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. In the present context, UNEP provides the administrative functions for the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) and the Agreement on the Conservation of European Populations of Bats (EUROBATS) Secretariats.
The CMS is a global intergovernmental treaty aimed at the conservation and sustainable use of migratory species and their habitats. Numerous additional intergovernmental instruments on migratory species conservation have been adopted under the broad umbrella of CMS which are supported by the CMS Secretariat. In addition, two regional agreements on migratory species adopted under CMS have their own Secretariats which are co-located with the CMS Secretariat in Bonn - AEWA and EUROBATS.
This post is located in the CMS Secretariat at the Bonn duty station in Germany. Under the general supervision of the Executive Secretaries of the CMS and AEWA Secretariats and the day-to-day supervision of the Coordinator of the Information Management, Communication and Awareness-Raising Unit (IMCA), the incumbent will be responsible for supporting the work of the CMS and AEWA Secretariats in the field of public information, with a particular focus on activities related to media and press, production of communications and information material, as well as social media management, as detailed below:
a) Informs the international news media and other key constituents of significant developments, events and press conferences.
• Writes press and news releases, media advisories and alerts after prior consultation with programme officers, partners, sponsors or participating organisations; seeks timely approval from the Coordinator of IMCA and the Executive Secretary.
• Liaises with UNEP, United Nations Regional Information Centre (UNRIC) and other stakeholders and partners for timely dissemination of materials.
• Supports the organisation of press conferences by preparing press kits with selected information material and following up with media representatives to ensure attendance.
• Liaises with media constituents to arrange interviews with the Executive Secretary.
• Collects press clippings for institutional records after the dissemination of press releases and information material.
• Reviews relevant documents, reports, press releases to gather information and keeps abreast of the timing and substance of key meetings, events, speeches, and activities.
• Maintains files on key subjects of the Organisation and on the activities of the Executive Secretaries.
• Reviews media headlines on a daily basis and prepares daily news clipping for dissemination to relevant audiences.
b) Coordinates and oversees the maintenance and growth of social media channels.
• Drafts specific content for social media channels to highlight the Organisation’s events, work activities, species and other relevant matters.
• Prepares and maintains a plan for the regular posting of contents on the social media channels.
• Responds to inquiries on social media channels in a timely manner.
• Builds and nurtures relationships with other entities on social media in support of outreach objectives.
• Coordinates with partner organisations’ social media actions and campaigns for maximizing outreach.
• Ensures the usage of high quality and relevant visual content on social media channels.
• Regularly monitors the statistics of the social media channels to take appropriate action aimed at increasing engagement and growth.
c) Contributes to the development and production of communication products with minimal supervision.
• Drafts news stories and other information material for publication on the website.
• Updates and maintains information on the CMS and AEWA websites including regular review of information to ensure their accuracy and relevance over time.
• Drafts electronic newsletters for distribution to Governments, IGOs, NGOs, related agencies and organisations, and interested individuals.
• Reviews and rectifies spelling, punctuation and syntax to conform to the authorised style of the Organisation.
• Verifies accuracy of references and quotations.
• Arranges the distribution of publications through official and identified networks.
• Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making.
• Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures.
d) Maintains constant communication with internal and externals contacts.
• Develops and maintains relationships with media and other officials (e.g. NGOs, local community and government leaders, educational institutions, other UN agencies).
• Serves as a first-line focal point to facilitate the flow of information and messages on all aspects of the Organisation’s activities, policies and operations to key internal and external audiences.
• Responds, both orally and in writing, to a broad range of routine questions and information requests on the Organisation’s activities from other parties and as appropriate forwards questions/requests to relevant parties for reply, drafts letters and official memoranda on a range of subjects.
• Maintains an up-to-date media list and nurtures relationships.
e) Organises and coordinates all aspects of events (media events; exhibitions; launches).
• Displays exhibition at joint UN events, conferences and national events.
• Organises side events to launch a communications product at the Conferences or Meetings of the Parties.
• Coordinates speakers and presentations.
• Produces information material to highlight the event in collaboration with partners.
f) Performs other duties as assigned.
PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of policies, processes and procedures related to the communication, production and dissemination of public information. 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. Ability to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making.
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.
PLANNING & ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
High school diploma or equivalent is required.
Supplemental course work/training in International Relations, Journalism, Communications, Development Studies or in a particular communications medium or product, or other relevant field is highly desirable.
Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office, email, Internet search) are required.
Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Successful passing of the Administrative Support Assessment Test (ASAT) in English at the United Nations Headquarters (UNHQ), Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) may be accepted in lieu of the GGST.
The GGST is administered to applicants when required before the administration of a written assessment and/or interview.
A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in Public Communication, International Broadcasting or related area is required.
One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.
Experience in interacting with the media and other constituents is desirable.
Knowledge of current events and issues related to the conservation of migratory species is desirable.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of German and any other official United Nations language is desirable.
NOTE: ''Fluency'' equals a rating of ''fluent'' in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and ''Knowledge of'' equals a rating of ''confident'' in two of the four areas.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.
Appointment against this post is for an initial period of one (1) year and may be subject to extension.
This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any task or function in the organization. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions during their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Contact Us" link.
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.
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.
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.