Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

The United Nations Environment Programme 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 UN system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) partners to help developing countries to meet the agreed incremental costs of measures designed to achieve global environmental benefits. The consultant will work in the UNEP-GEF International Waters (IW) Unit and closely with the Communication Division and the GEF Coordination Unit and will be under the direct supervision of the Chief of the IW Unit.

Responsibilities or duties

Tasks and Responsibilities:

1. Content Development and Communication Coordination Functions

• Develop and implement a communications strategy aligned with the GEF IW strategy and UNEP’s MTS pillars: Climate Action, Nature Action, and Pollution Action.
• Ensure communication outputs adhere to UNEP and GEF visibility policies and branding guidelines.
• Coordinate the preparation and dissemination of communication materials showcasing the results, impacts, and stories from UNEP-GEF IW projects
• Produce high-quality communication materials, including press releases, human-interest stories, factsheets, technical highlights and multimedia content in collaboration with Task Managers and UNEP-GEF IW project-level communications focal points.
• Prepare a quarterly newsletters tailor made to difference audience groups that is internal (division, regional offices) and external stakeholder (GEF Sec, other IAs, STAP, UN Water, etc) possibly modelled after IW:LEARN and highlighting (i) global, regional, and national highlights as relevant; (ii) different water systems (freshwater, groundwater, marine, source-to-sea linkages); (iii) Contributions to MEAs (e.g., BBNJ, RSCAPs) and Global Environmental Benefits (GEBs); (iv) Community engagement and (v) replication of scalable solutions.
• Ensure inclusion of portfolio Coms outputs in the IW:LEARN newsletter, the Unit Newsletters, UNEP websites (corporate site and UNEP-GEF site) and social media.
• Provide COMS support into strategic consideration upon request to strengthen UNEP’s positioning as a leading GEF Agency for transboundary water resources management.
• Consolidate inputs in response to ad-hoc requests from the Division
• Coordinate the preparation of Project fiches to capture UNEP-GEF IW interventions and results at a glance as a resources to inform the Division, Member States and CPRs .
• Develop visual content such as infographics, web banners and photo stories, short videos etc .
• Maintain a repository of communication products and assets for internal and external sharing.

2. Web and Digital Communications

• Regularly update and maintain content on the UNEP-GEF International Waters web pages.
• Disseminate success stories, publications, and project results through UNEP corporate and partner digital platforms.

3. Event and Outreach Support

• Plan communication around key events such as UNEA, IW Conferences, MEA Conference of Parties (COPs) and regional workshops.
• Draft background notes, concept notes and briefing materials for media engagement.
• Assist in documenting and preparing reports, event summaries and visual highlights.

4. Knowledge Management and Coordination

• Coordinate the network of project-level communication focal points within the UNEP-GEF IW portfolio.
• Lead the collection and organisation of project communication materials, photos and videos.
• Liaise with project teams to compile updates and inputs for newsletters or progress briefs.
• Maintain an updated contact list of project communication focal points and partners.

5. Monitoring and Reporting

• Track communication outputs.
• Contribute to reporting and data visualisationfor communication results and portfolio progress.
• Develop an interactive outreach presentation deck for regular updates and online display
• Identifying opportunities for cross-project learning and South-South visibility. (this can lead to a reference and solutions marketplace for countries / partners to see what has been done successfully and how to replicate it (Scaling, finding investors, etc)

Qualifications or requirements

An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent)in communications, journalism, environmental sciences, international relations, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree, combined with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience needed

A minimum (5) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public information, or media relations, preferably within an international organization is required. At least progressive responsible experience in communication, preferably with UNEP-GEF is required

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

Demonstrated experience in multimedia content production, website management, and provision of strategic communications input on Nature Action, Climate Action and Chemicals and Pollution Action is required Familiarity with GEF programming directions including the evolving GEF 9, programming cycles, reporting processes, and communication/visibility requirements is desirable. Previous experience is producing/managing social media is desirable.

• Develop and implement a communications strategy aligned with the GEF IW strategy and UNEP’s MTS pillars: Climate Action, Nature Action, and Pollution Action.
• Ensure communication outputs adhere to UNEP and GEF visibility policies and branding guidelines.
• Coordinate the preparation and dissemination of communication materials showcasing the results, impacts, and stories from UNEP-GEF IW projects
• Produce high-quality communication materials, including press releases, human-interest stories, factsheets, technical highlights and multimedia content in collaboration with Task Managers and UNEP-GEF IW project-level communications focal points.
• Prepare a quarterly newsletters tailor made to difference audience groups that is internal (division, regional offices) and external stakeholder (GEF Sec, other IAs, STAP, UN Water, etc) possibly modelled after IW:LEARN and highlighting (i) global, regional, and national highlights as relevant; (ii) different water systems (freshwater, groundwater, marine, source-to-sea linkages); (iii) Contributions to MEAs (e.g., BBNJ, RSCAPs) and Global Environmental Benefits (GEBs); (iv) Community engagement and (v) replication of scalable solutions.
• Ensure inclusion of portfolio Coms outputs in the IW:LEARN newsletter, the Unit Newsletters, UNEP websites (corporate site and UNEP-GEF site) and social media.
• Provide COMS support into strategic consideration upon request to strengthen UNEP’s positioning as a leading GEF Agency for transboundary water resources management.
• Consolidate inputs in response to ad-hoc requests from the Division
• Coordinate the preparation of Project fiches to capture UNEP-GEF IW interventions and results at a glance as a resources to inform the Division, Member States and CPRs .
• Develop visual content such as infographics, web banners and photo stories, short videos etc .
• Maintain a repository of communication products and assets for internal and external sharing.
• Regularly update and maintain content on the UNEP-GEF International Waters web pages.
• Disseminate success stories, publications, and project results through UNEP corporate and partner digital platforms.
• Plan communication around key events such as UNEA, IW Conferences, MEA Conference of Parties (COPs) and regional workshops.
• Draft background notes, concept notes and briefing materials for media engagement.
• Assist in documenting and preparing reports, event summaries and visual highlights.
• Coordinate the network of project-level communication focal points within the UNEP-GEF IW portfolio.
• Lead the collection and organisation of project communication materials, photos and videos.
• Liaise with project teams to compile updates and inputs for newsletters or progress briefs.
• Maintain an updated contact list of project communication focal points and partners.
• Track communication outputs.
• Contribute to reporting and data visualisationfor communication results and portfolio progress.
• Develop an interactive outreach presentation deck for regular updates and online display
• Identifying opportunities for cross-project learning and South-South visibility. (this can lead to a reference and solutions marketplace for countries / partners to see what has been done successfully and how to replicate it (Scaling, finding investors, etc)

• Multimedia content production
• Website management
• Strategic communications input on Nature Action, Climate Action and Chemicals and Pollution Action
• Excellent writing and editing skills

• An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in communications, journalism, environmental sciences, international relations, or a related field is required.
• A first-level university degree, combined with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public information, or media relations, preferably within an international organization is required.
• Progressive responsible experience in communication, preferably with UNEP-GEF is required.
• Demonstrated experience in multimedia content production, website management, and provision of strategic communications input on Nature Action, Climate Action and Chemicals and Pollution Action is required.
• Familiarity with GEF programming directions including the evolving GEF 9, programming cycles, reporting processes, and communication/visibility requirements is desirable.
• Previous experience producing/managing social media is desirable.