Communication Officer at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Duties and Responsibilities

• The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP's mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.
• The office of the Deputy Executive Director (DED) provides oversight to UNEP’s effective delivery of the Medium-Term Strategy (MTS), expected results contained in the Programme of Work (PoW), as well as delivering on the UN Reform. This necessitates that internal and external communication of UNEP’s core messages is aligned to its mandate, with the purpose of enhancing UNEP’s global profile.
• The Writer communication Consultant will produce compelling and innovative story-optimized content designed to engage the public on issues relevant to UNEP’s mandate and edit UNEP text products.
• Under the supervision of the Deputy Executive Director’s Programme Coordinator, the consultant will perform the following duties:
  • Research and draft stories, op-eds, press releases and leadership pieces for publication on UNEP website and externally that support UNEP’s policy positions and programmatic work on theme related to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration in line with ongoing work to promote World Environment Day, the Sustainable Development Goals, the Fifth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5) and other UNEP priorities.
  • Draft speeches for the Deputy Executive Director’s use in her engagement in key flagship events with member states and other external stakeholders; and revise content based on briefing materials and feedback throgh the office of the DED.

Qualifications/special skills

• Academic Qualifications: University degree in communications, international relations or a related field is required.
• Experience: A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in communications is required.
• Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required.