SEA Circular Communication Specialist

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.

UNEP’s Asia and the Pacific Office geographically serves 41 countries across the region to promote and implement sustainable development solutions. It assists countries of the region pursue sustainability, particularly in their implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development including technical expertise, facilitating access to finance, undertaking cutting-edge science-policy assessments, offering advisory services and strengthening laws, policies, management and governance.

UNEP works with national and local authorities, civil society, other UN organizations, research institutions and the private sector to catalyze the efficient use of the region’s natural assets and reduce the degradation of the environment.

The project "Reducing marine litter by addressing the management of the plastic value chain in South-East Asia" (SEA circular) is anchored under the One UNEP Plastics Initiative implemented by UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific and the Secretariat of the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA), with support from the Government of Sweden. The project began in August 2018 and has been extended from the original completion date of December 2022 to December 2024 with additional funding from the donor (SIDA). The project aims to reduce marine plastic litter by ensuring that less plastic is wasted in the face of largely inadequate waste management systems in the region. The project leverages the COBSEA intergovernmental mechanism and contributes to achievement of the COBSEA Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter (RAP MALI). Project activities take place in six target countries (Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Viet Nam) with knowledge sharing across all nine COBSEA countries (incl. PR China, Singapore, Republic of Korea) in four output areas:

• Output 1: Market-based solutions in the way plastic is managed are promoted and demonstrated, including effective business incentives for reducing single-use and hard-to-recycle plastic and improving recovery and recycling. • Output 2: Strengthening the scientific basis for effective decision-making, by identifying and closing research gaps, and building national capacities to monitor and assess the sources, flow and impacts of marine litter in line with global guidelines and COBSEA regional guidance on harmonized monitoring programme. • Output 3: Outreach on marine litter and plastic pollution raises awareness to promote behavioral change among consumers and businesses, and to create an enabling space for policy development. • Output 4: Regional networking and leveraging COBSEA regional mechanisms to strengthen regionally coherent national marine litter planning, engage constituencies and facilitate multi-stakeholder knowledge exchange, including coordination with regional frameworks such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The project focuses on the lifecycle stages of (i) Production of plastic products, (ii) Plastic use, and (iii) Collection / sorting / recycling,

Under the direct supervision of the SEA circular Project Coordinator and the overall supervision by the UNEP One Plastic Coordinator, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1. Manage Communication Materials Ensure that the production of communication materials, on and offline, is executed in time, in accordance with the SEA circular project communication strategy & plan: a. Monitor the implementation and update of the SEA circular project communication strategy & plan b. Serve as a focal point for the implementation and follow-up of specific communication actions of the SEA circular project. c. Coordinate appropriate audience research, compile and analyze relevant data to inform decisions on the types and depth of audience-specific communication materials. d. Produce advocacy and communication materials (e.g. policy briefs, briefing notes, images, videos and other innovative products) for use by the project; oversee translations, reviews of edited material, layout and graphics design and quality control of all communication products of the project. e. Be responsible for production of the SEA circular project Newsletter, ensure its wide dissemination to various stakeholders and manage feedback from the audience. f. Assist in drafting and editing articles, press releases, human interest stories and other advocacy/information materials for both web-based and traditional media, as appropriate. g. Establish or maintain an up-to-date documentation center for communication materials including publications, press releases and clippings, photographs, audio-visual materials, web resources, etc. h. Together with project team, recommend appropriate information and communication materials for use in media, campaigns and other advocacy and communication activities; recommend the appropriateness, quality and dissemination of printed and audio-visual materials. i. Recommend established contacts, networks, resources and processes to support communication activities.

2. Manage Digital Communication Ensure the project maintains vibrant digital communication through the development and implementation of specific interventions (campaigns, outreach activities) to achieve efficient and effective communication and public advocacy by the SEA circular project: a. Develop and implement social media action plans for the project. b. Collate content for website, social media and other innovative platforms with the aim of increasing the number of followers among key audiences; monitor social media trends and identify new emerging platforms. c. Monitor feedback received on digital platforms and use it to enhance its relevance, quality of content and the digital footprint of the project. d. Coordinate the design, development and production of a range of infographics and other digital materials to portray the contribution of partners and other stakeholders to the implementation of the project. e. Undertake regular analysis of the project’s digital communication to strengthen its impact and generate more engagement among key audiences. f. Monitor content of social media networks identify materials that are of relevance/importance to the project and support the development of appropriate responses and contributions. g. Together with the project team, ensure the project website is updated regularly in conjunction with ROAP Communications Unit and UNEP Communication Division. h. With guidance from the Project Manager, develop and disseminate approved tweets on various aspects of the project’s work.

3. Support SEA circular project Monitoring and Evaluation of Communication and Visibility Activities a. Review, monitor and evaluate the Communication and Visibility Plan for the project as indicated in the approved project document and develop a roadmap of the preparation of reports and other materials required to support this plan. b. Act as the documentation focal point for monitoring and evaluation of communication and visibility activities including those undertaken by the Sida, UNEP, and other parties as relevant. c. Work with the project team to plan and coordinate communication activities during monitoring and evaluation missions.

4. Other duties. a. Contribute articles/write-ups on various activities of the ROAP Communications Unit for publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. b. Perform any other duties and functions that may be assigned by the supervisor and management of ROAP. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: • 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 IVD); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Project 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.

Results/Expected Output:

1. The SEA circular Communication Plan fully implemented.
2. A communication plan for social and other online media developed, approved and implemented as part of the project’s Communication Plan.
3. Coordinate the delivery of Beat Plastic Pollution campaign with UNEP Communication Division
4. A wide range of physical and digital communication and outreach products and materials designed and produced in accordance with the approved UNEP branding.
5. A well-maintained SEA circular project website with relevant, up to date and quality content.
6. Seamless, consistent and accurate information delivered on the SEA circular project website, in coordination with the UNEP Communications Division, ROAP Office Communications Unit and UNEP One Plastic Initiative
7. SIDA's Communication and Visibility Plan correctly and consistently applied to all SEA circular’s physical and digital communication, outreach and other products.
8. SEA circular Newsletter prepared on a quarterly basis and its outreach well managed.
9. Partnerships managed to ensure contribution of up-to-date and relevant information on the project outputs for online and physical publication.
10. Virtual library of the SEA circular project established and fully functional including alignment with UNEP’s Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML) digital platform and UNEP One Plastic Initiative.
11. Monitoring and evaluation of communication and visibility activities of the project supported through management of the required documentation.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to United Nations Environment Programme; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to United Nations Environment Programme procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, 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; • 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; • 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; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards United Nations Environment Programme’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

strategic communication and public relations, preferably in relation to the environment and development, and preferably including cooperation with private as well as public sector and civil society; • Experience from developing and implementing behavioral change campaigns and of related knowledge is an advantage • Work experience in addressing plastic pollution is an advantage • Working experience in a multicultural environment such as the United Nations is an asset; • Experience in producing briefings, case studies, infographics and other products to facilitate communication of complex environmental issues to a variety of audiences; • Very good understanding of visual content, including how it can best be produced and shared on social media and with influencers; • Very good understanding of major digital platforms and proven experience in strategic social media outreach at the international level;

Bangkok has similar conditions to any relatively developed city in the world. The climate of Thailand is tropical, with three distinct seasons, i.e. a hot season from March to mid-May, a rainy season caused by the southwest monsoon, which generally runs from mid-May to October, and a dry and relatively cool season from November to February, when the north-east mon-soon, coming from the Asian continent, prevails. However, the relatively cool season is felt in the north and in inland areas, while on the coasts and in the south it's hot even in winter.