Communications Specialist

The Consultant will deliver communication and visibility strategies for the NOCAMO project closure and SWIOP project inception, produce high-impact communication and storytelling products, develop COP 12 communication materials, and prepare knowledge management and learning synthesis outputs that effectively showcase project achievements, impacts, and lessons learned, while supporting additional assignments as required by the Unit Coordinator.

Nairobi

9 months

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 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 United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP administers the Nairobi Convention for the Protection, Management and Development of Coastal and Marine Environment of the Western Indian Ocean (WIO). The Contracting Parties to the Convention are Comoros, France, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa and United Republic of Tanzania. UN Environment's Ecosystems Division 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 is a Project Post located in the Ecosystems Division, Nairobi duty station. The Integrated Management of the Marine and Coastal Resources of the Northern Mozambique Channel (NOCAMO) project aims at the protection and the joint management of the Northern Mozambique Channel (NMC) covered by the exclusive economic zones of the countries of the region: Tanzania, Mozambique, Madagascar, Union of the Comoros, and Seychelles. The South West Indian Ocean Project (SWIOP) aims to contribute to the sustainable, productive, climate-resilient governance and use of the WIO Region, with the specific objective to strengthen regional and national capacities to coordinate and collaborate on shared ocean governance under SO1. The Nairobi Convention, in executing the SWIOP and NOCAMO projects, requires a highly motivated international consultant to work with the Secretariat on developing communication products and outputs for the projects and the Secretariat. Duties and Responsibilities Under the general supervision of the Head of the Nairobi Convention Secretariat, and in close coordination with the Project Management Unit of the respective projects, the consultant will be responsible for the following: 1. Strategic Communications and Visibility a. Develop and implement a short-term communications and visibility plan for the NOCAMO Project closure phase and SWIOP Project inception phase, aligned with UNEP and Nairobi Convention communication strategies. b. Strengthen the visibility and branding of NOCAMO, SWIOP, and the Nairobi Convention across digital platforms, partner channels, and key regional events. c. Develop and profile communication materials towards the COP 12 of the Convention. 2. Content Development and Storytelling a. Produce high-quality communication products that translate technical project outputs into engaging, audience-appropriate narratives including: i. Human-interest stories and impact narratives ii. Articles and features for newsletters, websites, and partner platforms iii. Short success stories highlighting ocean governance, MSP, oil and gas governance, and community-based resource management interventions. b. Apply results-based storytelling approaches that clearly articulate outcomes, impacts, and regional relevance. 3. Digital Platforms and Knowledge Products a. Support the development and population of content for the SWIOP Project, NOCAMO Project webpage, Nairobi Convention Website and social media platforms. b. Curate and organize knowledge products to enhance accessibility, knowledge sharing, and shared learning among countries and partners. 4. Partner Engagement and Coordinated Outreach a. Enhance engagement with national, regional and international partners through coordinated communication efforts and content co-creation. b. Support consistent and coherent messaging across Nairobi Convention’s digital platforms. c. While focusing on supporting the communications needs from SO1 of the SWIOP which will be delivered by the Nairobi Convention Secretariat, the consultant will work closely with both the overall SWIOP Communications Team, and communications specialists working under SO2 and SO3 to ensure coordinated and synergistic delivery of communications products. 5. Twelfth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Nairobi Convention (COP 12) Communications Support a. Support the preparation and rollout of targeted communication materials in the lead-up to COP 12 highlighting Nairobi Convention’s contributions to regional ocean governance and integrated ocean management. b. Contribute to visibility products and messaging that position the Nairobi Convention and its projects as strategic platforms for action and investment in the Western Indian Ocean region. 6. Knowledge Management and Learning a. Contribute to the project’s knowledge management objectives by synthesizing lessons learned, good practices, and transferable approaches. b. Support shared learning and documentation processes to ensure that best practices from the SWIOP and NOCAMO Projects inform future programming and project development.

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) is required in communications, journalism, environmental communication, public relations or similar disciplines. A first level degree with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of four (4) years of relevant progressive experience in strategic communications, preferably in the context of environment, international development or climate-related programmes is required.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Fluency in French is desirable.

Not available.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.