Communications Officer - Retainer

UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

The New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York- based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.

The Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) It provides Services to partners' programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York. SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to implement the project activities for the Global Programme on Nature for Development.

UNDP’s Global Programme on Nature for Development brings together four different initiatives -- the Equator Initiative, the National Biodiversity Initiative, and Learning for Nature, and the Nature for Life Hub under one program in order to identify, foster, showcase and celebrate nature-based solutions that help achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at local, national, and international levels. The work of the Global Programme on Nature for Development contributes to UNDP's Strategic Plan 2018-2021 by charting sustainable development pathways through the conservation, restoration and sustainable management of biodiversity and ecosystems; and by promoting inclusive and effective democratic governance in the area of natural resources.

The Equator Initiative brings together the United Nations, governments, civil society, businesses and grassroots organizations to recognize and advance local sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities. The Equator Initiative seeks to:

• Recognize the success of local and indigenous initiatives;
• Create opportunities and platforms to share knowledge and good practice;
• Inform policy to foster an enabling environment for local and indigenous community action; and
• Develop the capacity of indigenous peoples and local communities to scale-up their impact.

The National Biodiversity Initiative supports countries to manage their ecosystems and biodiversity in order to improve national planning and governance of biodiversity, ecosystems, and development, and to promote resilience for sustainable development. The National Biodiversity Initiative works in three project areas: National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) Support, National Reporting, and Capacity Building. The use of spatial data for spatial planning is a cross-cutting theme across these project areas, including work through our flagship platform UN Biodiversity Lab, created in partnership with UN Environment and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

The Nature for Life Hub is a venue for multiple events featuring champions, mobilizers, leaders and speakers who inspire and engage global audiences. The Hub presents an opportunity to hear from political and corporate leaders, the world’s youth, indigenous and community leaders, local authorities and cutting-edge thinkers, leaders and practitioners, who delve deep into specialist topics, practical solutions and ambitious actions to tackle the multi-faceted climate crisis.

Knowledge Sharing is a main goal of the Equator Initiative, Learning for Nature, Nature for Life Hub, and the National Biodiversity Initiative. The Equator Initiative has a large series of research papers, books, and other publications focusing on local approaches to poverty reduction and conservation, informed by community- based initiatives.180 case studies in over 30 languages have documented the Equator Prize winners’ innovative practices that deliver the win-win-win solutions that ensure social, economic, and environmental sustainability. The National Biodiversity Initiative share knowledge on the role of spatial data in biodiversity planning, policymaking, and reporting through blogs, case studies, and story maps.

Learning for Nature is a capacity-building offer provided by the Global Programme on Nature for Development, cutting across the three areas of work. This program connects biodiversity policymakers, change-makers, and on-the-ground subject matter experts to facilitate the delivery of the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Aichi Biodiversity Targets and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Access to the global multi-stakeholder networks mobilized by the Equator Initiative, Learning for Nature, Nature for Life Hub and the National Biodiversity Initiative allows Learning for Nature to circulate knowledge while promoting best practices. Building on our learnings on the ground, Learning for Nature seeks synergies, build linkages, and engage thousands of course participants through Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), webinars, self-paced e-learning modules, and private training courses.

For further information please go to

: www.equatorinitiative.org, www.nbsapforum.net, www.learningfornature.org, www.unbiodiversitylab.org; https://www.learningfornature.org/en/nature-for-life-hub/.

This is a position to support a project which UNOPS is implementing for the United Nations Development Programme. The incumbent of this position will be personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

Under the direct supervision of the Manager of the Global Programme on Nature for Development, the Communications Officer will carry out the following tasks:

• Support the production of knowledge products to effectively share lessons learned and best practices at the global, country, and project levels, and ensure adequate dissemination of the same at the global level.
• Contribute to the development and implementation communications strategies for the Equator Initiative and the Nature for Life Hub.
• Develop social media materials and toolkits to facilitate the knowledge management work of the Equator Initiative and Nature for Life Hub, both internally, among UNDP Country Offices, as well as for other stakeholders and partners. These materials include but are not limited to: social media copy; social media visual assets; shareable social media kits; short videos; newsletters; graphics; and more.
• Disseminate knowledge products and best practices globally, regionally, and nationally and provide data analysis related to knowledge management.
• Support the creation and delivery of presentations regarding the activities carried out by the Global Programme on Nature for Development.
• Coordinate communications activities for the Equator Initiative and the Nature for Life Hub across the Nature for Development Team, UNDP, and external partners. This includes, but is not limited to, making presentations to internal and/or external colleagues, developing shareable communications materials, and developing multi-organization communications strategies. 
• Support the creation and delivery of presentations regarding the activities carried out by the Equator Initiative. Participate and support the organization of capacity-building workshops and provide, in collaboration with project managers, basic training and presentations related to communications skills and tools.
• Prepare case studies on how Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC) stakeholders have advanced local, nature-based solutions for sustainable development. The case study should include sections on: background, rationale, measures implemented, governance structure, environmental, economic, policy impacts, sustainability, prospects for replication and scalability.
• Desk review of materials submitted by selected IPLCs and independent research.
• Where necessary, outreach to selected IPCLs to obtain the additional materials needed to develop the case study, such as reports, documents, or interviews.
• Support the engagement with other stakeholders, including Indigenous peoples and local communities, to create content for the Equator Prize Award Ceremony, Nature for Life Hub and other events as needed.
• Support sharing of best practices and lessons at global conferences and other events.
• Engage with other stakeholders, including Indigenous peoples and local communities, to create content for the Equator Prize Award Ceremony, Nature for Life Hub and other events as needed.

The contractor will be supervised by the Senior Technical Manager of the Global Programme on Nature for Development, and the contractor and supervisor will determine progress and next step in mutual communication.

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) Retainer - A retainer contract is issued for a period of time during which the services of the individual contractor are required intermittently. The individual contractor agreement on retainer basis will specify a “unit price” per day worked. For budgetary purposes, a monetary cap will be determined when the contract is awarded and issued. Please note that the retainer contract will not provide for a minimum, and payment will be made only after completion of work

Contract level: International Individual Contractor Agreement (I-ICA 1) or Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA-8)

Even if the level of the position is indicated as IICA-1, depending on the incumbent's personal situation (candidate with national ID or resident permit), a local fee scale (LICA-8) might be applied in determining the contractor's fee.

Contract duration: 6 months with possibility of extension, subject to satisfactory performance, availability of funds and necessity of services.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.