Senior Global Media Consultant (Level D)

Result of ServiceFor CBD • Significantly strengthened CBD traditional media strategies; and the meetings of the CBD subsidiary bodies in Panama • Stronger relations with top-tier media organizations For IPBES • Significantly strengthened IPBES traditional media strategies, implementation, monitoring and analyses related specifically to #IPBES12 and the launch of the business and biodiversity assessment report • Widest possible global traditional media reach and uptake of #IPBES12 and the business and biodiversity assessment report messaging • Efficient and effective on-the-ground traditional media management during the period of #IPBES12 and the launch of the business and biodiversity assessment report Work Location• Remote work except for requirement to be in-person at the meetings of the CBD SB8J-1 as well as at #IPBES12 and the media launch of the IPBES business and biodiversity assessment report Expected duration7 Months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe 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. Established in April 2012, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has a membership of 150 Governments (see www.ipbes.net) and seeks to respond to the needs of governments and other stakeholders to strengthen the science-policy interface on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Under the overall supervision of the IPBES Head of Communications and the CBD Head of Communications, for their respective tasks, the Senior Global Media Consultant will specifically strengthen IPBES and CBD communications efforts in the following areas: 1- Accelerate the growth of global audiences for messaging through ‘traditional’ media For CBD • Review and propose ambitious goals for CBD engagement with top-tier media organizations and journalists • Design, refine and directly improve operational implementation of the traditional media strategy for CBD leading up to and during the meetings of the CBD subsidiary bodies (CBD SBSTTA-27 and SB8J-1) For IPBES • Strategically review and propose ambitious but attainable goals for IPBES with relevant media organizations, journalists and influencers • Propose appropriate tactical media engagement activities and opportunities to meet these goals, while also collaborating with the IPBES media training consultant in analyzing and identifying significant risks and proposing options for mitigation • Design, refine and directly improve operational implementation of the traditional media strategy for IPBES leading up to, during and after the launch of the business and biodiversity assessment report 2- Conceptualize, coordinate and strengthen production of strategic and creative content for traditional media For CBD • Make effective tactical use of AAAS EurekAlert, as part of the coordinated outreach workflow • Leverage existing relationships with key science and environment journalists, editors and producers worldwide, and identify new additions to the lists, to promote and achieve maximum international media coverage for CBD For IPBES • Working with the IPBES co-chairs, coordinating lead authors and technical support unit, build on the approved scoping report, message ‘primer’ and draft of the summary for policymakers and the full chapters of the business and biodiversity assessment report, to synthesize, research and craft media alerts, media releases and key messages for all tiers of relevant global traditional media • Strategically manage the distribution of IPBES traditional media outreach for twelfth Session of the IPBES Plenary (#IPBES12) and the launch of the business and biodiversity assessment report, inter alia via personalized emails to own large, relevant environment/science focused media database of at least 4,000 relevant reporters worldwide, and via the IPBES media contacts database • Make effective tactical use of AAAS EurekAlert, as part of the coordinated outreach workflow • Build upon and use existing strong relationships with key science and environment journalists, editors and producers worldwide, and identify new additions to the lists, to promote and achieve maximum international media coverage for IPBES • Build upon and use existing strong relationships with key influencers worldwide to promote and achieve maximum international amplification of #IPBES12 and the business and biodiversity assessment report launch outreach 3- Strategically monitor, analyze and improve online traditional media performance For CBD • In the lead-up, during and immediately after the meetings of the CBD subsidiary bodies (CBD SBSTTA-27 and CBD SB8J-1), use Meltwater and other monitoring tools to find and report on online traditional media coverage of CBD, its top officials and collaborators, and important topics • Comprehensively report on coverage with hyperlinks to (or pdfs of) online traditional media articles, listing at least each media outlet’s name, country of origin, language, circulation/reach data, and an \"advertising equivalency\" estimated valuation of coverage • Analyse coverage and develop recommendations for improvement For IPBES • In the lead-up, during and immediately after #IPBES12 and the launch of the business and biodiversity assessment report, find and report at least monthly about online traditional media coverage of IPBES, its top officials and collaborators, and important topics using Meltwater and other monitoring tools • Provide a comprehensive report at regular intervals and when required, with hyperlinks to (or pdfs of) all online traditional media coverage, listing at least each media outlet’s name, country of origin, language, circulation/reach data, and an \"advertising equivalency\" estimated valuation of coverage • Analyse coverage and develop recommendations for improvement 4- Provide remote traditional media management and in-person media management at meetings For CBD • Plan and lead arrangements and manage logistics, remotely for SBSTTA-27 and in-person for SB8J-1 in Panama • Pre-Event Communications Support (August–September 2025): o Draft media content aimed at top-tier media outlets, including primers , media briefs on key issues and selected themes identified by the Secretaries of the meetings o Organize an online briefing to engage key international journalists ahead of the meetings o Secure at least two interviews with the Executive Secretary by major international media organizations o Draft and place an op-ed on SB8J-1 in a prominent international publication o Draft press releases for review by the Public Information Officer, ensuring alignment with the meetings' evolving priorities o Facilitate longer-term media relationships for CBD, especially with top-tier media For IPBES • Plan and lead arrangements and manage logistics, in person, for #IPBES12 global traditional media relations and the media conference to launch business and biodiversity assessment report, from 1-9 February 2026 in Manchester, UK • Prepare management systems and lead implementation of strategic media interview scheduling for IPBES leadership and report authors before and during the launch of the business and biodiversity assessment report • Lead the process to craft, edit and finalise the media release for the business and biodiversity assessment report launch during and following the #IPBES12 negotiations – ensuring meticulous revision of the draft releases to reflect all nuances of any Plenary edits to the draft summary for policymakers, and to generate the widest-possible reach of both the embargoed and final public versions of the release • Develop the traditional media capacity of IPBES secretariat staff and facilitate longer-term relationships for IPBES with especially top-tier media The consultancy will cover 5.5 months of work, distributed over an 7-month period. Qualifications/special skillsUniversity degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, media, language, environmental studies, or related field. A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience will be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. • At least 15 years of professional experience in global traditional media relations is required • At least 10 years of professional experience in creating global traditional media strategies and managing global traditional media outreach for UN bodies or similar intergovernmental organizations is required • At least 10 years of direct professional experience of traditional media outreach relating specifically to communicating complex scientific matters about environmental issues is required • Must have verifiable own global media contact database that must include at least 4,000 active email addresses for journalists, editors and producers who specifically cover the environment, nature and/or science beats – and personal capacity to effectively distribute media releases, alerts and similar to these contacts. • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to write clear, concise drafts in English is required. • Good organizational and personal management skills, with ability to prioritize work issues to meet deadlines with minimal supervision and adjust to changing situations while maintaining focus on delivery and follow-through is desirable • Knowledge of both CBD and IPBES as well as biodiversity-related matters will be a strong advantage LanguagesFluency in oral and written English is required. Additional InformationNot available. 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.