Communications and Events Consultant for PAGE

The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) is the voice for the environment within the United Nations system. UN Environment acts as a catalyst, advocate, educator and facilitator to promote the wise use and sustainable development of the global environment. The UN Environment's Economy Division plays a leading role in the Green Economy Initiative, launched by UN Environment in 2008. This aims to shift national economies on to a new path, in which jobs and output growth are driven by increased investment in green sectors, and by a switch of consumers’ preferences towards environmentally friendly goods and services.

Located within the Economy Division, the Resources and Markets Branch examines how economics, trade and finance interact with the environment and contribute to sustainable development at the local, national, regional and global levels. As part of its work it responds to the outcome document of the  Rio+20 conference – The Future We Want – that invites the United Nations, relevant donors and international organizations to support countries in their transition to greener economies.

In response to this call, UN Environment has initiated the Partnership for Action on Green Economy  (PAGE) PAGE is a multi year-year programme responding to the Rio+20’s call for the UN system to support countries interested in pursuing green economy policies. PAGE deploys the joint expertise of five UN agencies – ILO, UN Environment, UNIDO, UNITAR and UNDP – to progressively assist a total of 20 countries in their efforts to embark on green economy pathways. The collective endeavor ranges from mobilizing social awareness and providing specialized training to identifying critical bottlenecks, formulating and assessing policy options, and enabling policy implementation for greening the economy. The programme also includes global and regional level capacity development, knowledge creation and sharing, and high-level policy dialogues, all to enrich and strengthen country level assistance. PAGE, is currently operating in seven countries with additional country activities being launched in the coming months and years.

Based on the European Commission (EC) project workplan for PAGE Outcome 4 – global knowledge creation and knowledge sharing activities, outreach and communication, UN Environment is seeking a Communications Consultant to guide and deliver the communications work for the partnership. The consultancy is located in UN Environment/Economy Division office in Geneva.

The objective of this consultancy is to initiate, guide and implement the communications and outreach related work for PAGE in coordination with other PAGE colleagues, the communication focal points of the branch and the division and of the other agencies involved in the partnership. This includes work on websites and other communications tools, events, social media, publications, press releases, and strategic documents.

• Produce and update communication materials and tools for the partnership (especially writing, preparing presentation of, editing and presenting monthly newsletter, flyer, brochures, annual reports, country updates, country stories and narratives, articles).
• Initiate and organize outreach events and webinars, and contribute to the implementation of international conferences, capacity building workshops and country level meetings (deliver on: writing, preparing presentation of, editing and speaking on screening of opportunities, development of concepts, press releases and other news coverage, coordination with partners, drafting briefings and speaking points, with audience including partner UN agencies and country representatives).
• Lead the development of content, regular updates and maintenance for PAGE website (deliver on: drafting and editing of text, coordination with partners, functioning of technical setting, provision of highlights).
• Build and maintain a network of internal and external partners supporting communications and outreach work of PAGE available and actively engaged (coordinate with UN Environment communication team and communication of PAGE partners, identify opportunities, and encourage outreach on green economy, link to other platforms and websites).
• Report to PAGE management board and donor steering committee on communications work under the partnership (deliver on: writing, editing and proofreading of communication products).
• Oversee publication of country reports and other substantive publications of the partnership (deliver on: development of templates, common features, coordination with editors, layout, proofreading and quality assurance).
• Provide Strategic inputs to PAGE planning documents on communications related aspects provided and inputs into overall UN Environment communication processes secured.

Master’s degree in a relevant subject (environmental economics, environmental management, communications or similar field) is required.

Two years of accumulated work experience, including experience related to journalism, communications and public relations and web based platforms is required.

Fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Writing skills

Editing skills

Preparing presentations

Public speaking related to sustainable development, green economy.

Flexible team player

Excellent coordination skills

Excellent Communication skills

Ability to work under pressure

Ability to handle multiple activities concurrently

Professionalism – Shows pride in work and achievements; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. 

Teamwork – Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity, including gender balance.

Communication – Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and respond appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience, demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Client Orientation – considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from the clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identified clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Technological awareness – keeps abreast of available technology, understands applicability and limitations of technology in the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

APPLICANTS MUST INCLUDE A MOTIVATION LETTER WITH THEIR APPLICATION.

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.