Communications and Outreach Officer

                                                                                    

NOTE:

This is a Temporary Vacancy Announcement (TVA) subject to non-renewal.  This temporary appointment is for only four months (August – November 2012).

                                                                                      

VACANCY NOTICE NO.:	NA-12-17
ORGANIZATION:	UNEP/DEPI
DUTY STATION:	Bangkok
FUNCTIONAL TITLE:	Communications and Outreach Officer
LEVEL:	P-3
DURATION:	06 Months (half day only)
CLOSING DATE:	06 August 2012

Background:

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations systems 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.  UNEP’s Division of Environmental Policy Implementation (DEPI) works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition.  This post is located in UNEP/DEPI at the Nairobi duty station.

Under the overall responsibility of the Coordinator, Biodiversity Ecosystem Services Branch, and reporting directly to the Chief, Biodiversity Unit, the incumbent will have the overall responsibility of providing support to the Interim Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) in the day-to-day operations and implementation of the joint UN Agencies communication strategy on IPBES. S/he will also ensure timely and efficient achievement of the Programme’s objectives by Managing the IPBES Website and related activities. 

Specific Responsibilities:

1. Implement the joint UN Agencies communication strategy on IPBES, in liaison with DCPI;
2. Support stakeholder outreach and engagement on IPBES, working closely with the scientific community and broader civil society, and the UNEP Major Groups and Stakeholders Branch (MGSB);
3. Prepare and disseminate communications materials, including regular email updates, and materials for use at the first plenary meeting of IPBES (anticipated for January 2013)
4. Maintain and update the IPBES website
5. Act as a focal point on IPBES in the Asia-Pacific region with governments and stakeholders;

vii         Perform other related duties.

Specific deliverables:

i.        All communication activities organized and implemented collaboratively with DCPI, and UNESCO, FAO and UNDP;

ii.        Regular (monthly) email updates provided to stakeholders in the scientific community and broader civil society, including private sector and indigenous peoples organization, working collaboratively with the UNEP MGSB;

iii.        Communications materials for use at the first plenary meeting of IPBES and other outreach opportunities developed and disseminated;

iv.        IPBES website maintained and updated, including with submissions from Governments and other stakeholders on the intercessional process, Membership status, and documentation and other information for the first plenary meeting of the platform;

v.        Monthly communication and outreach report of activities produced.

Competencies:

·         Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Web Design, abreast with evolving software technology.  Management of information on the Web, layout and distribution of documents on the Web. Timely dissemination of relevant information/announcements, handle trouble-shooting issues and outages in the office.  Perform other related duties. 

·         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.

Qualifications:

Education:

Advanced University degree in Environmental Sciences or Communications related courses.  A first degree or equivalent in the relevant field with additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.    

Experience:  

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in Environmental Sciences or Communications and Outreach activities is required.

Language:     

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Working knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

Depending on professional background, experience and family situation, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.

See UN website: http:www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/index.html

Preference will be given to equally qualified women candidates All applications to be sent to the following address on or before the deadline of 06/08/2012. Applicants should send a completed United Nations P.11 or Galaxy Personal History Form together with a covering letter of one to two pages summarizing how they meet the requirements of the job to:            e-mail: recruitment@unon.org UN staff members must submit scanned copies of their two latest Performance Appraisal System (PAS) reports at the time of application to the email address above. PLEASE QUOTE VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NO.:            NA-12-17 (Applications without Correct Vacancy Number will not be Considered) 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). 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.