Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net) Communications Analyst - IPSA 9 (Home Based)

Office/Unit/Project Description

BES-Net is a capacity sharing “network of networks” initiative managed jointly by UNDP, UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC) and UNESCO with the financial support of the Government of Germany and SwedBio. It promotes dialogue between science, policy and practice sectors for more effective management of biodiversity and ecosystems, contributing to long-term human well-being and sustainable development. BES-Net complements and contributes to the capacity building work of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) by aligning its activities with the IPBES global assessment themes and applying the related IPBES guidance documents.

The BES-Net initiative is carried out through four inter-linked activities: 

• Face-to-face capacity building support through Trialogues: Trialogues bring together BES-Net’s three target communities of science, policy and practice for face-to-face dialogues to foster mutual learning, intercultural understanding and inter-institutional coordination on specific policy-relevant questions at the national and regional levels.
• National ecosystem assessments: BES-Net supports the development of capacity in selected countries to conduct national assessments and develop a set of policy support tools for the application of the assessment findings, complementing the global assessments undertaken by IPBES. Leveraging the expertise of the Sub-Global Assessment Network (SGAN).
• Post-Trialogue/national assessment uptake support: BES-Net provides the target countries that have participated in the Regional Trialogue process and/or completed national ecosystem assessments with catalytic seed funds in support of the uptake of the IPBES assessments, as agreed at the Regional Trialogues, and/or the national assessment recommendations in policy, science and practice fields. 
• Online platforms for networking: The BES-Net web portal offers a comprehensive knowledge resource library on biodiversity and ecosystems services and a rich database of organizations and experts working on the IPBES thematic assessment areas. The latest news and updates from BES-Net and its network partners are circulated via social media channels and disseminated through monthly e-newsletters.

 1. Support the BES-Net team and the consortium/country/network partners with communications and outreach: 

• In coordination with the broader team and the consortium members, develop, implement and monitor a communications and outreach plan for different aspects of BES-Net’s work;
• Develop compelling editorial content (web stories, articles, blogs, interviews) capturing BES-Net’s achievements and progress from BES Solution Fund, national ecosystem assessments and Trialogues on issues of biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services; 
• Write, review and work closely with the Online Platforms Officer to produce human-interest stories from BES-Net countries, including sourcing pictures with the support of country teams, to be disseminated in various web/digital formats;
• Support editorial review (drafting and/or reviewing and liaising with designers) for upcoming knowledge products from BES-Net (including posters, reports, publications, digital interactives etc.) as well as graphic and multimedia products from global and/or country teams;
• Identify opportunities for BES-Net’s external engagement and visibility to reach new audiences (particularly media, youth, women and indigenous peoples);
• Support the Online Platforms Officer with social media content on thematic issues discussed around IPBES and related multilateral environmental agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), among others;
• Provide support for the amendment of existing BES-Net communication products and development of new resources; and
• Review and propose updates on the BES-Net Communication and Stakeholders Engagement Strategy and workplan for 2023.

2. Support the BES-Net team with knowledge management:

• Provide drafting and editorial support for upcoming knowledge products from BES-Net;
• Identify and respond to capacity development needs at the country level on communications, advocacy and outreach, including training, materials and one-on-one support;
• Provide editorial support on knowledge products/ reports/ publications at the regional level and country levels;
• Support implementing the recommendations from the BES-Net online users survey: and offering recommendations to expand editorial content in 2023;
• Support (writing and editorial review) on converting the communications toolkit into an online MOOC for dissemination among key BES-Net stakeholders in 2023;
• Identify opportunities for sharing BES-Net’s knowledge products from country and global levels, internally within other UNDP/UN partners and with wider external partners;
• Provide communications backstopping for online events organized by BES-Net; 
• Support the Online Platforms Officer and the team on any planned expansions of the BES-Net website in more languages; and
• Support with ad hoc research and brainstorming as needed.

3. Co-ordination:

• Coordinate closely with UNEP-WCMC and UNESCO, as part of the BES-Net consortium, for the development of joint products and to share communications and knowledge management updates;
• Coordinate with communications teams at IPBES and UNDP’s wider Nature, Climate and Energy (NCE) and Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy, as necessary;
• Coordinate with other members of the BES-Net team to support country teams with communications products and/or guidance and advisory support or training; and
• Participate in the UNDP NCE portfolio communication group meetings and provide updates from BES-Net and for the NCE team as necessary.

Institutional Arrangement

The incumbent will work under the supervision of the BES-Net Project Coordinator/Policy Specialist at the UNDP Global Policy Centre on Resilient Ecosystems and Desertification (GC-RED) and in close collaboration with the BES-Net Online Platforms Support Officer, the Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships Officer and other BES-Net team members and relevant BES-Net partners. During the contract period, the incumbent is expected to ensure regular communication with the BES-Net team and timely delivery of the expected outputs, informing the team of the status/progress as well as any obstacles that might occur. Any duty travel will be processed as need arises in line with our travel policy.