Communications Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The UN 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. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP’s Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition.

The Youth and Education Unit oversees the education outreach and a series of youth projects for UN Environment at its headquarters in Nairobi.

Through the “Tide Turners Plastic Challenge Badge” UNEP, together with partners such as the World Organization of the Scout Movement, and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts is working to educate young people on the topic of marine plastic pollution and how they can help address it in their communities.

The objective of Assignment:

This role is required in the Ecosystem Division to support the Youth Education and Advocacy Unit in the Director’s Office to assist in the organization and production of key communications materials for the Tide Turners Project and other youth-related work, with the objective to increase advocacy and communications outputs, impacts, and raising awareness on the importance of youth engagement and shining a light on UNEP’s youth and education work. This would be until November 2023 (6 months) contract full-time with possibility for extension.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Assoc. Expert and non-formal lead of the Youth, Education and Advocacy Unit or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Youth and Education Unit will:

1. Communications coordination and production support with a focus on the Tide Turners Plastic Challenge badge (70% of time)

· Communications plan and implementation: With other colleagues in the Ecosystem, Economy and Communications Division, lead the production and implementation of a communication plan for the Tide Turners Plastic Challenge Badge and work and necessary assets which may include inter alia:

• Sharing messaging materials with partners; Ensuring there is a connection and coherence of messaging with wider objectives inside UNEP. • Creation of key communication assets: With partners secure regular stories for the web, case-studies that showcase the progress and other SoMe assets which help shine a light on the impact of Tide Turners projects and partners as well as other formal and non-formal education work, as required. • Event support and coordination: Support in the coordination and production of events to support project goals which may include invitations, preparation of run-of-shows; online or hybrid production; collation and organization of pre-recorded video content and working through what other demands are needed. • Creation of knowledge products: Support the creation of different knowledge products, such as publications, monitoring & evaluation and donor reports.

2. Provide support to the Division on further communication and advocacy assets (30%):

· Providing support in developing clear, concise, and descriptive communication and advocacy materials in support of the wider work within the Unit; · Working with the Division’s Communication Focal Point Group to identify key events and moments for advocacy and communication activities for youth and education, within the context of the organisation’s goals and priorities as outlined in the Medium-Term Strategy; · When required, supporting the advocacy objectives of the unit’s non-formal education work including the work on sport, gaming and plastics;

12. Results/expected outputs

The UNV is expected to deliver the following outputs;

· Working together with partners in Tide Turners and colleagues across UNEP to create a comprehensive communications strategy and communications plan for the Tide Turners Plastic Challenge Badge project with measurable targets and audience segmentation. · Working together with the Communications Division, coordinating the communications efforts and activities of the Tide Turners Plastic Challenge Badge together with project delivery partners. · Designing and implementing the advocacy efforts of the Tide Turners Plastic Challenge Badge. · Supporting the organization of youth and education events. · Creation of associated communications assets – which may include: (social media, press releases, multimedia, written stories, op-eds etc.) as required. · Creation of advocacy materials and content to support key youth and education advocacy moments within the Division.

· Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNEP procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy, and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgment; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;

· Teamwork and respect for diversity: the ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality, and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;

· Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;

· Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options, and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers,

counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

· 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.

communications and at the national/or international level working with youth, youth movements, NGOs, or education;

· Knowledge of project management: able to deliver highly complex projects of a global nature efficiently and effectively; · Experience in videography and video-editing will be preferred but is not essential; · Experience in graphic design will be preferred but is not essential; · Experience in online/in-person event production with be preferred but is not essential; · Excellent oral and written skills – strong writer of stories and proposals that support the agenda of the week, excellent drafting, formulation, and reporting skills; · Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; · Excellent interpersonal skills, 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 tools and approaches of communications for development; · Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment, ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; · Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment, ability to think creatively about how to evolve pre-existing programmes to have maximum impact; · Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision, ability to work with tight deadlines; · Sound security awareness; · Have affinity with or interest in Advocacy, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system.

The predominant religion in Kenya is Christianity, which is adhered to by an estimated 84.8% of the total population. Islam is the second largest religion in Kenya, estimated at 11.2%, and modest dressing is recommended.

The cost of living in Kenya will depend on your lifestyle. You have your own perception of what a decent lifestyle is from the comfortability of your residence, and the quantity and type of food that you prefer. In Kenya, amenities like comfortable homes, international schools, and private healthcare can greatly inflate the cost of your living tremendously. Living lavishly entirely depends on your state of affairs in terms of regular income and employment status.

Security Situation:

Security in Nairobi, one has to be vigilant when going about daily life. Crime is not uncommon and it ranges from petty theft by domestic staff, to kidnapping and carjacking. In addition, Kenya has been under incessant terrorist threats targeting civilians in public places, particularly in places where members of the international community frequent. Therefore, avoid crowded places. The level of crime in Kenya, particularly in Nairobi and other big cities is high. Caution should be exercised at all times. International staff in Kenya should attend security briefings, training sessions, and exercises. When on holiday in Kenya, particularly outside Nairobi, exercise caution at all times. Attacks on holiday makers are not uncommon. In addition, robbers and con artists sometimes impersonate officers of the law. It is highly recommended that if approached individuals identifying themselves as law enforcement officers one asks for identification. When driving, close car windows as thieves may snatch objects in the car such as cell phones, jewelry, and car radios.

The East African nation of Kenya has a population estimated at 45.5 million, which increases by one million a year.