Individual Contractor to undertake the tasks of the UNEP/MAP Information and Communication Officer (Level P3)

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Result of Service

The ultimate result of this assignment is the timely planning, implementation and coordination of UNEP/MAP communication and advocacy activities.

Work Location

Athens, Greece

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment (UNEP) is the United Nations system’s designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. 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. UN Environment’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. The Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) is one of the UNEP’s Regional Seas Programs encompassing a comprehensive system of activities for the protection and the sustainable development of the Mediterranean region based on a legal framework (the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols). The Convention involves the 21 countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea as well as the European Union. The assignment is for the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP), Athens, Greece. Under the direct supervision of the UNEP/MAP Deputy Coordinator, and the overall guidance of the UNEP/MAP Coordinator, the Individual Contractor is expected to undertake the following tasks and responsibilities: • Develop and ensure implementation of information programmes to publicize priority issues, major events, programme initiatives and accomplishments, and major activities of the MAP Barcelona Convention system; draft information strategies, monitor and reports on progress, take appropriate follow-up action, and analyse outcomes; participate in selecting the information transmitted to key constituencies. • Monitor and analyse current events, public opinion, press coverage, and information needs of the Parties and key constituents; identify issues and trends and advise management and where appropriate, MAP components on appropriate responses. • Promote and coordinate media coverage (e.g. press conferences, interviews, press seminars, and special events) of priority issues and major events; develop a media strategy and action plan, initiate proactive media outreach. • Propose, arrange and participate in press conferences/media coverage, disseminating materials and consulting with press on approach/story angle and other information requests, undertaking appropriate follow-up action and analyzing and reporting on the impact of coverage. • Initiate and sustain professional relationships with key MAP partners, service providers and constituencies including translators, designers, printers, Bureau Chiefs, editors, journalists for international news media, counterparts and mid-level officials in government, non-governmental organizations, businesses, academia and other areas of civil society, including MAP partners. • Produce or oversee production of information communications products (e.g. press kits, press releases, feature articles, speeches, booklets, brochures, backgrounders, audio-visual materials, radio spot program, social media etc.); propose topics, undertake research, determine appropriate target audience, prepare production plans, write drafts, edits copy, and coordinate design approval, printing procedures and distribution. • Plan and coordinate the production of publications of the MAP Barcelona Convention Secretariat, ensuring adherence to mandates, strategic objectives and environmental sustainability directives as well as collection of specific contributions from MAP components. • Prepare, on the basis of official UN documentation and other sources, initial drafts of articles or chapters for inclusion in UN newsletters, periodicals, reports and books. • Establish and run a centralized MAP Library network with the assistance of the Librarian, Information Technology and Administrative Assistant, with automated access-point to information and data, serving as gateway to Mediterranean environmental libraries. • Develop and maintain information architecture of the websites of the MAP Barcelona Convention Secretariat; coordinate and exercise quality control over website content; follow up with and advise content managers to ensure information is up-to-date and adhere to standards for style, clarity, and coherency of content; create standard formats and templates for web sections and web pages. • Participate in the planning and preparation of the budget, work programme and spending plan for the information program of the Secretariat. • May play a lead role on communications and information-related matrix teams and / or task forces, overseeing and coordinating the work of Professional and General Service staff, consultants and interns. • Act as focal point on specific issues, monitoring and reporting on developments, responding to inquiries, etc., including the task of spokesperson to media organization and other bodies and focal point for the Regional Activity Centre for Information and Communication (INFO RAC). • Prepare and deliver lectures to visiting students and academics. • Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, public relations, environmental sciences, international relations, business or public administration or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area is required. Relevant working experience in the Mediterranean region, in particular at regional and/or intergovernmental level, is highly desirable.

Languages

Fluency (both oral and written) in English and French is required. Knowledge of other UN Mediterranean languages is desirable.

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.