Communications Advisor (Lead Writer, UN Global Risk Report) - [Lumpsum]

*FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY*


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. The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the United Nations to implement the project activities for the UN Futures Lab Global Hub.

UN Futures Lab

Strategic foresight is part of a broader effort to transform and modernize the United Nations; along with data, innovation, behavioural science, and digital transformation, strategic foresight is part of the UN 2.0 reform effort that focuses – not on structure – but on the people, resources, platforms, and culture of the institution. While different initiatives, networks, and products on futures thinking and strategic foresight exist in individual UN entities or fora, a coherent approach is needed to how we build foresight capabilities across, and within, UN family entities.

The UN Futures Lab Network supports the nurturing of capabilities at global, regional, country levels, within each UN entity and across the UN family, as well as in the international community and Member State institutions. The UN Futures Lab Network works with governments, academia, civil society, private sector, philanthropic and other actors. ​

On the 75th anniversary of the United Nations in 2020, the Governments of the world recognized that “the COVID-19 pandemic caught us off-guard. It has served as a wakeup call for improving our preparedness for not only health related crises but also other challenges and crises. It is important to learn, share experiences and information to reduce risks and make our systems more resilient.”

To better anticipate and respond to such risks, the Secretary-General indicated his intention to present a Global Risk Report to Member States in Our Common Agenda (2021).

The global risk report will be developed through a rigorous process of risk identification, ranking of global risks, and compilation of findings.

Following the shortlisting of global risks, a multistakeholder perception survey will be launched. The survey will rank these risks across social, technological, economic, environmental, and political categories according to their perceived likelihood, impact, and interactions, and rate the preparedness of the multilateral system to manage them. The survey will be targeted to experts within existing UN networks, including accredited civil society groups, academic partners, Member States governments, and industry partners of the UN Global Compact.

The survey’s results will be used to perform a scenario development exercise to explore how risks may unfold and develop in different ways with varying consequences. Throughout the process, there will be close collaboration with risk experts from across the United Nations system, drawing on decades of experience with natural and anthropogenic hazards.

The Global Hub of the UN Futures Lab Network is looking for a communications advisor that will be working closely with the Executive Office of the Secretary General to consolidate input and outcomes developed by academic partners into the first UN Global Risk Report. The communications advisor will be responsible for drafting the report and ensuring its quality, coherence, and alignment with UN standards.

The communications advisor will be under the overall supervision of the Head of the Global Hub and will work closely with the Senior Programme Management Officer in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General (EOSG).

Timeframe: Up to four (4) months.

Specific Tasks:

The communications advisor will be responsible for the following tasks:

●       Strategic analysis and conclusion: Drawing from deliverables of the academic partners (multi-stakeholder survey results, sensemaking and scenario development) draft the first outline and analysis for the report reflecting the key findings of the survey and scenarios developed. Include data analytics and infographics highlighting the keys findings and messages of the report.

●       Drafting and Review: Prepare drafts, oversee revisions, and ensure alignment of the Global Risk Report’s content with the UN’s objectives, language and policies.

●       Quality Assurance: Maintain high standards of quality, accuracy, and coherence throughout the report, adhering to established timelines and guidelines.

●       Prepare the Parliamentary text for the General Assembly

●       Produce a Color Publication for the General Audience

●       Compile a Document with Key Messages on the Global Risk Report's Outcomes.

Additional responsibilities:

●       Collaborating with subject matter experts to incorporate specialized knowledge into the Global Risk Report.

●       Facilitating consultations to gather feedback and ensure inclusivity in the report's content.

●       Participating in meetings and discussions to contribute insights and perspectives on global risks and trends.

●       Responding to inquiries and requests for information related to the report from internal and external stakeholders.

●       Continuously monitoring and evaluating the impact of the report to inform future iterations and improvements

Education

●       Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) preferably in media and communication studies, economics, international relations, environmental studies, public policy, public administration, political science, sustainable development or related fields.

●       A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree) in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• .Please attach a writing sample to your application.

• 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.

• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.

• 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.

• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types. 

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.