Vacancy #: 7169 Unit: Global Communications Unit Organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Location: Headquarters, Gland, Switzerland Reporting to: Director - Global Communications Work percentage: 100% Grade: SP Expected start date: 01 April 2025 Type of contract: Max-term (24 months) Closing date: 23 February 2025 BACKGROUND This position plays a critical role in implementing IUCNโs corporate communications strategy through its non-media corporate communications channels, brand oversight and coordination of various communications efforts across the Union and with external partners. Channels under the responsibility of this position include the IUCN website, IUCN corporate social media platforms and communications around major IUCN events such as the IUCN World Conservation Congress. It is also the point for maintaining IUCNโs brand cohesion and providing strategic advice on updates to IUCNโs various sub-brands.
The position requires liaising with IUCN and unit leadership to develop cohesive communications strategies and coordinated implementation, advising on and responding to internal enquiries not related to media and leading or overseeing
communications task forces as needed. It also plays a lead role in supporting the Director of Communications in developing, adjusting and adhering to the unit budget and designated communications budgets for major events and partnerships. JOB DESCRIPTION Digital communications
โข Develop, in collaboration with the Global Communications Director, an IUCN global digital communications strategy
โข Oversee all IUCN digital (non-press) global communications channels to ensure communications strategy is applied and effective across channels
โข Identify actionable communications opportunities to enhance IUCNโs ability to reach organisational, unit-level and communications objectives
โข Project management lead for video, digital and print communications products including preparing requests for proposals, managing and negotiating contracts for providers and overseeing the development process from inception to final delivery
โข Develop and oversee photo and video management
โข Work together with colleagues responsible for content production within the unit to ensure cohesive content promotion
IUCNโs channels
โข Lead development of communications KPIs, performance monitoring tools and reporting methods and provide strategic insights to Director based on performance trends and metrics
โข Identify reputational or other communications or unit-related risks and help develop measures to prevent, mitigate or respond to them
โข Provide strategic guidance on non-media communications to unit management and communicators to maximise opportunities, increase efficiency and maintain consistency with IUCN strategic communication objectives
โข Support Communications Director in preparing, updating and overseeing relevant policies
Staff Management
โข Manage and motivate direct reports (Communications Officer for digital and social media and IUCN Webmaster) to develop a high-performing digital communications team that implements the digital communications strategy.
โข Act as liaison with IUCN programme, regional and commission communicators for non-media related projects and issues, including strategic coordination
Budget and Administrative
โข Advise and support Director on unit operational budget management in the area of digital communications
โข Together with Senior Communications Manager - content and editorial, track unit operational budget day-to-day expenses, including oversight of all relevant contracts and time management system transactions with IUCN units and any project income, including guiding unit staff through procedures and ensuring all income and expenses align with priorities set by the Director
โข Perform other tasks and assignments as required by the Director
The above job description contains the main duties and responsibilities for this position. However, in a small organisation such as IUCN, staff members are expected to show flexibility in their approach to work and be willing to undertake other tasks that are reasonably allocated to them, but which are not part of their regular job description. Where any task becomes a regular part of a staff memberโs responsibilities, the job description will be changed in consultation with the manager, the staff member and the Human Resources Management Group. Anyone of the three may initiate the consultation. REQUIREMENTS โข Experience and education
โข At least 10 years of experience in professional communications, with demonstrated success in managing cross-cultural teams and increasing levels of responsibility
โข 3 to 5 yearsโ experience managing a digital communications team
โข Masterโs level university degree, in communications, journalism, international relations, public affairs, political science, or other relevant field, or bachelorโs degree with three additional years of relevant experience
โข Proven success in developing and executing innovative communications strategies, including direct experience in digital, event communications and branding
โข Experience managing communications budgets and external contractors for quality delivery and maximum impact within budget
โข Experience in event communications or event marketing a plus
โข Knowledge and understanding of nature conservation and sustainability issues
โข Demonstrated success working in a multi-cultural international setting
Communications and management skills
โข Strong strategic and analytical skills, including the ability to identify practical yet impactful ways communications can help the organisation and its subsets reach various objectives through digital communications
โข Proven ability to coordinate and motivate diverse teams across varied locations and skills toward common and complementary goals
โข Ability to develop cohesive digital communications strategies, with complementary tactics playing to the strategic strength of each channel and its role in overall strategies
โข Strong command of website, social media and other digital strategy and best practices
โข Demonstrated understanding of key performance metrics for digital communications and how to use these metrics to enhance communications impact
โข Ability to assess risks and identify immediate and potential communications crises, develop and analyse options at the pace required and coordinate responses across appropriate channels
โข Proven project management skills, especially in managing complex internal processes and external communications contractors
Languages
โข English โ native level; French and/or Spanish would be an advantage.
Soft skills
โข Excellent decision-making, prioritization and coordination skills
โข Team building, motivation and management skills
โข Ability to deliver top quality work fast, under pressure and within tight deadlines and multiple priorities at once
โข Strong diplomatic and communication skills and an ability to work and communicate effectively across all aspects of the organisation, with external or partner organisations and within a broad range of cultural environments
โข Confidence in interacting with high level leaders and other officials, within and outside of IUCN
โข Agile with the ability to anticipate changing priorities and adapt to meet urgent and emerging demands SALARY The gross annual salary for this position is between CHF 123'265 and CHF 154'081, subject to deductions for social security contributions and second-pillar pension, and before tax. While this is an indicative amount effective as of the current date, changes may occur as per IUCN's compensation practices without prior notice. The same applies to other organisations hosted by IUCN.
APPLICATIONS
Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the \"Apply\" button.
Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.
Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: https://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/
About IUCN
IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.
Created in 1948, IUCN is now the worldโs largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 16,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.
IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.
Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve peopleโs well-being.
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