Job Description

Result of Service
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. The overall objective of the UNEP's Industry and Economy Division is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities. The Knowledge and Risk Unit of the Chemicals and Health Branch promotes scientific approaches and knowledge for the sound management of chemicals including through implementation of United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolutions and Global Environment Facility (GEF) projects. The Knowledge and Risk Unit gathers, compiles and analyses state of the art information and data, including through monitoring activities, inventories and assessments, to allow policymakers to make informed decisions on the sound management of chemicals and waste. The Unit executes projects and covers topics related to chemicals in products, lead in paint, persistent organic pollutants, highly hazardous pesticides, mercury among others. The Unit also addresses issues of concern highlighted by governments, such as antimicrobial resistance, and assists in implementing mandates received through the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) on green and sustainable chemistry, issues of concern, high impact sectors and the Sustainable Development Goals, among others. UNEP is leading the GEF-8 Integrated Programme (IP) titled "Eliminating hazardous chemicals from supply chains". This is a full-size project (FSP) for which the Knowledge and Risk Unit is executing the Global Coordination Project, "Global Replication to Eliminate Hazardous Chemicals from Supply Chains," (GEF ID 11177). The consultant will assist the Knowledge and Risk Unit in executing the Supply Chains Integrated Programme: - Update and implement the communications strategy. - Support the work to establish a knowledge management platform - Support information exchange in consultation with the 8 IP country projects.
Work Location
Home-based / Working remotely
Expected duration
3 months at 50%
Duties and Responsibilities
The objective of this consultancy is to assist the Knowledge and Risk Unit in organizing the launch the GEF ID 11169 Integrated Programme on eliminating hazardous chemicals from supply chains and support the inception phase of the GEF ID 11177 Global replication to eliminate hazardous chemicals from supply chains. The consultant will work closely with the project manager of the global project and provide specialized technical contributions related to knowledge management and communications. Under the overall supervision of the Chief, Chemicals and Health Branch, Industry and Economy Division, and the direct supervision of the Officer-in-Charge, Head of Knowledge and Risk Unit, Chemicals and Health Branch, the Consultant will be responsible for the following duties: o Update and implement the communications strategy - Develop a 2026 communications action plan, with activities, timelines, key events, responsibilities, target audiences, and success indicators. - Revisions to the communications strategy reflecting updates to programme objectives, stakeholders, communication channels, and KPIs. - Support coordination work for setting up a visual identity and branding for the Integrated Programme (IP), including inputs to the design process. - Coordinate with the UNEP communications division towards the establishment of a social media framework and channels for the programme. - Develop communication packages and supporting materials for webinars and other events, ensuring quality and consistency. - Prepare and curate content for communication and promotional materials, including news articles, videos, newsletters, social media posts, blogs, event banners, and other outreach tools aligned with the IP's objectives as needed. - Support the monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of both online and offline communication channels, ensuring alignment with the IP's goals and objectives. o Support the work to establish a knowledge management platform - Support the work of the knowledge management consultant on the programmatic knowledge management platform. - Inputs to KM platform structure and content plan. - Support with coordinating provision of content (written & visual) for the platform. o Support information exchange in consultation with the 8 IP country projects - Facilitate information exchange within IP communities by engaging participants, suggesting discussion themes, and raising awareness of key topics. - Lead the coordination of programmatic communications and knowledge management networks, collaborating closely with the project's Knowledge Management consultants. o Provide support in stakeholder consultations and meetings as required. o Support other tasks as required. Output expectations: o Updated Communications Strategy o 2026 Communications action plan for 2026 o Visual Identity & Branding Package development process coordination o Creation or launch of IP social media channels o Communication materials drafted and ongoing content production o Integration of knowledge management and communications o Facilitated information exchange o Coordination of communications networks Performance indicators: o Thorough review of substantive information presented in a comprehensive manner. o Efficient communication and coordination with partners and stakeholders and timely delivery of outputs. o Documents and reports are well written and delivered on time. o Timely identification and contribution to relevant meetings. o Timely and detailed follow-up of the processes for the delivery of expected outputs consistent with the implementation of the project workplan. o Above listed tasks successfully delivered, including satisfactory acceptance by Programme Officers of the Knowledge and Risk Unit.
Qualifications/special skills
Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in a field related to Communications, Development studies, Project Management, Environment Sciences or Environmental management. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience (2 additional years) may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of 2 years of relevant professional work experience in communications, project or programme management or chemicals and waste management topics is required. Work experience in implementing and coordinating a communications strategy is required. Work experience developing and reviewing written outputs, social media content and communications materials for projects is required. Experience establishing and coordinating a taskforce or working group on communications is preferred. Experience developing or working on GEF funded projects is preferred. Familiarity with the topic of hazardous chemicals in fashion and construction supply chains is desirable. Special skills/knowledge: Excellent communications skills (written and oral), fluent command of English and ability to craft and deliver messages in an articulate manner. Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to build robust relationships with key strategic partners.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.
Additional Information
Not available.
No Fee
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.