Media Training Consultant

Result of Service A consultant is needed to train staff in communication, so that they can represent the BRS Secretariat in the best way possible by delivering key messages in public fora and media engagements, including when facing a camera.

The training will include group sessions (in person, online or hybrid, depending on the COVID-19 measures that will be in place at the time. The platform for online meetings would be either over Teams, Zoom, Webex or a similar mutually agreed upon platform), practical exercises in realistic scenarios, and one-to-one sessions. The training will focus on developing the following skills: - Presentation skills (preparation techniques, adapting to the audience at hand, remote vs in-person delivery). - Tailoring complex language to a wider audience. Telling the BRS story. - Engaging with the media (traditional and new) using quotes, in interviews and in press conferences. - Being effective within an interactive dialogue context (in a panel and/or with an audience). - Being effective in front of a camera. - Crisis communication.

Work Location Home

Expected duration The contract will be 50 (fifty) workdays, starting from 1 February 2022 to 30 April 2022.

Duties and Responsibilities The Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BRS Secretariat) brings together the three leading multilateral environmental agreements that share the common objective of protecting human health and the environment from hazardous chemicals and wastes. One of the aims of the BRS Secretariat’s communication strategy is to capitalize on the increasing profile and external momentum of the BRS conventions by pushing its communications to a new level, expanding the reach of the Conventions by engaging with a wider audience.

As part of the strategy the BRS Secretariat is emphasizing its engagement with the media in order to amplify the messaging and with subsectors of the general public including those active on social media, primary and secondary schoolchildren, and young adults.

Therefore, to ensure that BRS staff members in public-facing positions are able to communicate the Secretariat’s mandate and work to the best of their abilities, so that key messages reach media, expert audiences and the general public, the BRS Secretariat has identified the need for media training courses.

Under the overall supervision of the PAO Public Information Officer, the consultant will be responsible for the following:

(i) Taking into consideration BRS focus of interest, needs, and number of participants (minimum 20), present the Secretariat with a proposal of two or more options on media training couses that cover the following points: o Presentation skills (preparation techniques, adapting to the audience at hand, remote vs in-person delivery); o Tailoring complex language to a wider audience; telling the BRS story; o Engaging with the media (traditional and new) using quotes, in interviews and in press conferences; o Being effective within an interactive dialogue context (in a panel and/or with an audience); o Being effective in front of a camera; o Crisis communication.

(ii) Following a selection of one of these options by the BRS Secretariat, set up courses on mutually agreed upon dates by 15 February 2022; (iii) Deliver these media training courses (in person, online or hybrid, depending on the COVID-19 measures that will be in place at the time), by 31 March 2022; (iv) Train participants in realistic scenarios (e.g. mock interviews), and provide audiovisual and/or print material for them to use as tools by 30 April 2022; (v) Following the group training, have one-on-one sessions with every participant to address their specific needs by 30 April 2022.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: Academic qualification: An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in communication, media, journalism, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Experience: - At least seven years of experience in communications and/or journalism at international level is required. - At least seven years of experience in public speaking and presentations is required. - At least five years of facilitating group training workshops is required. - Experience in executive training for international organizations, companies and corporations is desired. Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an asset.

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.