Duties and ResponsibilitiesUN-Habitat’s Urban Lab now seeks to strengthen its team in the delivery of the programme by engaging a consultant to lead the global visibility, communications, knowledge management and engagement work.The consultant will be hired and work under the overall supervision of the Head of the Urban Lab with the direct supervision of the Programme Manager of the Global Future Cities Programme. The consultant will also work closely with the Chief of the Planning, Finance and Economy and the communication focal points. The consultant will coordinate with UN-Habitat’s Communication and Media unit to follow the UN-Habitat’s Communication Strategy and to inform UN-Habitat’s media outreach by performing the following duties and responsibilities:Enhancing and executing a coordination and action plan delivering the Programme's Global Visibility and Communication Strategy:Further develop and implement the existing Programme coordination and action plan that delivers the Global Visibility and Communications StrategyMaintain and ensure use of key messages document and calendar of events for the ProgrammeWork with multiple stakeholders (across the Programme and wider UN-Habitat) to execute the coordination and action plan. Either directly, or by supporting others, source human-interest stories that demonstrate impact of the ProgrammeBuild a library of photo, video and stories and make sure it accessible for communication focal points within the Planning, Finance and Economy Section and UN-Habitat’s Communication and Media unit.Securing media coverage, social media posts and presence at third-party events to increase awareness of the Programme:Identify opportunities and coordinate with multiple stakeholders to achieve media coverage in local, national and global outlets that will positively enhance visibility of the ProgrammePrepare briefing and background material, including pitch documents, required in preparation for media relations activityIdentify and train spokespeople in preparation for media relations activityCoordinate and collaborate with multiple stakeholders to increase visibility of the Programme across social media, including with UN-Habitat’s Communication and Media unit.Coordinate with multiple stakeholders to ensure the Programme’s visibility at targeted third-party eventsIncreasing quantity and quality of content and use of the Global Future Cities’ Knowledge Platform (globalfuturecities.org) and Community Forum (community.urbanagendaplatform.org):Keep track of, engage with, and collate communications outputs prepared by multiple stakeholdersDevelop content for the Knowledge Platform that demonstrates synergy across multiple projects of the Programme and is forward-facingEdit content provided by stakeholders for the Knowledge PlatformDevelop and execute a plan for the Community Forum that results in i) an increase in the number of users, ii) regular/repeat engagement by existing users, and iii) more activity in generalIdentify new opportunities for, or work with colleagues to expand, sharing of knowledge across all projects of the Programme (among stakeholders within the Programme and the wider general public), and integrate the use of the Knowledge Platform and/or Community Forum to facilitate this sharingImplement the Knowledge Platform and Community Forum, e.g. approving new users, uploading content, working with web developers to make any necessary changesSource and coordinate with any third-party suppliers to improve functionality and/or reporting in order to deliver duties listed aboveStrengthening support to increase engagement with stakeholders (predominantly city authorities and local communities) at project-level:Provide direct assistance to boost the actions of Local Engagement ChampionsExtend counsel to delivery partners on their activities that engage local communitiesProducing newsletters with engagement features to encourage programme partners and other interested parties to engage on the programme and its platform.Developing and delivering an action plan to increase visibility of the work of the Planning, Finance and Economy Section:Develop an action plan that supports the Planning, Finance and Economy Section to increase the visibility of its work within UN-Habitat, the wider UN family and the general publicSecure additional human resource where required/possible to deliver the approved action plan, and oversee any recruitment and output delivery associated with thisEnsure delivery of the approved action planSupport Community of Practice on Planning, Finance and Economy communication and knowledge management activitiesSustaining high standard of communications output, regularly monitor and evaluating effectiveness of communications output and use results to inform adapting plans, for the Programme and wider Section:Both directly and through supervising and supporting Section communication focal points, ensure all external-facing communications outputs of the Programme are of a high standardDefine baselines and set up methods and measures for monitoring effectiveness of communications activityRegularly reflect and adapt plans if required to ensure communications resource is used effectivelyQualifications/special skillsCompetency: Technological Awareness. Keeps abreast of available technology, understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office, actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks, shows willingness to learn new technology.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; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed, Excellent drafting ability and communications skills, both oral and written; proven ability to communicate complex concepts orally; ability to prepare written reports that are clear, concise and meaningful.Teamwork. Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; 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.Client orientation. Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.Academic Qualifications: Advanced University degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, Advocacy, Graphic Design, International Development or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degreeExperience: A minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in the field of communications, journalism, public relations, knowledge management, or advocacy is required,Experience in external relations, media relations or public relations is required,Experience in developing communication materials to report on impact is required,Experience in writing / editing is an asset,Experience managing volunteers and/or interns is an asset,Experience with website management is an asset.Experience in the field of inclusive sustainable urbanisation is an asset,Experience in any of the countries or cities of the programme is an assetExperience in ‘communicating with communities’ is an asset,Working knowledge and understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals and of the New Urban Agenda is an asset,Experience with website management is an asset,Knowledge of graphic design software is an asset,Knowledge of social media platforms and building online communities is an asset.Working knowledge and understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals and of the New Urban Agenda;Knowledge of graphic design software and social media platforms s an asset;Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.Source:https://careers.un.org/lbw/jobdetail.aspx?id=152894
