Communications Officer

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)

Bonn, Germany 🇩🇪

Org. Setting and Reporting
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is an international agreement on good land stewardship. It helps people, communities, and countries to create wealth, grow economies and secure enough food and water and energy, by ensuring land users have an enabling environment for sustainable land management. Through partnerships, the Convention’s 197 Parties set up robust systems to manage land degradation and drought promptly and effectively. Good land stewardship based on a sound policy and science helps integrate and accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, builds resilience to climate change and prevents biodiversity loss. Land also plays a key role in the prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, securing rural livelihoods and creating green jobs, supporting community resilience and maintaining the sustainable delivery of ecosystem services.

The functions of the secretariat are, among others, to make arrangements for sessions of the Conference of the Parties (COP) and its subsidiary bodies. In addition, the secretariat also provides assistance to Parties in implementing the Convention.

The Communications, External Relations and Partnerships (CERP) Unit supports the mandate of UNCCD by providing an overall strategic direction on communications, external relations and partnerships, underpinned by innovation and the use of effective tools. It leads and coordinates UNCCD’s engagement with key stakeholders and builds partnerships to mobilize corporate resources and raise the visibility of land issues on the political and public agendas. Furthermore, it acts as the UNCCD brand guardian, leading global strategic communication at corporate and programmatic levels, nurturing creativity and ambition to reach new audiences with world-class, science-based communication and advocacy.

The Communications Officer is responsible for enhancing and guiding UNCCD’s communications efforts. To this end, s/he ensures implementation of communications plans and conducts activities designed to provide information about the organization and to promote better understanding of its aims and activities through public outreach, media engagement, and digital presence and strategies.

This position is located in the UNCCD Headquarters in Bonn, Germany. The incumbent reports to the Chief, Communications, External Relations and Partnerships (CERP) Unit.

Responsibilities
Within delegated authority and in consultation with relevant units, the Communications Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Public outreach and communications
• Coordinates day-to-day public outreach and communications for the UNCCD secretariat.
• Designs, writes and produces targeted public information materials and inputs for publication, and provides advice and editorial guidance in the production of public information products.
• Ensures implementation of information programmes to publicize priority issues and/or major events, to include drafting information strategies, coordinating efforts, monitoring and reporting on progress, taking appropriate follow-up action, and analyzing the outcome.
• Monitors and analyzes current events, public opinion and press, identifies issues and trends, and advises management on appropriate action/responses.
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
• Leads on/supports special projects and initiatives, such as digital campaigns and media partnerships.
• Coordinates public outreach and communications at key events, including UNCCD and other Conventions’ COPs and other relevant flora.

Media engagement
• Identifies and proposes information opportunities, activities and approaches, taking in to account the situation/topic and target audience. This includes swift response to requests for information from the media, actively seeking media opportunities that could influence public opinion and promoting a positive image of UNCCD.
• Undertakes activities to promote media coverage (e.g. press conferences, interviews, press seminars and other special activities) of priority issues and/or major events, to include development of a media strategy and action plan, initiating pro-active media outreach efforts, proposing and arranging press conferences/media coverage, disseminating materials and consulting with press on approach/story angle and other information requests, undertaking appropriate follow-up action and analyzing and reporting on the impact of coverage.
• Produces or oversees production of a specific type or types (e.g. print, broadcast) of information communications products (e.g. press kits, press releases, feature articles, speeches, publications, audio-visual materials, etc.), including identifying topics, undertaking research, determining appropriate medium and target audience, preparing production plans, writing drafts, obtaining clearances and finalizing texts, editing copy, and coordinating design approval, printing procedures and distribution.
• Prepares, on the basis of official UN documentation and other sources, initial drafts of articles or chapters for inclusion in newsletters, periodicals, reports and books.
• Monitors and analyzes UNCCD media coverage to inform communications strategies.
• Monitors and responds to media enquiries in consultation with relevant units.
• Manages the accreditation and participation of media representatives at UNCCD COPs and meetings of its subsidiary bodies.

Digital strategy
• Coordinates day-to-day management of the website and maintains up to date web-based material on UNCCD.
• Oversees and undertakes the development, production and design of compelling interactive, visual communications and digital products.
• Oversees a digital content strategy and calendar, liaising with relevant UNCCD staff to ensure high quality, consistent content to drive growth and relevance of UNCCD digital channels.
• Monitors and analyzes UNCCD website analytics to inform digital strategies.

Other
• Initiates and sustains professional relationships with key constituencies.
• Acts as focal point on specific issues, monitoring and reporting on developments, responding to inquiries.
• Participates in selecting the information transmitted to key constituencies.
• Perform any other job-related activity required to achieve the goals and objectives of UNCCD.

Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge of different aspects of public advocacy and communication. Ability to address a range of issues in the context of policy developments, public attitudes and local conditions. Ability to conceptualize, design and implement public advocacy strategies on issues of economic and social transformation. Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Technical conceptual knowledge, understanding and application of social media trends, strategic political communication as well as media partnerships. Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships. Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

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

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; Thinks ”outside the box”; Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Education
An advanced university degree (Master’s equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in journalism, communications or public relations in large multicultural institutions is required.

Experience creating quality content for media and digital channels is required.

Experience in organizing major communications events and campaigns is required.

Experience focused on sustainable development and the environment, including in countries affected by desertification, land degradation and drought, is desirable.

Experience in working with top-tier broadcast, print and online media is desirable.

Languages
For this position, fluency in oral and written English is required. Working knowledge of and French language is highly desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language would be an advantage.

Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice
Appointment against this post is for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension.

Individual contractors and consultants who have worked within the UNCCD in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered

United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.


POSITION TYPE

ORGANIZATION TYPE

EXPERIENCE-LEVEL

DEGREE REQUIRED

You ad could be here!