Communications Consultant for Arabic Language

Result of ServiceTop-tier Arabic-speaking media coverage of UNCCD. Work LocationHome based Expected duration01 July to 31 December 2025. Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground: The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is an international agreement on good land stewardship. It helps people, communities, and countries to create wealth, grow economies and secure enough food and water and energy, by ensuring land users have an enabling environment for sustainable land management. Through partnerships, the Convention’s 197 Parties set up robust systems to manage land degradation and drought promptly and effectively. Good land stewardship based on a sound policy and science helps integrate and accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, builds resilience to climate change and prevents biodiversity loss. Land also plays a key role in the prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, securing rural livelihoods and creating green jobs, supporting community resilience and maintaining the sustainable delivery of ecosystem services. The functions of the secretariat are, among others, to make arrangements for sessions of the Conference of the Parties (COP) and its subsidiary bodies. In addition, the secretariat also provides assistance to Parties in implementing the Convention. The Communications, External Relations and Partnerships (CERP) Unit supports the mandate of UNCCD by providing an overall strategic direction on communications, external relations and partnerships, underpinned by innovation and the use of effective tools. It leads and coordinates UNCCD’s engagement with key stakeholders and builds partnerships to mobilize corporate resources and raise the visibility of land issues on the political and public agendas. Furthermore, it acts as the UNCCD brand guardian, leading global strategic communication at corporate and programmatic levels, nurturing creativity and ambition to reach new audiences with world-class, science-based communication and advocacy. Duties and Responsibilities: Under the direct supervision of the Chief of CERP Unit the consultant will perform the following duties: • Develop and implement a media engagement plan for Arabic-speaking audiences around key moments such as the annual observance of Desertification and Drought Day, CRIC23 and COP17, in alignment with the overall communication strategy; • Liaise internally and externally, as directed, to identify newsworthy and regional angles on key Convention issues, suggest and develop new print and multimedia content for Arabic-speaking audiences, including case studies, feature stories, interviews etc. • Prepare necessary materials (key messages, press releases, op-eds, media advisories, etc.) in Arabic or other languages as may be required; • Proactively pitch Arabic-speaking media, including the creation of story ideas and thought leadership pieces to pique media interest; • Coordinate media outreach activities around key events, including liaising with Arabic-speaking spokespeople, including UNCCD leadership, experts and key decision-makers, prepare talking points for spokespeople and coordinate interviews; • As required, translate or adapt content from English or other languages into Arabic, adhering to UN editorial standards, • Support an analysis of Arabic-speaking media coverage, including key message penetration, spokespeople quoted and estimated earned media cost; • Manage follow-up interviews and public inquiries; and • Perform other project-related tasks as may be needed. Qualifications/special skillsBachelor’s degree in public relations, journalism, communications or political/social sciences is required. Minimum 5 years of experience and knowledge of environmental, policy, and outreach issues and activities relevant to the work of UNCCD is required. Experience in working with top-tier Arabic broadcast, print and online media is desirable. Experience creating quality content for media, including excellent writing and editing skills in Arabic is required. Experience working in a multicultural and multinational environment is desirable. Experience working in countries affected by desertification, land degradation and drought is desirable. Knowledge of the UN issues related to sustainable development and sustainable use of natural resources is desirable. Familiarity with UNCCD issues and work is an advantage. LanguagesExcellent writing and editing skills in Arabic and fluency in English languages are required. Additional InformationOnly individuals who can act as independent, individual economical operators are qualified to apply. Individuals who can provide their services only on account of an institution or enterprise are not eligible under this procedure. Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations Secretariat and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultant and individual contractor is responsible for determining tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. For remote consultancies, the selected candidate will be required to have a laptop or desktop PC (with Windows 10 or newer) or Mac (with the latest MacOS update), as well as a reliable, high-speed internet connection. An Office 365 license will be provided by the UNCCD to enable the candidate to access official emails, SharePoint, OneDrive and other office applications, such as Word and Excel. Further computer requirements: An antivirus application which receives regular updates; Browsers must be a newer version with regular updates enabled; Regular Windows 10 updates should be enabled with Windows laptop or PC. In addition, a mobile phone will be required to enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA) through SMS or the Authenticator App. No FeeTHE 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.