.5 Knowledge generated by the CityAdapt project, including lessons learned, shared through a web-based portal. Product 9 - Report on project close out activities including workshop/s, symposiums, communication materials, etc

Work Location Home-based

Expected duration 10.5 months

Duties and Responsibilities 1. Purpose. 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 UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LAC Office), located in Panama City, works closely with the 33 countries of the region - including 16 small island developing States - with a population of about 588 million people. The office works to serve the needs of the region and its activities are integrated into the work programs approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly of UNEP (UNEA).

UNEP seeks to support countries in Latin America to implement the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the new Paris Agreement and the priority actions defined in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of Latin American countries. The Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region is the second most urbanised region in the world, with ~80% of the population living in cities. Within the next two decades, this proportion is projected to reach ~85%, thereby ranking the cities of the LAC region among the fastest-growing in the developing world. The rate of urban expansion is faster in small and medium-sized cities relative to mega cities. In the medium-sized city of Kingston in Jamaica, rapid urbanization is coupled with limited urban planning. This rapid urbanisation and the associated expansion of cities is degrading urban and periurban ecosystems – including wetlands, green spaces and forests – that provide a wide range of ecosystem services for urban communities. The degradation of these ecosystems coupled with the impacts of climate change threaten the lives and well-being of urban communities in the LAC region and increase the risk of urban communities vulnerable to natural disasters. It is on this premise that the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through its Special Climate Change Fund is financing a project called the CityAdapt - Building Climate Resilience of Urban Systems through Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in Latin America and the Caribbean, implemented by UNEP in 3 medium-sized cities in LAC, one of them being Kingston in Jamaica. The overarching goal of the CityAdapt project is to build the climate resilience of urban and peri-urban communities in cities in the LAC region through the implementation of Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) approaches. The objective of the project is therefore to increase the capacity of government and local communities living in three medium-sized LAC cities to adapt to the effects of climate change through the integration of EbA into urban planning in the medium- to long-term. The objective of the project will be achieved through the implementation of activities under three main components: Component 1 - will include activities to strengthen the technical and institutional capacity of stakeholders involved in urban planning and environmental management to integrate EbA into development planning within cities. This will support improved decision-making on climate change adaptation in urban areas in the LAC region, thereby promoting climate-resilient urban development. Component 2 - on-the-ground, urban EbA interventions will be demonstrated in Kingston (Jamaica) to increase the capacity of urban communities living in vulnerable areas within the city to adapt to the effects of climate change. Component 3 - will promote the generation, dissemination and management of knowledge on urban EbA in each city and across the broader LAC region, thereby supporting upscaling of the urban EbA approach. To support the accomplishment of project objectives the UNEP has signed agreements with three local partners: The Forestry Department, The Nature Conservancy and the Jamaica 4-H Clubs. This person will work closely to the UNEP climate change communication’s team and will be supervised by the Climate Change Adaptation Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean. The consultant will work from home.

Qualifications/special skills ACADEMIC: - Bachelor´s degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Policy, Culture Management, Public Relations or related field is required - Master’s degree in similar field is required

PROFESSIONAL - At least 5 years demonstrated experience in a similar position is required; - Experience in consultations, community participation and outreach is required; - Experience working in the area of environmental conservation is desired; - Experience managing and curating social media accounts is required; - Experience developing and implementing communications plans is required; - Projects Experience would be an asset. - Familiarity with UN Environment Programme or the UN system in general will be an added advantage;

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS - Excellent writing and oral communication skills in English; - Ability to work independently and as a member of a team; - Ability to meet deadlines, prioritize multiple tasks and have a drive for delivering results by applying technical expertise; - Ability to persuade and influence target audiences; - The candidate should be highly motivated and capable of relating and networking with a wide variety of persons from government agencies, NGOs, and community-based organizations; - Integrity in execution of and commitment to completion of assigned responsibilities; and - Ability to convey complex concepts and to develop and deliver presentations to audience with various backgrounds in a clear and concise manner; - Understanding of environmental issues in Jamaica, including key actors and ongoing projects related to natural resources management would be an asset

Languages- Fluent English is required. - Confident in Spanish would be an asset.

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.