Mission and objectives

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading environmental authority in the United Nations system. UNEP uses its expertise to strengthen environmental standards and practices while helping implement environmental obligations at the country, regional and global levels. UNEP’s mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.

Context

The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, works closely with the 33 countries of the region – including 16 Small Island Developing States – with a population of about 588 million people. The office works to serve the needs of the region and its activities are integrated into the work programs approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly of UN Environment (UNEA). The overall objective of the contract is to contribute to UNEP´s Latin America and the Caribbean´s plan of work in digital communications, strategic partnerships and public information. Through this work plan, the Communication Unit contributes to position the organization as the leading environmental authority in the region, which sets the global environmental agenda, and promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimensions of sustainable development within the United Nations System. The United Nations Volunteer (UNV) will produce, adapt or edit relevant original content for UNEP regional sites in Spanish and English language (https://www.unenvironment.org/es/regions/america-latina-y-el-caribe) in multiple formats, including written and multimedia content. The UNV will contribute to migrate and update content in those sites and other UNEP thematic websites, including the main web sections relative to specific areas of the subprogramme´s work, events, and publications. The UNV will research, compile, and present basic information for use in the preparation and production of communications products/services. The UNV will also update the journalist´s databases for the region, assist in the media coverage of important events, review communications materials of specific UNEP projects, and draft reports on metrics related to websites/publications/events. The incumbent will be supervised by the Head of the Regional Communication Unit in UNEP LACO and will work 40 hours per week, from Monday to Friday, full time at UNEP LACO.

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Regional Communication Unit, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: 1. Contribute to the design of communications strategies to disseminate the activities and milestones of UNEP LACO, which may include the creation of original content such as press releases, web stories, social media content, and updates in the regional website or the supervision of graphic content such as infographics or factsheets. 2. Updating content for the UNEP LAC regional website in English and Spanish, in line with the needs of regional subprogrammes. 3. Creating event web pages to foster the dissemination of UNEP activities in the region. 4. Liaising with substantive units, researching on, and drafting of high-quality content about the milestones of UNEP activities in the region that can be packaged in different formats and channels. 5. Support the implementation of the communication plan for diverse multilateral meetings such as the Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and Climate Change COPs (Conference of the Parties), and others as needed. 6. Support the implementation and adaptation to the regional context of the UNEP global communication strategy and priorities in Latin America and the Caribbean. 7. In coordination with Headquarters, support the implementation of the UNEP global communication strategy and priorities in Spanish-language digital platforms. 8. Support the rollout and management of LACO’s social media accounts, including Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. 9. Support substantive units in LAC office with the publication process of their documents, from training to concept submission, and up to the uploading to UNEP Knowledge Repository and public dissemination. 10. Update journalist database and create metrics reports on events/publications/websites. 11. Support in coordinating media coverage of UNEP´s events and activities in the region, in English and Spanish, including by liaising with news and publications agencies, public relations firms, photographers, etc. to provide advance notice of, and information on, upcoming meetings, briefings and special events. 12. Contribute to coordinating with national and subregional communications focal points, the implementation of global campaigns and the regional work plan. This includes assisting in improving the quality of communications activities organized by UNEP’s offices across the region. 13. Adapt UNEP’s key messages to several communications materials, including factsheets, infographics, videos and social media cards. 14. Utilize analytics tools to track social media performance and identify areas for improvement, which will result in an increase in click-through rates and a decrease in bounce rate. 15. Establish or maintain an up-to-date documentation centre for communication materials including publications, press releases and clippings, photographs, audio-visual materials, web resources, etc. 16. Conduct official travel to provide communications coverage on key events such as COPs, Senior manager missions, Member State meetings and events, Ministerial Forums, and similar. 17. Provide coverage during Regional Communication Officer absences in terms of content coordination and production. 18. Support knowledge management activities at the regional and sub-regional offices including internal campaigns, events and awareness raising initiatives, thematic workshops and internal advocacy on specific topics related to UNEP’s mandates and projects, Gender mainstreaming, inter- agency themes, and similar. 19. Support in developing presentations and other advocacy materials on UNEP-related topics, utilizing available data and visual aids to effectively communicate complex information to internal and external stakeholders, while and enhancing the UNEP Regional Office branding through developing standard template for PPT (power point) and Canva presentations, infographics, quizzes, etc. 20. Advise programme and project specialists, and their respective communications focal points, in developing summaries, best practices, stories, case studies, and communication materials and identify media, platforms and other outreach opportunities for dissemination. 21. Perform other relevant tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Competencies and values

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organizing • Professionalism • Self-management

Living conditions and remarks

Panama is located in Central America, bordered by Costa Rica to the west, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the south. It lies between latitudes 7° and 10°N, and longitudes 77° and 83°W (a small area lies west of 83°). Panama 2020 population is estimated at 4,314,767 people. Spanish is the official and dominant language. Many citizens, who hold jobs at international levels, or at business corporations, speak both English and Spanish. Panama City has a great private health care system that are recognized for its qualified medical professionals and impeccable facilities equipped with intensive care units. However other towns in several provinces have inefficient health systems, facilities and or clinics. Renowned hospitals and clinic centers require an advance payment before attending the patient. Local and international credit and debit cards are required as guarantee for the payment. If the hospital does not receive a previous authorization (direct payment agreement), from your health insurance, a credit/debit card will be required to initiate your health treatment. Panama has two seasons, dry and wet. The dry season, referred to by locals as summer, begins in December and ends in mid-April. That leaves April to December as the wet season. In this sense usual clothing in Panama is light, usual summer/spring clothing. During the wet season in Panama, we tend to experience an uptick in road crashes. Heavy rains may result in flooding and traffic disruptions in certain areas. It occasionally makes city roads impassable and washes out some unpaved rural roads. Be aware, slow down, and stay off the roads during heavy rains. Please as in all occasions verify the routes and the weather conditions before, especially during this period of time. Even when using travel applications like Waze or Google maps please verify with UNDSS or the local staff the routes. Panama is a very unique country. It seamlessly blends the conveniences of a modern metropolis with abundant natural beauty that can be found within the city or just a few hours away in the surrounding provinces. This unique combination offers an enriching environment for residents and visitors alike. One of the outstanding features of Panama is its incredible biodiversity, not only in terms of its natural landscapes but also its diverse population. This multicultural mix adds a vibrant and dynamic aspect to the country, making it an even more fascinating place to explore. However, it’s important to approach this diversity with a mature level of cultural awareness, recognizing and respecting the different traditions, customs, and values that coexist within the society. Overall, Panama offers a captivating blend of modernity and nature, making it a truly exceptional destination that leaves a lasting impression on those who have the opportunity to experience it.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements