1. Background

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all (www.unhabitat.org).The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) works in over 90 countries to advance the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the local level in accordance with the commitments and principles set out in the New Urban Agenda (NUA). Year 2021 ushers the Decade of Action to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and deliver the 2030 Agenda. It is critical facilitate the global efforts to realise the SDGs. Cities are a major transformative force as innovators and implementors the SDGs. To grasp advance local actions, it is important to further incentivise cities through global advocacy, cooperation and recognition of excellence among international community. UN-Habitat repositions itself as a Centre of Excellence and innovation, which acts as a multiplier in the exchange of knowledge, experience and best practice in getting cities right. In this context, UN-Habitat and its counterpart in China have agreed to work together to strengthen the international cooperation and experience sharing among cities in China and other countries, including the Belt and Road partner countries. This Consultant position is located in the Coordination Office of the Regional Programme Division (CO/RPD) at Headquarter of UN-Habitat in Nairobi, Kenya. The CO/RPD serves as the coordination hub of planning, implementation and monitoring of regional programmes and country activities.

2. Description of Responsibilities

The overall role of this Communications and Advocacy Consultant – Shanghai Award is to lead and support communication, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement efforts for the Shanghai Award and associated joint initiatives between UN-Habitat and Chinese partners. The consultant will play a key role in increasing the visibility, outreach, and impact of the Award through strategic communication products, public engagement, stakeholder outreach, and coordinated campaign implementation. Additionally, the Communications and Advocacy Consultant will also contribute to project management, coordination, and knowledge dissemination activities linked to the Shanghai Award, the Shanghai Manual, and broader cooperation with China. The consultant will also assist some operational work of the Coordination Office of Regional Programme Division.

Responsibilities and Reporting Line:

The Consultant will directly reporting to the, Inter-Regional Advisor, Regional Programme Division. The incumbent will be required to perform the following duties: The main duties of this Associate Programme Coordinator will therefore be the following:

• Prepare and disseminate communication materials such as press releases, newsletters, social media content, promotional videos, flyers, and infographics regarding Shanghai Award for different platforms and audiences.
• Manage and update the Shanghai Award website, social media platforms and related online platforms, ensuring engaging, timely, and accurate content that reflects the progress and values of the Award.
• Coordinate with the website developer team to revamp the Shanghai Award website as well as coordinate its maintenance and operation.
• Organize and support high-visibility events and campaigns with a focus on visibility, branding, stakeholder engagement, and logistics.
• Support the whole process of the annual cycle of Shanghai Award, including call for applications, sorting out the applications received, facilitating the preliminary review, and international jury review meeting, and award ceremony, ensuring clear communication and preparation of relevant documentation.
• Facilitate internal and external communication with partners, donors, and city stakeholders, including preparation of briefing materials, reports, and meeting documentation.
• Assist in the overall coordination of the Shanghai Award project, ensuring integration of communications and publicity into project workflows and timelines.
• Provide publicity and coordination support for the development of the Shanghai Manual Annual Report.
• Provide substantive support to the other cooperation activities linked to Shanghai Award, Shanghai Manual and its related collaborations.
• Perform any other relevant tasks assigned by the Supervisor.

• Prepare and disseminate communication materials such as press releases, newsletters, social media content, promotional videos, flyers, and infographics regarding Shanghai Award for different platforms and audiences.
• Manage and update the Shanghai Award website, social media platforms and related online platforms, ensuring engaging, timely, and accurate content that reflects the progress and values of the Award.
• Coordinate with the website developer team to revamp the Shanghai Award website as well as coordinate its maintenance and operation.
• Organize and support high-visibility events and campaigns with a focus on visibility, branding, stakeholder engagement, and logistics.
• Support the whole process of the annual cycle of Shanghai Award, including call for applications, sorting out the applications received, facilitating the preliminary review, and international jury review meeting, and award ceremony, ensuring clear communication and preparation of relevant documentation.
• Facilitate internal and external communication with partners, donors, and city stakeholders, including preparation of briefing materials, reports, and meeting documentation.
• Assist in the overall coordination of the Shanghai Award project, ensuring integration of communications and publicity into project workflows and timelines.
• Provide publicity and coordination support for the development of the Shanghai Manual Annual Report.
• Provide substantive support to the other cooperation activities linked to Shanghai Award, Shanghai Manual and its related collaborations.
• Perform any other relevant tasks assigned by the Supervisor.

• Experience in communications, advocacy, stakeholder engagements, and events coordination is preferred.
• Experience in coordinating with various stakeholders is desirable.

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or above) in social sciences, such as communications, sociology, international development, international relations is required.
• A minimum of 3 years of progressive experience in the sustainable urban development and international cooperation field is required.
• Experience of working in an international organization is required.