United Nations University (UNU)

UNU is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge in furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The mission of UNU is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.

For the past four decades, UNU has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on human survival, conflict prevention, sustainable development, and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 12 countries, UNU’s work spans the 17 Sustainable Development Goals’ full breadth, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU maintains more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies and leading universities and research institutions across the globe.

The United Nations University Vice-Rectorate in Europe (UNU-VIE), established in 2007, is one of two Vice-Rectorates and the only one located outside Japan. UNU-VIE seeks to strengthen the presence of UNU in Europe and supports the worldwide institutional development of UNU by facilitating collaboration across UNU and the UN, and sharing knowledge and expertise through the development of joint activities and projects. In addition to its core mandate, it administers the central units providing service to both UNU-VIE and UNU-EHS. For more information, please visit: http://unu.edu/vie

UNU-EHS, established in December 2003, is part of the UNU system, a worldwide network of Research and Training Institutes. Its mission is to advance human security through knowledge-based approaches to reducing vulnerability and environmental risks. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu/ehs

Responsibilities

Under the authority of the Vice-Rector in Europe and the supervision of the Head of the Communication Department, the appointee shall contribute to the work of the Communications Department and be in particular responsible for social media management and multimedia and audiovisual communication outputs for UNU-VIE and UNU-EHS. The appointee is also expected to play an active role in the creation and promotion of UNU-EHS’s flagship publication, the Interconnected Disaster Risks report.

1. Social media strategy

• Co-develop and implement social media strategies and campaigns to increase following, engagement and conversation on social media;
• Develop new creative ways to engage target audiences around UNU-EHS and UNU-VIE content;
• Monitor and evaluate UNU-EHS’ and UNU-VIE’s social media engagement and visibility using appropriate analytic tools, report progress and challenges to senior management, and offer recommendations for improvement;
• Identify key contacts/influencers/stakeholders and opportunities for strategic partnerships, especially via social media, to facilitate communication efforts and maintains working relationships with the same, in an effort to increase visibility of UNU-EHS and UNU-VIE in the digital realm;
• Actively engage in UN and other relevant networks focused on social media and the environment;
• Monitor trends and developments in the social media realm, ensuring that UNU-EHS’s and UNU-VIE’s social media presence and content are up-to-date and relevant;

2. Content production

• Collaborate with the communications analyst to generate new content and develop engaging social media posts that tie in with strategic goals and overall content calendar;
• Proactively liaise with academic staff to identify key moments and priorities to share UNU-EHS and UNU-VIE work in an engaging way appropriate to target audiences;
• In collaboration with the in-house designer, conduct photo and graphic research, create visuals, for example in Canva, and develop infographics and branding for social media posts;

• Manage the social media-related digital information assets of UNU-EHS and UNU-VIE;
• Record and edit videos for social media;

3. Social media management

• Draft and distribute content for UNU-EHS and UNU-VIE across all social media platforms (currently X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube) by researching, designing and scheduling posts, and respond to social media conversations in a proactive, transparent manner;
• Ensure social media presence and branding is consistent and cohesive across all platforms;
• Identify reputational risks on social media and develop appropriate responses in collaboration with Head of Communication;

4. Collaboration with external vendors

• Help to identify, hire and guide external vendors;
• Develop concepts for more elaborate videos to be produced together with external vendors, such as animations;

5. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

Key Performance Indicators

• Timely and quality development of high-quality social media campaigns and content
• Social media channels and activities reach and engage target audiences
• Social media channels continue to grow in followers and engagement
• Timely and quality development of multimedia and audiovisual content
• Quality and level of engagement with partners

Competencies

Values:

• Inclusion – Take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity.
• Integrity – Act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any other breach of UN standards.
• Humility – Demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others.
• Humanity – Act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet.

Behaviours:

• Connect and Collaborate – Build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN
• Analyse and Plan – Seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action
• Deliver Results with Positive Impact – Hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves
• Learn and Develop – Pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others
• Adapt and Innovate – Demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways

1) Education and certification

• Completed secondary education
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in communication, journalism, public relations, mass media or other relevant discipline

2) Required skills and experience

• Minimum five (5) years of working experience for completed secondary education or Bachelor’s degree with four (4) years of progressively responsible working experience in strategic communication, corporate communications or public relations, some of which preferably in an international setting and/or in an organization focused on the environment;
• Experience in producing content for and managing social media is required;
• Strong ability to draft and edit text in the English language is required;
• Experience in writing strong content for a variety of channels and target audiences is required;
• Basic video shooting and editing skills are required;
• Demonstrated experience in translating complex concepts into engaging communication formats for a general audience is required;
• Ability to work as part of an integrated, international communication team is required;
• Familiarity with design software is desirable;
• Experience with science communication is desirable;
• Experience of working on the topic areas of environmental change and climate change or overall sustainable development is desirable;
• Experience in project management, strong attention to detail and ability to handle competing priorities is highly desirable;
• Other Desirable Skills: Initiative, creativity, sound judgment, reliability, team player, ability to carry out work independently, and an interest in science and the environment.

3) Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required, including strong writing and editing skills in English;
• Knowledge of another UN official working language or German as language of the duty station is an asset.

Remuneration

The successful candidate will be employed under a national PSA contract. UNU offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary, commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the candidate. Benefits include 30 days annual leave and a health insurance scheme.

UNU is not liable for any taxes that may be levied on the remuneration you receive under this contract. Payment of any such taxes remains the sole responsibility of PSA holders.

Duration of contract

The duration of the contract is 12 months only for the maternity cover. This is Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with UNU.

The combined duration on a PSA contract with UNU may not exceed six (6) years. The mandatory age of retirement for PSA holders is 65 years. This post is open to applicants from all countries and UNU will aid the successful applicant in securing a work visa for Germany, as necessary. It is, however, a locally recruited post and no relocation allowances apply. The duty station will be Bonn, Germany.

Starting date: As soon as possible

How to Apply

To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:

• Fill out the UNU P11 Form (please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations);
• provide a motivation statement (in the P11 form);
• provide a cover letter setting out how the qualifications and experience match the requirements of the position;
• answer a few questions that are tailored to the position; andYou may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.
• apply via the apply link.

Application Deadline: 8 September 2024

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview, background checks, and references.

Special Notice

Staff members of the United Nations University are international civil servants subject to the Rector’s authority. They may be assigned to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations University. The Rector reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below that advertised. UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities to apply and become part of the organisation. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged. Eligible internal applicants are also encouraged to apply. UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNU, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.

If you have supervisory function you need to have awareness on gender related issues.

Information about UNU rosters

UNU reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNU at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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