Communication and Advocacy officer
Contract
This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.
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 the sustainable development agenda within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. This position is in the Secretariat of the Cartagena Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region based in Kingston, Jamaica. Th Cartagena Convention’s Protocol Concerning Pollution from Land-Based Sources and Activities (LBS) requires Contracting Parties to develop and implement national action plans with timetables for achieving substantial reductions of inputs of pollutants from point and non-point sources of marine pollution. Marine litter has been identified as one of the priority pollutants for action in the Wider Caribbean Region which resulted in the development of a Regional Marine Litter Action Plan in 2010, which was updated in 2014. The Cartagena Convention in collaboration with the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute and with the support of the Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML) established a regional marine litter node to support and promote efforts to address marine litter at the regional level, as well as strengthen knowledge management. In 2021, the Regional Node for the Caribbean (GPML Caribe) finalized the development of a Regional Marine Litter Strategy following a regional experts workshop in 2019. This strategy further complements the Regional Marine Litter Action Plan but identifying a series of national and regional strategic priorities. It provides a platform for cooperation and coordination to share ideas and harness the expertise and enthusiasm of all stakeholders, inter alia. The National UN Volunteer will work from the office of the UNEP Cartagena Convention Secretariat and also support the work of GPML Caribe
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Senior Coordination Officer of the Cartagena Convention Secretariat or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN National Volunteer will: 1. Communication • Provide day-to-day assistance and maintenance of the Cartagena Convention website. • Support the update of a communications and advocacy strategy for the Cartagena Convention activities. • Prepare, update and post, when needed, items and content to the Cartagena Convention websites and social- media channels. • Maintain information database and photo library. • Assist in developing and maintaining close collaboration with Cartagena Convention stakeholders with a focus on those working on marine litter. • Gather content of relevant country efforts to develop communication materials for dissemination through social and traditional media channels. • Assist in producing advocacy and communication materials such as short movies, high quality images, other printed and audio-visual products. • Assist in supporting donor’s visibility efforts by contributing to communication and visibility products customized to various donor’s requirements. • Assist with the creation and promotion of campaigns to local, national and international media on the Cartagena Convention and its achievements. • Develop and support social media campaigns in collaboration with GPML-Caribe. • Provide regional communications and outreach assistance to the 7th International Marine Debris Conference (7IMDC). • Support, as appropriate, the development of national action plans in selected countries in the region, including through participation in workshops, and review or input to documentation or deliverables.
Advocacy • Contributes to the preparation of various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analytical notes. • Support the Cartagena Convention Secretariat, GPML Caribe and GPML with technical research related to marine litter. • Assists in monitoring the implementation of the Regional Marine Litter Action Plan for the Caribbean, the Regional Marine Litter Strategy and other related Marine Litter Projects implemented through the Secretariat and/or in collaboration with the Regional Node. • Provides substantive support to consultative and other meetings, webinars, conferences related to marine litter to include proposing agenda topics, identifying and proposing participants, preparing of background documents and presentations. • Supports the development of a regional data base/platform for marine litter with linkages to the GPML digital website identified.
Coordination and Reporting • Provide support to donor reporting on marine litter projects and activities being implemented by the Cartagena Convention Secretariat, the Caribbean Regional Node and the GPML. • Provide support to ensuring synergies between multiple marine litter and solid waste management projects and representing the Secretariat on various steering committee meetings, as appropriate.
Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
- Results/expected outputs:
As an active UNEP team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNEP and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:
• Communications strategy for the Cartagena Convention updated. • Communication materials on the Cartagena Convention and Regional Node website are up to date. • Report on the assistance provided to promote activities within the 2021/2022 Cartagena Convention Work Plan and Budget. • Assistance provided to the resource mobilization efforts aiming at supporting the efforts of the Wider Caribbean countries to address the issue of marine litter.
Support provided in the development of regional data base/information platform on marine litter including identifying linkages with GPML Digital Platform. Key activities to support the GPML Digital Platform development include:
• Identification of databases on marine litter and plastic pollutions that countries wish to share in the Data Hub
component.
• Identification of key regional resources that can be included in the Knowledge Exchange component of the GPML
Digital Platform. Creation of a draft list of regional experts for inclusion in the GPML Digital Platform directory
• Document summarizing and keeping track of outreach and communications undertaken for the 7IMDC in the
region, including estimated number of persons reached.
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities
throughout the assignment
• In partnership with other UN Volunteers, facilitate greater engagement of UN agencies in ensuring the
environmental dimension is integrated into development initiatives including UN day and other outreach and
communication programmes relating to marine litter management.
• Professionalism • Integrity • Teamwork and respect for diversity • Communication • Flexibility • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNEP’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
communication, media or other relevant programmes at the national and/or regional level. Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills. Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners. Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing. Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; Self motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines. Desirable: Knowledge of the Drupal based website. Have affinity with or interest in solid waste and marine litter management, environmental protection and marine environmental issues.
As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials