Result of Service

The completion of the design and implementation of a communication strategy for the OPCC is the result expected. The consultancy will be completed upon the submission of three products in accordance to the above-mentioned tasks. The first required product will be related to the Task 1: Elaborate the OPCC communication plan, which should be the Communication Strategy Work Plan. The other two products shall be two reports on the progress of the implementation of the Communications Strategy related to the Task 2: Implement the OPCC communication plan. With this being executed, the intended outcome is to increase the visibility of the OPCC’s activities and initiatives and strengthen its presence and contribution in international forums and spaces of dialogue related to climate change and just transition, in order to promote climate ambition in the region of Latin American and Caribbean through legislative work.

Work Location

Brasilia

Expected duration

90

Duties and Responsibilities

The just transition to sustainable and low-carbon economies requires long-term and consensual policies, the construction of which necessarily passes through Parliaments. Due to their representative and plural essence and considering the role of counterweight that they perform to the other state powers, Parliaments are essential to defend democracy, increase transparency, promote the rights of minorities and integrate the protection of the environment and, in particular, the mitigation and adaptation to climate change as unavoidable dimensions of all public policy. Within the framework of the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 26) held in November 2021, fifteen parliamentarians from twelve Latin American and Caribbean countries signed a joint declaration that marked the announcement of the Parliamentary Observatory on Climate Change and Just Transition (OPCC). The OPCC is a network comprising lawmakers, technical advisors, and government focal points from Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The OPCC’s main goal is to bolster environmental and climate change legislation in the region. This initiative stems from a recognition of the crucial role of cooperation, collaboration, and solidarity among parliamentarians across the region in facilitating a just transition to sustainable and low-carbon economies and enhanced resilience. The OPCC is in line with the objectives of the Escazú Agreement, which aims to ensure access to environmental information rights across the region. Therefore, it supports improved transparency and accessibility to legislative data, also recognizing them as powerful drivers for increased public participation. The OPCC leverages the diversity of its participants to foster a collaborative environment where common ground can be found for advancing the region’s climate ambition. In this context, the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), with the support of the Open Society Foundations (OSF), promotes the construction of effective legislative frameworks for a just transition to sustainable and low-carbon economies in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean and beyond, through the concretization of the Parliamentary Observatory on Climate Change and Just Transition (OPCC). Adding a communications specialist to the OPCC team is necessary to increase the profile and visibility of the OPCC’s activities and initiatives and strengthen its presence and contribution in international forums and spaces of dialogue related to climate change and just transition. The purpose of this consultancy is to design and implement a communication strategy that elevates the profile and visibility of the OPCC’s activities and initiatives. By strengthening the OPCC presence in international forums and dialogues on climate change and just transitions, advance climate ambition in Latin America and the Caribbean through impactful legislative work. The consultant shall develop/design, coordinate, implement, monitor, review and assess the communications strategy of the Parliamentary Observatory on Climate Change and Just Transition (OPCC) and execute different communication and visibility activities including content creation, production of communication tools, and press and social media coordination. The relevant ECLAC and United Nations regulations and standards shall be observed. OPCC visual identity manual shall be strictly followed. All tasks shall be carried out in accordance with ECLAC guidance and orientation. The consultant shall perform the following tasks: Task 1: Elaborate the OPCC communication plan In close coordination with ECLAC, the consultant will prepare the OPCC Communication Plan, which shall include communication strategies and actions for the OPCC until the end of 2024. At least, the following elements shall be included: i. Identification of the main target audiences (10%). The strategies and actions envisaged in the OPCC’s Communication Plan should primarily address the main target audience of Latin American and Caribbean countries. ii. Identification of communication objectives (20%), based on the communicational needs of the project and the OPCC. These needs are linked to the dissemination of OPCC’s online platform (in development), reports and publications, online and in person events and informative materials from the OPCC. iii. Map and selection of communication channels (20%): according to the identified objectives, indicate the most relevant channels for the communication of the project and the OPCC. iv. Forecast of communication strategies and actions (40%), which must include, at least: a) Development of an editorial manual for the publication of OPCC texts; b) Development of communication templates and pieces. v. Schedule of implementation of communication strategies and actions (10%). Task 2: Implement the OPCC communication plan The OPCC Communication Plan shall consider the implementation of the following, but not limited to: • Communication strategy for the OPCC 2024 during the United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, COP29; • Support the promotion and diffusion of the OPCC Joint Declaration for COP29 and the OPCC side event at COP29; • Create content for social media platforms, focusing on social media of the OPCC’s parliamentarians; • Map and engage with communication channels, liaising the most relevant channels for the communication of the OPCC; • Implement Communication Strategy focused on Legislative stakeholders; • Develop a schedule for when specific communications tools and posts should be launched, identifying target groups, strategic timings, and relevant channels, among others; • Support the dissemination of events carried out by the OPCC through press coordination and content creation, among others; • Develop diffusion materials, such as videos, scripts, posts, articles, interviews, press releases, briefing materials, to be published both internally, on the OPCC website, and, externally, in various news vehicles and social media; • Support the parliamentarians’ communication teams; • Monitor trending topics and filter the most relevant topics in the international media and propose OPCC communication actions and collaborations; • Analyze results of OPCC communications and propose strategy improvements; The consultant shall consider the institutional diversity of Latin American and Caribbean countries, including territories and dependencies. Although participating legislators share the commitment to environmental defense and just transition, it is important to note that the OPCC is a space for plural interparliamentary dialogue and exchange. In addition, other public authorities (executive and judicial), academia, civil society, social movements, companies and other social actors in the region and in the world are also part of the target audience. Related to it, there is also the language diversity. The OPCC activities and communications usually comprise English, Spanish and Portuguese. It is expected that the communication products are either done in all three languages or they are adjusted to one or two of them according to the targeted audience. Products’ language shall be agreed in advance in conjunction with ECLAC team. The consultant shall coordinate closely with and seek guidance from ECLAC at all stages of the design, coordination and implementation of the communication strategy. The consultant shall engage with all relevant areas of ECLAC as well as coordinate the team of consultants working on the OPCC throughout the contract. The consultant shall propose and agree with ECLAC on the format of the internal articulation and coordination, which shall include participating in meetings convened by ECLAC to report progress and provide updates and guidance at any time during the development of the work. Following the regulations and rules of the United Nations, all products and communication materials produced must be delivered in an open and editable format and the property rights (copyright) will belong to the United Nations. The consultant is responsible for showing and instructing the ECLAC team how to use and adjust the models to the demands and needs of the OPCC through accessible tools, defined by common agreement. The final outcome expected from this consultancy is to increase the visibility of the OPCC’s activities and initiatives and strengthen its presence and contribution in international forums and spaces of dialogue related to climate change and just transition, in order to promote climate ambition in the region of Latin American and Caribbean through legislative work.

Qualifications/special skills

Minimum requirements • Academic background: Recognised 1st level degree in journalism, social communications, public relations, public policy, international relations or any closely-related field. • Professional experience: A minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience related to political journalism and/or communications strategy for parliamentarians, advocacy campaigns and civil engagement activities. Professional experience on environmental issues in Latin American and Caribbean countries is highly desirable. • Language: Fluency in English, Spanish and, at least, knowledge of Portuguese Desirable requirements • Experience in specific areas: Experience with legislative processes in Latin American and Caribbean countries, and/or experience with implementation of regional/international cooperation. • An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in journalism, social communications, public relations, public policy, international relations or any closely-related field. • Portfolio communication materials, including social media posts, video scripts, and articles; • Publications in the field, including journal articles and/or academic reports.

Languages

Languages required: English, Spanish and, at least, knowledge of Portuguese

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE 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.