| Description |
| The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system’s designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its 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. At the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, world leaders agreed on a comprehensive strategy for 'sustainable development'. One of the key agreements adopted at Rio was the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Convention establishes three main goals: the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits from the use of genetic resources. The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) is located in Montreal and is administered by UNEP. This post is located in UNEP/SCBD at the Montreal duty Station. Under the day-to-day supervision of the Director, Implementation and Technical Support, the incumbent will carry out the following: 1. Serve as the chief/lead communications expert and shape, drive and monitor the design, development and delivery of a communications strategy for SCBD which is integrated with the UN wide strategy based on a clear understanding of risks, sensitivities and opportunities; 2. Manage a small team of highly motivated communications and outreach professionals and work in close collaboration with the management team to implement this strategy over the medium term; 3. Development, coaching and mentoring of communications staff in the SCBD; 4. Create and maintain active networks of communications contacts with the media, governmental agencies, international institutions, and civil society organizations (NGOs, business organizations, labor unions, community organizations, women's groups, etc.) in the relevant countries and sectors. 5. On a regular basis, monitor and analyze current events, developments, public opinion and press coverage, identify issues and trends of significance to the Convention on Biological Diversity and advise the Secretariat of the CBD/ES on appropriate responses and actions. 6. Draft updates and statements on issues of significance (major environmental and biodiversity-related news) for internal consumption in the first instance (SCBD, UNEP headquarters), and appropriate versions for external partners. 7. Plan and develop a pro-active outreach programme to publicize the Convention and more specifically the work of SCBD in Canada and abroad. In consultation with other SCBD divisions, identify and produce well-targeted information/communication and public awareness products such as feature articles, thematic briefing notes, media briefings, audio-visual materials, leaflets, flyers and materials for youth groups. 8. Undertake activities to promote media coverage of priority issues and/or major events both at the seat of the Secretariat and abroad, outreach and consultations, follow-up action and analyze and report on the impact of coverage. 9. Elicit and organize presentations and speaking engagements for key substantive staff of SCBD to publicize the Convention and the work of the Secretariat to specific target audiences (media, universities, private sector, schools, research groups and NGO groups). 10. Prepare and update a high-quality, state of the art standard presentation kit for use by SCBD staff in conferences, speaking engagements, seminars and workshops. 11. Liaise and cooperate with the CHM in the further development of the CBD Website as an important outreach resource. 12. Cooperate with the Clearing House Mechanism in the introduction and use of new information technologies in support of SCBD outreach activities. 13. Undertake other tasks as assigned. |
Competencies
Professionalism: Demonstrates professional competence with information and communication issues; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges. Communication: Highly developed communication (spoken, written, public speaking and presentational) skills, including ability to present sensitive issues/positions; Demonstrated ability in pro-active media relations; Ability to draft speeches, press releases, presentations and other official statements for management; Ability to translate complex technical and policy issues and concepts into practical guidance for staff. Planning and organizing: Demonstrated planning and organising skills and ability to coordinate the work of others, work to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; Ability to develop clear goals. Client orientation: Ability to identify clients' information needs and matching them with appropriate solutions. |
QUALIFICATIONS |
Education
Advanced university degree or equivalent academic qualifications in journalism preferably in the field of environmnetal journalism, information science, communications, outreach and public awareness. A first university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. |
Work Experience
Five years of relevant experience in environmental journalism and communications work, focusing on writing and disseminating environmental/scientific information and related materials. Demonstrated experience in publicity and media relations including at least three years at international level would be desirable. Experience with web-based communication technology would be desirable. Experience in the UN system would be an advantage. |
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is essential. A working knowledge of French and Spanish is highly desirable. |
Other Skills
Demonstrated computer and web skills. Excellent drafting skills in English. |
The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, TRAINING OR ANY OTHER FEES). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON BANK ACCOUNTS.
PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
| How to apply
All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement. Because applications submitted by United Nations (UN) staff members are considered first, provided the eligibility requirements set out in ST/AI/2006/3 are met and the application is submitted in a timely fashion, staff members should apply within 15-day or 30-day mark.
Online 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. In such cases, please go to “My UN” page and check the status of your application by clicking on “View Application History”, and resubmit the application, if necessary.
- To start the application process, applicants are required to register by opening a "My UN" account. Go to Login, and Register as a User. Fill in the form and choose a User Name and Password.
- After opening the account, applicants may apply for vacancies using the Personal History Profile (PHP) provided. Once the PHP has been completed for a particular vacancy, it can be saved and used for future applications. The PHP may be up-dated, when necessary, for future applications.
- In completing the PHP, please note that all fields marked with an asterisk must be completed.
- UN staff members must submit scanned copies of their two latest Performance Appraisal System (PAS) reports at the time of application to the appropriate Human Resources Office (HRO)/Personnel Office (PO) to the email address below, clearly indicating the vacancy announcement number. In case you have no access to the digitizing equipment, please submit hard copies of the two latest PAS reposts to the relevant HRO/PO via fax.
E-mail: Recruitment@unon.org,
Fax: 254-20-762-4212
Please see the Frequently Asked Questions, if you encounter problems when applying. |
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