Editor and Writer

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Result of Service

Expected outcomes • Develop and publish new water-related online content for the branch in 2024 • Strengthen water-related web presence and content across relevant sites and partnerships • Improved information sharing and retention across UNEP on water

Work Location

Nairobi

Expected duration

12-months

Duties and Responsibilities

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. 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. This post is in UNEP, Ecosystems Division at Marine and Freshwater Branch, under the direct supervision of Programme Management Officer and secondary supervision of Public Information Officer, Marine and Freshwater Branch.

BACKGROUND: UNEP’s new Medium-term Strategy (MTS) requires the organization to prioritize and program its funding for maximum impact around three interrelated areas of work: combating nature and biodiversity loss, addressing climate change, and dealing with the causes and impacts of pollution, in achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), the Paris Agreement, other internationally agreed goals and targets of the United Nations, including United Nations Environment Assembly, and national and regional MEAs, including Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans (RSCAPs).

The Freshwater Ecosystems Unit (FEU) and the Marine and Freshwater Branch work to meet the MTS, implement water, coastal and ocean-related UNEA resolutions, the 2030 Agenda, the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and the GBF by operationalizing the water-water strategic priorities of UNEP. This includes working across UNEP and through key partnerships such as with Rotary International, the World Water Quality Alliance (WWQA), Earthwatch, the UNEP-DHI Center for Water and Environment, Google, the Global Wastewater Initiative and a range of partners on joint initiatives such as the Freshwater Challenge. In addition, the FEU has mandated tasks to monitor SDG indicators 6.6.1, 6.5.1 and 6.3.2. and to implement UNEA resolutions including Resolution 4 of UNEA 5.2 – Sustainable Lake Management. In 2024 there are further expectations of new mandates for water through UNEA resolutions and through the UN system-wide strategy on water.

Branch Coordination works to bring a cohesive narrative across the marine and freshwater branch and ensures quality control and unit synergies (Freshwater, Marine and Coastal and Source to Sea Pollution Free and International Waters), across website, multimedia, communication materials and products and events. It leads the communication work for a number of initiatives including the Global Fund for Coral Reefs for which UNEP is co-chair.

Impactful communication and outreach, making use of mass communication media such as websites and social media, is essential in achieving the branch and unit goals and delivering on the overall UNEP goals. Communication tools need to be targeted to appropriate audiences; community groups, decision makers, implementing partners, while still being interlinked and presenting a coherent message.

Duties and Responsibilities: • Update online content on UNEP website (Fresh water, SDG pages, the Lakes Portal and others) o Coordinate the launch of the UNEP – Rotary Partnership and associated Community Action for Fresh Water initiative including: o Draft monthly updates for UNEP’s community of practice on water, the Interdivisional Water Group (IDWG) o Draft content for UNEP’s websites and social media outputs o Proofreading and editing of UNEP publications, content and materials o Updating and collecting facts and figures, water stories and information for internal reference and briefing notes

Qualifications/special skills

A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in language or communication-related studies along with four years of experience is required. Alternatively, the years of experience is reduced by two for candidates who posses an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in language or communication and related studies.

At least 4 years of experience in environment related communication and outreach is required; Experience in writing and editing is required;

Experience in working with multi-disciplinary teams, including local and expatriate technical experts is required;

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in excellent oral and written communication skills in English is required. Fluency in other United Nations language is an advantage.

Additional Information

Not available.

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.