Communications Assistant

Volunteering Communications & PR

Overview

Support communication activities for the Floresta+ Amazônia Project.

You have:

• Minimum of five years of proven professional experience in communication.
• Proficiency in arts/cards/graphic materials layout programs, photo editing and video-audio editing.
• Mastery of photojournalism techniques and handling professional cameras.
• Fluency in English will be an advantage.
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent writing, formulating and reporting skills.
• Rigor and professionalism in the production and editing of texts/documents.
• Solid computer knowledge, including proficiency with MS Office tools and designer programs.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national staff.

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.

Brazil received resources from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for the project “Payments for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation in developing countries (REDD+) results for results achieved by Brazil in the Amazon biome in 2014 and 2015” (Projeto Floresta+ Amazônia).

The results-based payments received by Brazil from the GCF will contribute to the implementation of Brazil's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) forest sector actions and the general objective of Brazil's National Strategy for REDD+ (ENREDD+). This project has two main results:

i. Development of a pilot Project for Payment of Environmental Services for the Conservation and Recovery of Native Vegetation (Projeto Floresta+ Amazônia); and ii. Strengthen the implementation of Brazil's ENREDD+, through improvements to its structure and governance systems

The communication activities of the Floresta+ Amazônia Project are constant and transversal, covering all stages of its implementation process. It is strategic throughout the scope of the project, as it is responsible for processes and dynamics of articulation, mobilization, dissemination and accountability, involving a group of actors, such as beneficiaries, local governments, civil society organizations, UNDP, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA) and other partners.

The Floresta+ Amazonia Project is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA), with resources from the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The Floresta+ Amazônia Project aims to strengthen positive economic solutions, aligned with the preservation and recovery of native vegetation. Through financial recognition to beneficiaries, following specific criteria, the project will contribute to the consolidation of the market for payments for environmental services, as a tool for protecting the environment combined with social and regional development. Among the Project fronts are the Result 1 modalities, which include payments for environmental services (PSA) for conservation, recovery of native vegetation, support for traditional communities, strengthening the bioeconomy and promotion of sustainable production chains, strengthening institutions, integrating efforts to achieve effective and inclusive environmental management

The UN Volunteer/Communications Assistant will support the Floresta+ Amazônia Project in support activities of modalities 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 (Result 1). The activities to be developed will involve i) production and review of texts, in order to ensure that internal and external communication is effective and transparent; ii) review of reports; iii) production and layout of communication pieces, such as cards, flyers, folders and layouts; iv) event coverage; v) transformation of report texts into content for websites and social networks; vi) knowledge management activities, and; vi) monitoring and recording of monitoring indicators for the communication activities of the Floresta+ Amazônia Project. They will also be responsible for producing content and updating project information on the MMA website and/or other communication demands from the Extraordinary Secretariat for Deforestation Control and Territorial Environmental Planning of the MMA.

Under the supervision of the Coordination of the Floresta+ project at MMA (PCU), aligned with the Communication Advisory of the Floresta+ Amazônia Project, the UN Volunteer Communications Assistant will be responsible for executing and supporting the activities, as described below:

• Participate, cover and produce content for the general coordination meetings of the Floresta+ Project. • Participate, cover and produce content for events and activities related to the agenda of Result 1 modalities. • Review and edit/design reports; • Create and layout communication pieces such as cards, flyers, slides and folders. • Adapt report texts to suitable content for websites and social networks. • Produce relevant and updated content for MMA websites and social networks and also for the Floresta+ Amazônia Project. • Regularly update project information on the MMA website, with new information and content. • Develop specific content to meet the communication demands of the Extraordinary Secretariat for Deforestation Control and Territorial Environmental Planning of the MMA. • Collaborate with the Secretariat team to ensure the cohesion and effectiveness of the messages transmitted. • Carry out the activities in alignment with the MMA communications department.
• Review and edit reports to ensure clarity and accuracy. • Adapt reports to friendly formats for websites and social networks. • Produce content for other media – cards, posters, banners and releases

Expected results/products:

• The UN Volunteer is expected to provide efficient, agile, friendly and high-quality support provided to the MMA and its services and collaborators in carrying out their functions, including:

i. Support communication to be efficient, plural, diverse and strategic in dissemination, transparency, articulation and mobilization with beneficiaries, local governments, partners, project teams, MMA and UNDP. • The Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment. • A final statement of achievements in relation to volunteering for peace and development during the mission, such as reports on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capabilities developed.

Furthermore, United Nations Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteer Program into their duties and promote voluntary actions through the engagement of communities in the course of their work. As such, United Nations Volunteers should dedicate part of their working time to doing some of the suggested activities:

• Expand their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteering by reading relevant UNV or external publications and actively participating in UNV activities (for example, in events marking International Volunteer Day); • Know and strengthen traditional and/or local forms of volunteering in the host country. • Prepare annual and end-of-work reports on results and opportunities. • Contribute with articles/essays about field experiences and submit them to UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. • Assist the UNV Buddy Program for newly arrived UN Volunteers. • Promote or advise local groups in engaging in online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use UNV’s online volunteering service whenever technically possible.

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Integrity • Teamwork and respect for diversity • Continuous learning • Self-management

• Minimum of five years of proven professional experience in communication, with governments, civil society organizations, international organizations with socio-environmental agendas, especially on environmental issues, environmental instruments or policies.

Desirable requirements: • Proficiency in arts/cards/graphic materials layout programs, photo editing and video-audio editing. • Mastery of photojournalism techniques and handling professional cameras. • Fluency in English will be an advantage.

Functional skills: • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent writing, formulating and reporting skills. • Rigor and professionalism in the production and editing of texts/documents. • Excellent interpersonal relationships; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations and authorities at different levels; familiarity with development communication tools and approaches. • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national staff. • Solid computer knowledge, including proficiency with MS Office tools (Excel, Word, Power Point, etc.) and e-mail/internet; familiarity, video editing, photography, audio and designer programs. • Motivated, with the ability to work with minimal supervision; and ability to work to tight deadlines. • Demonstrate understanding, involvement, tolerance and sensitivity in ethnic-racial, sexual, religious and territorial issues

The activities will be carried out in a hybrid format, home based / at the facilities of the Extraordinary Secretariat for Deforestation Control and Territorial Environmental Planning at MMA, in Brasília – DF.

Brasilia is a family duty station and classified A (hardship). The living conditions in Brasilia are good as well as the access to health services. The accommodation facilities are in general good, and the choice is wide.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging their own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.

Brazil is security level 3 (moderate). United Nations Department of Safety and Security UNDSS Brazil advises to exercise a high degree of caution in Brazil due to high levels of serious and violent crime, particularly in major cities. Violent crime as muggings, armed robbery, kidnappings, and sexual assault, is very high. Avoid shanty towns (favelas) in the big cities and if you are attacked or robbed, do not resist. Demonstrations can occur at any time and may turn violent with little or no warning. All United Nations personnel must scrupulously comply with UNDSS procedures and recommendations during their assignment in Brazil. For missions in rural areas or indigenous reservations, special procedures may apply; UN personnel should consult with the local DSS office in advance.

You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 1 month ago - Updated 28 days ago - Source: unv.org