Communications Advisor (Lead Writer, UN Global Risk Report) - [Lumpsum]

On the 75th anniversary of the United Nations in 2020, the Governments of the world recognized that “the COVID-19 pandemic caught us off-guard. It has served as a wakeup call for improving our preparedness for not only health related crises but also other challenges and crises. It is important to learn, share experiences and information to reduce risks and make our systems more resilient.”

To better anticipate and respond to such risks, the Secretary-General indicated his intention to present a Global Risk Report to Member States in Our Common Agenda (2021).

The global risk report will be developed through a rigorous process of risk identification, ranking of global risks, and compilation of findings.

Following the shortlisting of global risks, a multistakeholder perception survey will be launched. The survey will rank these risks across social, technological, economic, environmental, and political categories according to their perceived likelihood, impact, and interactions, and rate the preparedness of the multilateral system to manage them. The survey will be targeted to experts within existing UN networks, including accredited civil society groups, academic partners, Member States governments, and industry partners of the UN Global Compact.

The survey’s results will be used to perform a scenario development exercise to explore how risks may unfold and develop in different ways with varying consequences. Throughout the process, there will be close collaboration with risk experts from across the United Nations system, drawing on decades of experience with natural and anthropogenic hazards.

The Global Hub of the UN Futures Lab Network is looking for a communications advisor that will be working closely with the Executive Office of the Secretary General to consolidate input and outcomes developed by academic partners into the first UN Global Risk Report. The communications advisor will be responsible for drafting the report and ensuring its quality, coherence, and alignment with UN standards.

The communications advisor will be under the overall supervision of the Head of the Global Hub and will work closely with the Senior Programme Management Officer in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General (EOSG).

Timeframe: Up to four (4) months.

Specific Tasks:

The communications advisor will be responsible for the following tasks:

●       Strategic analysis and conclusion: Drawing from deliverables of the academic partners (multi-stakeholder survey results, sensemaking and scenario development) draft the first outline and analysis for the report reflecting the key findings of the survey and scenarios developed. Include data analytics and infographics highlighting the keys findings and messages of the report.

●       Drafting and Review: Prepare drafts, oversee revisions, and ensure alignment of the Global Risk Report’s content with the UN’s objectives, language and policies.

●       Quality Assurance: Maintain high standards of quality, accuracy, and coherence throughout the report, adhering to established timelines and guidelines.

●       Prepare the Parliamentary text for the General Assembly

●       Produce a Color Publication for the General Audience

●       Compile a Document with Key Messages on the Global Risk Report's Outcomes.

Additional responsibilities:

●       Collaborating with subject matter experts to incorporate specialized knowledge into the Global Risk Report.

●       Facilitating consultations to gather feedback and ensure inclusivity in the report's content.

●       Participating in meetings and discussions to contribute insights and perspectives on global risks and trends.

●       Responding to inquiries and requests for information related to the report from internal and external stakeholders.

●       Continuously monitoring and evaluating the impact of the report to inform future iterations and improvements

Education

●       Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) preferably in media and communication studies, economics, international relations, environmental studies, public policy, public administration, political science, sustainable development or related fields.

●       A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree) in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.