The Santiago network for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage

The Santiago network was established in December 2019 at COP25, as part of the Warsaw International Mechanism, for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, to catalyze the technical assistance of relevant organizations, bodies, networks and experts, for the implementation of relevant approaches at the local, national and regional level, in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.(decision 2/CMA.2, para 43, noted by 2/CP.25)

The Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement subsequently decided on the functions of the Santiago network at COP26 and on the institutional arrangements to enable its full operationalization. Parties agreed the structure would comprise:

• A hosted secretariat that will facilitate its work, to be known as the Santiago network secretariat;
• An Advisory Board, to provide guidance and oversight to the Santiago network secretariat on the effective implementation of the functions of the network; and
• A network of organizations, bodies, networks and experts (OBNEcovering a wide range of topics relevant to averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage.

At COP28 in 2023, Parties selected the consortium of UNOPS and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRas cohosts of the Santiago network secretariat for an initial term of five years, with fiveyear renewal periods.

Organizational structure of the secretariat

The Santiago network secretariat, cohosted by UNOPS and UNDRR, is responsible for facilitating the implementation of the functions of the network and managing its daytoday operations in accordance with decision 12/CMA.

While UNOPS will provide the necessary administrative and infrastructural support for the effective functioning of the secretariat, UNDRR will provide the secretariat with technical backstopping and expertise in the domain of averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage consistent with the guidelines for preventing potential and addressing actual and perceived conflicts of interest in relation to the Santiago network. Accordingly, UNDRR will annually submit a review of the management of technical issues within the Secretariat to the Advisory Board for consideration.

Relevant decisions on the Santiago network can be consulted here.

Role of the Senior Communications Manager, Santiago network

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Director, the Senior Communications Manager for the Santiago network is responsible for developing and delivering on Santiago network communications strategies and activities to shape the Santiago network public image, effectively communicate the network’s impact and achievements to diverse audiences and profile the network’s value for the global response to loss and damage.

The incumbent will play a crucial role in assisting the Director in building and maintaining strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, developing communications content and managing media relations, to ensure the Santiago network’s message resonates and drives positive engagement.

Communications strategy

• Lead on the development and implementation of the Santiago network communications and partnership strategies to ensure coordinated and targeted engagement and communications with existing and prospect partners, as well as external audiences in line with Santiago network’s strategic objectives, covering all relevant components and action areas, and coordinating its implementation.
• Shape the Santiago network’s image in line with its overall goals and objectives, including through the crafting of clear and compelling messaging that resonates with target audiences, including recipient countries, contributors, partners, and the general public.
• Coordinate the planning for Santiago network’s knowledge development and sharing activities to maximize the reach of learnings and experiences from Santiago network’s country and regional activities.
• Develop Santiago network’s communication tools, website and social media strategies to support and strengthen technical assistance reach and impact in order to advocate and promote Santiago network’s strategic objectives and activities.
• Create effective communication channels, products and other outputs of the Santiago network secretariat, including but not limited to managing the development of and/or contributions to newsletters, articles, training modules, primers, and audiovisual media, inter alia.

External communications and messaging

• Manage Santiago network external communications to ensure that key messages and content used in outreach material, statements by the Advisory Board and Santiago network Director and presentations highlight the network’s achievements and impact
• Establish and maintain a dynamic online presence of the Santiago network, effectively communicating its activities, success stories and impact, including overall content management, case study development and messaging
• Monitor associated analytics and reports to determine the reach and effectiveness of information being shared
• Manage and provide creative inputs to Santiago network’s communication activities and events, including followup with partners through the planning and execution of integrated multichannel communication (website, social media, email marketing, webinars, side events to global climate conferences, etc.)
• Lead the preparation of outreach material, such as flyers, brochures, powerpoint presentations, regular newsletters etc.
• Specify appropriate communication channels, dissemination methods and media such as video, print, web/online media, traditional media, and social media, among others, to effectively communicate key messages to specific stakeholders
• Develop and maintain Santiago network branding guidelines
• Manage timely response to external information requests
• Prepare media releases and liaise with media for interviews, identify opportunities and pitch stories as needed
• Liaise with communications colleagues in the United Nations, especially UNDRR, UNFCCC and UNOPS to keep aligned with systemwide communications and campaigns and exchange information
• Support partnership and relationships management with other relevant initiatives and organizations
• Contribute to donor relationship management and resource mobilization efforts by developing proposals for a donor outreach and fundraising strategy and support its implementation
• Manage effective dissemination of information regarding technical assistance opportunities for developing countries with consideration of a wide range of topics relevant to averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage approaches, including but not limited to current and future impacts, priorities, and actions
• Create and facilitate public education and sharing of information regarding technical assistance available under the Santiago network, including official/nominated country liaisons
• Ensure quality review and contribute substantive input into reports, speeches, publications, audiovisual products and other related outputs of the Santiago network secretariat
• Identify and implement activities that will increase the visibility of the Santiago network and its secretariat, as well as key decisions emanating from decisions of the Advisory Board and the governing body or bodies of the WIM
• Collaborate with external vendors and consultants for quality, editing, translation, design and printing of diverse communications materials, reports etc.

Knowledge management and internal communications

• Lead the Santiago network knowledge management activities, and propose tools for implementation
• Develop and manage knowledge sharing portals and activities to engage communities of practice at global, regional and country level
• Support the Santiago network Director in ensuring effective internal communication flows, in particular with the Advisory Board
• Provide any additional support as required

Education

• An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalenpreferably in Communications, International Relations, Environmental Management, Sustainable Development, Business Administration, or related areas is required.
• A first level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications in the fields on climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, loss and damage, and related climate change processes is required.
• Experience in conceptualizing and managing the production of printed materials, including brochures, flyers, banners, and reports is required.
• Experience managing social media tools and platforms is required.
• Experience with managing website content is required.

Language

• Fluency in oral and written English is required.
• Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Contract type: StaffFTA
Contract level: P4
Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability.

For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/jobopportunities/whatweoffer/Pages/UNStaffContracts.aspx

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to completin your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGin a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.