COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Org. Setting and ReportingThe United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. UN-Habitat is the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. UN-Habitat works with partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities. UN-Habitat promotes urbanization as a positive transformative force for people and communities, reducing inequality, discrimination and poverty. The position is located in the Local2030 Coalition Secretariat in Bilbao, as part of the Global Solutions Division. The Global Solutions Division (GSD) is responsible for providing programmatic direction for UN-Habitat and is responsible and accountable for the programmatic delivery of the Strategic Plan. The Division leads the tools and methodology production and the integration of the various substantive competencies towards effective delivery of the Strategic Plan and the mandate of UN-Habitat. It provides substantive training and supports capacity development of Member States and partners. The Local2030 Coalition is the UN system-wide mechanism to advance the crucial engagement of local stakeholders in a systematic way - a common space to mobilise, engage and empower every local actor, everywhere – towards the achievement of the SDGs. The Coalition is underpinned by the recognition that strategic and committed partnerships are key to ensure coherence and effectiveness. Inside the UN system, the Local2030 Coalition aims to strengthen coordination between the UN agencies efforts and expand and deepen their partnerships with local actors to advance the SDGs. The Coalition is co-chaired by UN-Habitat (as the permanent co-Chair) and one other UN entity which rotates every two years (currently FAO). UN-Habitat also serves as the Secretariat of the Local2030 Coalition. The Coalition is governed by a Steering Committee and supported by a UN Directors’ Group, which includes senior representatives from various UN Agencies, Offices, Funds and Programmes. The Executive Office of the secretary-General (EOSG) closely accompanies and supports the work of the Local2030 Coalition. The Communication Officer of the Secretariat of the Local2030 Coalition will be part of the Communications Focal Points Network at UN-Habitat. The Communications Focal Points Network at UN-Habitat is a structured group of representatives from regional offices, liaison and information offices, divisions, and key thematic units. The group plays a key role in ensuring effective, strategic, and consistent communication across the organization by strengthening coordination between headquarters and field offices. It also ensures that corporate messaging and consistency are maintained across all communication products and activities, aligning them with UN-Habitat’s strategic priorities as well as branding guidelines. The Communication Officer will also be responsible for the coordination with the communication focal points of the Local2030 Coalition in the UN entities members of the Coalition. This position will provide direct support to the Senior Programme Officer (SPO)/Head of Secretariat (HoS) under the overall supervision of the UN-Habitat senior focal point on SDG localization and local government relations in UN-Habitat and with the guidance of the Local2030 Coalition Co-Chairs and Steering Committee. The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: Responsibilities1. Strategic communication planning: • Undertake strategic communications planning and regularly update the communication strategy and calendar to increase visibility and raise awareness for the main activities of the Local2030 Coalition. • Act as the Local2030 Coalition focal point for coordinating all communication efforts with communication focal points of the Local2030 Coalition co-chairs (UN-Habitat and FAO), UN Entities, Steering Committee members, Local2030 Hubs and other partner organizations where relevant. • Oversee metrics and evaluation of communication approach in the short and long term to ensure effective strategies and adjustments where performance is not optimal. 2. Content and messaging development: • Collaborate with subject matter experts to distil complex information into accessible and engaging materials. • Prepare newsletters to disseminate information and results of the Local2030 Coalition with its network. • Provide technical expertise to promote major publications, events and other activities through communication materials (social media flyers, posts, online stories, etc.) and coordinate its dissemination through the Local2030 Coalition network. • Develop and maintain website content, collaborate on website design updates, ensure brand consistency, implement SEO strategies, and enhance user engagement through interactive features and analytics monitoring of the Local2030 Coalition website (https://www.local2030.org/). • Edit, format, and disseminate Local2030 Coalition’s publications. • Carry out graphic design work for printed and online information products for office spaces, events, and missions and distribute it to partners. • Generate compelling and informative content, including press releases, articles, blog posts, video materials and social media updates. • Develop speeches and corporate messaging for high-level personnel and occasions. 3. Data-related responsibilities • Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Ensures that requirements, background information used for data analysis are documented. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Knowledge of strategic communications principles and practices. Knowledge of media landscape and trends and Knowledge of crisis communications and reputational risk management. Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change. Ability to creatively communicate concepts in an engaging and simple way. Knowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platforms. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. 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. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; 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. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, digital communications or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in design and implementation of ambitious, complex communication strategies, involving coordination with multiple partners, including international partners, and use of a wide range of media is required. Experience writing and editing content for digital outlets (websites, social media platforms), including outlets with global exposure, is required. Familiarity with sustainable development and the Sustainable Development Goals, including the global processes that underpin them, is desirable Experience in directing and overseeing the external communication and public information of an organization is desirable. Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Spanish is highly desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable. NOTE: ''Fluency'' equals a rating of ''fluent'' in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and ''Knowledge of'' equals a rating of ''confident'' in two of the four areas. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special NoticeThis post is for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension. Extension of appointment is subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds. THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO NATIONALS OF SPAIN ONLY. National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located and will be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of the office. If no suitable local candidate is identified, Spanish nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, in which case the candidate would be responsible for any costs related to traveling and relocating to Spain in the event of an employment offer. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. When completing the form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira \"Contact Us\" link. United Nations ConsiderationsAccording to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date. 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.