Communications Specialist, Freshwater

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. At its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, UNEP’s Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition.

Within the Ecosystems Division, the Freshwater Ecosystems Unit (FEU) supports and advocates for improved water resources management and the protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems worldwide. It provides Member States and other stakeholders with accurate information on the current state of their freshwater ecosystems and develops tools and programs that support the monitoring, management, protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It also coordinates UNEP-wide freshwater strategies towards the implementation of UNEP’s Medium-Term Strategy 2022 – 2025. The FEU also acts in a coordinating role to provide strategic support and guidance to UNEP on freshwater issues as a whole in its external communications.

Within the delegated authority and under the direct supervision of the Programme Officer, Freshwater Ecosystems Unit, the UNV Communications Specialist for Freshwater will be: • Supporting internal coordination and coherence around freshwater-related topics, including to other units, branches and Divisions of UNEP. • Soliciting, gathering, collecting, organizing and displaying information on UNEP’s project-related work on freshwater topics for internal and public information, including through emails and websites. • Liaising with, reaching out to and convening other actors and networks within and outside of UNEP to provide relevant information, support the dissemination of information about the work and strategic priorities of UNEP in freshwater • Researching, checking, collating and synthesizing factual freshwater ecosystem-related information, facts and figures from across UNEP and external sources. • Keeping abreast of latest trends, articles, developments in information and research on freshwater-related issues. • In collaboration with UNEP’s Communications Division and other partners, creatively turning information into knowledge products through the creation of case studies, fact sheets, posters, surveys, infographics, videos and other communications materials relating to freshwater for UNEP. • Researching, drafting and editing the contents of communications materials on freshwater topics for UNEP, including talking points, articles, press releases, video messages, website pages, blog posts, social media posts, speeches, presentations, scripts for webinars, videos, podcasts and other media. • Liaising with, reaching out to and convening other actors and networks within and outside of UNEP to provide relevant information, support the dissemination of information about the work and strategic priorities of UNEP in freshwater. • Drafting content for, supporting and organizing virtual or in-person water events, webinars, seminars or sessions. • 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.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to 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 judgement; 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; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNEP in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: 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; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • 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; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards [Insert name of Host Agency]’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

support of water, environmental or science organizations, networks or other relevant programmes, at the national and/or international level; • Required: Excellent proven written and oral communication skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting and analytical skills in English; • Desired: demonstrated experience in and interest in water-related topics, in particular using environmental, ecosystem-based, or nature-based solutions approaches, is desired, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; • Desired: Experience in communication, preferably including drafting and basic web design skills; • Desired: fluency in another UN language in addition to English; • 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 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 web design; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated and independent, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Have affinity with or interest in water and environmental topics, volunteerism as a mechanism for sustainable development, and the UN System.

The Republic of Kenya is an equatorial nation on the coast of East Africa, neighboring Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Indian Ocean. Kenya has two levels of Government; National Government and 47 sub-national Governments called Counties. Counties are further divided into sub-counties. Kenya is a multi-party state with Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. Kenya’s population of more than 40 million is growing at an annual rate of 2.2%. The country’s GNP per capita estimated at purchasing power parity (PPP) is $975, and the GNP is growing at an average rate of 0.1% annually. More than 26% of Kenya’s people live below the international poverty line of $1 per day. Kenya’s main food crops are “maize, wheat, pulses, roots and tubers.” (FAO).

Nairobi is a modern metropolitan city where most basic goods and services, health facilities, public transport, telecommunication and banking services and educational facilities are readily available. The city is widely connected through its main airport, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the smaller Wilson Airport. Air transport is also available to many up country destinations. The city is home to some 3,000 UN personnel mainly attributed to the fact that it serves as the headquarters for both the UN HABITAT and UNEP.

The socio-economic and cultural background of the immediate society the UNV would be living and working in is diverse and prevailing security conditions at the place of assignment is modest. The topographic and climatic features of the assignment location is highland cool and warm tropical climate.