Communications Specialist

Result of ServiceTimely and relevant products are disseminated on PreventionWeb, UNDRR website and UNDRR social channels. Sessions during the WRRC which include hybrid connection run smoothly. Work LocationHome based Expected duration3 March to 2 July 2025 Duties and ResponsibilitiesCreated in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of disaster reduction and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in socio-economic and humanitarian fields. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, UNDRR has around 150 staff located in its HQ in Geneva, Switzerland, and 5 regional offices and other field presences. Specifically, UNDRR coordinates international efforts in disaster risk reduction, and guides, monitors and reports on the progress of the implementation of the international strategy for disaster reduction, now the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, 2015-2030; campaigns to create global awareness of disaster risk reduction benefits and empower people to reduce their vulnerability to hazards; advocates for greater investments in disaster risk reduction to protect people's lives and assets, and for increased and informed participation of men and women of all stakeholder groups in reducing disaster risk; and informs and connects people by providing practical services and tools such as PreventionWeb, publications on good practices, and by leading the preparation of the Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction and the organisation of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction. The International Recovery Platform (IRP) is a global partnership working to strengthen the capacities of countries and communities to build back better in recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction. Its Secretariat is coordinated by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). It is a joint initiative of United Nations organizations, international financial institutions, national and local governments, and non-governmental organizations engaged in disaster recovery. It seeks to transform disasters into opportunities for sustainable development. IRP supports progress against Priority 4 of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SF), Enhancing Disaster Preparedness for Effective Response and to \"Build Back Better (BBB)\" in Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction. The World Resilient Recovery Conference (WRRC) succeeds the World Reconstruction Conferences (WRC) as a global platform to advance the agenda on resilient recovery. The WRRC embodies a commitment to a comprehensive approach to recovery, integrating societal, economic, and environmental resilience to address the evolving challenges of disaster recovery and readiness. The WRRC will take place on June 3, 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland, during the preparatory days leading to the 8th Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2025), held from 2 to 6 June under the theme “Everyday Counts, Act for Resilience Today.” Aligning with this theme, the WRRC will emphasize the urgency of resilient recovery readiness, aiming to catalyze global progress in preparing for and managing resilient recovery efforts across diverse contexts. The Intergovernmental, Interagency Cooperation and Partnerships Branch of UNDRR seeks to engage a Communications Specialist to support the communications work leading up to, during and after the WRRC. The Communications Specialist will work remotely and collaborate closely with IRP Secretariat, as well as WRRC Steering Group members and participants. In addition, close coordination will be required with UNDRR’s Communication Section and the 2025 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction team to ensure alignment with the Global Platform communication strategy. Duties and Responsibilities : The consultant will be home based under the supervision of the Programme Management Officer in the Intergovernmental Processes, Interagency Cooperation and Partnerships Branch, and in close collaboration with UNDRR’s communications and Global Platform team, the Communications Specialist will carry out the following duties and responsibilities: Communication support to thematic session, webinars and master classes -Supports the promotion of webinars and master classes organized in the lead up to WRRC and WRRC thematic session. This will include developing media cards, event pages on PreventionWeb and promotion through social media. -Drafts media stories for at least 6 webinars and publish them on the UNDRR website. -Identifies and captures good practices and impact stories from webinars, master classes and thematic sessions and develop a repository of good practices using existing platforms. -Liaise with Comms and Global Platform team to update the WRRC thematic session web pages: https://globalplatform.undrr.org/2025/programme/preparatory-days/wrrc Overall support to WRRC promotion -Finalizes the WRRC Comms strategy. -Ensure regular updates to the WRRC website. -Drafts web story for the WRRC. -Supports development of banner (e.g. podium and screen) and WRRC powerpoint template. -Liaise with the WRRC and Comms team to identify experts and high-level participants that will be interviewed in the UNDRR video booth. -Supports video production and editing as requested. -Responds to a variety of media / communication related inquiries and information requests internally and externally; prepares related correspondence. -Support the development of WRRC proceedings by for example compiling and drafting content. -Performs other related duties as required. Social media -Attends weekly editorial meetings of the communications section -In collaboration with the communication section, supports the production of social media content. Researches, generates, draft content, text, photos, captions, infographics and short videos for UNDRR social media in support of UNDRR campaigns and overall communication strategy. -Prepare and share social packages with relevant partners -Mobilize WRRC speakers for social amplification before, during and after the conference -Monitors analytics and reports on the effectiveness of social media channels. -Post WRRC session videos on UNDRR YouTube channel. Organization of hybrid meeting -Coordinate closely with the GP25 team and the provider of the hybrid modality (in-person and virtual) before and during the WRRC, including setting up connection links, testing of audio and video with speakers (as relevant). -Ensure that virtual participants can engage in sessions on the day of the WRRC. -In coordination with the hybrid company and the GP2025 team, support the use of Q&A tools, polling software, and engagement platforms. -Participate in workshops and missions organized by the GP related to the hybrid component of GP2025 in the lead-up to the event (virtually if not based in Geneva). Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in digital media, communications, journalism or social science is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. At least 5 years of experience in communications including 2 years in digital content production is required. Experience with graphic and video editing software is required. Experience in web content management is required. Experience in organization of hybrid events is desired. Experience in drafting reports and other written inputs is desired. Experience in disaster risk reduction, climate change, humanitarian action or international development is desirable. LanguagesFluency in English is required. Knowledge of any other UN Languages is desirable Additional InformationDue to the high volume of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted. 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.