United Nations University (UNU)

The United Nations University (UNU) is a global think tank and postgraduate teaching organization within the United Nations System. UNU engages in policy-relevant research, capacity development, and knowledge dissemination in furtherance of the purposes and principles of the United Nations. The work of UNU contributes to solving pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.

For the past five decades, UNU has been a source of impartial research on sustainability, human security, and economic development. With hundreds of researchers working at institutes in 12 countries, UNU's expertise spans the full breadth of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU collaborates closely with other UN entities and leading research institutions across the globe. For more information, please visit

About Office/Institute

UNU-INWEH, headquartered in Richmond Hill (Greater Toronto Area, Canada), is one of 13 research and training institutions that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system. UNU-INWEH’s vision is a world free of water, environmental, and health problems where sustainable development, environmental health, and human security are assured for all. Its mission is to help resolve pressing water, environmental, and health challenges that are of concern to the United Nations, its Member States, and their people. UNU-INWEH pursues its mission through critical analysis and synthesis of existing bodies of scientific discovery; targeted research that identifies emerging policy issues; application of on-the-ground scalable science-based solutions to grand water, environmental, and health challenges; and global outreach.

Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Director, the Communications Assistant will provide support in the areas of UNU-INWEH’s external communications, digital presence, and outreach activities. The incumbent contributes to strengthening the Institute’s visibility, credibility, and engagement through coordinated content production, website and social media management, media liaison support, and collaboration with UNU and external communications stakeholders.

Contingent upon the level of appointment, the incumbent is expected to:

1. Social Media & Digital Communications Support

• Support management of UNU-INWEH’s social media channels (including LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Threads, BlueSky, and TikTok), including drafting, scheduling, and publishing content under supervision.

• Support monitoring of engagement metrics and preparation of basic analytics summaries to inform content planning.

• Ensure consistency of institutional branding and messaging across platforms, in alignment with UNU guidelines.

• Assist in identifying potential reputational risks on social media and escalating concerns as appropriate.

2. Website Maintenance & Editorial Support

• Assist in maintaining and updating UNU-INWEH’s website to ensure content remains accurate, timely, and aligned with institutional priorities.

• Support news, publications, and institutional announcements across appropriate communication channels.

• Provide layout, proofreading, and editorial assistance to ensure high-quality, professional communication products.

• Support consistency in branding, messaging, and visual identity across web and publication materials.

3. Content Production & Multimedia Development

• Support and adapt digital content, including articles, summaries, newsletters, promotional materials, and multimedia resources highlighting UNU-INWEH’s work and impact.

• Transform technical research outputs into accessible content for diverse audiences in collaboration with programme teams.

• Support video and multimedia production, including basic filming, editing, and coordination with designers or external vendors.

• Contribute to graphic design tasks (e.g., social media visuals, presentations, simple layouts) using approved design tools and templates.

• Maintain organized repositories of communication assets, images, and publications.

4. Media & Institutional Communications Engagement

• Assist in drafting press releases, news articles, and official communications to inform partners, donors, and the public.

• Support media monitoring, maintain media contact lists, and help coordinate responses to media inquiries as requested.

• Liaise, under supervision, with communications counterparts at UNU Centre and across UNU institutes and relevant UN or partner networks to support joint visibility initiatives and cross-platform amplification.

5. Campaigns, Outreach & Coordination Support

• Support the planning and implementation of communication campaigns promoting UNU-INWEH projects, events, and knowledge products.

• Assist with coordination of communication activities, including timelines, deliverables, and collaboration with internal teams and service providers.

• Monitor trends and emerging practices in digital communications and contribute ideas to enhance outreach effectiveness.

• Provide inputs for institutional reporting, donor communications, and outreach documentation as required.

6. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Key Performance Indicators

• Timely and high-quality production and management of UNU-INWEH communications outputs, including digital content, newsletters, publications, outreach materials, multimedia support, and maintenance of webpages and social media channels - ensuring accuracy, institutional branding consistency, and measurable audience engagement growth.

• Quality and reliability of support to social media campaigns, media activities, and communication initiatives, including preparation of posts, visuals, press materials, and media lists.

• Effective collaboration and engagement with the Office of the Director, UNU-INWEH staff, consultants, and external partners, as required.

• Accuracy and attention to detail in content development, record-keeping, reporting, and administrative communication tasks.

• Contribution to maintaining UNU-INWEH’s reputation as a credible, neutral, and trustworthy partner among research institutions, governments, donors, and civil society.

Competencies

Values:

• Inclusion — take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity

• Integrity — act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any other breach of UN standards

• Humility — demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others

• Humanity — act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet

Behaviours:

• Connect and collaborate — build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN

• Analyse and plan — seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action

• Deliver results with positive impact — hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves

• Learn and develop — pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others

• Adapt and innovate — demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways

1) Education and certification

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Communications, Journalism, Media Studies, Marketing, Digital Communications, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Environmental Sciences or a related field to the position responsibilities or/and the institute’s areas of work, with a minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience post-Bachelor’s; or

• A master's degree (or equivalent) in the above fields would be desirable and may be accepted in lieu of experience.

2) Required skills and experience

• At least 2 years of experience in communications, digital media, content production, or programme support, preferably in an academic institution, research organization, international organization, or NGO.

• Demonstrated experience supporting communications activities, including drafting content, managing social media, preparing newsletters, or contributing to digital communications outputs.

• Experience supporting website content updates and/or managing institutional social media platforms.

• Strong written communication skills in English, with the ability to draft clear and engaging content for different audiences.

• Experience using design or content creation tools such as Canva and/or Adobe Creative Suite (e.g. Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Adobe Premiere).

• Demonstrated interest in digital engagement and a strong familiarity with social networking services (SNS) and emerging online communication trends.

• High level of professionalism, sound judgment, and political maturity, with the ability to handle sensitive topics and represent an international organization appropriately.

3) Desirable skills and experience

• Experience with website content management systems (e.g. Wix, Hostinger, WordPress, or similar platforms).

• Basic photography and/or video editing skills.

• Experience supporting newsletters, media materials, or communication campaigns.

• Familiarity with science communication or translating technical content into accessible formats for general audiences.

• Experience working with researchers, academics, donors, or partners.

• Experience in organizing or supporting events, workshops, or outreach activities.

• Familiarity with water, environmental, health, or sustainable development topics.

• Prior work experience related to the Institute’s focus areas (e.g., water, environment, health, climate, or sustainable development) would be considered an asset.

4) Language Requirements:

• Fluency in both written and spoken English is required

• Fluency in both written and spoken French is highly desirable

• Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset

Remuneration

The successful candidate will be employed under PSA contract. UNU offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary. Benefits include 30 days annual leave and a health insurance scheme.

UNU is not liable for any taxes that may be levied on the remuneration you receive under this contract. Payment of any such taxes remains the sole responsibility of PSA holders.

Duration of contract

The duration of the initial contract is 1 year. This is Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with UNU, with the possibility for renewal subject to requirements and satisfactory work performance. The combined duration on a PSA contract with UNU may not exceed six (6) years. The mandatory age of retirement for PSA holders is 65 years.

Starting date

Immediate

How to Apply

To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:

• Apply via the apply link;

• Fill out the (please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations);

• Provide a motivation statement (in the P11 form); and

• Answer a few questions that are tailored to the position.

You may wish to refer to the for more information.

Application Deadline

24 March 2026

Submissions must be received by 11:59PM EST on the deadline; late entries will not be accepted.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview, background checks, and references.

Special Notice

PSA holders are neither “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations nor “officials” for the purpose of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations (1946). They are subject to the Rector's authority and may be assigned to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations University. The Rector reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below that advertised. UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities to apply and become part of the organisation. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged. Eligible internal applicants are also encouraged to apply. UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNU, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. If you have supervisory function, you need to have awareness on gender related issues.

Information about UNU rosters

UNU reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNU at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam Warning

UNU does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.